So I'm trying to understand the workings of sideways-engine FF cars!

[scarslasher]

The standard FR layout is easy enough to understand.
Pardon my lousy MS Paint skills.

Basically, I want to understand the drivetrain (by drivetrain, I mean all the way to the wheels, not just the engine+tranny "powertrain") behind the my '98 Chevy Malibu LS, which basically has a sideways engine inside.

Trouble is, I can't find any diagrams explaining it, so this crazy theory is the best I can think of!

Obviously this isn't too realistic, so could someone explain how this REALLY works.

 

[Northstar]

It is called a Transaxle.

 

[scarslasher]

Should note I'm a bit more mechanics illiterate, but my dad can help me understand some of the complicated stuff, though even he's curious about how this stuff works. He's more of an old-fashioned guy that mainly works on FR cars (classics, usually).

Question, though.

The red circled parts. Is that where it goes to the wheels?
If it is, where does the it get power from the engine?


EDIT:
And just how big/small is this?
The only transmissions I've ever seen are monstrous beasts equivalent to the size of the engine itself.

EDIT 2: Well, maybe the part where the transmission "blossomed" out.

 

[Keef]

A typical rear-drive car's engine is mounted longitudinally. A typical front-drive car's engine is mounted transversely. It allows the whole driveline to be mounted in a much smaller space.

The transmission is this case is called a transaxle as Justin linked. It's a combination of transmission and differential with the axles mounted directly into it.

By the way, differentials aren't the main reason for power loss. Power loss between the engine and ground occurs because of the mass, inertia, and friction of all rotating components mounted after the engine - flywheel, clutch assembly, transmission innards, driveshaft, differential innards, axles, wheels and tires. It's why race cars use rotating parts as light as they can make them to help decrease power loss and improve engine response.

EDIT: The picture you've posted is of a rear transaxle, not a front transaxle. Your picture is similar to what is used by Corvettes, Vipers, and mid-engine and rear-engine rear-drive cars. The power enters the transmission from that shaft on the left, then gets converted by the internal differential, then goes out your red circled axles to the wheels.

 

[scarslasher]

By the way, differentials aren't the main reason for power loss. Power loss between the engine and ground occurs because of the mass, inertia, and friction of all rotating components mounted after the engine - flywheel, clutch assembly, transmission innards, driveshaft, differential innards, axles, wheels and tires. It's why race cars use rotating parts as light as they can make them to help decrease power loss and improve engine response.

I know. I just imagine transferring the direction of the rotation would be a bigger culprit of power loss than most other parts.

 

[Northstar]

The red circled parts. Is that where it goes to the wheels?
If it is, where does the it get power from the engine?

The one pictured on Wikipedia is from a RWD car. Here is one from a FWD car.

The engine connects to the opening on the back, goes through gears in the tranny and out the holes on the front where the axles would go.

Size wise they are a little more compact than a traditional transmission.

 

[scarslasher]

Makes a lot more sense now. Thanks.
If a bit off-topic, I'd like to ask:

http://www.cdxetextbook.com/images/350px-Fwdlayout_01m.jpg

Is the difference in the lengths of the yellow rods (CV axles?) the culprit behind torque steer?

 

[speed junkie]

I know. I just imagine transferring the direction of the rotation would be a bigger culprit of power loss than most other parts.

Nope. It's all in the friction, mass, and inertia.

Is the difference in the lengths of the yellow rods (CV axles?) the culprit behind torque steer?

That's exactly it.