> Clayton,
> 
>      Exactly how could unsprung weight NOT affect acceleration? My physics
> is a little rusty, but I seem to remember a basic principle (and common
> sense) that says it takes more force to rotate a heavy object than it does
> to rotate a lighter object. I also seem to remember that it takes more
> force to rotate an object whose mass is concentrated towards its outer edge
> than it does to rotate one whose mass is concentrated towards its center.
> (i.e, a 20 lb 15" wheel is easier to rotate than a 20 lb 18" wheel due to
> the 18" wheel having more of its mass towards its outer edge.) Am I wrong
> here?
> 

I think Clayton and I meant unsprung weight as in steering knuckles, not
rolling mass like wheels and tires.  A reduction in rolling mass (also
part of unsprung weight) will improve acceleration, but lightening your
steering knuckles or control arms won't do squat for your acceleration
(unless through the overall weight reduction of the car)
Denis


>      -Brett.
>      '90 GLi (Currently on 14" Teardrops/ Dunlop Graspic Snows, 15" Corrado
> Wheels/ Dunlop SP8000s in the summer)
> 
> Clayton <[email protected]> on 01/27/2000 11:48:00 AM
> 
> To:   [email protected], [email protected]
> cc:    (bcc: Brett Haney)
> Subject:  Re: The beast revealed!
> 
> Unsprung weight does not affect acceleration at all.  Unsprung weight is
> all the mass outside of the strut mounting location... as in the wheel,
> tire, bearings, half the tie rods, half the a-arms, et cetera, et cetera
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