Why is a c3 engine not centered?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: The Netherlands EUR
Why is a c3 engine not centered?
Maybe an obvious question but i read all these stories about a c3 not having its engine in the center of the car, but offset a couple of cm (inches?) to the passenger side. And is this also the case for the entire drive train? (tranny, main driveshaft, diff?)
How much is the actual offset anyway?
Why is this? A V8 is one of the most symmetric engines on the planet so i can't figure out why GM would do it besides making room for the steering box, but if that was the issue couldn't they think of another solution?
Not that i am planning a huge blower on my '80 basket case but it just seems strange from an engineering point of view.
Thanks for clearing my head
How much is the actual offset anyway?
Why is this? A V8 is one of the most symmetric engines on the planet so i can't figure out why GM would do it besides making room for the steering box, but if that was the issue couldn't they think of another solution?
Not that i am planning a huge blower on my '80 basket case but it just seems strange from an engineering point of view.
Thanks for clearing my head
Last edited by rene040269; Apr 28, 2013 at 05:56 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,313
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
This has puzzled more than a few people!
I believe the offset driveline has to do with the differential needing to be centered between the rear wheels, (same length half shafts), and thus the differential yoke not being centered in the car.
Regards,
Alan
This has puzzled more than a few people!
I believe the offset driveline has to do with the differential needing to be centered between the rear wheels, (same length half shafts), and thus the differential yoke not being centered in the car.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: The Netherlands EUR
Ok, that was certainly not the first idea that popped up in my head. Could they not achieved that with a slightly tilted drive shaft, those swivable yokes should be able to handle a small angular displacement i guess? I have seen drive shafts in heavy machinery with angles as far as 15 degrees or more.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
My understanding is similar to both Mr. BKbroiler and Mr. Larrywalk...that it was a matter of balancing the weight of the car side-to-side without a passenger. As well as the extra inch of much needed footroom.
Funny thing is that, when I was cutting some El-Cheapo floormats for my 2012 F250 (can't spring for the WeatherTech's yet), I trimmed LOTS of flab off the passenger's side mat, while the driver's side mat just set right in without any modification. HUGE difference in driver vs. passenger footroom.
I don't think the Scorpion engine in my F250 is offset (of course I haven't measured it...), but they definitely made some changes to give the driver more room to dance in. In my truck, definitely not for weight. But for driver comfort.
And how else would they expect us to stick our enormous heads in there to change the fuses without that extra inch? Tough enough already.
Funny thing is that, when I was cutting some El-Cheapo floormats for my 2012 F250 (can't spring for the WeatherTech's yet), I trimmed LOTS of flab off the passenger's side mat, while the driver's side mat just set right in without any modification. HUGE difference in driver vs. passenger footroom.
I don't think the Scorpion engine in my F250 is offset (of course I haven't measured it...), but they definitely made some changes to give the driver more room to dance in. In my truck, definitely not for weight. But for driver comfort.
And how else would they expect us to stick our enormous heads in there to change the fuses without that extra inch? Tough enough already.
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Cause my C2 66 BB battery blew up in my face , from the heat one hot august day before most of you were born.
. It was to o close to the BB exhasut manifold. I was lucky not to sustain injuries nor did the other gentleman assisting me that day.
I think it was dangerous and horrible location and the weight front to back is what Chevy I think said.
. It was to o close to the BB exhasut manifold. I was lucky not to sustain injuries nor did the other gentleman assisting me that day.I think it was dangerous and horrible location and the weight front to back is what Chevy I think said.
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Cause my C2 66 BB battery blew up in my face , from the heat one hot august day before most of you were born.. It was to o close to the BB exhasut manifold. I was lucky not to sustain injuries nor did the other gentleman assisting me that day.
I think it was dangerous and horrible location and the weight front to back is what Chevy I think said.
. It was to o close to the BB exhasut manifold. I was lucky not to sustain injuries nor did the other gentleman assisting me that day.I think it was dangerous and horrible location and the weight front to back is what Chevy I think said.
