FWD versus AWD [Merged 2-8]

[TrippleStar]

Hello, kids. Here is the Official AWD or FWD? thread. All the hare-brained arguments about "rolling starts" and "top speed" and "deadly transfer cases" and "drivetrain losses" and the rest of the mis-guided "better" advice is right here.

It's recommended you just skip reading it. You already know which you want, and why. Still, it's a place to dump it all.

Let's start with this fine opener from 2002 (it really doesn't get much better):

newbie to DSMs here, whats AWD and FWD. just sold my civic hatchback and got my eclipse not to long ago and im still learing the dsm101 stuff.

 

[Patterson]

dsm's are reliable as long as you don't beat them and use preventative maintenance. (timing belt every 30k, etc.) But then again. 1g and 2g dsms are approaching 6-15 years old. parts don't last forever, so expect to repair some things.
On second note, I love AWD.

 

[Camaro350]

Well I found a car that I am buying.

I also expect to have to do some repairs. I just don't want to have to do major repairs regularly. Hell I drive a 17 year old camaro. So I know how it is.

It is a 91 talon AWD. It needs some work. Has a running motor but it isn't in the car. Well it is but its just sitting there. Not bolted up or anything. I am going tomorrow to pick up the title and me and a buddy are going to lift the motor out and take it. The head isn't bolted down so it won't be a big deal. I think I am going to put some rings, mains, and rod bearings in it.

A buddy of mine is the DSM guy around here and he knows the guy that sold the motor to the kid. It runs.

It has some kind of 2.5'' turboback exhaust on it. Along with a ACT 2100 clutch and pressure plate. Only downside is it has a auto exhaust manifold and a 13b on it. That will change eventually.

The interior is so-so. Some parts missing and the carpet is rough. But his parts car has the rest of the pieces. Exterior isn't bad at all. Slightly faded paint on the hood and bumper. Front bumper is cracked. But still no big deal.

I was going to turn it down but for $800 bucks I couldn't pass it up. Worst that happens is it becomes a winter beater. I think I will just strip the interior for now and get it running. I will either get it running and keep it or get it running and sell it.

The kid paid someone to put the motor in for him and they screwed him over. Buddy is going to help me with the install. He has done it a million times.

He has a 91 GSX with a 17c, bj cylinder head intake, 3.5'' exhaust, 6 point cage, AEM stand alone, RFL blow off valve, big FMIC, and some other stuff. He runs 8.2's in the 1/8th. Which makes it one of the faster street cars around.

I am pretty excited though. I have been wanting a DSM but I really didn't want to sell the camaro. I have to much in it. So now I have a project. Which is cool since I only work 30hours a week and am getting out of school next week.

 

[BaddAssGst]

dsm's are reliable as long as you don't beat them and use preventative maintenance. (timing belt every 30k, etc.) But then again. 1g and 2g dsms are approaching 6-15 years old. parts don't last forever, so expect to repair some things.
On second note, I love AWD.

You replace your timing belt every 30k miles? I haven't heard to many people do this. Any reasoning behind it? I know most people get around 50k out of there timing belt.

 

[speedy13]

I wasn't looking for awd either,but i wasn't gonna pass it up ya knoe?With limited slip and a good suspension setup,you can launch afwd pretty nice,btu let me tell ya bro,the awd launch is really violent .

 

[Defiant]

Exactly how many times do you plan on asking this? Let us know so we can make room.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99066

 

[Camaro350]

My bad. I forgot that I had ever asked. I haven't been on here in like a year or two.

 

[MattnGsx]

God thats sad, that I can recall something like that. I was just to lazy to search for your old thread. Thanks D! Oh well n/m, glad to see you might have found a DSM.

 

[paranoidTSi]

AWD is going to have:
- better traction (though FWD with LSD CLOSELY rivals it)
- quicker off the line
- better driving in bad weather conditions

FWD is going to have:
- less weight
- less drive train problems, especially if the AWD vehicle as abused at any time
- traction problems off the line when power gets high enough

What you want it up to you, I think the biggest factor in getting a DSM is how the previous owner treated it. I feel once these cars are beat to death they don't recover...they become money pits.

 

[serpentbane]

Hi.

Have been reading a bit on the forum and the web. I am planing in "importing" an Eclipse from the US (to Norway), but have not decided what to buy yet. Because of the Norwegian tax system, I will most likely go for an stock car and go from there.

I am aiming for 250-300 HP at first, and maybe more later. Time will show. But I do not know if I should go for an awd or not. Are there any know issues with the awd reaching 300 HP or more that I should know of. Any reability problems to consider? Traction is not a big concern, but nice to have as there tend to be a lot of snow and ice here

I am not going to "drag race" it. For me active driving on typical Norwegian roads is the main doing. Meaning narrow roads with humps and dumps... WTF

Would you recommend the awd or not? Any +'es or -'es with the awd over fwd and the other way?

