----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul M." <rowman22001@yahoo.com>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 11:55 AM
Subject: RE: steering rack alignment (now shock and camber shimming)
I find it odd that the hot
ticket with the vintage racing MGB crowd seems to be a
7/8" or even 1" front bar with NO rear bar whatsoever.
In my mind, if I put a 7/8" front bar on my
currently-well-balanced MGB and no rear bar, it would
probably start pushing pretty noticeably...
*****************************************
Paul, consider that a car with independant suspension in front and back with
a front bar only would have more understeer because of increased weight
transfer in front. If the car has independant front, but a solid axle in
back and, especially, if it has a lot of body roll in stock form, the
stiffer front bar sometimes will have enough effect on lessening positive
camber change up front to more than offset the increased weight transfer -
thus resulting in less understeer. It all depends on how much positive
camber from body roll while turning was originally a problem and whether the
size bar chosen takes more front positive camber out than puts front weight
transfer in. If you go too far in the size of the bar, you will raise the
weight transfer too much and the fix will backfire. This doesn't work in
all cases, but it seems that some guys could have found it to work with the
MGB.
On autocross courses, you probably would still want a rear bar to induce a
little oversteer -- not a good idea on a high speed road course!
Sorry that doesn't tell you what size is optimal, but it should explain the
front bar only practice for road racing. Now, it's back to trial and error!
Larry Daniels
79 MGB LE
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