FWD & RWD - Starting

Starting

Compared some different points between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive, the rear wheel drive does not have any advantages till now. But at this part- acceleration, the rear wheel drive has the obvious advantage. When we talk about, we can not ignore the American Drag Racing. The racing car start at the same point, and race for 1/4 mile. It will calculate the time each racer used and then get the winner. In this racing most vehicle are rear wheel drive.

From the photo above, it is easy to understand. Even-though when the car just start to move can not get the angle, it has the similar principle. The rear wheel will suffer 0.7 G gravity, on the other hand the front wheel just has 0.3 G. The basic physics knowledge told us the more pressure the more force of fraction.

The principle also fit for many off-road vehicles. The right rear wheel drive vehicle in the picture, it is hard to go rear. So the suggestion is when stop on the off-road, it is better to let the drive wheel point to lower.

Classic Super Engine- F20C

HONDA F20C

Compared with NISSAN BR26 and TOYOTA 2JZ, the F20C just can be called a some size engine. These two engines talked before are all 3 liters and twin turbo engines, the F20C just has 2 liters and naturally aspirated system. This engine was born at the same area with 2JZ and BR26.

Before discuss about this engine, we need to know a car HONDA S2000. "S" means sports in HONDA system. The first "S" series car is S360, which has a 0.365 liters engine- 33 hp at 9000 rpm. For conman, modern family cars' engine maximum rotating speed is 8000 rpm. So at that time, that shocked the hole engine area.

HONDA S360

HONDA S500

After the first car S360, HONDA produced some the others S cars, such as S500, S600 and S800. Till 1999 with 29 year technology accumulation, the S2000 faced with people. This special can be called the king of   naturally aspirated. It utilized rear wheel drive, and more the front and rear weight  proportion is perfectly 50 :50. It has a 2.0 liters engine with 125 hp (91.9 Kw). 

HONDA S2000

The first S2000 was equipped with F20B engine with 200 Ps. Till F20C appeared, the S2000 became the top point of his career. F20C can ringing perfectly without any mechanical problem under high duty. 

F20C

F20C Power and Torque output

Many engineers know, if we want to improve the power of an engine, here are two ways- increase engine size or increase rotating speed. F20C highest rotating speed can be reached 9000 rpm, very close to 1,000 rpm. At 9000 rpm, it can provide 250 hp which is the standard parameter for modern 3.0 liters engines. 

Components inside F20C

The secret F20C can reach 9000 rpm is the special components inside F20C. HONDA engines spent a long time on how to let the components can  suffer the high speed, temperature and pressure. Some main parts inside it are  under the special forging process, which result in the cost will increase. 

The S2000 is not a perfect vehicle, even can be called extreme. THE F20C just can provide hole power after 5500 rpm, which is not fit for normal driving. It is easily surpassed by some family car when it's under 5000 rpm. However the unlimited potential is deeply attracted many funs. With the development of the environment protection policy, we just can see it in some special conditions.

This blog just commemorate the crazy years.

I missed it.   

   

DIY- Change Spark Plug

Change Spark Plug

1

Clean the spark plug hole in the cylinder block with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Wipe away from the hole; don’t shove any dirt into it.

2

Lightly coat the threads of the spark plug with a dab of oil from the oil.

Be careful not to get any oil on the center or side electrodes.

3

Carefully begin threading the spark plug into the engine by hand, turning it clockwise.

This is called “seating the plug.” You have to do it by hand or you run the risk of starting the plug crooked and ruining the threads on the plug or the threads in the spark plug hole in the engine.

If you have trouble holding onto the plug, you can buy a spark plug starter and fit it over the plug. Or, you can use just about anything you can wrap around or slip over the plug top, including an old spark plug wire boot, a finger cut from a vinyl glove, an old piece of thin plastic tubing, or a piece of vacuum hose.

4

Engage the plug by hand.

Turn it at least two full turns before using the spark plug socket and ratchet.

5

Slip the spark plug socket over the spark plug, attach the ratchet handle, and continue turning the plug clockwise until you meet resistance.

Don’t over-tighten the plug (you can crack the porcelain); just get it in nice and tight with no wiggle. The plug should stick a little when you try to loosen it, but you should be able to loosen it again without straining yourself. Tighten and loosen the first plug once or twice to get the proper feel of the thing.

