Re: 4ksq Tires and Suspension Questions

["Martin Pajak" <quattro@rogerswave.ca>]

> 	but I dont believe it is a linear change.  If you look at tires
> contact area and measure it, the larger tires have more contact area
> (usually)  I see the physics but think there are more variables we are not
> taking into account such as tire construction.  The tires rubber negates
> some of the effects of air pressure and weight.  Correct?

The tire's construction and compound will not have an effect on how 
large the contact area is.  This is not just a speculation of mine.  
I actually read it in a performance handling book and was just as 
suprised as you are (long time ago).  
>From experience I can tell you that my car grips the road just as 
well on V rated 195's as it does with V rated 205's (both 60 series).  
The steering responce was actually better with the narrower tire 
due to the smaller sidewall.  The only area that suffered was the 
braking and acceleration.
The handling was a subjective and the braking was actualy
measured and I lost on average 10 ft from 60 mph with 195's.  
While accelerating I was getting excessive tire spin 
when the boost hit in second gear with 195's, with 205's 
the problem was only marginal.

HTH

Martin Pajak
quattro@rogerswave.ca
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/5939

1982 Coupe TURBO (473,150 km)
1984 4000s quattro (soon to be a rally car)
1986 4000s quattro (326,000 km) 
1982 Coupe (154,000) parts car

CEO of exam lastminute allniter rollthedice inc.