The drivetrain is the path by which the power generated by the engine makes it to the road. It is every bit as important as the motor itself; no drivetrain, no power delivery. A poorly built drivetrain can suck staggering amounts of power from a motor, regardless of how strong the motor itself may be.

The drivetrain layout affects handling, weight, weight balance, what wheels power is delivered to, how many wheels power is delivered to, and sets the tone for the feel of the car overall. The "drivetrains layout" refers to the engine and powered wheels position relative to the car. As mentioned before, this has a noticeable affect on the way a car handles as it changes the weight distribution of the car. Ideally the best weight distribution is close to 50/50, being on either side can confer certain advantages as far as cornering vs. speed and many other aspects of a vehicles personality.


All vehicles use some type of "transmission" to get the power from the engine to the wheels. The transmission, or gearbox, is a device with gears inside that allow for more torque at low speeds and lower engine RPMs at high speed.

There are two main types of transmission that your will encounter: Manual and Automatic.

• In a manual transmission, power from the engine is fed into the transmission through a clutch. This device allows you to use a foot pedal to momentarily disconnect the engine from the transmission and wheels, allowing the engine to continue idling while the car is stopped, or to shift gears.
• With a manual transmission vehicle, you must manually change the gears. Start the
  

TO BE CONTINUED - 12/01/09 - StrykerPez

2. article on how engines transmit power into a transmission

3. article on different types of transmissions (sequential, auto, tree type manual, ect)

4. article about 2x4 and 4x4 (and others)

5. article about differentials and what they do