Miata dyno fail
02-13-2009, 10:56 AM
#10
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Same thing happened to me one time I took the 4runner to get smogged. I don't know WTF made the inspector think it was FWD. It's almost forgivable with a car, but a 20+ year old truck? Jeez. Most inspectors are at least smart enough to look under the vehicle if they don't know.
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02-13-2009, 12:28 PM
#14
Tour de Franzia
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The veteran, domestic car crew at work frequently informs me that its "too bad your car is fwd." I actually threw down a $100 on a bet that my miata was significantly faster than his "shelby gt" all the way around...but he didn't pay up last night.
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02-13-2009, 05:20 PM
#19
Boost Pope
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I've had the same problem. To most folks who come from the domestic muscle crowd, all Japanese compact cars pretty much look alike. Frankly, I have the same prejudice with modern American cars. I know that some newer Caddies are FWD, but I couldn't tell you which ones. And I know that an increasing number of sedans (meaning >0) are RWD, but again, couldn't name 'em.
Shortly after I bought my '92 (when it was running on 185 all-seasons) A friend from work was riding with me in the car to lunch. He's a very experienced and competent shade-tree mechanic, and an intelligent person generally. He owns an early '80s Camaro with a very hot 305, a late '60s Caprice convertible with a 454, an El Camino, etc.... Built 'em all himself. He even does his own transmissions. In Memphis, he built engines for the local Saturday night stock car crowd.
He's no fool.
Anyway, he's in the car, and I take a corner or two under power, throttle-steering for fun. He remarks "I've never seen a FWD car to that before." I inform him that it isn't FWD. He is slightly incredulous. I stop, get out, open the hood, and point out the orientation of then engine. He still goes to the back and looks under the car, to verify that there is in fact a differential (and what he refers to as "tiiiiiny little axles" back there.
But I understand.
Shortly after I bought my '92 (when it was running on 185 all-seasons) A friend from work was riding with me in the car to lunch. He's a very experienced and competent shade-tree mechanic, and an intelligent person generally. He owns an early '80s Camaro with a very hot 305, a late '60s Caprice convertible with a 454, an El Camino, etc.... Built 'em all himself. He even does his own transmissions. In Memphis, he built engines for the local Saturday night stock car crowd.
He's no fool.
Anyway, he's in the car, and I take a corner or two under power, throttle-steering for fun. He remarks "I've never seen a FWD car to that before." I inform him that it isn't FWD. He is slightly incredulous. I stop, get out, open the hood, and point out the orientation of then engine. He still goes to the back and looks under the car, to verify that there is in fact a differential (and what he refers to as "tiiiiiny little axles" back there.
But I understand.
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