Adjustable F-R bias

[syncromad]

I’m trying to understand how the Syncro system apportions traction and wondered if it were possible (with modification) to make this adjustable i.e. to induce more understeer in corners.

Is this a mechanical/vacuum controlled thing?

[Chris S]

No, its not possible to control as the viscous coupling does all the work mechanically, well hydraulically anyway.

Why would you want more understeer anyway? most people are trying to remove it. []

[syncromad]

Thanks Chris, I suspected it was controlled by the fluid mechanics of the VC.

I was asking in relation to a discussion on another forum where someone was using a 4wd car for drifting.

I know there is a technique specific to 4wd cars and wondered whether the Syncro system would work with it, or be modified to be more suited to drifting.

Not the usual query I know. 4wd cars have some advantages and disadvantages against RWD when it comes to traction when it comes to drifting – just wondered if the Syncro setup and its power delivery was different.

[Chris S]

LD50 looked into ‘drifting’ with the Syncro a couple of years ago, but I think decided a cheap BMW would be better.

[Chris S]

LD50 looked into ‘drifting’ with the Syncro a couple of years ago, but I think he decided a cheap BMW would be better.

http://www.vwsyncro.co.uk/data/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2246

[ld50]

indeed – although it must be said the syncro does slide nicely, having since been to some drift events, seeing the kind of sustained brutal strain those cars go through I realised it’s not something I’d want to subject the syncro drivetrain to or would see it coping with particularly well. In low-grip conditions I wouldn’t see a problem with it though

That said, a rock-hard back end and a stiff but loosely damped front end seemed to do the job nicely on tarmac and would let you sliiiiiide till the cows come home and with a joyous amount of precision.

With it’s standard motor you really had to give it some sideways and make the motor work to maintain power during a slide but it was both doable and delightful, but I still don’t think I’d do that to my syncro day-in day-out….I reckon the spares bill would quickly get silly…

[syncromad]

I was actually looking for guidance on the system rather than the car itself.

I have a 16v Corrado which is slowly being converted to a trackday car, drifting has always appealed and the Corrado base is ideal for improved engines and the AWD conversion (dead Golf sat on the drive).

Given more power, sensible stiffening, a dose of weightloss (carbon, grp, plexiglass and trim removed) do you think it might be a goer?

[no such user]

If you want to drift don’t bother with 4wd it just makes it harder, id drop porsche drivetrain in and an audi 5 pot, that would do sideways nicely in a corrado.

syncro and haldex systems are designed to be primeraly fwd and shifting power to rear when there is slip, for slideways you want the frount to maintain grip while keeping traction broken on the rear, rwd is easyest way

[Author]

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