6

Examine the spark plug cable before attaching its boot to the plug.

If the cable appears cracked, brittle, or frayed or is saturated with oil, have it replaced. Before you attach the boot to the spark plug, apply some silicone lubricant to the inside of the boot; then push the boot over the exposed terminal of the new plug and press it firmly into place.

7

Repeat the steps to install each spark plug.

It’s at times like these that owners of 4-cylinder cars have the edge on those who drive those big, expensive, eight-cylinder monsters. Unless, of course, they have two plugs in each cylinder.

When you’re done, start your engine to prove to yourself that everything still works. Then wash your hands. If you’ve had a difficult time with a hard-to-reach plug, get some rest before taking on additional work. And take comfort in the fact that, next time, the job should be a breeze.

link from: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-install-a-spark-plug.html

DIY- Change Tire

Change Tire

1 Find a flat, stable and safe place to change your tire. You need a solid, level surface that will restrict the car from rolling. If you are near a road, park as far from traffic as possible and turn on your emergency flashers (hazard lights). Avoid soft ground and hills.

2 Apply the parking brake and put car into "Park" position. If you have a standard transmission, put your vehicle in first or reverse.

3 Place a heavy object (e.g., rock, concrete, spare wheel, etc.) in front of the front and back tires.

4 Take out the spare tire and the jack. Place the jack under the frame near the tire that you are going to change. Ensure that the jack is in contact with the metal portion of your car's frame. 

Many cars have molded plastic along the bottom. If you don't place the jack in the right spot, it will crack the plastic when you start lifting. If you're not sure about the right place to put the jack, read your owner's manual. 

For most modern uni-body cars, there is a small notch or mark just behind the front wheel wells, or in front of the rear wheel wells where the jack is intended to be placed. 

For most trucks or older cars that have a frame, look to place the jack on one of the beams of the frame just behind the front tire or in front of the rear tire. 

5 Raise the jack until it is supporting (but not lifting) the car. The jack should be firmly in place against the underside of the vehicle. Check to make sure that the jack is perpendicular to the ground.

6 Remove the hub cap and loosen the nuts by turning counterclockwise. Don't take them all the way off; just break the resistance. By keeping the wheel on the ground when you first loosen the nuts, you'll make that you're turning the nuts instead of the wheel. 

Use the wrench that came with your car or a standard cross wrench. Your wrench may have different sizes of openings on different ends. A correctly-sized wrench will slip easily over the nut, but will not rattle. 

It can take quite a lot of force to break your lug nuts free. If all else fails, you can use your body weight or stomp on the wrench (be absolutely certain you are turning it the correct way - counter clockwise). 

A cross wrench will give you much more torque than a standard single-handled wrench. 

7 Pump or crank the jack to lift the tire off the ground. You need to lift it high enough to remove the flat tire and replace it with a spare. 

As you lift, make sure that the car is stable. If you notice any instability, lower the jack and fix the problem before fully lifting the car. 

If you notice the jack lifting at an angle or leaning, lower and reposition it so that it can lift straight up. 

8 Remove the nuts the rest of the way. Turn them counter clockwise until they are loose. Repeat with all lug nuts, then remove the nuts completely.

9 Remove the tire. Place the flat tire under the vehicle so in the event of a jack failure the vehicle will fall on the old wheel, hopefully preventing injury. If the jack is placed on a flat, solid base, you shouldn't have any problems. 

The tire might be stuck due to rust. You could try hitting the inside half of the tire with a rubber mallet to loosen the tire, or use the spare tire to hit the outside half. 

10 Place the spare tire on the hub. Take care to align the rim of the spare tire with the wheel bolts, then put on the lug nuts.

11 Tighten the nuts by hand until they are all snug. They should turn easily at first. 

Using the wrench, tighten the nuts as much as possible using a star pattern. To ensure the tire is balanced, don't completely tighten the nuts one at a time. Going in a star pattern around the tire, one nut across from another, give each nut a full turn until they are equally tight. 

Avoid using so much force that you risk upsetting the jack. You will tighten the lug nuts again once the car is down and there is no risk of it falling. 

