Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jim! In principle, I agree with Tim's
advice. Relatively soft rear suspension, well controlled with good shock
absorbers, will certainly keep the wheels on the road better than stiff rear
springs.
I question the removal of the rear roll bar on the '77, though, especially
as you fattened up the front bar. In my experience, the rear roll bar helps
control the rear wheel contact with the ground, and the design of the
factory bar is such that it also helps prevent spring wind-up.
Lawrie
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Stuart <jimbb88@erols.com>
To: MG list <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Thursday, December 31, 1998 4:28 PM
Subject: suspension lowering
>
>Now I am not holding myself out as the suspension guru for MG's, but my
>mentor, best friend till his passing, mechanic, etc was Tim Mountjoy. He
>won many regional E production titles racing a B, & helped me set up my
>V8 roadster for autocrossing.
>
>His advice, proven to work, was to soften the rear suspension, not add
>to the spring rate. After lowering my '77 to CB height, using de-arched
>rear springs, & raising the front mounting to the CB location, we added
>a 3/4" Addco sway bar in front, poly bushings everywhere, & removed the
>rear sway bar. It was a good thing at the raised height, but not when
>lowered.
>
>For CB cars, he again used the 3/4" Addco front sway bar, stock rear
>springs & shocks, uprated front shocks, & maybe Turn Six front springs,
>at a higher spring rate than stock.
>
>If the rear is too stiff, it will skate right out from under you, bumps
>will unsettle you in the turns.
>
>Maybe Lawrie will add advice to this thread.
>
>Jim Stuart
>
|