still confused about a arms..

[danilo]

The A Arms in Caterhams and even Locusts don't feature an angled upper balljoint fittment .

Without doubt a different chassis design is suggested :-)
I ...have... drawn an SV clone chassis as a .dwg, down to the last detail.
And the geometry works fine :-) ALL of it.
Using Caterham SV overall dims. And Cat A arms.. why not? they are of good proven quality/design, as well as easily available for similar to clone pricings.
No inordinately long A Arms, No lay down coil overs. No boiler plate shock mounts.. in the wrong place :-) No hacksawing a steering rack :-)
I've solved the design for my chassis build to my complete satisfaction :-) Anyone else can do it too, it's no longer rocket science, with the plethora of excellent programs available these days.

Was only wondering aloud about the design, being so out of step with proven practice, is all and why seeming adults presumably with a fair amount of life experiences, are so complacent/ accepting of it.
Is it just because it's printed on a piece of paper ?

[minicountryman1961]

Originally Posted by danilo

Was only wondering aloud about the design, being so out of step with proven practice, is all and why seeming adults presumably with a fair amount of life experiences, are so complacent/ accepting of it.
Is it just because it's printed on a piece of paper ?

It is printed on paper, it is also true that many have been built and their owners are quite happy with them.. If you fancy yourself a chassis designer, build what you want. The thing is, building a proven moderately standardized design means we can buy parts from suppliers with a reasonable expectation that they will fit and work properly. It also means we can get good advice from others who have gone before us on this path. If you chose to go with your own design, you will make mistakes and it will be up to you to diagnose and solve them.

[spud69]

Chassis and mainly suspension design is a bit a black art and always a compromise between certain handling traits, it's a shame that Chris Gibbs is not available online to explain why certain decisions where made regarding the suspension design and setup. The main thing being that Martin Keenan formerly of MK Engineering had a large part to play in the design of the car and suspension, Martin has built a reputation in the Kit Car community for his design and car building skills - he is well respected in this area.

Certainly from my experience and other builders i have been involved with the handling of the roadster is not compromised in any way and handles, on road and track, in a balanced and very predictable way and definitely on a par with other brands of a similar nature.

The main thing is that the guide is intended exactly as that and if a builder is not comfortable with certain aspects then they can be changed to suit the builders preference, the philosophy of the self build concept which is why most of us are building to the guide so that we can have the satisfaction of a self built roadster at the end of the day not just a bolt together kit. I have seen most builders customise certain parts of their build for personal preference some more than others.

The above is not intended to defend the Haynes Roadster for the sake of Saturn but is plainly a personal opinion as to why the guide and roadster has been quite successful and we all love the self build approach to the car. A main reason why i put a lot of work into producing a guide to supplement the book for a change of donor car to the Mx-5, some people have amended this also to suit their own preferences, it certainly hasn't been done to generate lots of orders but to keep the self build culture alive.

Please don't take this the wrong way Dan, it's just my opinion that's all whether it be right or wrong.

Regards....AndyH

[MarkB]

The Sierra based Roadster handles like a shopping trolley and understeers for a past time but that is my opinion and no doubt will be frowned upon.....

[spud69]

Originally Posted by MarkB

The Sierra based Roadster handles like a shopping trolley and understeers for a past time but that is my opinion and no doubt will be frowned upon.....

I must be doing something wrong then cos mine and the ones i've put on the road dont and i'm sure the people i've taken out would agree......

[mark]

Originally Posted by MarkB

The Sierra based Roadster handles like a shopping trolley and understeers for a past time but that is my opinion and no doubt will be frowned upon.....

If only someone could design a fabricated upright and revised wishbones so my roadster could go around corners, ive been trying to get out of my street for the last 18months but this damn understeer wont let me!

[spud69]

Originally Posted by mark

If only someone could design a fabricated upright and revised wishbones so my roadster could go around corners, ive been trying to get out of my street for the last 18months but this damn understeer wont let me!

Is that why you only ever go straight on at roundabouts Mark....Wondered why that was....

Seems okay on front end grip here mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NdCl...&feature=feedu

[ayjay]

Danilo I dont normally get involved in these technical conversations because I dont know enough about it so its best to keep quiet-Better to keep your mouth shut and appear a fool than to open it and remove all doubt!
What I do know however is that your posts re roadster design come across as self indulgent to the point of arrogance. --Why doesn't everyone out there know as much as I do? ---These things should have been blindingly obvious to the roadster designer if only he had known as much as me!---
You may be pretty good on the cad thing but have a lot to learn otherwise.
Its always best not to damn someone else--certainly not in public if you dont know the reasons for the decisions they made and certainly if they are not in a position to respond. Most of us know that design is always a balance between form and function and perfection is impossible because we all see things from differing points of view.

[Bonzo]

[quote=MarkB;68379]The Sierra based Roadster handles like a shopping trolley and understeers for a past time but that is my opinion and no doubt will be frowned upon[/QUOTE

That is only my personal opinion of that post

What a pity that you never took the time to build one & by your own admission, wouldn't even drive a 7 type car

Hey ho, you have to get your kicks somewhere & I guess this forum is as good a place as anywhere

[MarkB]

[quote=Bonzo;68393]

Originally Posted by MarkB

The Sierra based Roadster handles like a shopping trolley and understeers for a past time but that is my opinion and no doubt will be frowned upon[/QUOTE

That is only my personal opinion of that post

What a pity that you never took the time to build one & by your own admission, wouldn't even drive a 7 type car

Hey ho, you have to get your kicks somewhere & I guess this forum is as good a place as anywhere

There are plenty of 7's that handle, I have built a few but had no interest, time or space to build a Roadster. Sooner make something different....as for being a Troll well that made me laugh........