Re: [DML] Re: DeLorean Handling

[mike.griese@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Acceleration isn't the issue.  RWD, rear engined cars like to accelerate 
because the bulk of the weight is over the drive wheels to begin with, and 
the weight transfer to the rear during acceleration only increases grip.  
The problem is slowing down and turning.  When you lift off the throttle
or apply the brakes, weight is transferred to the front wheels.  This helps
turn in and front end grip.  That big 'ol engine mass out back wants to 
continue in the direction it had been going, which leads to instability
under braking and oversteer.  This is why the car is set up to understeer
as much as it is.  When a typical driver applies a steering input to the
car and the car does not go in the direction the driver intended, the
first reaction is to throw away the cell phone, scream like a girl, lift 
off the accelerator and grenade the brake pedal.  The bias towards 
understeer in all street cars is there to overcome the tendency of the 
chassis to oversteer, giving the driver more predictable results.


--
Mike


-------------- Original message from Chris Shepherd : -------------- 

> 
> 
> I must disagree. Ever driven a Porsche? 
> Living on the N Oregon coast I drive "twisties" all the time. Mine is the Island 
> twin turbo and I always accelerate through corners and have never had a problem 
> with the rear end breaking free. The Porsches I have owned would go into a 
> "drift" that was very controllable and for that matter so would the Corvairs. My 
> DeLoreans have only given me a problem once and that was on the I405/I5 merge in 
> CA where there was standing water that I couldn't see because of the amount of 
> rain at the time. Did a complete spin and continued on my way. The car did 
> sputter for a little while 'till the engine dried out. 
> 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






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