tell me if im missing something, but if the s2k's engine was turned sideways, wouldnt it be wider, therefore, more room in the cockpit?

Just a thought....

 

Maybe, but the S2000 engine is turned sideways as it is. Which you probably know. Honda had to do it, I think. Something to do with the RWD perhaps?

I don't recall.

 

i'm guessing, it's because of the 50/50 weight distribution. if the engine was turned sideways, it wouldn't handle as good.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Siper2
[B]Maybe, but the S2000 engine is turned sideways as it is.

 

The engine placement is desireable to achieve 50/50 weight distribution. If it was any more to the front the weight transfer will be at the front. If you measure the S from front to back and split it in half you will notice that the seats are almost perfectly in the middle of the car. This is to negate bias weights (unnecessary baggage ) of the driver and passenger.

 

50-50 weight distribution and engine set back gives the S mid engine handling characteristics.

 

Engines for rear wheel drives are generally longitudinally mounted as in the S2000. Engines in front wheel drives are transversely mounted, as in the H22 in the Prelude. The only longitudinally mounted engine in a front wheel drive car that I know of is in the Dodge Intrepid. I don't know if the still do this, but at one point they were. I'm curious, does anyone else know of any longitudinally mounted FWD's, and conversely, what about transversely mounted RWD's?

 

Engines for rear wheel drives are generally longitudinally mounted as in the S2000. Engines in front wheel drives are transversely mounted, as in the H22 in the Prelude. The only longitudinally mounted engine in a front wheel drive car that I know of is in the Dodge Intrepid.
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Err, Audi A4 and A6, VW Passat, SAAB 93 are all longitudinally mounted.