could someone explain something to me:
i've heard before that reducing unsprung weight is more important. now for rotational masses (brake discs, bells, wheels) i understand why this is the case. but why would non-rotational unsprung weight be any different to sprung weight?
Rotational mass is important to reduce for 2 reasons:
1: the centrifugal force, the less rotational weight you have the lighter will the steering be.
2: The total mass the springs/Dampers has to move/control, this is both rotational and non rotational mass. the less weight the springs/dampers has to control the easier their job is. You try to lie flat on a high bench and move a 20 pound weight fast up and down in one of your arms, see how long you can do that, then after you have rested try again with a 5 pound weight and see how long before you get tired. The more weight the dampers has to control the warmer they get as the more mass the more friction there will be in the damper to control which generates to heat and a less effective damper.
Sorry for the way i explain it, but i hope you understand the meaning