The '88 front helps a LOT. The Fiero to which I was comparing my dad's Datsun was my '86 SE into which I had transplanted an '88 front suspension.crzyone wrote:The Dark Side of Will wrote:
I don't disagree that it would make a hell of a track machine. I just like the way a mid-engine car handles. quote]
I think my mid-engine experience was ruined by going from an Skyline GTR to a Fiero. The fiero felt like a boat swinging back and forth, understeering like crazy. If I raced the fiero first I would probably have a lot better things to say about it. If I built an 88 first I probably would have been happier with it.
An Iron block datdun is going to be a little different than an aluminum block FD. The FD is a lot more rigid, probably shorter and the engine will weigh quite a bit less. I like the fact that the FR layout is much easier to control at the limit. Something you think about when going through high speed corners lol...
Being F/R doesn't have much to do with controllability at the limit. That's suspension design.
The Datsun and FD have similar engine positions relative to the front wheels.
I can't speak to chassis stiffness because I don't know any numbers for the Datsun.
I have driven an (rotary powered) FD and been fairly spirited... although I haven't spent much time at the limit with it. It's certainly a world class chassis and the foundation of a kickass car. To me it still felt and responded like a front-engine car; hence my lament that there's no equally accessible and capable mid-engine car.
Maybe I'll go test drive an NSX when I get back. A contractor at work has one... maybe I can bum a ride off him by offering to trade drives in the Fiero... yeah right.