I spent the entire last week designing the suspension on my MGTC on steroids. About the only use will be to run autocross events. (it will be trailered to & from)
I kept coming back to the idea of a no suspension go-cart type suspension. My logic is with the smooth flat surface of a typical autocross event why add the weight and complexity of suspension? with the weight saved put ballast where it will do the most good.
What am I overlooking ? why wouldn't it work?
Because you need to take a ride in a kart at a typical AutoX before you ask that question.
Basically no surface, aside from polished concrete, is smooth enough to really make that work.
That's not too say that using some very basic swing arm suspension with rubber bump stops of different durometer (similar to the Mini) with very short travel to prevent wheel jacking.p might work better than a kidney pounding solid suspension solution.
^ what he said,although with the right tires (I'm thinking NASCAR size) run at low enough pressure, it might be bareable.
I seem to recall an F1 team trying this idea. I think they decided it would probably be fast, but it'd kill the driver.
Any suspension will work, as long as you dont let it.
Keep in mind that a racing kart chassis is flat for a reason, they're designed to flex quite a bit.
Who cares about the driver. The real issue is that an infinite spring rate will see the contact patch lose load force more than a suspended tire.
And your kidneys will fail and your teeth will rattle out and you will have a hard time keeping your eyes fixed on anything.
I say go for it and get back to us.
BrokenYugo wrote: Keep in mind that a racing kart chassis is flat for a reason, they're deigned to flex quite a bit.
So is a MGTC chassis...
The Abomination has about 2" of suspension travel before it bottoms out. It can get painful at times. Most autocross courses are unbelievably rough. There are a couple of courses I'm pretty sure it leaves the ground and I know the karts do. Wear a kidney belt, it's going to beat the crap out of you.
In reply to NOHOME:
Yeah I think it worked for the F1 team because downforce and higher average speeds.
If you put the TC body on something home made or something other than stock, are you now running in a class near the deep end of the pool? SAE cars etc.
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: Because you need to take a ride in a kart at a typical AutoX before you ask that question. Basically no surface, aside from polished concrete, is smooth enough to really make that work. That's not too say that using some very basic swing arm suspension with rubber bump stops of different durometer (similar to the Mini) with very short travel to prevent wheel jacking.p might work better than a kidney pounding solid suspension solution.
My autocross experience is somewhat limited.. However the events I've raced at had a far smoother surface than most racetracks.. Setting the car up for them I increased suspension rate as high as it could go while keeping the ride as low as possible.. Jounce and rebound were both maxed out and the sway bar rate was increased to as stiff as possible..
Yes it was bone jarring for the brief time I drove it. Tire pressure remained at the same as I used on short tight twisty tracks.. 22-23 pounds
Chadeux wrote: I seem to recall an F1 team trying this idea. I think they decided it would probably be fast, but it'd kill the driver.
Yep, right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LFmWd2JkC8
They tried it because there was a rumor that Lotus was trying it...more proof that "left Twix vs. right Twix" logic is real in racing
BTW, a kart's suspension is in its tires (similar to an F1 car in this way, where much of the suspension is in the tires - which is why it would require major changes to the cars to switch to low-profile tires like FE) and frame flex. Yes the frames are made to flex on purpose, and they use chassis bracing to adjust handling.
Wilmington is a perfect example of how unperfect the surface really is. Massive, smooth concrete with incredible grip. Last weekend's course had a long 75' slalom along the back fence that looked awesome. The car would literally hop in transitions because the pavement was FAR from being truly smooth. Even the Fmod cars have some suspension to them.
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