RE: Buying 86-up turbo questions

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

Rob,

I'm sure that it will become painfully obvious to you that a q has _10_ CV
joints, not just 8 (there's one at each end of the prop shaft ... and a
U-joint added for good measure!  :)

I'm sorry to hear that you have had problems with CVJs in the past ... I've
yet to have to replace one myself.  IMO/E since the rear of the car doesn't
steer the CVJs and boots live a much simpler life.  I've seen the things
that other marques (e.g. Chrysler) use in place of inner CVJs ... was it
called a "tripod"?

A FWD Turbo does a bit more of a fun factor to it over an AWD car.  Since it
is much easier to break the front tires loose you can often get much
superior launches and I think that the FWD car has more of a "sporty" feel
IME.  I prefer to do without the torque steer and the worst characteristic
of any FWD car I've driven ... the tendency to translate sideways when one
front wheel loses traction due to a large puddle.  I would also agree with
your assessment of the MC as being superior to the KH ... it is a much more
robust design and the WC turbo is a big plus.

BTW, don't overlook the newer 5000S/100 non-turbo, 5-speed FWDs ... 130+HP
isn't anything to shake a stick at when the slushbox is removed and there is
only one differential ... they can be pretty quick off the line.

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)

... proud owner of 44 CV Joints ... all still installed.

> ----------
> Why would you want to put a KH in as opposed to an MC??? KH may somehow
> have more bottom end (how???) but MC is 2226cc vs. KH 2144- 140 hp vs 162-
> seems the MC is the obvious choice. 
> Otherwise, the 5kcst 5speed has proved more than satisfactory for my needs
> in the last 3 years. I chose it over the q for two simple reasons:
> Traction is not much of a concern here in the desert-
> and CV joints just don't like me. I've owned 6 cars, and the Audi is
> the best in this respect. I put 5 axles in a POS Chrysler once. At time of
> purchase, I was still wincing at the idea that a Q has 8 CVs. Yes, I have
> driven a 5ktq. Very impressive. I just thought I'd choose something
> (marginally) simpler. Since then,. the list has shown me that halfshafts
> are the least of your worries in a type 44 ;)
>