[s-cars] Re: NAC, but more turbo content

[TM]

Joey-
Smart-a$$ comments of my own inserted:


-----Original Message-----
> The big question is, how does one efficiently put
> down
> that much power to the front wheels?
Limited slip diff.  Hey, it works for the VR6/1.8T
Golf/Jetta crowd.  Admittedly, not as easy as RWD or
even AWD, but there are some seriously fast FWD drag
cars out there, Civics included.

Even with a spool, due to weight transfer issues, you can't
put power down as well as RWD. No one runs AWD in the really
serious 1/4 mile classes- lack of wheelspin tends to kill
your clutch and driveline really fast.


> For the 1/4 mile crowd, I'm seriously unimpressed. A
> cheapo 302 Mustang with bolt-ons will smoke that
> Neon.
Perhaps, but look at how the aftermarket will pick up
for the SRT-4.  It's already got a front mounted
intercooler and it looks like the motor is cake to
work on.  If it sells like it should, and I think it
will, there are going to be some seriously fast
FWD-ers out there to catch up with.  Kind of
reminiscent of the 70's muscle car era, only with FWD
and AWD compacts.


I know what you're saying about the aftermarket, but I can
pick up a ratty 302 Mustang coupe, and get it past 400hp
w/o too much work. You can't do that to a Neon. Neons also
have a bad reputation for head gasket failure at 50k or so-
I'm sure the turbo engine is rather different, but I don't
trust Dodge to put out a decent product at that price, esp.
considering they have no track record so far. The Subaru and
Mitsubishi products are well proven- 4G63s are very durable
and capable of a lot of power.

Same thing w/ a Buick GN- much faster than that Neon even in
a streetable state of tune. No way you're driving a Neon with
a spool on the street. :-)

Taka