Does anyone know a download site for...
a suspension description file, for the gen three, that works
on a freeware suspension analyzer program?
TIA
contact

 

I can't say i have every seen one. Which program are you using?

my guess is your best best bet, is to get out and start messuring everything.

 

They have suspension programs....

 

Sure....it's what auto-crossers use instead of "desktop dyno."



You'll need more than just the lengths of the control arms and such....you'll also need strut angles, alignment settings, spring rates, axle weights and various other stats to get an accurate image of the suspension for the program to use.

 

the weights should be figured, as long as you know the spring rates. you have to take a couple of angles (magnetic angel finder), alot of the angles, you can figure based on the other measurments.

 

That type of program is fine for building a new chassis. BUt when working with an inherent design that is limited in existing contact points, its kinda pointless. Just drive the car and tune it. It doesn't matter where you instant roll center moves to on the front end of the car in a corner, you don't have alot of choice in the matter, especially with McPherson struts.

The rears I have gone over as to panhard height, and LCA angles. Those images on conputer imputs are not accurate for body weight roll. Just take out your spare tire and you've changed the outcome-the computer program won't pinpoint change that accurately to even notice, but real world would.

Take a full blown tube chassis frontend with adjustable ear mounts for upper and lower front control arms, then factor in adjustable balljoint shims- next change springrates constantly based on different tracks (Coilovers) which alter not ride height but yet how much or how little the suspension does travel with that rate change- then these programs are helpful in building and constantly retayloring suspensions.

 

everyone interested in this subject should
check out...'perfomancetrends'... they have a demo,
It seems to me that even this demo program would
be a lot better than nothing.
If there was a stock gen-3 file, people at least might
get some idea of what happens when they change spring rates.
When this gets done, it should be kept on file on the forum.

 

I'm with vsixtoy said.

Maybe the software will tell you to move the front suspension 1" forward and increase camber gain...ooops it's easy to inrease static camber to somewhat compensate, the 1" thingy though....

I measure static change:
Get some electronic scales w/ turn plates,platen, plum-bobs, tape measure, angle gauge, toe gauge, chalk line, straight edge , tire pyrometer, stop watch, gtech pro and a note book.

Just to give you an ideal of what can be done that the (cheap/limited) program can not do (real time/quickly): setting anti-roll bar(s) preload w/ driver in car w/ spare tire vsixtoy, during the same time it would tell me if a spring(s) changed rate or theres some increase in stiction. To me this is the funnest part of car ownership, tweaking then go drive around and see what it does.


But, if you do get all the data points into a software format I would pay you for it

edit: The I said electronic scales is you can sit in the car while measuring.

 

>Maybe the software will tell <
The programs, don't tell you things.
What I am asking for, begins with a physical description of what we have...............
Perhaps someone has done this.
If so, then we all know what we have.
At the moment, I don't have a car to measure.
What I suggest, is commonly done on other forums, but these
other forums are not friendly to Camaros and Fbirds.
...........
Is there somewhere. a listing of factory spring rates, and
swawbar rates?
What about shock rates, that info would be helpful.
Has someone posted the camber 'gain' curve for the
front end, I really want to know.

 

so many variable, even stock. there wer dozen of spring/sway bar combos, diffrent shocks, ect.

like dean said, you can only tell so much. what exactly are you looking for?

most of the programs also rely on info you cannot find very easily at all. the actualy CG of the car will effect the rolling dynamics, which will effect the camber changes, ect. some things are easy to find (such as roll centers and height) but that info is useless without other inputs.

 

Bringing back an old thread... I downloaded a demo of Performance Trends "Suspension Analyzer", and was wondering if anyone had put together a suspension file to tweak. In any case, you can set the four corner weights as well as the height of the Cg. That will let you model removing the spare tire, if you like.

In any case, I prefer to engineer the changes on the computer first before cutting and welding on the chassis. So far I've made a few excel spreadsheets based on Milliken's text to help w/ the rear suspension, SVSA, anti-squat, axle torque roll, etc...

Does anyone have dimensions of the front suspension (pick-up points of the a-arm, balljoint, strut, tie-rods)?