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. 

Classic Super Engine- 2JZ-GTE

2JZ-FTE

I had introduced the GTR BR26 engine before, but at that area also has a classic engine- TOYOTA 2JZ-GTE.I just can say this engine was born in a wrong time, which result in it has to under the shallow of BR26. If we want to know the 2JZ-GTE, first of all need to introduce the Supra

First Generation Supra

The first Supra is just a kind of family car, without any powerful engine and do not have any relationship with sport. 

Second Generation Supra

The second generation Supra still use the same structure and engine- a 2.5 liters line six engine with 110 horsepower (82Kw). It is easy to know, the Supra can not be accepted by market.

Third Generation Supra

Fortunately,  the TOYOTA engineers made the third generation Supra equipped with 7M-GE engine which has 200 horsepower (149Kw). This generation is has much higher performance than the before three generations. So, the story is coming. At the same time, Nissan GTR came out which hold the main racing car market. Supra need to another evolution in order to get the market back. 

Forth Generation Supra

In order to compete with GTR, a absolute new engine is needed, the 2JZ-GTE is coming. 

2JZ-GTE

Maximum  power 280 hp (206kw) / 5600rpm

Maximum torque 435 N.m/ 4000rpm

It has the same style and cylinder number with RE26, the  parameter also similar with it. 

The same point with before, the competitor is so strong. Supra does not take too many people attention.  But the engine's structure can be called classic.

Aluminum Cylinder Head

Cast Iron Cylinder Block

 Twin Turbo

After nearly 30 years, this engine is still widely accepted by many super car players.In many car racing, you still can see the 2JT- GTE act as an important engine for many winners. 

Classic Super Engine- RB26

GTR- RB26

RB26DETT

RB- Racing Basic

26- 2.6 Liters

D- DOHC (Double Over Head Camshaft)

TT- Twin Turbo

This blog will introduce the Japanese national engine RB26 which was equipped on sky-line Nissan. Last century 90's it had won all champions in A group and G group of all Japan grand touring car championship (JGTC). Meanwhile it joined in journal of theoretical and computational chemistry (JTCC) 29 times, and won the champion 29 times. At that time in the Europe every touring car championship the GTR totally exceeded BMW M3 and Benz E90. The classic line six engine still is an amazing engine for many funs till today.  

At the beginning, the GTR design target was  Porsche 959 (450 horsepower), which means the GTR needed a more powerful engine. Under this condition, the RB26DBTT was produced . At that time, the main purpose of this engine is not only a economic target, but also contained many engineers dreams.The honors of GTR must contributed to this RB26DBTT engine. 

RB26 used the line six structure, which has great smoothness of operation and good linear output. And-then designed in double over head camshaft and each cylinder has four valves. The cylinder block uses inspissate steel which result in the weight does not have any advantage, but it provides more potential to increase the horsepower. It almost does not need any reinforce the cylinder block, easy to get 1300 horsepower. 

Of cause the function above do not enough, is also has two high efficiency turbos and individual throttle, which can make sure enough fresh air   get into cylinder. The original engine is very easy to get 350 horsepower, if with some simple  refit 500 horsepower is not a dream. 

GTR BNR32

GTR BNR33

GTR BNR34

This engine was serviced for three generations GTR. In Japan the government has the limitation of the vehicles' horsepower can not over 260 horsepower. This is a cruel limitation for GTR, so many super car players adjust their GTR by themselves and then they enjoy the process. That another reason why many people like this car which has a lot of  secrets waiting for you to discovery. 

BR26DETT N1

After two decades development, many other companies engines became more powerful, so the evolution for BR26DETT is necessary. 

They use the steel turbo replace ceramics turbo, and the reinforce cylinder block can support 1900 horsepower. There are some new designed piston and rod in the new BR26

Even the BR26 already has more than 30 years history, it still has many possible for people who love it. Compared with many modern engine, it can not be called perfect. But it deeply attracted many players.

FWD vs RWD - Price

Price

Last blogger talked about the different structure between FWD and RWD, so in this blogger will talk about the first part- price. When costumers have greater choices, the price is more important. 

For most people have the misunderstanding, the RWD will more expensive than FWD, because of some luxurious brand adopt RWD such as BMW and Mercedes. First of all, talking about what is forming a vehicle’s price. The price is not only determined by the hardware cost, but also include the research, management, sell, advertisement and labor cost. At the same, different brands have different strategic positioning, which means some companies sell the car as the same price as the cost and the others will own high benefits. So, the price does not have any relationship with the wheel drive method. 

For example, here are two similar level vehicle- LEXUS ES and BENZ C class. They both belong to medium size business cars. But the C class does not too much more expensive than ES.

