Understeer or oversteer

[Motorhead]

As Kevan has noted, amongst other things the interplay between the "effective" roll stiffnesses front and rear is important in determining whether or not a car will understeer.

Conventional thinking says that in a neutrally handling car, increasing the front roll stiffness relative to that of the rear will tend to induce understeer. However, I read an article recently in which the author pointed out that for a very sofly-sprung vehicle, increasing the front roll stiffness could in fact reduce understeer by reducing the camber change of the front wheels, increasing their grip. Not something we're likely to experience on our Porsches though.

Jeff

 

[westcr]

Wow, I seem to have provoked a lot of discussion on handling! Thanks for all your comments. Plenty of food for thought here.

The understeer on my car (in the dry) would seem to be normal and easily corrected on the throttle but I would obviously benefit from a matched set of tyres (when funds permit). Any suggestions on a tyre make that don't cost the earth?

A track day would seem to be in order also.

Thanks again.

 

[westcr]

Forgot to say no one mentioned tyre pressures. These will have a marked effect on handling I guess.

 

[Glyn]

But i did mention tyre pressures,(post 15) You dont have to have "N" rated tyres and you will find the same tyre without an "N" rating a bit cheaper, Some will say that "N" rated has a different compound especially suitable for Porsche and indeed Porsche will confirm this, however, besides the N stamp on the tyrewall i dont believe there is any difference at all and certainly never noticed any difference in handling between the two.
However going for N rated or not, a cheap tyre is a cheap tyre, i would suggest you dont go for a budget tyre particularly if you intend to track.

One tyre i have used a few years ago and found them at a good price - Not "N" rated but fantastic performance was the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3, havent a clue what they cost now but google them.