4ws

[cys19]

Hey guys. I'm a newbie and I can't find anything on google and howstuffworks.com on the pros and cons of having 4ws. I was wondering if yal could tell me. Thanks. As far as I can guess, it's not the same as 4wd, is it?

[Cold_Zero]

You are correct CYS19. Four wheel steering is radically different than four wheel drive. With some Nissans equipped with versions of four wheel steering, you might want to search under the term “HICAS.” I am not an expert on the subject and don’t want to mislead you.

bud

[SeVa-S13]

High Capacity Active SteeringWell, that's Nissan's form of it. Here in the states, I think we mostly got it on a small number of 91-93 240SX fastbacks and Z32 300ZX's. It's more useful as a safety measure for newbie RWD drivers than an effective racing tool. Do some searching and that should help.

[Mr1der]

doesn't it enable a tighter turning radius? That'd be pretty tight for some auto x...

[Jesda]

More responsive steering at high speed, and tighter maneuverability at low speeds (parking).

[SeVa-S13]

In theory it's nice, but for AutoX-ing and Drifting, unpredictability comes into play. It's not a full time system; it only "turns on" at certain speeds/steering angles. So you've got a nice rear end whip goin' on as you pivot around a cone at an AutoX, then out of no where your rear wheel adjust themselves arbitrarily, completely borking your planned countersteer maneuever and costing you precious time. Or you're drifting nicely, then the drift abruptly turns into an ugly display of understeer or a really wide turn....not kool. =\

[C-Kwik]

The Super HICAS system is NOT a 4 wheel steering system. I think of it more as an active Toe Control. At above a certain speed(I think it is 25 mph) it responds to steering inputs by angleing the rear wheels slightly to the outside of the turn initially then quickly angles the wheel slightly into the turn. On the more heavily loaded tire(outside tire), it causes a similar effect as dialing in some toe out in your alignment initially then switches back to toe in. Toe out in the rear promotes turn-in and makes the car feel more responsive to steering inputs. Toe In provides more stability through the turn and makes the rear fel less twitchy. The range of steering of the HICAS system is no more than 1-2 degrees in either direction. Hardly anything noteworthy in terms of steering, but can effect wonders in handling.

[[Zero-S]]

...On a track, and when you're not trying to go into a skid.

edit: track as in go fast turn left.

[cys19]

The Super HICAS system is NOT a 4 wheel steering system. I think of it more as an active Toe Control. At above a certain speed(I think it is 25 mph) it responds to steering inputs by angleing the rear wheels slightly to the outside of the turn initially then quickly angles the wheel slightly into the turn. On the more heavily loaded tire(outside tire), it causes a similar effect as dialing in some toe out in your alignment initially then switches back to toe in. Toe out in the rear promotes turn-in and makes the car feel more responsive to steering inputs. Toe In provides more stability through the turn and makes the rear fel less twitchy. The range of steering of the HICAS system is no more than 1-2 degrees in either direction. Hardly anything noteworthy in terms of steering, but can effect wonders in handling.

You make it sound like it won't affect drifting as much as 4ws. So the 240sx doesn't have 4ws but a HICAS system? And 4ws does not equal to HICAS?I noticed some people used HICAS, and you added the word "Super" to it, making it "Super HICAS." What's the difference?

[Altiman94]

cuz its super cool!

[C-Kwik]

This link provides some in fo on how Super HICAS works.

http://www.perthcars.com/300zxinfo.htm

This link gives a little background on the Available HICAS versions. Super HICAS was just one version of it.

http://www.datsuns.com/Tech/carterms4.htm