advantages of inboard front suspension

[slngsht]

What are they?

 

 

 

I can think of one: aerodynamics - although in a Seven, that's like having a supersized meal with a diet coke. It's really not a factor.

 

 

 

The Rotus came with an inboard front suspension, which is a pretty nifty feature considering it was designed in the late 70s. The design does not use pushrods or pullrods... the upper a-arm does double duty as the lever arm for the spring.

 

 

 

Looking at this design, or any other inboard design (I like the pushrod design better since the upper a-arm doesn't have to be massive), I think the advantages are minimal, unless you go with some super small shock / spring combo which may result in weight savings.

 

 

 

The other advantage of the rotus design is having a rising rate built into the geometry. Again, with a stiffly sprung car, I'm not sure how much of an advantage this is in real life.

 

 

 

I can see one big advantage to outboard spring/shock... it's easy to get to for adjustment.

 

 

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: I typed this up without doing proper research. Educate me.

[slomove]

I tend to agree. The aerodynamics of a Se7en are so, well how can I say....humble that I don't see much of a difference.

 

 

 

Interesting comment about the Rotus design. I know the original Seven had the anti-roll bar doubling for the top suspension arm.

 

 

 

Gert