Big Engines and Weight Distribution

M

MaKo

NKOTB
I've noticed alot of people are dropping bigger engines (RB20,LS1) into their 240sx, with the intent in building a more powerful drift machine. But doesn't that mess around with the weight distribution, causing the car to be much more difficult to slide around in? Or does the up in HP compensate for it, somehow?
 
its over rated, big engines mean tq and easier to rotate as such. I have yet to have an understeer problem with the 2way before the car would slightly push on the TIGHTEST of turns, but then again i run 265s up front.
 
who cares everyone in america knows that the bigger the engine the better the drifting
 
The LSx is lighter then the KA24DE. The T56 Transmission is heavier, but it is LOW and in the center of the car so it has little effect. Also the LSx is about the same length of the KA24 so it's not like the is more weight forward of the strut towers.

The RB on the other had is heavier all around and is longer, sitting more forward then the LSx or KA. But as GSRACER said w/ the power it puts down with a proper suspension set up you will not have a problem.

That being said go for an SR20 over a RB20. LSx > ALL
 
stlthftr1 said:
i think in any given case the whole settup is what determines the handling of the car,
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+1. To throw in my two cents into the conversation, I had the opportunity to jump from a RB25-powered S14 to a SR20-powered S13 and the handling was a night and day difference. The S13 was more enjoyable to drive because you can toss it around in ways the S14 wish it could, and I definitely felt the weight difference in the front between the two, but I only realized that when jumping straight into the S13 from the S14. Before that moment the weight was never a concern nor did I ever feel it affected the vehicle's capabilities.

So basically what I'm trying to say is, if you set the vehicle up to your liking and adapt to the changes that you made to it, the weight difference won't be of concern.
 
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My ls1 car handles like a dream..... But I also changed my entire suspension set up and alignment before I drove the car.
 
Good Point Guys. So I guess it comes down to how well the person adapts the car to the heavier engine. But in a situation where a person simply drops in an RB, you would in fact feel a difference.
 
i love my car and the power makes up for all the weight distribution but when you think about it in drifting wouldnt you want weight on the front wheels so your not prone to understeering?
 
+1^ but wouldnt u then need to run a larger tire out back to compensate for the loss weight there?(less weight=less traction) and if ur running a jz series like urself, im sure ur making a good amount of power so ur traction is going to be even less no?

Which all differs between cars, say the mk3 and the s13, even from coupe to hatch.


coupe<3
 
:confused: um...more weight over the front wheels = more understeer.

Yes you can dial it out but apples to apples a heavier front end = lazy turn in and understeer.
 
gsracer said:
:confused: um...more weight over the front wheels = more understeer.

Yes you can dial it out but apples to apples a heavier front end = lazy turn in and understeer.
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i dont think so think of pickups that put water/sand bags in the bed they do it to get traction
 
Chris Jackson said:
i dont think so think of pickups that put water/sand bags in the bed they do it to get traction
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yes they do this to get traction over the rear wheels which is really light as it is... not to mention they typically to go in a straight line, the physics change drasticly when you turn the steering wheel.

I promise you with out changing alignment/chassis dynamics simply adding more weight to the front of the car will cause it to exhibit more understeer. This is a fact.
 
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