One additional thing I remember from a vehicle dynamics standpoint is that the torque reaction of the engine acting on the rear axle results in forces that tend to load the drivers (left) side tire downward and rearward and the passenger side (right) tire upward and forward. This results in the often seen tendency of the left front tire to lift more than the right front, and the body tend to roll right. That is why some performance cars use staggered rear shocks, one on the front of the housing and one on the rear of the housing.
This effect can play havoc with the yaw stability.
