RC Nitro
"Proper" gears are designed with an involute profile so that the point of contact between the teeth does not change as the gears rotate. The gears we use have a flat tooth profile for reasons of economics. This means that the teeth must slide across each other as they rotate. Bigger teeth have to slide more relative to each other so are theoretically less efficient. On the other hand a smaller tooth will distort more if loading is very high making the samll teeth less efficient. I think you are right about the main factor being the ability to fine tune ratios though.
BTW I'm 5 weeks and 7 3 hour exams off being a mechanical engineer.
Mcrisp: moving the wing backwards will put a higher percentage of downforce from the wing on the rear wheels but not neccesarily more rear downforce as the wing could become less effective. The shape of the bodywork will determine whether you get an increase or decrease in downforce from moving the wing.
On a proper racing car moving the wing back put it in cleaner air so downforce increases. Our wings don't work as true wings though. They work by obstructing air flow rather than accelerating airflow over one face to acheive the pressure differential. This is why the current 2wd offroad cars all mount the wings directly behind the rear bodywork and not up high in clear air. Moving the wing back in this situation can actually lose rear end grip.
Last edited by dw; 05-15-2002 at 03:40 PM.