We got to use the scales today to weigh our cars. I got 3458lb with a perfect 50-50 ratio left to right and a 65-35 ratio front to back. That was with a full tank of gas and the heavier rims.

In comparison we weighed an 89 trans am that came out to 3350 and a mustang gt that came out to 3292.

I was happy with the weight but definately not with the front to back weight ratio. That is horrible for any car. We also talked about how to help with handling on my car and shorter,stiffer springs would help, urethane sway bar bushings would help and maybe some adjustable camber plates would help cornering. I knew about the springs and bushings but I may look into making camber plates in class if we can get a good functioning design.

 

OR--- you could load the trunk with cinderblocks lol.

i know that FWD cars tend to be light in the back, but SHEESH, are you sure they did not get the front - rear ratio confused with a pickup? thats nuts! kinda worries me about how mine might handle on an icy road, even though im sure my 3.1 is lighter than your 3.4... keep me posted on what you do to plant the rear of your car a little better, man.

 

You can always try moving the Battery to the trunk.

 

I think my solution is to get all my passengers to ride in the back, lol.
For what I use it for it really doesnt handle all that bad. I think if I could get a little more negative camber gain in the corners I could make up for it being nose heavy with a little more grip. It wont solve my handling problems but it will help. Unfortunately front wheel drive cars with MacPherson Stut front suspensions lose camber in the corners because of their design. Also, with a car that is alot lighter in the rear, if you had a suspension designed to gain negative camber in the corners, it would be unstable in the corners and want to lose its *** and possibly spin out. It wont be dramatic on a vehicle set for street driving but it would be noticable. What Im figuring is that if I can use that to my advantage by giving it just a little bit of negative camber in the corners I could possibly reduce understeer in the corners by letting that back end come around a little. It would be minute but it may shift the weight of the rear a little and keep the car from sledding when turning. Im not sure I would want negative camber all the time which is what I would have to settle for with the plates if I wanted to use them on the streets. I could still make them and use them at stock alignment on the street and adjust them if I ever wanted to AutoX or something. Based on cost and difficulty to build, a camber plate may not be practical for me because I may not use the adjustability enough.

A set of lowering springs would help stiffen up my suspension as well as lower the center of gravity to help with body roll. The poly swaybar bushings should also help maximize the effect of my sway bar. This should really be all I need to get the car to a point where I would be satisfied.

Im sorry Im rambling