Suspension theory... again

[David Giannandrea]

Jim,

Just one more concept to add here. 

Raising/Lowering the lower spring perch does not effect the 'ride'. That is,
straight ahead driving will feel exactly the same. You will only be riding
higher/lower. Imagine holding a fish on a scale (upside down suspension),
raising or lowering your arm doesn't change the weight or the way the spring
reacts to the weight.

And another concept...

If you lower the car, then when cornering you will gain a bit more control
(less lean) due to the center of gravity being lowered and closer to the
roll axis. If you lowered the car enough to get the center of gravity in
line with the roll axis, the car would not roll, it would corner flat. But I
think (guessing here) the roll axis is on the ground!!

And another...

Progressive springs give you a nice ride over small bumps and easy corners
(small deflection) but firm up on the big bumps/corners. This is achieved by
the smaller diameter coils binding in the initial deflection and
transferring the job to the larger coils.

Others know a lot more about suspension tuning, I just know a few of the
principles of basic engineering.

David