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Re: camber compensator

To: "Joe Curry" <spitlist@gte.net>, <mhaynes@ball.com>
Subject: Re: camber compensator
From: "Peter S." <alfapete@pacbell.net>
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 10:05:53 -0700
Independent suspension can give a smooth straight ahead ride.  But swaybars
make for better cornering.  Sway bars also couple the two sides thus making
it no longer independent.  But that is the trade off.  When you hit a bump
on one side it can transfer via the swaybar to the other side.  Unless they
are very stiff bars this is usually minimal but its the trade off to better
cornering.  I don't think there is a car made today that doesn't have at
least a front sway bar.  My moms Lexus rides incredibly smooth considering
it has front and rear bars.
Peter S


----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
To: Haynes, Mark <mhaynes@ball.com>
Cc: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 1999 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: camber compensator


>
> Mark,
> I guess it depends on a number of things.  I have not seen how the anti
> sway bar is mounted, so I don't know the dynamics of it.  I spoke to
> someone who said he has one (don't know if it is addco) and he was
> unimpressed with its performance because it restricted the action of the
> springs and made for an awfully rough ride.  This is probably not
> important in a true race car, but certainly worth considering on a
> street car.
>
> The design of the camber compensator is such that it does not interfere
> with the spring action but rather transfers the force of the wheel
> loading to the inside unloaded wheel and pushes it out so it stays in a
> negative camber attitude.  Coupled with a de-arched rear spring, and
> some good Koni or Spax shocks, it makes for a good racing setup.
>
> Send me a reply describing how the addco sway bat is mounted and I'll
> compare it with my understanding of the camber compensator action and
> give you my thoughts.  Also what is the cost of this option?
>
> Regards,
> Joe
>
> "Haynes, Mark" wrote:
> >
> > Joe- wouldn't the application of a rear anti-sway bar accomplish the
same
> > thing on a swing spring? We put an addco bar on the rear of our racer
this
> > winter, and it has greatly improved the balance of the car when put into
a
> > 'tail-out' situation. i.e. It no longer has the tendancy of over
responding
> > to inputs wwhen the tail starts to swing out, thus making it easier to
> > control when pushed too hard.
> > Mark Haynes
> > '65 Spit Racer RMVR #162 (with a Swing Spring)
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Joe Curry [SMTP:spitlist@gte.net]
> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 10:46 PM
> > > To:   david
> > > Cc:   spitfires@autox.team.net
> > > Subject:      Re: camber compensator
> > >
> > >
> > > David,
> > > There is a description on the URL:
> > > http://home1.gte.net/spitlist/cambercompensator.htm
> > >
> > > But in short, the function is to prevent (or restrict) the tendency of
> > > the inside rear wheel to tuck under in a hard turn.  It does so by
> > > providing a leaf spring attached to the bottom of the differential and
> > > to the vertical links.  When the loaded wheel is compressed it causes
> > > the spring leaf to shift and exert downward pressure on the unloaded
> > > wheel.  This force is below the pivot point of the rear trunnion so it
> > > is converter to outward pressure causing the wheel to be pushed
outward,
> > > retaining a negative camber attitude instead of tucking under.
> > >
> > > The nature of the swing spring makes it unsuitable for use with the
> > > camber compensator, but if a fixed spring is substituted for the swing
> > > spring and the camber compensator is installed, the result is a much
> > > more stable rear suspension.  That opinion is shared by Kas Kastner
who
> > > has generously counseled me in the creation of the above referenced
URL.
> > >
> > > Check it out and see if that doesn't answer your questions.  I expect
to
> > > have photos on the URL sometime in the next 1 to 2 weeks.  I'm just
> > > waiting for the remaining few pieces to be fabricated and it will be
> > > ready to install.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Joe
> > >
> > > david wrote:
> > > >
> > > >      How does this camber compensator I keep hearing about work?
What
> > > > does it consist of? Anyone have a picture of it or a schematic
> > > > representation? How well does it work? Better in combination with a
> > > > swing spring? Will an early spitfire flip if turned quickly in one
> > > > direction or more? Or does it just (!) lose rear traction and
> > > > spin/oversteer? Well, you get the drift of my thoughts. Who's got
the
> > > > lowdown on the rear suspension setup on spits?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,      David
> > >
> > > --
> > > "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
> > >  -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
> > >
>
> --
> "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
>  -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
>


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