GMs in IT

[Ron Earp]

Interesting, so you do not think the advantage of adjusting rear camber and toe rises above the noise level in car differences.

I'm sure it probably does.

But, having driven Jeff's car and my Z back to back (he's done more of that than I have as I don't drive his in races) I feel the differences are negligible, at least at my level of driving.

I understand that the Z should have an advantage with tire contact patch while cornering, and should be superior in keeping the tire on the racing surface. But in practice, the TR8 doesn't seem to give up anything to the Zs or RX7s in tight corners, or long sweepers.

I feel (no data) that the independent suspensions would have a greater chance to shine if the surfaces were a bit more undulating or less smooth. But at Roebling Road and VIR, both very smooth tracks, the live axle works well.

Indeed, the latest Mustang live axle iteration comes from the factory with tri-link and panhard rod. It gets rave reviews even when compared against IRS designs from BMW, Nissan, GM, and others. What's old is new again.

Interestingly enough, solid axles aren't as heavy as you might think. The 7.5" rear axle, with stock arms and shocks, is lighter than the Z pumpkin, half shafts, batwing lower arms, and uprights. The former assembly I can struggle to move, the latter I have no chance in hell of moving. Maybe Nissan needs to get with the program and put a stick axle in the new Z.