And one question I have not searched for, are there any differences between the pre 97 facelift models and the later models, other than cosmetic?

Kjetil
Norway

 

[hellotbone]

The AWD is a no brainer for me anyways. There are 2 types of DSMers those that have awd and those that want AWD.

 

[dave99gst]

the only negitive things AWD has is pour'r gas milage and more stuff to break.
Othe then that.. AWD ownz all.
95-95 cars use a differant CAS - ( no biggy )
most 95's have EPROM ecu's (real biggy)
The center vent has 1 add'd ### outside air option that 99's dont have.
99's also dont have the crotch heet/cooler under the drivers side dash.
Thats all i can think of off hand.

but ya, mainly cosmetic.

 

[ivanr4g63]

Since you're importing the car, I'd say go with FWD, that way you'll have less headaches when you start breaking parts if you go wild with performance. Or if you want to use the car with a mild power upgrade AWD is a better choice, also if it snows in you're area you can still come out without getting stuck in the middle of the road.

 

[dsmpride]

I say go with the newest AWD you can find. First off, awd will be way better in the snow. And the newer you go the longer it will be (hopefully) before you have to start fixing and/or replacing things. Sure there is the whole crankwalk issue to worry about in the newer cars but if you go with an old 2g or a 1g you'll have to start fixing and replacing things right off the bat, for at least maintenance puposes.

 

[HighPsi92GST]

First off, awd will be way better in the snow

My old fwd drove alot better in snow then my awd

 

[bob123131]

i have a g7 gst great car but trust me i wish i had gone all wheel.

 

[serpentbane]

Ok.
Thank you for your replys. Great having a serious forum with (mostly) serious people around.

I initialy thought about the awd, and as long as there are no imidiate relability problems with the awd like, whats the english word, the drive train? or other critical mecanical components heading for the 300Hp mark, I think I'll go for that.

Kjetil
Norway

 

[theSicKness]

The AWD is a no brainer for me anyways. There are 2 types of DSMers those that have awd and those that want AWD.

i dont think thats true...i love my tsi...i like awd but front wheel drive is more fun...

 

[babell2]

I've had two 90 Eagles. The first was FWD and the second is AWD. I liked my FWD but I love the way my AWD GRABS at full throttle rounding a corner instead of having to watch out about tearing the front wheels loose and loosing steering. Its a lot of fun either way

 

[TracOwner]

Yeah, and sometime you don't have a choice. I've been looking for an awd 2gen for 3months without luck The only 2gen awd that I found and could afford was a 95 Talon with 120k miles on it and a couple of upgrades for $5000. Well, the only problem with it was that it didn't have a freakin parking brake (the previous owner removed it completly).
It seemed easier to find an classic collector car over here than an awd 2gen dsm.
well, I got tired of all that S!@# and bought my GST. I don't regret getting it at all.

And the only 2 other awd dsms that I found were $10,000+ and were out of my price range.

 

[tstkl]

just to play devils advocate, fwd has less drive train loss and would own a awd on the freeway from a fast roll,.. where traction isnt as big of a deal.... but then if your planning on going 120+mph i would say having 4 wheels pulling you around would be a better idea...

 

[marcmsj]

definately get an awd if you can, i'm sure you'll love it and won't regret it. as others have said it's definately a plus to have awd in the snow. regardless what anyone says, awd is much better for the snow and will get you out of situations where fwd will just spin tires.

if you can only get fwd, i'm sure you wouldn't be dissapointed with that either.

 

[BulliT]

For the 300hp goal, get a AWD. If you like highway runs and top end, FWD. There is a 11 second GST in Utah cutting 1.6 60fts with slicks and LSD.

Dont believe all the hype of how hard they are to launch(FWD DSM), just requires you to know what your doing a little more and not dump the clutch.

 

[TurboDSM86]

i just sold my 95 GST for a 91 TSI AWD. i as many have a ton of money into my cars and love the dsm's dearly. i sold the GST for the AWD for a few reasons. if you arent planning on doing tranny upgrades like a LSD for your FWD your going to run into some problems at 300 HP. i had a good set of tires on my front and was spinning 1st and 2nd. i dont have a LSD. i have a b16g on my AWD and theres no such thing as tire spin. as others have said there are a few drawbacks but i think the good easily out weighs the bad. if your planning on moderately modding your car i would go with AWD. i regret not doing it and losing a ton of money when i sold my car. good luck

 

[beatshack]

Here are the pro's and con's the way i see it:

AWD Pros:
- easier to get lots of power to the road
- less understeer than fwd
- wicked launches

AWD Cons:
- heavier, adding negatively to your power to weight ratio
- more drivetrain to lose crank power before it gets to the wheels
- dsm awd are notorious for grenading.. but that doesn't stop serious dsm'ers

 

[SUPER fly TSI]

AWD doughnuts