RE: torsen tech 103/201

["Dave Eaton" <Dave.Eaton@clear.net.nz>]

whatever, while there is no way to know how much *more* traction the rears
can support, you know that the fronts can support *no* more.  which means
that they are much more likely to spin up first...

i've also found the best way into the oversteer/4-wheel drift is to overcook
the turn, throttle off, turn in and get back on the power.  i did it with
the wagon the other day around a wet round-about, and almost had a
divorce....  :-)

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q
'89 mb 2.3-16

-----Original Message-----

Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 00:38:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: Orin Eman <orin@wolfenet.com>
Subject: Re: torsen tech 103/201

> if the torsen is at the bias ratio power-on in a turn, then there is
*more*
> tractive potential at rear of the vehicle than is being used.  why?
because
> by definition the bias ratio means that the the torsen has *stopped*
> allocating torque rearwards.  if it hadn't stopped shifting torque, even

All it really means is that the rears can currently support the
torque that the bias ratio dictates.  They could support twice
as much or they could support _no_ more.  You can't tell.
Torsen ain't going to give them any more.

> of traction at the rear causing oversteer is hypothetical in the extreme.

> again, you need to re-think your scenarios scott.  if you think through a
> power oversteer scenrio with a torsen, you will understand how unlikely it
> is in reality.

Pretty easy actually.  Find some ice.  Turn in.  Step on gas.
Yee-haw!  I did it at will in my 200 at Stevens Pass earlier
this year.