[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
[Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Re: dumb question.. what... Posted by Justin VanAbrahams [Email] (#32) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Justin VanAbrahams) on Thu, 19 Sep 2002 20:18:38 In Reply to: dumb question.. what..., lando, Thu, 19 Sep 2002 17:20:38 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The two major advantages of a transverse engine packaging are space and efficiency. As J explained, putting an engine sideways dramatically reduces the incursion of mechanicals into what would otherwise be the passenger area. Additionally, a transverse engine is more efficient in putting power to the road - when the engine motion doesn't have to be turned 90 degrees (like in a longitudinal engine) there is less loss due to gear & fluid thrashing. The downside, of couse, is a very front-heavy design and the possibility of torque steer. There are ways to mostly work around these limitations - the former by turning the transverse mounting 180 degrees, so the transmission is in front of the engine instead of behind it, and the latter by introducing equal length driveshafts but these really are workarounds more than fixes.
-Justin
posted by 64.166.4...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.