RS1600 mk1 front vs. rear Track Width

[cormonov]

In most cars, I can see there is a difference in the track width between the front and the rear.
The escort is no exception and I move in my car from a 7J x 13 wheels in front and rear axle configuration, to a 7Jx13 in front axle and 8J x13 in rear axle.

My car is a race car and apart from the more aggressive look of this configuration which is simply aesthetic I would like to know what implications it has to adapt the 7J front and 8J rear configuration.

There is some advantage from a technical point of view? I can deduce that a larger track width improves stability and affects weight transfer, but I don't have the proper understanding as the track width differences are relatively small.

Thanks in advance

[katana]

There doesn't have to be any difference in track width! Its all to do with wheel hub offset / inset. With correct selection, wider wheels can have the same 'visual' appearance in relation to the body. That said an 8" wheel on an escort can only be inset so far before rubbing in the springs but it could match the front - maybe?

[wildo105e]

Do you have the space for 8" wheels, it can be done but you need a narrow axle and as katana says you need to watch the springs and the outside arch.

I have 7 inch wheels on my escort unarched and with a standard axle they rubbed. I have a narrower axle now and they sit perfect, i can measure thainside space on the spring for you. You may be able to achieve with offsets etc but thats another world.

[cormonov]

Thank you Katana and Wildo for your comments, the aforementioned is correct, in the case of my escort the space for 8J wheel in rear is fine both towards the side of the arch (Gr4 arch) and the rear shock absorber. the shaft is an Atlas as you can see in the photograph. My doubt is precisely that although the edge of the front tire is aligned to the rear, obviously as the rear is wider, the rear track ends up being smaller. My car is a tarmac rally car so the tires I use are semi-slick. In track configuration, cars tend to show the wider rear tires in a much more visible way vs. the front ones, showing a different track width (if more wide wheels at rear and external border is aligned with the front wheel the resulting track is lower at rear vs the front) . As far as I understand the elements of suspension geometry take into account the track widths over the width of the tire. This is the source of my confusion.

[cormonov]

[Graham]

Thank you Katana and Wildo for your comments, the aforementioned is correct, in the case of my escort the space for 8J wheel in rear is fine both towards the side of the arch (Gr4 arch) and the rear shock absorber. the shaft is an Atlas as you can see in the photograph. My doubt is precisely that although the edge of the front tire is aligned to the rear, obviously as the rear is wider, the rear track ends up being smaller. My car is a tarmac rally car so the tires I use are semi-slick. In track configuration, cars tend to show the wider rear tires in a much more visible way vs. the front ones, showing a different track width (if more wide wheels at rear and external border is aligned with the front wheel the resulting track is lower at rear vs the front) . As far as I understand the elements of suspension geometry take into account the track widths over the width of the tire. This is the source of my confusion.

personally i just think you are over thinking the whole thing, just bolt em on and drive it

[therealpinto]

Generally speaking the widest (track width) end of the car has the most grip, meaning (generally) you want the heavier end to be wider. So normally, a front engine car like an Escort will have a wider front track. A rule of thumb is that around 5% wider front than rear is good for a normal rwd car.

But then of course things differ. For example, the manufacturer may have chosen a wider rear track to make the car less tail happy (ever wonder why a MkI and MkII/III Capri feels different?).

What I want to say is, if you are happy with the balance as it is now, a wider rear track will generally make the car understeer more (BTDT got the scars to prove it). A wider front track may make it oversteer. Try it and see what you like.

Gustaf