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Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:06 am

My bug has always been a joy to drive in the winter because I can go take it out and slide around large parking lots.

Last night I tried it and I was getting excessive understeer somehow... Aside from the bigger engine in the rear, I changed all 4 tires to taller, slightly wider ones. That's all that has changed.

Where did my sliding go?! :p

I'm thinking that I could fit a rear sway bar and get my oversteer back. I really don't handle understeer well... not even in videogames! So, is it time to fit a rear sway bar or is there something simpler I can do?

(As an aside, anyone on here should get a hold of Gran Turismo 4 and drive the 49' beetle with all the upgrades/some suspension tuning)

Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:38 am

Easiest thing to do is try different tire pressures.
If they are radials, lowering tire pressure can make it easier to slide tires on dry pavement.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:48 am

Adding a rear sway bar will increase understeer.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:56 am

or ,put the old tires back on.old=hard,hard=easy to slide.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:14 pm

DarthWeber wrote: Adding a rear sway bar will increase understeer.

really? thought the drifters braced the rears up and did very little to the fronts?

Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:50 pm

Drifters aren't racers (my opinion), they aren't concerned with going fast through corners and getting the best handling. Any book on road racing or chassis set up will back up what I said. It's all about achieving a good balance between front and rear anti-roll bars, springs and tire pressures, among other things.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 2:35 pm

DarthWeber wrote: Drifters aren't racers (my opinion), they aren't concerned with going fast through corners and getting the best handling. Any book on road racing or chassis set up will back up what I said. It's all about achieving a good balance between front and rear anti-roll bars, springs and tire pressures, among other things.
Agree 100%. By larger engine, do you mean heavier? If so, that or the new tires would be most likely. Some tires have more rounded shoulders than others which will affect breakaway in snow.

Paul

Sun Dec 04, 2011 2:51 pm

on slippery surfaces like loose gravel and snow, our cars often understeer

The vehicle does not have enough grip to lean enough for the sway bars to be effective, so the balance on snow is pretty much all about the tires.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:04 pm

DarthWeber wrote: Drifters aren't racers (my opinion), they aren't concerned with going fast through corners and getting the best handling.

X100

its just show boating.

Real speed = traction

Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:40 pm

He didn't say he was drifting as a "sport". He's just having some fun in a parking lot. Geez.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:58 pm

Bikerchris wrote: He didn't say he was drifting as a "sport". He's just having some fun in a parking lot. Geez.

Me==> :D What I said==> Buellistic's thought of adding a rear sway bar would have just made a bad situation worse. I merely wanted to make him aware of this so he wouldn't spend money on something that wouldn't help him have fun in a parking lot. OK?

Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:15 pm

DarthWeber wrote: Drifters aren't racers (my opinion), they aren't concerned with going fast through corners and getting the best handling.

First your unsolicited opinion

Quote: Any book on road racing or chassis set up will back up what I said. It's all about achieving a good balance between front and rear anti-roll bars, springs and tire pressures, among other things.

Agreed on this though. I'm sure he appreciates the help.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:23 pm

Actually, everything is solicited here.......if you ask a question in the samba be prepared to get an answer that you may not like......

And I tend to agree.....drifting is a bit silly.....kind of fun to watch, but silly......the newer wider and taller tires are keeping you from sliding around......take it as a sign that you should protect your car from bad driving......maybe save you from an accident down the road.

I'm Chris and the above is what I said :wink:

Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:28 pm

Lol. That's true. It's part of what makes this forum entertaining. I happen to agree with you and Darth, drifting is silly.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:29 pm

Lol! I think the poster just wants to be able to do donuts in the parking lot......drive that thing nice Buellistic........how did the race with your brother go?

Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:55 pm

DarthWeber wrote: Drifters aren't racers (my opinion), they aren't concerned with going fast through corners and getting the best handling. Any book on road racing or chassis set up will back up what I said. It's all about achieving a good balance between front and rear anti-roll bars, springs and tire pressures, among other things.

Oh yes, don't get me wrong. I don't look at drifting as a form of race or even something worth competing in. I just like sliding around from time to time when the weather is a little wet. I wont do it in high-grip (dry pavement) situations because I doubt my transmission could really handle that.

I would think stiffening the rear would transfer cornering pressure from the rear to the front inner tire... But then again, I haven't read any books.

FiveLug, I actually could keep up with my brother. He was a tad faster, but not by much. In a race around a track his HP advantage would be null. So there you have it, RC makes heads that unlock enough power to keep a 1776 competitive with a 1915.

Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:58 pm

Buellistic wrote: DarthWeber wrote: Drifters aren't racers (my opinion), they aren't concerned with going fast through corners and getting the best handling. Any book on road racing or chassis set up will back up what I said. It's all about achieving a good balance between front and rear anti-roll bars, springs and tire pressures, among other things.

Oh yes, don't get me wrong. I don't look at drifting as a form of race or even something worth competing in. I just like sliding around from time to time when the weather is a little wet. I wont do it in high-grip (dry pavement) situations because I doubt my transmission could really handle that.

I would think stiffening the rear would transfer cornering pressure from the rear to the front inner tire... But then again, I haven't read any books.

FiveLug, I actually could keep up with my brother. He was a tad faster, but not by much. In a race around a track his HP advantage would be null. So there you have it, RC makes heads that unlock enough power to keep a 1776 competitive with a 1915.

Almost makes you wish you had him throw in bigger valves and you put in a bit bigger cam...Lol! But that's pretty cool for you......you still got bragging rights that you kept up with his big bad 94's....

Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:09 pm

fivelugshortaxle wrote:
Almost makes you wish you had him throw in bigger valves and you put in a bit bigger cam...

Naw, the driveability of the engine is about perfect, honestly. I think I'll fit up some higher ratio rockers eventually and call it finished :)

Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:12 pm

Buellistic wrote: fivelugshortaxle wrote:
Almost makes you wish you had him throw in bigger valves and you put in a bit bigger cam...

Naw, the driveability of the engine is about perfect, honestly. I think I'll fit up some higher ratio rockers eventually and call it finished :)

Ha ha ha ha! That's one thing about a VW, partner......they're never finished!

Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:21 pm

fivelugshortaxle wrote: Buellistic wrote: fivelugshortaxle wrote:
Almost makes you wish you had him throw in bigger valves and you put in a bit bigger cam...

Naw, the driveability of the engine is about perfect, honestly. I think I'll fit up some higher ratio rockers eventually and call it finished :)

Ha ha ha ha! That's one thing about a VW, partner......they're never finished!

HAH! Yeah, okay, I meant THIS ENGINE is finished. I'm still going to redo the entire interior, the wiring, the TRANSMISSION, and so many other things eventually.