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Path: utzoo!watmath!watdcsu!haapanen
From: haapanen@watdcsu.UUCP (Tom Haapanen [DCS])
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Pontiac Fiero
Message-ID: <1006@watdcsu.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 21-Feb-85 01:36:45 EST
Article-I.D.: watdcsu.1006
Posted: Thu Feb 21 01:36:45 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Feb-85 09:22:59 EST
References: <1965@inmet.UUCP> <2054@drutx.UUCP>
Reply-To: haapanen@watdcsu.UUCP (Tom Haapanen [DCS])
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 29

>>And for criticizing my knowledge of physics, I was always taught the
>>the the frictional force F = uN, where u is the coefficient of friction
>>and N is the normal force.  Now, having a middie engine means that N
>>is less for the *FRONT WHEELS* than it would be for the same car, same
>>engine mounted up front.  Therefore, the front tires do not have as much
>>grip -- making it a little tough to make left turns in a snowstorm.  If
>>someone would like to demonstrate the flaw in this argument, I will post
>>a statement of my ignorance.

>Doesn't the VW Beetle have the same problem where the front end looses
>traction?

Well, not really.  The front end *is* a bit light in a corner, and you
*might* be able to induce some understeer.  However, the weight
distribution is such that it's definitely a case of terminal oversteer.
If you ever begin understeering (and it's a bit slippery), just pulll
up the handbrake ever-so-slightly, and you'll have the rear end
fishtailing out really nicely.  Just don't pull the brake too hard or
you'll end up doing multiple 360's (2*pi's :-) ).  The Fiero is
somewhat of a different case, though, as the weight is so evenly
distributed, and in fact does tend to terminal understeer.


				   \tom haapanen
				   watmath!watdcsu!haapanen
Don't cry, don't do anything
No lies, back in the government
No tears, party time is here again
President Gas is up for president		 (c) Psychedelic Furs, 1982