Re: Dave E. - you're making the wrong assumptions.

[Josh Pinkert <flush@us.net>]

At 11:54 AM 3/3/98 -0500, QSHIPQ wrote:
>
>
>So let me modify what you are saying.  No one refutes that with wheel lift
you
>have the scenario you do, why?  Because it's true.  You lose traction total
>transmitted Trg goes down > equalizing effect.  My scenario is different,
why?
>Because you can create chassis dynamics that FOOLS the torsen, and you
haven't
>lost any traction.
>

In the event that the rear end is hanging out and your rear wheels are
barely turning, you HAVE lost traction (laterally).  Sarge wants to his car
to maintain this attitude and finds it difficult in a torsen car.  In most
cars, you simply apply power and countersteer.  It seems that the torsen
isn't happy like this UNLESS you've got enough power to keep all 4 wheels
spinning at the same speed....and you power through the corner in a 4 wheel
drift.  Any quattro has enough power to do this in the snow.

On the first snow in my A4q (only an inch or so of slush/ice), I went to
the nearest empty parking lot to execute some powerslides, donuts,
etc...just to see what the Quattro IV was like.  When sliding, it was
completely controllable with throttle and steering inputs.  After making a
few loops and leaving tracks all over the lot, the handling changed.  The
bare tracks that I created gave the tires bits of grip that didn't
previously exist.  So I couldn't maintain a skid without the car bucking.
Every time the leading front tire came into contact with the de-snowed
pavement strip, I'd lose the skid's balance.  But the car wasn't doing
anything unpredictable and I didn't find the torsen aggrevating my skid
control further.  Maybe EDL is playing into it a little...I don't really
know.  BTW, I initiated the skid by doing exactly what you say produces
bite.  Turn sharply (producing understeer) and then apply throttle
(switching to oversteer)...then countersteer and modulate throttle to
maintain.


- Josh Pinkert
- Josh@Pinkert.com
- '98 A4q 2.8
- ISO '70-'73 Porsche 911