Center of Gravity

[Apollo]

I am curious, has anyone determined the approximate center of gravity, or center of balance for the car as a point (i.e. in line with the side scoop front edge or some other landmark)? I have been trailering my car quite a bit and with Kendall's help I feel I have the GTs weight distributed well but wondered where this balance point actually is.
Thanks in advance,
TC

 

[Kayvan]

43/57 front/rear weight distribution

 

[centerpunch]

So with a wheelbase that's 106.7 inches, I think that means the CG would be 57% back from the front axle, which is the same point as 43% ahead of the rear axle.

In other words, the CG should be 60.8" back from the center of the front axle, which is also 45.9" ahead of the center of the rear axle.

 

[HHGT]

When Kendall is a passenger the C.G. shifts to the right....

 

[RALPHIE]

When Kendall is a passenger the C.G. shifts to the right....

The actual amount of the shift depends upon where his glasses are located at the time...:lol

 

[PL510*Jeff]

So with a wheelbase that's 106.7 inches, I think that means the CG would be 57% back from the front axle, which is the same point as 43% ahead of the rear axle.

In other words, the CG should be 60.8" back from the center of the front axle, which is also 45.9" ahead of the center of the rear axle.

CP - as usual way too technical. Indy GT would have taken 275 words to describe this subject.

But I digress, as the original question was referencing cg rather than weight distribution. I suggest that the cg is approx. 6.5" above the point equi-distance above the center line of the rear axle in corelationship to the ground. Unless it is a TT GT with good traction with the front tires off the ground at the Texas Mile in two weeks.:eek

 

[HeritageBruce]

Can someone jack up his car using one jack in the centerline of the car and look for the balance point and report back?
Took Kendall out one time in the car, his weigjt didn't affect my lap time at all so he can't weigh much more than 160. :biggrin

 

[DRIVEBY]

I jack it up just in front of the doors' rear edge - works like a charm.

 

[centerpunch]

The question was about the balance point- where you would position the car so there was equal weight front and back. My answer was correct.

I've scaled the point 43% in front of the back axle on this photo, this yellow line should be about right.
.

 

[nota4re]

Bruce, you are my friend.... I think my ONLY friend!

 

[centerpunch]

Basic physics lesson.
.

 

[HeritageBruce]

The question was about the balance point- where you would position the car so there was equal weight front and back. My answer was correct.

I've scaled the point 43% in front of the back axle on this photo, this yellow line should be about right.
.

So it looks like the balance point (yellow line in the picture) is where the driver's spine is. Hum... that's got to be why the car feels so "balanced" to the driver.

 

[Apollo]

The actual amount of the shift depends upon where his glasses are located at the time...:lol

Shift happens...

 

[Apollo]

The question was about the balance point- where you would position the car so there was equal weight front and back. My answer was correct.

I've scaled the point 43% in front of the back axle on this photo, this yellow line should be about right.
.

This is what I was looking for! I was a bit further back in my guestimation.
You guys are awesome!:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[centerpunch]

Of course, for towing, you don't want the trailer balanced, you want (I think) 10% of the weight on the hitch.

Whenever I get a new car, I load up my trailer with tools, tires, and other misc. stuff, then put the car in its approximate position, then level the trailer with the tongue on a big scale. I then move the car back and forth until the tongue weight is right (marking that location for future reference), then hook up to my tow vehicle, put on the weight equalizing bars, and adjust them to get the trailer back to level.

 

[Mark McGowan]

If you want to be precise for a stock GT, try @ curb loading:

GG height 18.5 inches high
Longitudinal CG 60.32 inches rearward from centerline of front axle
Lateral CG -0.26 inches (left of longitudinal centerline)

 

[PL510*Jeff]

Words from The Master

If you want to be precise for a stock GT, try @ curb loading:

GG height 18.5 inches high
Longitudinal CG 60.32 inches rearward from centerline of front axle
Lateral CG -0.26 inches (left of longitudinal centerline)

Doesn't get any more precise than that. :thumbsup

 

[Apollo]

Of course, for towing, you don't want the trailer balanced, you want (I think) 10% of the weight on the hitch.

Whenever I get a new car, I load up my trailer with tools, tires, and other misc. stuff, then put the car in its approximate position, then level the trailer with the tongue on a big scale. I then move the car back and forth until the tongue weight is right, then hook up to my tow vehicle, put on the weight equalizing bars, and adjust them to get the trailer back to level.

Thanks! :thumbsup

 

[Apollo]

If you want to be precise for a stock GT, try @ curb loading:

GG height 18.5 inches high
Longitudinal CG 60.32 inches rearward from centerline of front axle
Lateral CG -0.26 inches (left of longitudinal centerline)

Let me guess, engineer? :biggrin I love it, thanks!

 

[centerpunch]

If you want to be precise for a stock GT, try @ curb loading:

Longitudinal CG 60.32 inches rearward from centerline of front axle

Hey, I calculated 60.8" in the third post- only a half inch off.........