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bahearn · Jul 22nd, 2002, 01:50 PM

B13s have strut suspension. Hondas typically use A-arm suspension in the front. Detroit calls it a double-wishbone. G20 uses A-arm up front.

Struts work okay and can be made to handle well but there is a performance penalty when the shock is also used to locate the upper suspension point, to wit, stiction in the strut shaft as it slides in and out of the strut housing. Motorcycles have the same problem with their forks. Shocks are easier to design in that there's no consideration for shear loads on the shaft that a strut would see. Struts DO have two less pivot points than a double-wishbone, though, and commensurately less friction from bushings. Finally, shocks have been around nearly a century while struts have been used for less than half that in cars.

I think it's suspension geometry and light weight that allow SE-Rs to race competitively. I'll have more data on that next year when I start racing ITS. Civics do very well, too, they're just hampered by rather small engines.

Jul 22nd, 2002, 01:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
bahearn bitter old man Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: La Porte, Texas Posts: 1,458	B13s have strut suspension. Hondas typically use A-arm suspension in the front. Detroit calls it a double-wishbone. G20 uses A-arm up front. Struts work okay and can be made to handle well but there is a performance penalty when the shock is also used to locate the upper suspension point, to wit, stiction in the strut shaft as it slides in and out of the strut housing. Motorcycles have the same problem with their forks. Shocks are easier to design in that there's no consideration for shear loads on the shaft that a strut would see. Struts DO have two less pivot points than a double-wishbone, though, and commensurately less friction from bushings. Finally, shocks have been around nearly a century while struts have been used for less than half that in cars. I think it's suspension geometry and light weight that allow SE-Rs to race competitively. I'll have more data on that next year when I start racing ITS. Civics do very well, too, they're just hampered by rather small engines. __________________ Bruce in Houston '94 Nissan Sentra SE-R w/ $tuff, converting to ITA '98 Suzuki Bandit 1200S w/ $tuff '02 Dodge Dakota SLT 4-dr tow beast, stock!