FWD, Am I getting into too much?

[crazykid]

Ok I have read the arguments, searched, and I know this has been covered. I know that you just cant beat the launch of an AWD car. When I was shopping, I wanted a GSX, but never found a decent one or a good price and ended up getting a great deal on a clean GST. Its great, I love it, dont regret it at all. Still time to time I have looked for a decent AWD but they are either beat the crap out of or very high priced. Now that I got my 2nd vehicle, I am starting to build up my winter parts list. Traction is already an issue for me with the stock T25 at 14psi (although my camber being off probably doesnt help due to the car being lowered 1.8in). Am I better off just forgetting about moding my GST and wait for a GSX? I would really rather just keep the GST and work from there, fix my camber, get a good lsd, some nice sticky and bit wider tires, better motor mounts (this will help correct?) and anything else that will help. I also read somewhere setting your struts in the front to the softest setting and rear to the hardest will help (currently have them all set to the hardest), is this true? Ive also thought about (yes i know this is extreme) doing an AWD conversion. What are your honest thoughts? I want to build this car to be a low 12sec car for now maybe 400hp, you guys know how your goals always change. Ive seen the video of the 9 second fwd laser, and I was pretty amazed at that. Although how I drive the car on the street is how I want to drive it on the track (no huge slicks ;-) ) Anyways, Id like to know your honest non-biased thoughts and please dont turn this is to a AWD vs FWD, I know the difference.. Also I do reliaze it will take more time and money working with a FWD car. Im just trying to get a direction and where I should go. Thanks..

 

[TrystanGST]

Am I better off just forgetting about moding my GST and wait for a GSX? I would really rather just keep the GST and work from there..

Sounds like you answered your own question. Besides, this IS going to turn into a FWD vs AWD debate. It always does.

 

[PGTred95]

Traction definitely sucks, but depending on your mods it's pretty liveable until you start to hit 300+whp. Stick w/the GS-T and see what you can get out of it

 

[99gst_racer]

If you are 100% sure that you're goal is hitting 400 WHP and running a low 12 sec quarter, then you might want to keep looking for a GSX. I however like the challenge of FWD. It is possible to get traction. It just takes alot of work and alot of time. You know what it takes..... "fix my camber, get a good lsd, some nice sticky and bit wider tires, better motor mounts". I installed an Ingalls camber kit, a Quaife LSD, better tires, and urethane motor mount inserts, and my traction is 100X better than ever. My buddy had a 1G FWD with a 14b at 18 PSI and I could get him by about 5 car lengths through 2nd gear and I was on a T25. LSD works. IMO, just stick with what you got. You'd have a better highway monster with your GST too.

 

[4g64GST]

new kaaz lsd installed with new motor and tranny

I can tell a huge difference. get one you will love it.

 

[98eclipseRS]

stick with fwd...but well I am a little biased. You can deffinatly manage with fwd you just have to change your driving habits a bit. Motor mounts and struts are the biggest bang for buck with regards to traction on a fwd. You should get the motor mount inserts in as soon as possible to aviod wheelhop. Wheelhop = badtimes when you end up with a hole the size of a tennis ball in the housing of your tranny. LSD does so much wonders for traction its rediculous. Even during normal everyday driving the car feels way more solid and responsive. I used to have an awd but the gas milleage was killing me and the tranny didn't like the repeated visits to the track so I went back to fwd. I just pulled a 2.0 60ft on street radials the other day at the track so there is still hope.

 

[PGTred95]

KYB AGX's did wonders for my buddies 1g fwd and he's on a 50 trim. Yet to get it to the track, but just running on the street it keeps the front end planted 10 times better.

 

[LiquidGS-T]

Like its been said, keep your GS-T, Its not impossible to drive, you just gotta get 2 learn the car and your golden. granted you won't be seein 1.6 60ft times, but if you've got the mods you can catch whatever your racin ne way.

I like mine, AWD is sweet though

 

[illusioneclipse]

Keep your gst. Looking for and awd might cost you more money and time. Why not spend that on modding your eclipse right now. Tractioin is a big issue but if you spend alot of money on suspension and invest in an lsd youll be fine. I raced an awd, he beat me off the line, but w/ the mods i have i eventually caught up to him in third gear. Plus fwd is fast on the highway and also lighter and you transmission wont break more than awd.

 

[GinNBoost]

You'll appreciate your GST when you run into high powered domestics on the highway.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

to the original poster -

im on the same boat as you. I have a modded FWD and am looking to switch to an AWD.. or, you can think about doing what i probably will end up doing.. buying a 1gb AWD shell and making it a strip monster