Mid-Engine 'Vette
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From: Charlotte NC
Mid-Engine 'Vette
After reading a post posted by JWSchmidt3 with a sketch on a concept(?) Vette that looked like a mid-engine, it got me thinking: Would the Corvette enthusiast go for a mid-engine design?? I'm sure this has been polled before, but humor me :cool: After finishing McLellans book, "Corvette from the Inside", I found it quite interesting how close we came to be driving mid-engine cars now!! Just a thought....
[Modified by ap83, 10:42 AM 7/12/2002]
[Modified by ap83, 10:42 AM 7/12/2002]
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Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (ap83)
I wouldnt be totally against it one day, if they did it right.
But departing from history would be a bit of a sticking point for most people.
But departing from history would be a bit of a sticking point for most people.
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Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (vader86)
I wouldnt be totally against it one day, if they did it right.
But departing from history would be a bit of a sticking point for most people.
But departing from history would be a bit of a sticking point for most people.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
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Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (Scissors)
But zora wanted it to be amid ship. Are you taking enzo's side!?!?!? Just kidding :) But even though the corvette engine is pushed back when you
look at the distribution of the mass you see a big hunk of mass up front
and a big hunk of mass out back (tranny), both separated by about 6 feet or so I guess. This is a relatively high polar moment of inertia. Now when you look at a F360 you see both the tranny and engine as an enormous hunk of mass just forward of the rear axle. This is a relatively low polar moment of inertia. The LPMOI will rotate more readily about its axis. Picture an ice skater babe spinning with her arms out, then as she pulls her arms in her velocity picks up. I think cars with more or their mass more centralized will be less sluggish to turn. This can also get you in a lot of trouble of course, but nowadays this can be mitigated with active handling when daily driving. When racing it would be nice to have the car more willing to rotate about its axis, but of course greater power comes greater responsibility and the need for more skill.
look at the distribution of the mass you see a big hunk of mass up front
and a big hunk of mass out back (tranny), both separated by about 6 feet or so I guess. This is a relatively high polar moment of inertia. Now when you look at a F360 you see both the tranny and engine as an enormous hunk of mass just forward of the rear axle. This is a relatively low polar moment of inertia. The LPMOI will rotate more readily about its axis. Picture an ice skater babe spinning with her arms out, then as she pulls her arms in her velocity picks up. I think cars with more or their mass more centralized will be less sluggish to turn. This can also get you in a lot of trouble of course, but nowadays this can be mitigated with active handling when daily driving. When racing it would be nice to have the car more willing to rotate about its axis, but of course greater power comes greater responsibility and the need for more skill.
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Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (TripleBlack99)
But zora wanted it to be amid ship. Are you taking enzo's side!?!?!? Just kidding :)
This is a relatively high polar moment of inertia.
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Heel & Toe
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Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (Kyle)
Since I also own an MR2 I can say that there is just something about driving a car with the engine in the back - it's just so much more fun. The way they handle with a rear weight bias (not better, just different and even a little scary with the trailing throttle oversteer) and just hearing that engine scream from right behind your head is awesome. In fact my first comment I made about my 'Vette when I first bought it was: "I love it but they put the engine in the wrong spot."
Even though the 'Vette's engine is pushed pretty far back it is still slightly nose heavy and the engine would have to be set really far back like an
RX7 to be a front mid-engine car.
Even though the 'Vette's engine is pushed pretty far back it is still slightly nose heavy and the engine would have to be set really far back like an
RX7 to be a front mid-engine car.
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From: Charlotte NC
Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (Tom73)
The C5 already is mid-engined.
[Modified by ap83, 12:56 PM 7/14/2002]
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From: NM
Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (ap83)
Not by definition.... When you say mid-engined, its generally inferred that the engine is over or slightly in front of the rear axle....
tom...
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Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (Tom73)
Nope, Mid-engined is with the engine between the wheels. That runs from the centerline of the front wheels to the centerline of the rear wheels.
Le Mans Master
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Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (Scissors)
FYI, for anyone in northern California that might like to see a "midengine corvette":
From: Corvette Mike <info@corvettemike.com>
Subject: Corvette Informant July,13th Monterey Update
The NCRS National Convention is right around the corner, August 9-13.
The Board of Directors tells us that it is the largest National Convention
to date. That's exciting!! As one of the main sponsors of the event,
Corvette Mike, will have a prominent display area at the site. As part of
the display, thanks to Ralph Kramer, Tommy Morrison and Warren Mosler the
pole setting, ZO6 based, mid-engine MT900 Photon will electrify the crowds
at Fisherman's Wharf. This is the mid-engine Corvette that Zora would
have built, if he had his way. Judging will take place at the Monterey
Convention Center adjacent to the Doubletree Hotel. We still have a few
rooms left in our block for any last minute registrants. Reply to this
email for details.
From: Corvette Mike <info@corvettemike.com>
Subject: Corvette Informant July,13th Monterey Update
The NCRS National Convention is right around the corner, August 9-13.
The Board of Directors tells us that it is the largest National Convention
to date. That's exciting!! As one of the main sponsors of the event,
Corvette Mike, will have a prominent display area at the site. As part of
the display, thanks to Ralph Kramer, Tommy Morrison and Warren Mosler the
pole setting, ZO6 based, mid-engine MT900 Photon will electrify the crowds
at Fisherman's Wharf. This is the mid-engine Corvette that Zora would
have built, if he had his way. Judging will take place at the Monterey
Convention Center adjacent to the Doubletree Hotel. We still have a few
rooms left in our block for any last minute registrants. Reply to this
email for details.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Charlotte NC
Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (TLGunman)
The MT 900 is a VERY cool car....Dave McLellan devotes practically a whole chapter to it at the end of his book "Corvette from the Inside". If you are in this area and have the chance, I highly recommend going to see it. It's sure to be a sight. I wish I could go.... :rolleyes: I'm thinking that NC to CA would be quite some drive though.... :yesnod: :lol:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Harrisburg PA
Re: Mid-Engine 'Vette (ap83)
I would like to see not only a mid-engine vette, but something that rev'd to 8k rpm. I don't see why we can't get a hipo middy with great styl'n and handl'n for under $50k. BTW, wth aren't Cartek heads and cam a factory option? I'd really like to see an X-oriented 12 cylinder, with DOD, that takes less than 3 lateral feet, has 500 hp, revs to 8k and gets 25 mpg.
