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MG MGB Technical - Handling definitions and help?

Can someone assist with some handling explanations? I've read a lot of archieves but am pretty clueless regarding some of the terms related to in the archive.

Issue is with gentle cornering at about 50mph. The rear end seems to be very slow to react to gentle turns. When it does react at times it feels like it is does it all at once. Tires are fairly new with 34-36 in the rear. No loose fitting on rear end. PO did install rear tube shocks but they are pretty stiff. No other mod in the rear end. Is this carachteristic normal for a CB B? Any suggestions on how to make it more directly responsive to the steering wheel with adjustments to existing equipment?
What is oversteer and what is understeer?
John

As I understand it understeer is the tendancy for a car to not come around enough or plow thru a turn. Oversteer is when the rear end wants to break loose too soon. A sticker in my 74B glovebox indicates 27lbs presure in the fronts and 32lbs in the rear tires. I use bigger tires than those indicated but do keep a 4-5lb difference. I run acouple lbs higher at both ends which seems to work well. Mine has the original shocks.
Bob Ekstrand

John-
Post your Email address and I'l send you a copy of my Handling Article. It'll make things a whole lot clearer.
Steve S.

Hi Steve...

I feel another megathread of requests coming on....

Could you send your handling tips AND your engine mod tips (either format) to me please.

I have a feeling that you may receive one or two more requests.....

Many thanks.. Don

moga_don@hotmail.com
Don

Well Steve, Don is correct. I would also love to have a copy your handling article.
Thank you VERY MUCH!. Robert
rlbipi@aol.com
Robert Browning

Steve, If you could find your way to send me a copy also it would be much appreciated. Thanks Ed Kulick cvhs18472@yahoo.com
E kulick

Steve, Email address is noted. thanks for your help. JK
john

Hey Steve,

me too please dzappi@cogeco.ca

thanks, Dino
Dino Zappi

John.
Oversteer is when you hit the wall backwards. Understeer is when you hit the wall frontwards.
Both of my B's mush around a bit, but I'm running slightly wider tires.

Steve.
I enjoyed your engine article a whole whole whole lot :-)
Dauntless

John: I have been reading old road test reprints in the Brooklands "Gold Portfolio" series for the MGB, MGC, GT and V8. The early Bs were described as having "moderate" understeer, which was changed to a controlable oversteer with the application of the throttle. This is a very safe and enjoyable feature that makes the MGB a delight to drive. It should not go into "snap" oversteer all of a sudden. A front roll bar was added in the mid-60s and improved the handling even more.
I run my tires (165SR14)at 24 psi front and 27/28 rears. I prefer to accelerate through any corner when possible. The car has its limits, and learning them is part of the fun. The only time I really scared myself was when attempting a downhill, offcamber turn too fast. The rear end broke loose like a Spitfire!
Andrew Blackley

steve

can i have a copy of your handling article - and brake article? too please?


thanks

Mal
Mal Moore

Mal-
It's a good thing that I've still got your Email Address!
Steve S.

oops! knew i'd forgotton something!

i'm surprised you can remember from all the hundreds you've had to send out.

thanks steve.
Mal Moore

I noticed the other evening that when I would go through a ramp a little aggressively; the front end would feel as if the outside wheel was digging in. The rear end stayed tight. I've lowered the car an inch all around and handling is much improved, but this does feel a little bit strange. Is this what is considered understeer? Tom
Thomas Strombeck

Tom,

That's understeer alright. It is considered safer for most drivers, but wouldn't it be fun to modualate a little tail-out with the throttle!? You might be able to tweak the balance by tire pressures alone. Try increasing the pressure in the front a few pounds and/or decreasing the rears a few pounds. The total difference needed should not typically be more than about 5 pounds. Without making any adjustments at all, in extreme turns, your understeer might turn quickly into oversteer with a short little drop of the throttle allowing for the weight to come off the rear a tad.

Dean
Dean Lake

Steve: much enjoyed the engine paper. Plese send your suspension and braking articles also. Thanks
Terry

This thread was discussed between 19/10/2003 and 21/10/2003

MG MGB Technical index

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