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.

 

[its_hey_ma]

I've been seeing alot of the 'show off of the month's with awd that have tons of money in them and tons of aftermarket parts only running mid 12's to mid 11's (example being the current one running 1000cc injectors and running a 11.1 or something close, not to offend anyone). Now, the 'Project Goodwill' made by another memeber ran something close to that on a fwd with stock turbo and spent less than $5k on everything. I was really considering buying an awd real soon to work on over winter, but maybe I should just keep working on my fwd? If I got the awd it would be strictly a track car like the fwd is now, then I would add some comforts to the fwd and make it my daily driver, eliminating the need for my current slow daily driver. I know most people like the awd for launching, but I can't help notice the fwd'ers running the same 1/4 times for less. What does everyone else think? Maybe pick up the awd for my daily driver?

 

[dsmsucks]

My friend a awd is going to get you further for less Trust me this is coming from a person with fwd. If you want fast times for cheap get awd.

 

[bob123131]

Well first search because this is a common topic. To answer your question though go gsx they are muhc cheaper for same results. I personally went gs-t becasue their are not tons of places to drag in minnesota. Dont get me wrong their are a few but not alot. Go gsx for real speed. Gs-t for highway fun.

 

[Sotarts]

I have an AWD and it's really annoying to be dealing with the drivetrain to the rear of transmission/engine. Driveshaft wear, rear end wear/breakage, extra components in the back, extra weight... It's a lot of stuff to deal with. AWD is a crapload of fun though.

My turbo FWD was a lot of fun too.

 

[bob123131]

Hey sorry about my last post didn't read all thread my bad. I just thought this was another one of those should i get gs-t or gsx threads. My mistake. Get the gsx.

 

[Booster-Shot]

I doubt youll regret getting awd. Its true fwd puts more power to the ground with the same modifications but power is nothing without traction. Past 300hp youre going to be spinning throughout 1st and 2nd. Motor mounts, sway bars, etc all help but its still a fwd in the end.

 

[Wicked96GS-T]

Take it from a guy who had (still has actually) two FWD's and an AWD, you will not regret having AWD. I never realized how great it was until i bought my GSX. It is a feeling that is unexplainable. AWD>all IMO, especially on the street.

 

[TUI2I30]

Good ETs in an AWD are easier to obtain, it is easier to get traction without modifying the suspension. Though with anything, it still takes skill to get a GOOD launch from an AWD car and to obtain it's potential ET's. Most AWD launches I see, the car falls flat on its face after a hard launch and then pick back up after the turbo spools. Good FWD ETs takes a more considerable amount of skill and suspension/weight transfer mods to obtain similar results with less power. You can also use slicks on the front, though you put your drive shafts at risk.

Power and traction mods are only part of the equation. Skill makes up for most of it.

Example: My brother had a basically stock 300zx TT, and he is not a bad driver. When he ran it at the track he ran a best of 14.2 in it, spinning the tires off the line though second. The same day he let a friend of ours run it who races manual cars and pulled a 13.68, in the same car. WHY? cause he knew how to stage it, launch it, and drive it WELL. This was also our friends first time ever driving this car. And though the tires slipped a little when our friend drove it looked like a pro drag car off the line!

If you want to wipe the show boats asses all over the place, out drive them. It sure would piss me off if my daddy's money didn't make my AWD car beat a less modified FWD.

 

[gridlyne]

From my experience with my friends cars I noticed that the FWD is faster down the line. Theres less to worry about with FWD. If you just wanna burn people at lights then the AWD is the way to go. But get ready to spend a LOT of time fixing the stuff that goes wrong in the back. Its much harder/tedious than everything in the front.

And having 4 axels to worry about its pretty annoying especially if you dont maintain them reguarly and the boots keep breaking on you.

 

[Booster-Shot]

Basically if its going to be a track car, then it pretty much has to be awd. Have fun eating those ls1s for me k?

 

[its_hey_ma]

Well, for now I think I've decided on picking up an awd for winter driving and deciding what one I will make as a track car once next summer comes around and I have the money to upgrade. Now here's the big problem, after searching ebay, autotrader, the classifieds here, and the classifieds in the local paper I'm beginning to think fwd may be the only option available, at least in the price range I want to spend

 

[S_Ranger]

Average price I've seen on autotrader, dsmtuners, dsmtalk, etc. for a good 2g gsx ranges from 4-7g's. The price all depends on miles, condition, and mods of course but if you're wanting to go cheap to get a great car I'd ask the seller if he would take payments. Say you can put 3 g's down and make good monthly/weekly payments. Hope you get your gsx soon. I'm in search too...

 

[tstkl]

Basically if its going to be a track car, then it pretty much has to be awd. Have fun eating those ls1s for me k?

and have fun eating those ls2s/ls6s for me, k?

(i love my awd like a motha, it handles better than anything i could imagine...well, correcting for the crappiest tires in the world, it still handles better than a lot of cars ive driven, with near bald tires...)

 

[ELC 4g63]

if your going to make a drag car it shouldnt be a question. All you need to do is build the awd right

 

[speedy13]

I've been seeing alot of the 'show off of the month's with awd that have tons of money in them and tons of aftermarket parts only running mid 12's to mid 11's (example being the current one running 1000cc injectors and running a 11.1 or something close, not to offend anyone). Now, the 'Project Goodwill' made by another memeber ran something close to that on a fwd with stock turbo and spent less than $5k on everything. I was really considering buying an awd real soon to work on over winter, but maybe I should just keep working on my fwd? If I got the awd it would be strictly a track car like the fwd is now, then I would add some comforts to the fwd and make it my daily driver, eliminating the need for my current slow daily driver. I know most people like the awd for launching, but I can't help notice the fwd'ers running the same 1/4 times for less. What does everyone else think? Maybe pick up the awd for my daily driver?

