If yoy think about tuning your suspension, most people think about strut bars, swaybars and lowering. Something people dont know is that you can improve the weight distribution by adjusting the height if the car. This is callled corner weighting. This time we will tell you how it works.
The weight distribution of the car is very important. If you take a car to its limits and make a left corner followed by a right corner you will see that the car does not react the same in both corners. You can solve this by playing with the tyre pressure but its better to optimalise the weight distribution so the weight is more equal.
If we look at corner weighting we will find that there are 3 important aspects. The rear weight distribution, the left weight distribution and the cross weight. These values can be calculated by measuring how much weight rests on each tyre; Left front (LF), Right front (RF), Left rear (LR) and Right rear (RR).
First of all we will discuss the static weight distribution. These are the rear weight distribution and the left weight distribution. It can be measured taking the rear and front weight and devide this by the total weight. The rear weight distribution works the same, but than with left rear and right rear. For Time Attack and Auto X its the best to have a weight distribution left of 50-50. This most of the time is impossible to achieve but it is still the goal. The rear weight distribution should also be 50/50, but this is harder to get. If you want to achieve the best weight distribution, you should move parts in the car to adjust it. This is impossible to get with adjusting the weight distribution. If you want more info about how to do this, read our article about making your car lighter.
We also have the cross weight. This can be calculated by measuring left rear and right front. If it is above 50% then the car will understeer in a left coner, if it is below 50% then the car will understeer in a right corner. This can be adjusted by the height of the car. If you drop one corner then the weight will drop in this corner and increase in the opposite corner. It is the best to lower with small pieces a time. In the optimal condition you must make sure all fluids are topped off and there is a driver in the car. You can weigh the car with the following scales:
It is important that the scales are on a flat surface and perfectly horisontal. As soon as the car is on the scales you have to roll the car around. Also make sure you put the right scale underneath the right corner, otherwise it will ruin your setup. Also put a small frame behind the wheels so you can roll the car there to adjust the height. Also make sure every wheel is the same size and the tyre pressure is even.
In case you have an internet connection at home you can use this program to have some quick adjustments. Keep in mind that the hight will be adjusted by cornerweighting. It might take some time but the result will be great.