With all of the after market add-ons for lightening up the car, has anyone heard ofa formula for maintaining maximum traction for the lightest curb weight? Yeah, I know if you lighten up the car you may have to add a little more meat, but I'd like to know where the break even point is. Or, maybe no one has ever done this study before.

 

The relationship between tire grip and the weight the tire supports is not linear. A tire will grip better relative to the weight it needs to support with less weight on it. So for example, a tire supporting 400lbs of weight might be able to provide 500lbs of lateral resistance, but the same tire with 1000lbs of weight might only be able to provide 950lbs of lateral resistance.

Generally, you want to go as light as possible.

The only downfall I can think of would be your tires not heating up enough, in which case you can run a narrower tire or a tire that operates with higher slip angles.

You also want to be careful not to reduce weight on just one end of the car unless you know how to compensate for it. Weight furtherst away from the car's center of gravity will make the most profound difference, as will reduction of unsprung weight. Reduction of unsprung weight has the unique advantage of improving ride quality in addition to increasing performance.

 

Thanks Stretch, I hadn't thought about the distribution of weight issue. I guess for every 100 pounds that I shed, I'll just pick up another blonde for the back seat.

 

Hey, weight loss is a good thing! Go for it.

But be prepared to mess with spring rates if you make any big changes. Not that losing weight is easy on the '8- it's already got an aluminum hood and such. I doubt you could strip enough weight to make a significant difference without gutting the car.