Opinions On Adding Weight In The Xr6t Boot

[Guest Burtz]

Having just taken a 600km solo road trip in my current XR8 AU1 with 52Kg of tools in the boot - I weighed them on my return, I was that impressed. I was amazed at the difference in cornering, this extra weight provided, over my usual light set of golf clubs. Maybe this is an AU1 XR8 failing, but I found entry speeds at least 10km higher than normal ,and the front end less likely to skip going hard at the apex of the curve on corrugated corners.

I'm taking delivery of an XR6T in a couple of weeks and wonder if anyone can comment on the difference boot weight makes?

If it does make a difference in the T, what is an ideal type of weight, how many kilos, and how do I secure it (no Mother in Law jokes please). I really don't fancy 50kg flying through the vehicle in a crash!

I thought of using a 40Kg cement bag, with a sturdy cargo net, but that still might break away. Mates have suggested that bolting something down might be the only safe way. Obviously fuel economy and acceleration might take a hit, but the cornering stability when solo in the car must be worth it?

[Guest MavSS]

Hehe. Ford engineers are scratching their heads looking for ways of sheding weight from the BA & you're doing the exact opposite.

What sort of improvement did you notice with the extra weight in the back?

Also, unless you've taken those same corners with & without the extra weight, I'd be inclined to believe something else is making the difference.

ie. maybe you had more fuel in the car or something.

[rainy]

mate its a BA not an AU-nuff said!!!!!!!

[Guest IMTRBO]

Well Put Rainy, The BA is great around corners heaps of rear grip unless you go over a dip in the raod and then you will notice the sh1t spring rates .... Nothin a set of Koni's cant fix when they ever release them!!!!

[Macktheknife]

Like the others said.

Weight is the big enemy of any performance car. Find it difficult to believe that you can actually go faster with a heavier car!!

Better to fine tune tyre pressures to get some transference of slip angles between front and rear.

Also true that there is a gulf of difference between the old Tickford setup and the current FPV setup in suspension settings.

Just a part of the evolutionary process.

Jump in a BA if you can get a test drive and you'll see it's a preety well balanced thing for the road. Great turn-in, and plenty of communication through to ya bum.

[Turbo6man]

What you felt is quite correct - and for all those "BA snobs" that don't believe then try for yourself. It is NOT an AU thing but applies to almost every front engine rear drive vehicle.

Fact is:- Ford design the vehicle with a natural tendency to understeer, for safety reasons, and in addition, have to put heavier springs in the rear for carrying passengers and load than what is perfect for one-up fast driving with optimal handling.

Quite simply, if you place the weight in the rear for which the springs are designed to work with, then your car balance improves and your turn in will feel better and more precise. This is actually just a "feeling" thing - it gives you more confidence in the vehicle and therefore you tend to explore this "good" feeling.

However, now to burst your bubble, the overriding fact in all this is that more weight actually slows the vehicle down in the corner.

So to summarise, Ford design the vehicle to understeer so the driver "thinks" the car is at it's limit before it really is. You put some weight in the boot, making the rear suspension "work" better and this translates to a better "feel" for the driver, ie less understeer, and therefore you "explore" the car's handling capabilities a bit more.

If you want to make the BA more neutral, then leave the weight out and leave the rear springs alone, but DO put a heavier spring in the front - a 25% uprated front spring will give you the same type of handling that you experienced with the "loaded" AU, except even a little better maybe.

[1axr]

well said turbo6man.

I had the suspension set well in my auxr8 with lovell springs and bilstien shocks.

the standard setup on the baxr6t sh-ts all over the au in corners. so with a couple of small mods to the ba suspension (fronts) it will be a whole new world of driving pleasure.

[Dagabond]

So Turbo6man your saying the lowered suspension from HERROD's I got this morning was a waste of money then??

I dont think so...

It now handles like it's on rails compared to the original bum in the air setup, bit more expensive than a bag or two of cement but worth every cent.

[geea]

So Turbo6man your saying the lowered suspension from HERROD's I got this morning was a waste of money then??

I dont think so...

It now handles like it's on rails compared to the original bum in the air setup, bit more expensive than a bag or two of cement but worth every cent.

Daga, we need details. What was done, how long did it take and how much. Better post a few photo's too.

[Dagabond]

HERROD's front and rear lower springs and a K-MAC Caster Camber Kit geea.

Cost was $763.14 (forum discount) fitted.

Dropped it of at 8am told it would be ready at 12 went for a looooong walk got back at 11am and it was all done ready to go including 4 wheel alignment and road test (considering the car's that go through Rob's I wasnt as worried about them taking it, compared to the nappy wearin apprentice jockies that would take it at a dealership(no offence intended)).

Take it back at 1000k's for another free alignment once it's all settled in.

Rides a little bit harsher but not notacably more importantly it now corners like a cut cat.

Didnt take any b4 shot's but can do the after's :lol: the stance look's a hell of a lot better now, it sit's on the road not teattering above it.