Question about weight balance

[Erhan]

I believe 50-50 weight distribution is good, but not as good as let say 40-60. More weight at the back enables better braking and acceleration. On top of it, if you have the engine in the middle, it is even better for the cornering as well.

So, the question is: With adjustable coilovers, does it make sense to change M3's weight distribution to rear bias? Have anyone ever tried this?

[Richbot]

You're not going to get an M3 that starts out at 51/49 to 40/60 or even 47/53 without physically moving weight in the car, coilovers won't get you there. Rake is a fine tuning tool. At best with coilovers you're going to get a few tenths of a percent one way or the other before you start seriously screwing up the car's balance.

[Erhan]

I think that kinda makes sense... The problem of reducing weight is that you can't really take much from the front.. Most reduction comes from the middle and especially back.

[elh0102]

If you want a rear weight bias, you need to buy a 911. I owned both a 997S and 996 GT3. Different yes, better, well that will always be a topic of discussion. Any weight distribution is a static figure, and we don't drive in a static state. A rear weight bias does offer better rear traction, which translates to faster acceleration and more efficient f/r braking. But it also produces a lot of on-throttle understeer, and makes the car more difficult to handle in downhill and off camber turns. But, it's an issue of driving style and personal preference. I find the more even weight distribution more satisfying to drive in the many varied circumstances of most good road courses. But I expect I'm about equally slow in both configurations.

[Erhan]

Hey, thanks for the great info. I wasn't aware of on-throttle understeer or the difficulties of handling on downhill and off camber turns. On the other hand, I wasn't particularly referring to 911. That's why I mentioned mid engine setup.

In the case of the M3, the engine obviously is still be on the front, but weight is more biased to rear axle. In any case, it doesn't seem possible.

[arter]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Hey, thanks for the great info. I wasn't aware of on-throttle understeer or the difficulties of handling on downhill and off camber turns. On the other hand, I wasn't particularly referring to 911. That's why I mentioned mid engine setup.

In the case of the M3, the engine obviously is still be on the front, but weight is more biased to rear axle. In any case, it doesn't seem possible.

sure just put 800 lb of sand in your trunk and you will be there

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by arter

sure just put 800 lb of sand in your trunk and you will be there