911 F/R weight distribution question

While the early 911 models were a real handful handling-wise, some clever
engineering over the years has "tamed" the swinging beast. Changes to the
rear suspension geometry, along with ever larger rear tires, and various
versions of traction control or ESC (electronic stability control) have
aided in this effort. If you're going to drive on the street, you'll only
experience some rear end swing in extreme conditions...such as wet roads or
loose gravel. Even so...in the newer cars, this is not much of an issue.
You want to swing out the rear end...reduce the size of the rear tires, turn
off the stability control and take your foot off the accelerator in a
sweeping turn. It can be an adventure. (The original turbos in the
mid-'70's accentuated the issue, as the turbo boost came in suddenly @ 3500
RPM...and that dramatic increase in power, along with no stability control
could be rather unnerving. Hence...today's turbos are AWD...and very
stable.)

"Lawrence Lugar" <lawrence_lugar DeleteThis @cox.net> wrote in message
news:rCPNi.118442$xZ2.74459@newsfe10.phx...
> ...it's not Almost in the back of the rear axle - it IS on the back of the
> rear axle; hence the 911 being referred to as a 'rear-engine' car
>
> the Boxster, 360, F430, Elise's engine resides, for the most part, on or
> just a bit forward of the rear axle.
>
> the 911 is roughly a 40/60%, F/R weight distribution.
>
>
> on hard fast turns, the rear tends to swing out ahead of you - with a 911.
> for all instensive purposes, for street driving - you'll rarely experience
> that...but on a track of wide open space, it's rather evident.
>
> alot of people find that 'swinging' fun, it's almost like a balet
>
>
>
>
> "stinkeroo" <kennykabuki DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1191690064.025978.300090@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
>> In the 911, it looks like the engine is almost in back of the rear
>> axle. I would think that would put most of the weight on the rear,
>> making it very hard to handle in corners.
>>
>> But apparently it isn't?
>>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: 911 F/R weight distribution question 

so, is this where I mention going around a corner (just a normal
intersection) at about 35 mph in my 356A - didn't notice water in the
intersection - so I completed the turn, but instead of 90 degrees like I
expected, I made a full 270 and found myself gliding backwards --- so what
to do? just swing the wheel to full lock, and the car snapped around to the
proper direction and I proceeded on my way - much to the surprise of both
myself and the oncomming traffic. And, you will recall that the 356A
weighed only 1600 pounds and had a full 45 HP to push it along.


"Guru" <Guru.RemoveThis@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:fIsOi.7150$6p6.7144@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net...
> While the early 911 models were a real handful handling-wise, some clever
> engineering over the years has "tamed" the swinging beast. Changes to the
> rear suspension geometry, along with ever larger rear tires, and various
> versions of traction control or ESC (electronic stability control) have
> aided in this effort. If you're going to drive on the street, you'll only
> experience some rear end swing in extreme conditions...such as wet roads
> or loose gravel. Even so...in the newer cars, this is not much of an
> issue. You want to swing out the rear end...reduce the size of the rear
> tires, turn off the stability control and take your foot off the
> accelerator in a sweeping turn. It can be an adventure. (The original
> turbos in the mid-'70's accentuated the issue, as the turbo boost came in
> suddenly @ 3500 RPM...and that dramatic increase in power, along with no
> stability control could be rather unnerving. Hence...today's turbos are
> AWD...and very stable.)
>
> "Lawrence Lugar" <lawrence_lugar.RemoveThis@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:rCPNi.118442$xZ2.74459@newsfe10.phx...
>> ...it's not Almost in the back of the rear axle - it IS on the back of
>> the rear axle; hence the 911 being referred to as a 'rear-engine' car
>>
>> the Boxster, 360, F430, Elise's engine resides, for the most part, on or
>> just a bit forward of the rear axle.
>>
>> the 911 is roughly a 40/60%, F/R weight distribution.
>>
>>
>> on hard fast turns, the rear tends to swing out ahead of you - with a
>> 911.
>> for all instensive purposes, for street driving - you'll rarely
>> experience that...but on a track of wide open space, it's rather evident.
>>
>> alot of people find that 'swinging' fun, it's almost like a balet
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "stinkeroo" <kennykabuki.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1191690064.025978.300090@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
>>> In the 911, it looks like the engine is almost in back of the rear
>>> axle. I would think that would put most of the weight on the rear,
>>> making it very hard to handle in corners.
>>>
>>> But apparently it isn't?
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 >> Stay informed about: 911 F/R weight distribution question 

William Noble wrote:
> so, is this where I mention going around a corner (just a normal
> intersection) at about 35 mph in my 356A - didn't notice water in the
> intersection - so I completed the turn, but instead of 90 degrees like I
> expected, I made a full 270 and found myself gliding backwards --- so what
> to do? just swing the wheel to full lock, and the car snapped around to the
> proper direction and I proceeded on my way - much to the surprise of both
> myself and the oncomming traffic. And, you will recall that the 356A
> weighed only 1600 pounds and had a full 45 HP to push it along.
>

That's great, Bill. Thanks.

I thought I was a hotshot a few years ago while driving to work one
rainy morning. I was on a sweeping double lane turn going about 40mph
in my 79 Targa and started to down shift. Big mistake. I noticed the
car drifting to point itself in the wrong direction while I yelled
"NO!!!" in what felt like slow motion. I was very fortunate not to hit
anyone, but the embarrassment was terrible.

I had learned a valuable lesson about the 911.
 >> Stay informed about: 911 F/R weight distribution question