john banks

In terms of straight line acceleration on smooth tarmac, does the weight transfer to the back negate much opportunity for traction from the front wheels?

...even more reasons to get that M5 LOL.

SiPie

Was going to post up that very fact Kenny that the AWD comes into it's own when you have gravel strewn, half slush, half wet, mud and leaf covered, broken tarmac..... (and that's just getting to work

Perfect conditions for AWD that is great at dealing with variable road surfaces.....and only AWD can help you carry full pace through those sort of conditions.

I've had a fair balance of FWD/RWD and AWS (prelude) cars and I know I won't change from AWD and that is purely based on my local road conditions.

If I lived elsewhere then damned right I'd buy something RWD that didn't suffer the transmission loss

Have a nice weekend all

LG John

John, M5 is the way to go, its so.......nice! But that said you have the modifying bug big time and I doubt you can do as much to an M5 as you can your scooby! Besides you probably have the fastest UK impreza in the world and that's kinda cool

john banks

It is not very quick at all at the moment

LG John

Whats up with it? Broken something? I'll guess gearbox again!

john banks

New engine was in for 100 miles and then pulled out again. Should be back soon and then have approx 90% of CL55 AMG power levels albeit with less torque but only 1235 kg Hoping for an unstressed 364 BHP/ton.

Yes I know it won't be as good as a CL55 AMG even if it accelerates a fair bit more briskly.

[Edited by john banks - 8/15/2003 9:23:48 PM]

LG John

Gulp You know what will happen John. You'll get your unstressed 364bhp per ton and then thing. 'hmmmm, if I stress her a little bit I can have 400bhp per ton' and so it goes on........

Cosworth427

================================================== ===============
"Are you an automotive engineer?"
================================================== ===============

Nope, I'm just an enthusiast of all things fast on 4 wheels.


================================================== =================
"In terms of straight line acceleration on smooth tarmac, does the weight transfer to the back negate much opportunity for traction from the front wheels?"
================================================== =================

I can't give you a simple answer to that. But what really matters is what wheels *should* be loaded during a launch. But this is the problem, especially with torquey cars with stock factory suspension not adequately set for hard launches.

With longitudinal mounted engines, the torque from the flywheel tends to "twist" the chassis of the car, so not only do you have weight shifted to the rear, but the car will roll opposite the direction of the flywheel rotation. Another factor I did not explain is the flaw of the standard differential. Remember that a diff will increase the speed of the faster wheel, and decrease the speed of the slower wheel during a corner. But this is not what you want in a straightline launch, but it happens. When the chassis rolls or "twists", one rear wheel is loaded (but moving slower) while the unloaded wheel is free to increasingly spin. Limited slip-differentials (LSD) were fitted to some cars to ease that problem. So as far as a RWD car is concerned, you'd need to delay that body roll enough for both rear wheels to launch the car.

I've yet to see an AWD car launch and perform better times without the aid of front and rear axle LSDs. Skylines, Imprezas and EVOs all sport such clever device(s). And I've yet to see any test that compares two near identical vehicles, one with RWD the other with AWD without any additional aids to blur the results.

Cosworth427

================================================== ==================
"You need to try out some of the broken, patchy, mud spilt scottish twisties mate I agree with you that on most a and b roads AWD isn't much of an advantage but I'm talking about the sort of c class roads that I seek out for fun and which are in abundance up here - this is where AWD comes into its own and in the hands of simon cannot be caught by a 2wd"
================================================== ==================

Well I'm not going to take a car into an environment at 80+ MPH where there has been little or no development for such roads at those kind of speeds and conditions, and especially not having the versatile driving skills to cope anyhow. Even pro rally drivers smash their fully rally preped machines now and then, so what chance will an amateur like myself have with a car predominately tuned for the road?

LG John

Thats a fair point but a lot of people prefer those more challenging and often much quieter roads than trying to get a 'slot' for a bit of fun on the more sweeping a and b class roads.

As usual its down to what floats your boat and I personally would buy a westfield or caterham or elise if I likes smooth, consistent and predictable (track) like cornering. Whilst that can be a lot of fun I often find you quickly get into a routine where you can lap or drive the same bit of road the same way at the same pace each time. I like to drive a road I know where you've got to react a little to new challenges - fresh leaves, farmer john taking up a lane and a half, damp patches, etc. Its a little riskier but it gets the old heart rate going

SiPie

You should try it ....

You might even like it

Cosworth427

======================================
"You should try it ....

You might even like it"
======================================


I didn't mean to sound like a kill-joy, but I know my limits. (Yes I'm a wuss).

SiPie

Only joking Cosworth....... Best to keep within and to know these limits

john banks

You can drive the Merc then and I'll take the Scooby for the race 2 wusses.

Tehn in the interests of science we swap drivers and I nick off with the Merc

akshay67

but be careful john, if its in the wet twisties, the scoob will catch you

LG John

Are you saying you wouldn't play with a Ferrari, fancy Merc, etc just because you're car doesn't cost as much?! Thats hardly fun??? I'd happily play with a maxed up Nova even if I thought it could beat me I personally found it amusing that this guy decided not to thrash me but instead kept up (effortlessly it would seem) with a very quick car (IMHO).

I can't believe you even typed the 'what would you rather have line' It goes without saying! Even if I didn't like the AMG I could sell it and make Christian, Andy F, John Banks and Dave Wallis offers that they couldn't refuse with the money - then I'd own all the fastest scoobys in the country (P.S. Did I miss anyone? )

[Edited by Saxo Boy - 8/10/2003 11:22:12 PM]

Cosworth427

================================================== =================

"You seem to have skillfully driven around the question, much like an Impreza in the twisties! So the CL55 AMG will be faster than a scoob in the wet, bumpy twisties? Top Gear recently said that there is absolutely nothing that will keep up with an Evo or Impreza on Britains bumpy, wet B-roads - I guess they were talking about 'normal' cars!"

================================================== =================


akshay I can't give you an answer off the top of my head for a question like that. Simply because no one has performed a thorough test between a CL55 and an Impreza on those roads with competent professional drivers.

As far as I know, and as far as AMG/Mercedes know is that the CL55 is built to handle well, wet or dry. The choice of tire, tread, size, the suspension set up all reflect handling for the damn road/street under various conditions. I can't give you on paper evidence to say that *exact* set up will outperform X car on X road.

Much like YOU can't provide proof that the CL55 can't handle for ****, simply because YOU THINK out of complete ignorance that because it doesn't have 4WD that it won't handle at all.











[Edited by Cosworth427 - 8/12/2003 2:40:46 PM]

image doctor

lol at also lacks a spoiler!

But so do a lot of cars that could go faster than an Impreza. At the sort of speeds an Impreza may get close to the AMG, the spoiler would not even be a factor!

id - ammused at brand loyalty!

[Edited by image doctor - 8/12/2003 3:27:07 PM]

Cosworth427

Perhaps akshay should just stick to Maxpower forums, it's the only place in the universe that he could be considered *right*.



[Edited by Cosworth427 - 8/12/2003 4:51:55 PM]