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Re: (E36 M3)Lower CG/big rim

Bob Tunnell says, while talking to Vlasis...
> 
> >As for the spacers on the back, what other aspects of suspension
> >geometry >are affected by the increased size spacers ? 
> 
> Sorry...suspension geometry isn't really my specialty.  Driving is.

Bob, now that is an understatement.

> 
> All I know is with bigger wheels/tires, you'll need to *reduce* the
> offset in the front (get the tires and wheels further from the
> chassis and closer to the fender) and *increase* the offset in the
> back (get the tires and wheels closer to the chassis and away from
> the fender).  Spacers in the front; "negative" spacers in the back.

Bob, this isn't necessarily true.  If you are running a lot of 
negative camber, you may need to *increase* the offset, or you will 
rub on the spring perches.  I think that the only way to really know 
is to get the demensions of the wheel/tire combo that you want to 
run, and then measure the room you have to work with.  Otherwise, it 
is trial and error.  Roland Graef is sending me a selection of 
spacers, and I will do just that....trial and error.  I will go to 
Wheel Werks, who will try different wheels(I will of course buy my 
tires from him for it to be worth his trouble) and 245/40/17 tires.  
I will need a 245/40 Hoosier, which I assume they will send me for 
the trials.  

It does appear that we have quite a lot of fender clearance in the 
front, but not very much in the rear.  The rear will either require 
*less* offset, or fender flairing.
 
> And remember, we're talking *millimeters* here.  Minuscule changes
> in ride height, camber, caster, toe, wheel width, tire size, even
> tire *brand* will dramatically affect the amount of offset that must
> be added or subtracted from the stock wheel measurement to maintain
> adequate fender and chassis clearance on any given corner.

true.  see above.
 
> For lessons in suspension geometry I'll defer to guys much smarter
> than myself, like Carl, John, Jim, and others on the performance
> list who have played around with suspension adjustments on lowered
> cars.

If trial and error is "smart," I pleads guilty, but I don't think so. 
thanks   for the vote of confidence, in any case.

> Bob "when my car grow up it wants to be just like Carl's" Tunnell

best regards,

Carl "when my car grows up it wants to be just an IMSA GT-2 car" 

Carl R. Buckland
1000 Boston Bldg
Nine Exchange Place
Salt Lake City, Utah  84111
801-531-6686
Fax 531-6690
E Mail buckland@domain.elided