building up a 90 FWD

[slam816]

is it worth building up my FWD or should i hunt around more fr a AWD?? did lasers even come AWD?

 

[green_GST]

It's all preference. Are you looking to get the best 1/4 mile time, rally, or just cruising (I know there are others)?

 

[fwdmaster]

89-91 laser came fwd only, 92-94 came fwd and awd, as for building up a fwd it depends on what you like, have you ever driven in a awd yet?

 

[r1991_4g63t]

I've driven both and i love my FWD, even in the winter

 

[bastarddsm]

build it then....its aall up to your prefrences

 

[fwdmaster]

I've driven both and i love my FWD, even in the winter

Me to, I love my fwd

 

[Fast-Orange]

depends on how much power your looking to gain, fwd with big power, good traction since all your weight is upfront good for drag racing not autocrossing, lighter with less components such as t-case rear diff etc, but the bad being all your weight is upfront, understeer will be a factor and possibly torque steer, blowing cv's etc. with awd you will have better traction, handling, more balanced drivetrain, good take off times. just depends what your plans are for it. but any fwd car i have driven has had bad understter on acceleration this could be helped using a front lsd though

 

[r1991_4g63t]

i removed the powersteering to help with the torque steer. Besides making a huge difference with that its not noticable at all unless your sitting still trying to turn the wheel, and even then it isnt bad

 

[Fast-Orange]

that wont affect torque steer it will still be the same, since differences in lengths of cv shafts are the cause, it might make it feel that way by making the steering wheel feel stiffer if thats what your reffering to

 

[r1991_4g63t]

no, before i disconnected it the wheel would pull to the right, after i disconnected it i barely have to touch the wheel to keep it straight. so besides making the wheel stiffer it does reduce torque steer alot

 

[Fast-Orange]

torque steer - a vehicle with higher torque having unequil length axle shafts, the longer shafts is going to twist more then the shorter which will cause torque steer, your not going to see it unless you start getting into higher tq numbers

 

[r1991_4g63t]

trust me i saw it plenty when the car was stock,

 

[DSM1G90]

Torque steer - why some auto manufacturers puts that short half shaft on the long side supported by that bearing cradle, then this makes the two outer shafts the same length so the can eliminate this FWD problem.

But in doing so, just more cost in production why you see the unequal shaft lengths - and DSM was one of them.

True, when my turbo kicks in, I have to hang on the wheel some to keep it from pulling to the side..but, I'm basically a freeway DD, thus I keep the boost level in the vacuum side.

No, with this Ply Turbo being my 3rd FWD DSM, I wouldn't want AWD for the simple sake of NOT having an extra driveline having to be powered by the same transmission, being engaged all the time and reducing gas mileage - why the Subarus aren't the greatest with gas mileage due to all of that engaged drive shafts spinning under the car.

Plus, this Ply of mine is being my project car for basic restoration: I like to keep things on the original side, thus be more of a collector item.

...it's all fun though on what a person wants to do with their ride...

-DSM

 

[livedsm4g63]

awd if you wanna race from digs, FWD is harder to get traction in low gears. but thats just my 2 cents

 

[Freerevving]

AWD is difficult to set the suspension up for autocrossing... it's either understeer or oversteer without adjusting the caster and camber... FWD is easy to set the suspension up for autocrossing. You probably won't have to adjust caster or camber...

but you're going to get torque steer with a FWD no matter what. Equal lenght shafts lessens it, and a limited slip differential almost eliminates it... but because of the pirincipals of FWD, you'll still have it no matter what.

With more power AWD will win in a straight line... unless you're racing on the highway, which you shouldn't do

To be perfectly honest, I don't think I'd be into DSM's if it weren't for AWD. Other cars have my top pick for 2WD. I'm a good driver and I like corners... so I'm willing to sacrifice some instability for traction (scare the crap out of you around the turns!)

Besides that, there aren't many cars at this price that can actually put the power to the ground...

--Mac

 

[My1GLaser]

I will just add my .02.

I had a 90 Laser last year. I had reduced torque steer and wheel hop using Prothane mounts, Energy suspension bushings in the front end and 225/45/16 tires. I was still on the stock suspension, so the SOB would spin until ~75 mph in 3rd. a SBR LSD was in the very near future, but the car was totaled 1 month after getting it on the road (tboned).

Then I bought my GSX, because I was sick of the traction issues of my Laser (RIP). The traction would have been much better had I gotten the time to install the suspension I bought before the wreck. (for sale cheap if you are interested )

I just didn't feel like spending the time to make it hook when the AWD is available.

4 months/4000 miles later I am in love with this car. No comparison IMO.

It really depends on your goals. Mine is just a weekend, fair-weather car. I want an 11 sec 1/4 and some autocross & circle track days soon. I wanted a fast, fun car before I got too old and had a mid-life crisis and bought a Ferrari or something.

 

[JrCRXHF]

AWD for me.

I have a FWD turbo car too but for that i got with honda due to weight difference

But i have a Laser and a EVO MR and i love the AWD in any weather.

 

[stefanOst]

Only cure for FWD is to get rid of that lead foot Prothane mounts should help a bundle, and there's a neat thread around here somewhere which shows some guys using some sweet solid mounts, made of aluminum or steel, I can't remember. Slicks will be your best bet if you plan on track a lot. Nice pick up from a roll though

 

[eclipsetuner_21]

I am building my 91 gst. I have a 50trim on it and many other goodies. Personally I love it!!! Traction can be a pain but if you really practice launching and have prothane mounts w/ upgraded suspension then its not so bad. I spun em' past my buddy's jetta in second gear screamin' 20 psi and it was quote" just sick"
Build it!!!!

 

[slam816]

well i sorta wonna autocross race but i wonna drive it during the summer on the street.. my biggest concern it torque steer even stock off the line the littlest bump and its just about on the other side of the road. around here i cant find a good condition stock awd with low milage and trying to find a engine with under 120k is hard too..

 

[4g63Powered]

It's hard to find a stock, low mile AWD in good shape ANYWHERE. You just gotta be patient and keep your eyes open.

 

[spawn7037]

I love the feel of an AWD launch, nothing beats the whole car lifting up on all four wheels. I would shoot for AWD, but I've never driven a FWD car before so I can't really make a comparison based on experience with it, just a personal preference based on ownership...

 

[r1991_4g63t]

get the prothane mounts, i launch so much better with them