[DeTomaso] it wasn't that much fun

Charles Engles cengles at cox.net
Sun Dec 2 12:43:40 EST 2012


Dear Dan,


            Ach du Lieber!   I had forgotten all those other factors of
suspension and handling.  You're right that it is a multifactorial equation
to solve for optimal handling.  


                      Warmest regards, Chuck Engles


-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
Behalf Of Daniel C Jones
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2012 4:54 PM
To: Pantera REALBIG forum
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] it wasn't that much fun

Your really can't make a blanket statement that 315 is better than 335 on
the rear.  The effective roll stiffness (a function of both the spring rates
and sway bar stiffness at both ends), the weight distribution, alignment
settings, chassis flex and tire compound all factor into how the tire
contact patches are utilized.  Also, if you look at some of the 315 and 335
tires, you'll see the 335's sometimes have a smaller effective contact
patch. That was the case with the 335/35/17 Dunlop SP8000's.  They have wide
channels for better wet weather performance that reduce the contact area.
Furthermore, you can not read across how a car with a certain size race tire
(and corresponding alignment) behaves when the same car is fitted with
street tires. This can even be the case within the street performance tire
category.  I once had a set of Z-rated Firestones on my 1987 Mustang GT
(lowered, chassis stiffened, Ford Motorsport springs, Bilstein
struts/shocks, caster/camber plates, adjustable upper rear control arms, HPM
Megabite lowers, poly bushing, etc.) and the car had major oversteer.  I
switched only the tire make (same sizes all around) and the car was
transformed without even a hint of oversteer.

Dan Jones
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