NSX engine placement...

[NSXnBRLA]

Has anyone ever wondered about the pros and cons of Honda placing the drivetrain in the NSX transverse, the way they did, as opposed to longitudinal the way the 92-95 Acura Legend was placed? It seems like it would have been just as easy to place it that way. I cannot think of any reason for or against either placement, however. I was hoping some of you may have some input.

 

[V12NSX]

I suspect the biggest reason is so we can have a trunk. The Ferrari 360 has a longitudinal engine and all the trunk space is in front.

S.L.

 

[Jimbo]

I think a longitudinal placement could make the longer whereas the transverse placement may have shortened and lightened the car somewhat.

Packaging efficiency for other components would seem to be better with a transverse placement as well.

You have to admit everything is nestled in their pretty closely.

-Jim


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1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
http://homepage.mac.com/jimanders/PhotoAlbum1.html

 

[sjs]

I'd echo most of the above and add that weight distribution is better with more ahead of or between the rear wheels. Anything that hangs out behind them is bad, increasing polar moment.

 

[Jimbo]

Agreed. The Delorean was a car that had a longitudinal placement but the engine was mostly behind the rear axle ala an old VW.

Cars that have the engine in-line but in front of the axle (like some Ferrari's and Panteras) have a good low polar moment.

-Jim

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1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
http://homepage.mac.com/jimanders/PhotoAlbum1.html

 

[JoeSchmoe]

Originally posted by Jimbo:
Agreed. The Delorean was a car that had a longitudinal placement but the engine was mostly behind the rear axle ala an old VW.

Yeah, they had to make room for the flux capacitor

 

[Zanardi 50]

I would imagine if Honda engineers had placd the engine longitudinally, they would've had a bigger, more powerful engine to squeeze into the engine bay and we would've had more room for bolt-on mods. As many of you already knew, the LeMans NSX GT-1's (not the GT-2) engine is mounted longitudinally, so they can put in twin turbos. Needless to say such mod did not affect the car's ability to tackle corners any less, as you can well see in a recent BestMotoring Video, driven by 95 Lemans GT2 class winner Keiichi Tsuchiya (one of three GT2 NSX driver), aka 'the drift king'. So I guess Honda mounted the engine transversely for more trunk space. Gotta love their mentality for practicality!

[This message has been edited by Zanardi 50 (edited 11 August 2002).]