I was looking at the images from the Regal thread, and had a quirky thought...
From the looks of this, any MacStrut (with Cheese) suspension could be adapted to this configuration. I wonder if it would provide an AutoX advantage vs plain camber plates.
Thoughts?
Some questions:
What other GM models could use the stock LaCrosse HiPer struts? Could these be used in a Cruze or Cobalt?
What's the performance delta between a HiPer Strut, a regular Mac strut, and a-arms?
looks like the only reral difference is added bushings at the strut/ lca mating point. think they are rubber or urethane from the factory?
and that "unique" LCA looks a lot like an E30 unit doesnt it?
Reducing your KPI would give you... what? I'm a little rusty in my kinematics.
Matt B
HalfDork
11/4/10 2:53 p.m.
I would gander that the extra bushings only provide extra NVH insulation (which is important to Regal buyers, I would imagine). If there was a performance advantage it would be in the kingpin axis. My noob mind needs to look it up again though.
snipes
Reader
11/4/10 3:40 p.m.
More room before the tire hits the spring perch? It should let you run a wider/taller tire. But I think the bigger change is want the shallower kingpin angle does as the wheels are turned. The turn-in and on center feel would be way different no?
itsarebuild wrote:
and that "unique" LCA looks a lot like an E30 unit doesnt it?
Like an S197 Mustang's, too.
snipes wrote:
More room before the tire hits the spring perch? It should let you run a wider/taller tire. But I think the bigger change is want the shallower kingpin angle does as the wheels are turned. The turn-in and on center feel would be way different no?
Looks like it should reduce scrub radius, for one.
It looks similar in concept to the Ford RevoKnuckle system (warning: PDF):
http://www.not2fast.com/chassis/revoKnuckle.pdf
Nobody noticed the #1 benefit of this and the RevoKnuckle...
By adding that upper balljoint and running the strut to the bottom of the spindle, now only the spindle rotates in a turn. In a plain MacStrut, the whole stinking strut pivots which gives slow steering, bad feel, and promotes understeer. I think it's pretty ingenious, actually.
Grtechguy wrote:
ReverendDexter wrote:
itsarebuild wrote:
and that "unique" LCA looks a lot like an E30 unit doesnt it?
Like an S197 Mustang's, too.
or 2nd gen RX7
"Unique" = only that model has it.
FC RX-7s and S197 Mustangs probably have ball joints at the end of the control arm, not bushings.
I showed the pics to my co-worker and he said "Oh great! Kingpins like an MG!"
Javelin wrote:
Nobody noticed the #1 benefit of this and the RevoKnuckle...
By adding that upper balljoint and running the strut to the bottom of the spindle, now only the spindle rotates in a turn.
Nissan's been doing that for years, though. They put the suspension links wherever they wanted without having to worry about steering axis.
this is a halfway interesting concept, although I don't think I would try it on my Mini just because I can't be bothered to tear the whole front end apart to reverse engineer it and I don't have access to the necessary casting and machining equipment to make the new spindle and spindle carrier (for lack of a better term...)