I was looking at the images from the Regal thread, and had a quirky thought...
From the looks of this, any MacStrut (with Cheese) suspension could be adapted to this configuration. I wonder if it would provide an AutoX advantage vs plain camber plates.
Thoughts?
Some questions:
What other GM models could use the stock LaCrosse HiPer struts? Could these be used in a Cruze or Cobalt?
What's the performance delta between a HiPer Strut, a regular Mac strut, and a-arms?
looks like the only reral difference is added bushings at the strut/ lca mating point. think they are rubber or urethane from the factory?
and that "unique" LCA looks a lot like an E30 unit doesnt it?
Reducing your KPI would give you... what? I'm a little rusty in my kinematics.
I would gander that the extra bushings only provide extra NVH insulation (which is important to Regal buyers, I would imagine). If there was a performance advantage it would be in the kingpin axis. My noob mind needs to look it up again though.
More room before the tire hits the spring perch? It should let you run a wider/taller tire. But I think the bigger change is want the shallower kingpin angle does as the wheels are turned. The turn-in and on center feel would be way different no?
itsarebuild wrote:and that "unique" LCA looks a lot like an E30 unit doesnt it?
Like an S197 Mustang's, too.
ReverendDexter wrote:itsarebuild wrote:and that "unique" LCA looks a lot like an E30 unit doesnt it?
Like an S197 Mustang's, too.
or 2nd gen RX7
snipes wrote:More room before the tire hits the spring perch? It should let you run a wider/taller tire. But I think the bigger change is want the shallower kingpin angle does as the wheels are turned. The turn-in and on center feel would be way different no?
Looks like it should reduce scrub radius, for one.
It looks similar in concept to the Ford RevoKnuckle system (warning: PDF):
Nobody noticed the #1 benefit of this and the RevoKnuckle...
By adding that upper balljoint and running the strut to the bottom of the spindle, now only the spindle rotates in a turn. In a plain MacStrut, the whole stinking strut pivots which gives slow steering, bad feel, and promotes understeer. I think it's pretty ingenious, actually.
Grtechguy wrote:ReverendDexter wrote:itsarebuild wrote:and that "unique" LCA looks a lot like an E30 unit doesnt it?
Like an S197 Mustang's, too.
or 2nd gen RX7
"Unique" = only that model has it.
FC RX-7s and S197 Mustangs probably have ball joints at the end of the control arm, not bushings.
I showed the pics to my co-worker and he said "Oh great! Kingpins like an MG!"
Javelin wrote:Nobody noticed the #1 benefit of this and the RevoKnuckle...
By adding that upper balljoint and running the strut to the bottom of the spindle, now only the spindle rotates in a turn.
Nissan's been doing that for years, though. They put the suspension links wherever they wanted without having to worry about steering axis.
this is a halfway interesting concept, although I don't think I would try it on my Mini just because I can't be bothered to tear the whole front end apart to reverse engineer it and I don't have access to the necessary casting and machining equipment to make the new spindle and spindle carrier (for lack of a better term...)
