Oversteer or Understeer?

[MB38]

Which would a GSX default to? It obviously has to lose grip at some point.

Does anybody know the power distribution? I haven't been able to find much information on this. Hopefully it's rear-dominant?

Also, what sort of skid pad ratings would I be looking at stock? With appropriate stiffening and suspension? With Hoosiers?

Thanks guys.

[buymeabmwm3]

I don't know much about GSX's in particular, but my guess would be understeer. Thats what almost all cars are designed to do, especially front engine cars. But it really depends on what driving situation you are in. If you enter a corner too fast, and crank the wheel, you'll get understeer. But if your traveling through a long fast sweeper, and lift off the throttle, you may get oversteer.
In terms of front-rear power distribution, I would wager that it is front bias since the engine is mounted transversly.

[Talon007]

All DSM's use a viscous coupling type differential, meaning the power distributionn is variable. The book for my 90 says 50/50, but does not say how far the bias will go either way

My 1990 Galant GTi has a true 50/50 torque split, so maybe if your GSX is a similar age it's the same ?

If not, I know alot of manufacturers typically use around a 60F/40R split which is supposed to be the best balance for cornering performance [I wouldnt know for sure, that's just what I was told once !] so you might also find this is the case.

Altho I love the Eclipse & I'd love to own one, imports are not a cheap hobby here in the UK [especially not LHD ones] so I've not had chance to learn much beyond what you guys chat about on here - but I DO know that the Galants & Eclipses of the same age as mine shared the same engine & gearbox, so I would assume they share the same transfer box too & my first 'educated guess' is correct.

Please feel free to correct me if anyone knows any better, I am but an amateur in your field afterall

[Talon007]

Yeah, I'm sure they are the same. What is your tranny code?

[MB38]

I don't own the car yet, I'm still deciding. Potentially, it'd be a 98 or 99 Eclipse GSX, manual of course.

[LandoAWD]

Most cars are "detuned" for the typical driver. This translates to understeer, as it lets the driver know something is wrong sooner than oversteer. With a nice adjustable shock, and rear sway bar, however, this can easily be fixed

[MB38]

Obviously suspension work is key. I haven't decided what I want to do yet, but a simple coilover (perhaps Ground Control) kit may be all i can afford. Take it to work and have them align it as a drift car.

[Talon007]

Ummm why? Go buy a RWD for drifitng, not an AWD

[MB38]

I'm not actually drifting it, I just prefer an oversteer car to an understeer. If they align it with drift in mind, it'll default to oversteer.

[RockinWRX]

Oversteer is when the passenger is scared . Understeer is when the driver is scared.

OR

Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the BACK of the car. Understeer is when you hit the wall with the FRONT of the car.

[MB38]

Thanks for clarifying that...

[RockinWRX]

Originally posted by MB38
Thanks for clarifying that...

Today is my day .

[MB38]

I see.

Well, to further upon your post, understeer is when the front tires break free first during tight cornering. This causes the front to plow outward from centrifugal force. By simply removing your foot from the accelerator, the car will re-gain traction and complete the turn.

Oversteer is when the rear tires lose traction first. The rear will swing outwards in the turn circle, creating a larger circumference turn (thus "over" steer). Sudden acceleration during an oversteer situation will often break the front tires loose as well, putting the car into a powerslide. Removing one's foot from the accelerator would cause the rear end to snap back to traction, but will often cause slight body roll and a very jolting stop/change of direction.

My volvo is rear wheel drive, has awful handling and weight distribution. I've managed to enter the car into a full-fledged powerslide on many occasions. There's nothing quite like seeing a silver volvo wagon sliding sideways, doing nothing but destroying the tires.