Re: off to the market

[QSHIPQ <QSHIPQ@aol.com>]

In a message dated 98-05-05 01:06:57 EDT, you write:

<< All this talk of torsen, yadda, yadda, yadda, is really just theoretical,
> perhaps less so for auto-cross/track people. 
Hope it don't snow where you are. Or rain.
 
>The real world truth is that none of us should ever get close enough to
 >the edge for it to make any difference, at least not on _public_ roads. 
 >And if you do, you were probably overdue for some greenery on your car
 >anyway. 
Hope it don't snow where you are.  Or rain.
 
>The fact is, it
> takes +/- 3 months to learn the in's and out's of a car's handling
> (assuming no track time...).  Until your brain 'figures it out', you
> should proceed with caution.
hmm.  But if a torsen shifts torque based on slip angle and relative slip
angle, could it do things that you may not want it to do, even after 3 years
of driving.  Proceed with caution is an understatement.  Just when your brain
'figures it out' you find yourself sliding sideways with spiders running fore
and aft.  Darn turns
 
>... can drive it just as fast (in the dry)
 >as the RX7.  It's not as much fun, however... but it seats five.
Torsens can bite in the dry too.  Just as fast?  Sure would like a ride with
you on that statement.  My watch doesn't share that statement, btdt.
 
 >In the wet, the equation changes.  Except on winding roads, the CQ is
> significantly more secure, faster and more reassuring.  
Not my experience with an RX7tt in the rain at Grattan qclub event just last
week.  Chassis dynamics and SP8000 tires made for secure faster and more
reassuring drive, and the watch confirmed it....  Hmmmm

>On winding slick
> roads, the tires lose grip like any other car (e.g. four wheel slides) and
> you have to be mindful of the Torsen UOU, which is easily corrected.
You haven't been bitten have you?  You will.  Do post.

 >BTW, I believe that the changing chassis dynamics is not unique to the
 >Torsen Audi's, I have felt it in other AWD/4WD vehicles.  Many vehicles
 >that distribute power among all four wheels seem to have this, it seems to
 >be inherent in changing drive ends dynamically. 
And just as many don't.  Those that do can be compared to the torsen center.
There are plenty of VC cars that are better, and don't change the inherent
chassis dynamics while turning.  Unfortunately, we compare U-O-U torsens (all
of them) to a myriad of VC cars and trucks.  I have too felt changing chassis
dynamics in other awd vehicles.  Absolute traction for a VC verses chassis
dynamics engineering of a VC.  Differences in marketing 101
 
>... Also, it would seem that Audi's are driven
 >more enthusiasticaly than other AWD/4WD cars, which may increase the
> effects... 
I see a problem with that statement, given the dumbness of the device.
 
Scott