I am building a replica of a 1971 Super Beetle that competed in the 1972 Trans Am U2L class. I have a moderate understanding on suspension design and have a rudimentary CAD software. The car has MacPherson strut front suspension. It is a rear engine RWD.
I am allowed to move the front suspension pickup points. Moving both the inner and outer lower control arm points up and outward will greatly improve the scrub radius and the camber curve, which were both terrible on the stock car. However, these new pick-up points will raise the roll center. The stock location is about 1/2" high (which seems very low), the new location would be about 3" high. The rear is 5" high.
I know they are all important, but my feeling is that the improvement in the scrub radius and camber curve will outweigh the higher roll center. The car will be lowered (and lightened) improving the CG, and I will be increasing the size of the front ARB and adding one to the rear helping to reduce roll. That is why I believe the increased roll center height is not as important. Since this will change the angle of the roll couple, it might even be a benefit to the handling.
Is this sound logic or am I fooling myself?
Lynn-
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