The luxury need to spend more money on advertisements and sealing, which cost will add to customers. On the other hand, the luxury vehicle will be equipped more expensive comfort functions. 

DIY- Change Coolant

Change Coolant 

1 Start with a cold engine and open the radiator cap. Ensure you have a system in place to capture all of the liquid, which is extremely toxic to pets and other animals

2 Under the front of the car, look at the bottom of the radiator and find a T-shaped bolt or small plug. This is called the drain cock or radiator petcock.

3 Get 2 pans and a 5 gallon pail. The pail must be large enough to hold roughly 5 gallons, and you will need to rotate the 2 pans to avoid spillage.

4 Place this container beneath the radiator before opening the drain cock. Use your hand, or an appropriate sized wrench.

5 Allow the liquid to drain into the pan, and close the drain cock.

6 You also need to drain your engine block of fluid, as there is at least a gallon of it in there. You will have either one or two plugs in your engine block (refer to your car's manual to find out specifics), and it will be in the shape of a hex key or 3/8's extension.

7 Another method to avoid having to find these plugs, is to keep the radiator drain cock open, and the radiator cap off. Run water into the top of your radiator while your car is running. This will circulate the water through your block, and flush out all the remaining fluid. When clear water is running out of the drain cock, you have gotten all the old antifreeze out.

8 Turn off the car, close the drain cock, and fill your radiator and overfill reservoir to the correct level. Run your car and fill your radiator as necessary, as the fluid still needs to circulate through your engine block.

9 Air pockets may be trapped in the tank and you will notice the level of coolant will drop and an air bubble may surface. Be sure to watch the temperature gauge as you are burping the system.

10 Replace the cap on the radiator. After this procedure, if you notice the engine running hot, add more coolant. It is possible another air pocket burped.

11 Be sure to follow these easy steps every 1–2 years, as the car's coolant is the most important part of the car's cooling system. Also be sure to take the old antifreeze liquid to an accredited recycle station.

DIY- Change Air Filter

1. 
   

   Change Air Filter

   
   
   

   1 Obtain the correct replacement filter. It should be the same as the one you will replace. Consult your owner's manual or auto parts store if you need assistance finding the right part.

   
   
   
   

   2  Park the car on level ground and apply the parking brake. Shift into first gear (manual transmission) or Park (automatic transmission), and turn off the ignition.

   
   
   
   

   3 Release the bonnet with the lever inside the car. Move the exterior bonnet catch for final release. Lift the bonnet and secure it with the prop rod.

   
   
   
   

   4 Locate the air filter unit. The air filter unit is usually situated on top of the engine. 

   On older cars with carburettors the filter is usually under a bulky, round cover made of plastic or metal. 

   Newer, fuel-injected cars tend to have a square or rectangular air filter housing can be found slightly off centre between the front grill and the engine. 

   
   
   
   

   5 Remove the air filter cover. Loosen the hose clamp that seals the air conduct. Undo all the screws holding the air filter cover. Some models have wing nuts; other air filters are just clamped on with a quick release system. Keep screws and other parts together and in a safe location so you can find them later. Pull the cover out of the air conduit and lift it up so it comes off the lower part of the housing. Consult a mechanic if you don't know how to lift the cover.

   
   
   
   

   6 Take out the air filter. Now you can see a round or rectangular filter made of cotton, paper or gauze. Filters have a rubber rim that seals off the unit's interior. Simply lift the filter out of the housing.

   
   
   
   

   7 Clean the air filter housing.Connect the air hose to the compressor and use the compressed air to blow out the dust, or use a vacuum cleaner to suck up any dirt. 

   Seal the air conduit with removable adhesive tape. It only takes a minute and that way you won't get any dirt into the engine whilst cleaning. 

   
   

   
   
   

   8 Replace the filter. Replace the old filter with a new one. Simply insert it into the housing with the rubber rim facing up. Make sure the edges are sealed by the rubber rim.

   
   
   
   

   9 Replace the cover. Carefully insert the cover back into the air conduit and then press the entire piece down onto the lower half of the air filter unit. 

   Make sure it's on straight and securely; otherwise you could alter engine performance. Tighten all the screws or clamps and recheck that you have put everything firmly back together by rocking the unit gently with both hands. Shut the bonnet securely. 

   
   
   
   

   10 Check the filter regularly to keep your car breathing at maximum efficiency by keeping the dust out.

   
   

   
   
   

   11 Change the filter every 50,000 km (30,000 miles), or about once a year. If you drive in a dusty area, it will need replacement more often. Your owner's manual or periodic maintenance guide should have recommendations for your car.