In this case, the staggered tires are to compensate for the rear weight bias. Rear heavy cars are intrinsically unstable, and that needs to be compensated to make the car safe and drivable. There are other means of compensation: Tire pressures, alignment, sway bars all can contribute, but in my opinion, matching the tires to the load is the most natural, and the least likely to cause side effects. Bigger feet, bigger shoes. Some drivers like an unstable car, and some drivers are not put off by the rear end stepping out quickly. However, if spinning the car is not in your plans, I would recommend keeping the 2-3 cm stagger that Toyota fixed on. I had a mk1 for 30 years with the square tire setup, and the spyder is a vastly better handling car, particularly near the adhesion limit.
Anti-sway bars
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Its mid engined so it has lower polar moment = spins more easily all else the same. Toyota engineers probably over ruled by Toyota lawyers.
It is the rear weight bias that makes the car easy to spin. The low moment of inertia actually makes the car easier to recover from the adhesion limit. The car will respond more quickly, and it will require less lateral force from the tires to get the same response.
The tires have to produce lateral force for two different degrees of freedom. There is lateral acceleration, or cornering, and there is also angular acceleration, which is turning in and straightening out. During these two different stages of cornering, the forces add and subtract differently. Now if you consider a rear heavy car with the rear tires overloaded, you can figure out why it is easy to overcommit in a corner and why the car will spin at unexpected times. That is why you don't want to overload the rear tires unless you know what you are doing and can plan your line far enough ahead.
The three secrets of spyder handling are the long wheelbase, the low moment of inertia, and the staggered tires. The wheelbase is often overlooked, even though it is equally important to the moment of inertia. The spyder has the longest wheelbase of the mr2 series, even though it is shortest overall. The staggered tires are what allow you to snap the car straight after a corner, without the rear end plowing.
The tires have to produce lateral force for two different degrees of freedom. There is lateral acceleration, or cornering, and there is also angular acceleration, which is turning in and straightening out. During these two different stages of cornering, the forces add and subtract differently. Now if you consider a rear heavy car with the rear tires overloaded, you can figure out why it is easy to overcommit in a corner and why the car will spin at unexpected times. That is why you don't want to overload the rear tires unless you know what you are doing and can plan your line far enough ahead.
The three secrets of spyder handling are the long wheelbase, the low moment of inertia, and the staggered tires. The wheelbase is often overlooked, even though it is equally important to the moment of inertia. The spyder has the longest wheelbase of the mr2 series, even though it is shortest overall. The staggered tires are what allow you to snap the car straight after a corner, without the rear end plowing.
If you do choose to get sway bars, these are the best I've found. I had them myself. The adjustability really does help with dialing it in. You really can adjust oversteer/understeer with these. If you do, you also want to get upgraded l Iinks as well. Because the stock ones are a little flimsy. Now, this is not the end all and only way to handle things, but is one component in the larger plan.
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Not seeing a link for the sway bars.
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Ordered the "chin strap" yesterday; forgot to thank you for the tip. I'll post a pick when it's fastened. I got a 2 night 3 day trip from central MA to Geneva NY the week of 14 August so that'll be a nice road test.
Any chance you have a picture of it installed?
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That was s'posed to read "I'll post a 'pic' when it's fastened." I blame my fat fingers. Anyhow, haven't received the spoiler yet, but I will definitely post a picture when it's in operation. Just checked my email, and the part is on backorder. Bummer.
Where did you order it from?
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2001-2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder Front Spoiler 76851-17070 | TRDShop.com
Shipping was very decent; to Massachusetts $22.31. Too bad it isn't getting here "yesterday," as I really wanted to drive the car w/spolier on a nice 750 mile round trip to see how it feels. Can't put off the trip, but there are other roads.
Sorry for the delay in response. I'll try again.
BTK004 Front and Rear Sway bar - vehicle kit
Engineered to 'Activate More Grip', BTK004 is a packaged solution designed to improve performance and enhance the driving experience of your vehicle. Boasting a 22mm 2 point adjustable front sway bar and 18mm 3 point adjustable rear sway bar, the kit is completed with sway bar mounting...
whitelineperformance.com
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