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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
December 2002
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Working out optimal track width
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Mon, 26 April 2004 12:36
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How would one go about determining the optimal track width of a car that doesn't exist yet.
Let me explain. I'm currently trying to design a 'formular ford like' vehicle, although when I got to how wide the car should be I got a little stumped.
What things do i have to take into account or how do i calculate something like this.
Any help would be great, i havn't found anything on the internet that has explained this.
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Location:
Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Japan
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Mon, 26 April 2004 15:29
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as far as i'm concerned, the wider the better.
it's kinda more about the ratio of wheelbase to track.
for a given track, longer wheelbase is more stable at speed, but shorter wheelbase is easier to turn (axis type turning, not steering).
i'd be looking to the track/wheelbase ratio of thign slike ferraris, formula ford, F1, that sort of thing... see what 'high performance' cars use, and then going from there...
for a given ratio, you will find that you are limited either by wheelbase or track, so maximise the restricted one, and then get the other close to the ratio needed.
Cya, Stewart
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Banned user
Location:
ADELAIDE - The Drift City
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Mon, 26 April 2004 15:47
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apparently the ae86 has what is considered near perfect Wheelbase/Track ratio 
but thats apparently and i dont know what it is
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Location:
Brisbane / Gold Coast
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Mon, 26 April 2004 21:46
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1.7 wheelbase-to-track will do you well.
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Location:
Northwestern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Mon, 26 April 2004 21:56
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I'll second the 1.7 (or there abouts) ratio.
Look at the Diablo, lotus elan, and other super cars and notice they are wiiiddde on the road (I'd hate to have to park a Diablo down at the local Woolies)
I believe the sprinters have a perfect balance (ie 50/50 weight front to rear in the jap spec)
Balance should be taken into account as well as the roll centre (centre of gravity) if you're taking formula ford the roll centre will be low anyway.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
melbourne
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Mon, 26 April 2004 23:07
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use the golden ratio (1 to 1.618ish), it seems to work for everything else.
also, i would leave some adjustability in, so you can change the front/rear track to tune out handling issues, for example the AE86 rear track is a lot narrower than the front track, which tends to reduce understeer (i believe)
remember, as a rough guide, and as far as i know:
shortish wheelbase, widish track = nimble "flicky" handling
longish wheelbase, not so wide track = high speed stability and more predictable cornering.
if it is for a class series then i would assume there are limits that you will have to work within, but for a one off track racer, it is worth some consideration.
get some books on suspension design from a library or buy them, they will help you out a lot.
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Location:
Madrid - Spain
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Tue, 27 April 2004 00:20
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Race and Ralley source book by Allan Staniforth (I think !) has a lot on this, he lists a heap of cars and what the track/base ratios are and discusses the pro's and con's of each. If your building a car then this book will be a good purchase
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Tue, 27 April 2004 00:30
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Thanks guys, measurements so far with a 1:0.7 ratio are:
Wheelbase = 2340
Track Width = 1638
Now my next question, this ratio, is it for front or rear track. How much whould they differ keeping in mind its a track car.
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Location:
Madrid - Spain
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Working out optimal track width
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Tue, 27 April 2004 03:06
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Thats Go-Kart terratory.
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