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.

 

[Talesin]

1) Weight (Though as I recall, the GSX is 3300, and the GS-T is only 2900)
2) Gearing. The FWD is geared MUCH longer than the GSX. Makes it great for a DD, lets you cruise the freeway at 65 doing 2500rpm, instead of 3K. You can also get to 105@7000 in the FWD... have to pop to fourth to break a hundred in the GSX.

Definitely not better for a drag car. If you're building it for the strip, find a GSX. But if you want to build a DD that'll slap any Honda kid stupid(er) and spank most of the 'stangs on the freeway, and still let you pull down 35mpg? I still regret selling mine to go with the top of the range, sometimes. Can also be fun to let the back end slip... really tough to do in the GSX.

 

[spooln4fun]

Not really a plus but torque steer can be a little exciting.

double thumbs up!

 

[Bmxr152]

Well the things is i only have $1k to spend and i can get a 90 talon fwd for $300, and i havnt found any AWD dsm's around socal for less than $2,000. So yeah im kinda in a pickle. Or for about $1k i can get a 95 Talon Tsi with a broken timing belt.

 

[Spyder4g64]

Im FWD, and i just say before i race someone, "see ya in 3rd".

 

[FL_TalonTsi]

Im FWD, and i just say before i race someone, "see ya in 3rd".

haha amen

 

[silverbullett]

The look on a riceboys face when I pass em at top of 2nd gear. Priceless.

 

[timloomis]

Awd's are fat-asses and tires are cheaper than trannies.

 

[DGajre777]

I love my fat ass car...

 

[spooln4fun]

Can always do an AWD swap down the road for fun and the knowledge and excuse to buy legal beverages

 

[daren_p]

Can always do an AWD swap down the road for fun and the knowledge and excuse to buy legal beverages

Easier said then done on a 1g, while a 2g is basically a bolt on swap of components, the 1g fwd vs awd are completely different & takes a tonn of fab work to convert them.

Fwds do have their advantages like have been mentioned, lighter, less drivetrain loss, less parts to possibly break, don't have to replace all tires at once, easier on clutches, different gearing, better gas milage, etc.

On the street I think its a toss up, traction really isn't an issue with a proper setup fwd. Sure you can't launch like an awd but you'll have no problem keeping up with all the other drivetrain configurations. I don't have any issues with my car as far as DDing goes, when I do have the issue is going to the track on street tires. It's really annoying running mid 13's when the car should easily be running mid 12's & cutting mid 2 second 60 footers (if your luckey ). A nice set of drag radials or slicks will help equal out the awd advantage. I know thats the route I'll be taking. As for drag radials I'd look into the BFG drag radials, I always hear people complain about how bad the Nitto's are for fwd's & how there's no comparison between the two.

 

[Black_Bullet]

awd pros=
launching
can put power down WAY easier <traction>
easier to send you down the 1320 faster
better handling/ less chance of getting stuck or loosing control

awd cons=
more parts to break
harder on clutch and tranny
heavier car
replacing all four tires at once
cant run different sized tires
more expensive overall
can only flatbed tow
worse gas milage
shorter gearing
less top speed/ more sluggish from a roll
more drive train lose, less hp
no fun burn outs or torque steering ( opinitive )

fwd pros=
All the cons of awd that I mentioned are basically the fwd advantanges, or either something that the fwd doesnt have against it, or fwd pros but with opposite wording.


fwd cons=
all the pros of awd are fwd disadvantages or cons in opposite wording...
( you get what I mean )

To sum up what everyone else said in my own way of doing it to pointlessly contribute to this thread .... Have a nice day...

My sig should say it all for me though...

 

[dsm-onster]

$300 for a FWD 1g turbo is good cheap fun! You can swap your work to an awd engine bay that you can buy later. When you'll be tired of having no traction.

This what I've told myself. . . I still havn't bought an AWD shell. But, I convinced my brother to get an AWD. I really feel the FWD is a fun daily driver too. I have a good set of cams and a small 16g. It puts a smile on my face. Considering what I got for mine and what you got for yours, go to work on it and see where it takes you. Enjoy the build. It is, after all, a hobby.

P.S. I got more unwarranted respect fromt he kids around here for doing an 80 mph burnout w/ my old 60-1, than if had gotten an 11 sec time slip. . . Nothing more than vanity, but so is the 11 sec time slip .

 

[GS-T_Newboost]

im fwd and can break out some 2.2, 2.3 60 footers on street tires and can hold 3 up to 115 i love the 355's

 

[spyderturbo007]

This only applies to the 2g's, but I prefer FWD only because the Spyder never came in AWD.

 

[dsm-onster]

Yea, but wouldn't an AWD convertable be really heavy

 

[Bmxr152]

yes it sure would be

 

[spyderturbo007]

Yea, but wouldn't an AWD convertable be really heavy

Yeah, but she already has a big a$$, so I don't think anyone would notice.

 

[BoostFrenzy]

Yeah, but she already has a big a$$, so I don't think anyone would notice.

Hey now, i like the way she looks man.
"Baby got back"

OP: If you are going to drag a FWD, get some hardcore motor mounts and a LSD. But i would jump on that car for $300. Know of anything wrong with it?

 

[Bmxr152]

It wont start, but will turnover. So should be fairly easy fix.

 

[2GEcpliseluvr]

+1 to Fat burnouts
+1 to rolling starts

but at the same time i want a GSX!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. We all know AWD can burn out when built just not sit there and do it...........

 

[BoostFrenzy]

It wont start, but will turnover. So should be fairly easy fix.

Indeed it should be. As long as compression is good across all cylinders it should be fine. (Make sure you check that )

 

[Bmxr152]

Im going to be bringing a compression tester with me.

 

[Bmxr152]

what if i got some 272's with a 14b to kinda use as lag to keep from spinning until i get going some.

 

[TheMadCheshire]

AWDs don't have anything on the FWDs. Look at me conquer these bricks!

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Seriously. If you're worried about torque steer, you can use the balance shaft off an AWD and get rid of it. Vfaq has a link to the process but it seems to not be working. Me and my friend have been fighting traction issues in our FWD 1gs but its getting better. The prothane bushings for the steering and suspension helped his car a lot and the coilovers too. It was just so solid and he was able to put down the power no problem. Then his car got stolen and it was found dead on the roadside stripped. Dang.

Well... Goodluck! Hope the beast comes alive and rocks the dragstrip.

 

[spyderturbo007]

Hey now, i like the way she looks man.
"Baby got back"

Don't get me wrong, I do too.