12 Lower the car without applying full weight on the tire. Tighten the nuts as much as possible.

13 Lower the car to the ground fully and remove the jack. Finish tightening the nuts and replace the hubcap.

14 Put the old tire in your trunk and take it to a mechanic. Get an estimate for the cost of repair. Small punctures can usually be repaired for less than $15. If the tire is not repairable, they can dispose of it properly and sell you a replacement. 

link from: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Tire

DIY- Change Headlight

Changing Headlight

You can have the fanciest wheels but it won't matter much if your headlights aren't working (and as we know from numerous movies and cop shows, a burned-out light will lead to an unwelcome stop by a highway patrol car). Fortunately, replacing a headlight bulb is a relatively painless process.

Tools you need: 

New light bulb(s) -- Make sure you get the right type of bulb for your vehicle (your local auto parts store should be able to match a bulb with your make and model) 

Alcohol wipes and tissues (to clean and hold the new bulb) 

Phillips screwdriver 

Locate the headlight holder

You'll access your headlight bulb through your engine compartment, rather than from the front of the car. Open your hood and locate the headlight near the front of the vehicle. It will be in a bulb holder, with a power connector (usually three wires) leading to the bulb.

Remove the power wires

The power wires are attached to a plug at the base of the headlight, and held by a plastic catch, a metal clip or a screw cap, depending on your vehicle. The plastic catch will have a small lever at the top -- push down on it while you pull the plug out. If you're dealing with a metal clip, pull it up and away, and be sure to hold onto it as you pull. If you're dealing with a screw cap, you can unscrew it by turning it counter-clockwirse.

link from: http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos/how-to-change-headlight-bulb.html

FWD & RWD - Control

Control

Some sport cars funs believe the RWD vehicles’ have higher control performance than FWD, which also is a kind of misunderstanding. Everyone can recall the condition when you driving in the snow, the RWD will harder to control than the FWD. That is the reason why some rear wheel drive trucks easier loss control than the front wheel drive economics cars. If we want to discuss more professional, under steer and over steer are needed to know.

The below photo shows the normal steering

The below photo shows under steer, which is characteristic for FWD. It is easy to understand, when you steer 30 degrees in the car, but the car steering less degree than you want. 

The other one is over steer that is the characteristic for RWD. The vehicle will steer more degrees you want. That is the reason why the RWD cars’ rear wheels easier to loss control in snow or on ice.

Additional, some people will ask why BMW and Mercedes drive feeling are much better than the other brands. Some luxurious original equipment manufacturers choice RWD for some reasons, meanwhile spend a lot of time and money on it to make up the disadvantages. Importantly, BMW high control performance does not because RWD, which is all contributed by engineers hard working.

FWD & RWD - Safety

Safety

Today will talk about frontal impact rather than side panel impact. Because the different structure will affect the frontal impact, there is not any different on the side panel. First we need to know the different engine arrangement for RWD and FWD.

Front Wheel Drive engine arrangement

Rear Wheel Drive engine arrangement

According to the NURO NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), there are two kinds of frontal impact 40% frontal impact and 15% frontal impact. The picture below shows the test.

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/frontimpact.aspx

40% Frontal Impact

As we can see from the left the FWD engine positioned parallel with the car’s width. When the frontal impact happened, the engine will accept part of the impact energy. That is the reason why Volvo remain using this structure.

When RWD vehicle accept the energy form outside, the engine and transmission will easier to remove into the driver’s space, which is dangerous for drivers.

15% Frontal Impact

This test will not affect engine and transmission, but the basic structure will affect the affect safety characteristic. We need to consider the front wheel’s effect, because of the wheel may remove into the driver’s space.

The lower BMW shows it have more space in the square than up SKODA. So the RWD has more space let the front wheel to remove. Two pictures below show the real test results.

Skoda Front Wheel Drive

BMW Rear Wheel Drive

The lower photo’s front wheel apparently damage driver’s leg. The RWD drive has enough space for his leg (up one).

Rear Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

But this is not a theorem, for example in north America 25% frontal impact, the front wheel drive Honda Accord gets the highest score which is high than rear wheel drive BMW 5 series. The success must be contributed to the designing, which can make up the front wheel drive's disadvantage.