Road Racing - Anyone ADD weight for handling?

Specifically in the rear?

I first added 80lbs of barbells into the trunk just out of ride quality curiosity. Car rode A LOT better over crappy roads (all of them here) for a fact. I might just leave them in just for that effect. Added another 35.6lbs of Pontiac RAIII exhaust manifolds (lol) for a total of 115.6lbs and rode even better. It seemed to lean a little more in corners BUT seemed more stable.

This got me thinking though, I know adding weight is generally not acceptable, but has anyone at least tried it? Might help with these tail happy cars?:confused:

Without changing anything that will generally add oversteer to the car.

Weight is NEVER good for handling, and Speed Demon is right.

Weight is NEVER good for handling
I'm not saying you're wrong... I'm just not convinced quite yet. Is it really never a good idea?? Yes, reducing weight is always better when thats an option, but I think the question posed here is more about balance. If the reduction of weight to achieve a good balance in the car is not possible, then is it better to add weight to achieve a proper balance, or better to leave the car lighter but with an improper balance?? The question posed by the OP got me thinking about that...

In stock trim I know my car would understeer when driven hard on the track. And as stated by speed demon adding weight to the rear would induce oversteer. It only seems logical that a balance could be acheived by adding a bit of weight to the rear (again, if no other more ideal option were available).

Mark.

If your car understeered you could probably work on the alignment and lose the weight. My car will understeer a little with a full tank of gas and oversteer a little empty. 1/2 tank is neutral.

Yes added weight is generally bad, hell i never put more than a 1/4 tank in my 85 camaro just to keep her light, but my 98 TA hooks up a little better after putting in my subs (down farce?) as my ricer buddy calls it, the weight in the rear offsets the nose weight, changing the pivot point, its all dependant on what you like to drive.

Its tough to type math equations here, but you will always find that when lateral acceleration is the answer that mass is ALWAYS in the denominator. One of the big ones (besides the simple physics of mass and CG location vs lateral acceleration) is the Load Sensitivity of tires. IE, if you double the mass

if the car pushes, adapting the suspension to fix that is the right answer. ARBs, springs, etc. Added weight will make the car brake worse, accelerate worse and reduce maximum cornering ability.

never add weight. unless the class requires it.

If you absolutely have to for properly corner weighting a limited adjustment car, I am okay with it (or to make weight in a certain race class)...otherwise, not just no, but HELL NO. More weight does not = better handling.

traction and handling are also not the same..

Thanks for the responses guys... more info for us to consider in our quests for having fun with these machines.

Mark.

What about moving your battery to your trunk? Same weight, different balance.

True,traction and handling are not the same, sorry about not clarifying