[geeks] RE: [rescue] miss me?

[Joshua D Boyd]

On Tue, Aug 27, 2002 at 12:11:47AM -0400, Joshua D Boyd wrote:
> On Mon, Aug 26, 2002 at 07:32:07PM -0700, David Passmore wrote:
> > On Mon, Aug 26, 2002 at 12:31:57PM -0500, Bill Bradford wrote:
> > 
> > > (why would ANYONE want to *lower* a vehicle???  Designers make em
> > >  a certain height for a reason...)
> > 
> > Lowering the center of gravity by 2" on a 3700 pound vehicle can make a
> > /huge/ difference in body roll. Most cars are designed with about that much
> > headroom above the tires for snow chains and such. Of course, it messes up
> > the steering geometry of the car, and then you get into bump steer, and you
> > have to install offset steering rack bushings, etc etc etc...
> > 
> > In other words, if done right, it can really make your car handle better. If
> > done poorly, well, it can get you killed.
> 
> Someone was telling me that all he needed on his cabriolet (VW) was a
> front anti-sway bar.  Was he doing something stupid?  It's not like this
> was some kid.  It was a mid 40 something programmer I worked with once.

Err, he lowered his cabriolet, and installed larger wheels, new intake
and filters, new exhaust.  A 2.0 engine.  No forced induction, or
nitrous.  He claimed it was quite good, and until 50 it accelerated
faster than a stock mustang 5.0.  I never verified any of the claims
other than that is was lowered and had bigger wheels, since I could see
the car from the restroom window.

-- 
Joshua D. Boyd