Like someone was saying,An AWD launch is a beautyfull,violent thing.For 1/4 mile it's great as well for road racing.Sure there are more components to break,but it's worth it.FWD is great for HWY racing for sure though,and isn't that bad with a LSD setup.But also as some one has previously stated,after you reach 300 hp be prepared for frustration as you try to stick your power to the ground. a buddy of mine has a spyder with about 350 whp and he spins em out even on 3rd.He raced my buddy(gs-t) with about 100 less hp and LSD and the less powerfull car kept up with him till we finally gripped in the middle of 3rd.power is nothing without control.my two pennies.

 

[hereitcomes]

I dont think I can ever go back to a FWD car. I love AWD its a totally different car.

 

[patsdsm]

i say you get the awd like they say if you cant put the power to the ground to hookup its use less and plus you brake anything racing thats just part of racing and theres nothin like a awd launch

 

[girlieracr4g63]

People are going to have different opinions either way. I personally have both awd, and fwd. Both cars are totally different, but both are also set up for the track. It really all depends on which you find easiest to work with. I on the other hand am an odd ball. I would pick my fwd over my awd any day. Only because I enjoy the challenge the fwd gives. Either way they are both going to have their own pro's and con's. So all I'm basically saying is don't go jumping on the awd bandwagon just because everyone says "its the way to go". Try them both out for yourself.. Good luck!


Wendy

 

[its_hey_ma]

People are going to have different opinions either way. I personally have both awd, and fwd. Both cars are totally different, but both are also set up for the track. It really all depends on which you find easiest to work with. I on the other hand am an odd ball. I would pick my fwd over my awd any day. Only because I enjoy the challenge the fwd gives. Either way they are both going to have their own pro's and con's. So all I'm basically saying is don't go jumping on the awd bandwagon just because everyone says "its the way to go". Try them both out for yourself.. Good luck!


Wendy

Yeah, im not much of a bandwagon type person. If I get an awd, then I'm still going to keep my fwd. One will basically be street legal and one probably wont, with both being setup to be light and fast. My only problem was and is that I need a daily driver right now while I work on my rst, and once I get it running I will decide which car I use for what. If I find a car.....

 

[Patterson]

AWD is heavier. FWD is lighter. AWD suffers more mechanical losses through the drive shaft, rear axles, etc. AWD will cost more down the road due to the fact that there are more components needing mechanical upkeep.

however... 4 tires putting power to the ground > 2 tires putting power to the ground.

I think you'll be upset with yourself if you get a FWD as opposed to awd. the traction is night/day difference. Especially in snow/rain/sleet. GO AWD

 

[pianoman]

I also have owned both, one was a 90 gst, and the other 2 have been awd. Awd is great. I have never had more then carrier bearing problems with my awd cars. Tranny problems are a diffrent story, but for being 15yrs old, and had who knows what type of previous owners, the trannys are holding up pretty good. More so since you are trying to push twice the amount of Hp they were intended to be built for.

If you really can't decide, get an awd and then get a switchable transmission and transfer case. That way you can switch between FWD and AWD.

 

[its_hey_ma]

AWD is heavier. FWD is lighter. AWD suffers more mechanical losses through the drive shaft, rear axles, etc. AWD will cost more down the road due to the fact that there are more components needing mechanical upkeep.

however... 4 tires putting power to the ground > 2 tires putting power to the ground.

I think you'll be upset with yourself if you get a FWD as opposed to awd. the traction is night/day difference. Especially in snow/rain/sleet. GO AWD

I've already got a fwd, but I was considering purchasing an awd so I can have one dsm for daily driving and one as a track car. I was just wondering if the time and effort of making the awd a track car would be worth it, especially since my fwd is close to being done

 

[pianoman]

I took a generation before last (97-99) M3 From an 70mph roll. Power is Power. Don't tell me an AWD car is gonna have its ass handed to it cause it loses power from the drivetrain. Thats only true if both cars make equal hp then the drivetrain loss will come into play. Make an AWD track car and keep the fwd as the DD. Besides there dsm's just swap the parts from one into the other one.

 

[exile]

In a nutshell, overall in DSMs

AWD = really good for launching at track, turns and handling. Power/torque is divided amongst your wheels. (MORE TRACTION, LESS PULL)
FWD = really good for rolls/street racing, turns are eh.. Power/torque is put on one wheel. (LESS TRACTION, MORE PULL)

There are alot of mods you can do to either of these drivetrains to make them less or better than the other. FWD front limited slip differiential gives you better handling and divides between 2 wheels.

 

[red2gtalon]

I have been a member for this site for a couple of months and have not made many posts. I have only looked and browsed around. I have been thinking of buying a 1G AWD for quite awhile. And I was just reading a thread made by 97' GS-T "2-G N-T Eclipse". And reading what VelocitàPaola got me thinking what if i kept my 2G FWD and Turboed it or just go ahead and buy a 1G AWD?
I have about $5000 to spend if anyone can help me decide on what to do it would be very helpful.

What my major question is what would you do. And what would be a better buy with the money?


Thanks.