Big Engines and Weight Distribution

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.

Quote for truth, I see guys with S13's gut the fuck out of their interior and remove everything from basically the rear of their car and then can't figure out why the car pushes more. Huh? i wonder if its because the weight balance has shifted to the front now.

Balance is a key thing to keeps in mind, Hence why I leave my spare tire in while at events. It feels better with a bit of weight to throw around back there.
 
I have V8 and no understeer problems, I also recessed my engine back 2.5" for a better CG, and oil pan is about 1/8" off of the steering rack for better CG as well. solid mount everything.
 
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interest in weight distribution =! drifting

If this was a time attack/auto-x/road course car then yes, worry about weight distribution and corner balancing.

But you arent doing this. You are sliding.

sliding =! racing.
 
i only have 1.6 litres of hell.... tis much fun under boost! in a ae86 hatch... makes for one of the lightest cars... but ls1 kicks total ass :/
 
interest in weight distribution =! drifting

If this was a time attack/auto-x/road course car then yes, worry about weight distribution and corner balancing.

But you arent doing this. You are sliding.

sliding =! racing.

:ugh:
 
yea, i know nothing. :rolleyes:

Perfect example, Jerry's whip. Motherfucker destroyed the weight distribution. removed tons of weight here, welded and added tons of weight there. Still, does this matter? OF COURSE NOT.

All you need in a drift car is big power, and nice hard coilovers that are over-dampened 98% of the time. "Fine tuning" the suspension will allow you to compensate for the murderous job you just did to the car.

Be realistic. Drifting is fun, but it aint racing.

I can go all day with this getting more and more technical, so please try and prove me wrong. Now, if i hurt your little sore butthole with my comment, then thats another story.
 
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^ not caring about car set-up will only get you so far, all factors should be considered if you want a predictable and well balanced car.

Now you can completely screw your car up and as long as you have a good driver behind the wheel then sure the car can perform to an adequate level that would satisfy most people but if you are looking for that bit extra and really push the edge then caring about things like weight distribution, roll center, roll couple, bump steer, effective spring rates, suspension travel is important. Especially for the guys who have hopes and dreams of making it to the pro level.

I agree with you that drifting is about fun but there are intricacies to it other than big power/hard suspension

Also I don't believe that Jerry's car is a good subject for bad weight distribution, Since really the VH45 isn't that heavy of an engine an RB is a much heavier engine that will place weight even further forward of the front strut towers. This is a popular swap but most people will tell you the difference between sliding an RB S13 and an SR S13 is night and day in how the car changes direction. A better example would be Chris Jackson's 2JZ hatch. And from what I can remember the few other people besides Chris have said it was a very difficult car to drive.
 
Also I don't believe that Jerry's car is a good subject for bad weight distribution, Since really the VH45 isn't that heavy of an engine an RB is a much heavier engine that will place weight even further forward of the front strut towers.

True the rb is heavier, but i belive the vh is still close to 200lbs heavier than the ka.

We will see in the coming weeks how the weight distribution truly is as i plan on having the car corner balanced, im curious to find out my self to be honest.
 
Good points Piner, i should have specified that i was talking about most of the amateur guys. This is a motorsport to have fun with, where your cars setup is far from the MOST important things while getting started. Get a few key items on your car setup properly and you can slide all day having a great time and still be somewhat "competitive" with the local crowd. Sponsored/pro-am/pro drivers are a different story all together. This is understood.

My other post might have a been a bit harsh, but i like stirring the shit cauldron every once in a while. ;D
 
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