Wow. So, subtract the weight of the steel roof, and all that glass up high,
and you can see a roadster has a heck of a low center of gravity. Even this
GT's is below the top of the wheel rim. And a roadster with standard tires
is over an inch lower than that at the wheel center.
I would figure the V8 is about a wash weight-wise with the 4. It might sit
lower, but most of its mass is higher due to the V-shape.
The lack of bumpers on this car actually raises the CG, by subtracting
weight below the CG, and by letting it ride higher on the springs. On the
other hand it helps polar moment of inertia, and acceleration of course.
Interesting.
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
on 3/24/06 2:36 PM, James Nazarian at jhn3@uakron.edu wrote:
> I did it about a year and a half ago with my V8 so take it for what it is.
>
> The car is a 71 GT with no bumpers
> Full glass and interior but not stock interior panels
> Olds 215 with T-10 4 speed
> Near stock ride height
> 1/4 tank of gas
> Small speaker box, and large tool set still in the trunk should be equal to
> the rest of the gas
> Twin 12V batteries
> Me in the driver seat (215lbs)
> 205/50R15 tires and wheels
> This was all done with a very accurate set of corner scales
>
> The weights:
> LF 656
> RF 586
> LR 644
> RR 615
> Total 2501
> Left 51.98%
> Front 49.66%
> Cross 50.82%
>
> Wheel center height 11.5 inches above ground
> I lifted the back 12 inches to calculate vertical cg while keeping the rear
> suspension compressed
>
> Longitudinal CG 45.87 inches back from front wheel center
> Vertical CG 18.95 inches from ground
> 7.45 inches above wheel center
>
> James Nazarian
> 71 MGBGT-V8
> 71 MGB Tourer
> 87 325es
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