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.

 

[Boostdclips99]

If you want ease to drag racing, AWD is definitely better. If you want a challenge in getting down low 60ft times and actually having to learn to launch a car FWD can produce good times. It just takes alot of practice and money. I'm hoping to get an LSD and slicks, but its looking doubtful for this season. :/

 

[thumper_1151]

upgrade the motor mounts and an engine damper (like and ingals) helps on the launch as well.

 

[dsm-onster]

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

Just don't push the pedal all the way to the floor until the right time instead . Then you'll have enough turbo after you grab third real good. . . I never do understand why fwd guys go for lag. Go for enough HP to catch up. This usually involves a more laggy turbo. But the lag isn't what helps unless you don't have the self-control not to floor it . If you have not enough lag, then you can always not use as much throttle. In other words, roll the throttle. It's not an on/off switch, you know (No matter what turbo you have). The fastest FWD 60fts i've seen were guys w/ evo3 16Gs and 14Bs. Not laggy turbos. . .

I still say get cams. . . but for the sake of more airflow and VE .

I kept breaking my polyurethane motormounts w/ my SMALL 16g!!!!!! I welded one mount at a time until my mounts stayed together. Driverside welded mount and rear welded rollstop. And the tranny mount and front rollstop is solid poly.

Coilovers, which lowers the car, directly negates weight transfer. Stiffer springs in the rear themselves DO NOT *directly* negate the weight transfer! but they do keep the car from rolling back which will raise the car center of gravity and cause it to be closer to the rear. Both of these lengths do contribute to the amount of weight that transfers from the front to rear. You will have to do more study to REALLY understand what is going on here . But simply put, lowering your car is better than stiffening the rear. Counteracting front to rear roll does more to keep the contact patch consistant than defending against weight transfer. Which is still important, but not as important as encouraging more weight to stay on the front tires.

FWD DSMs don't get the play they should. I took my car through the 1320 in 13.4 seconds. stock injectors, fuel pump, intercooler, turbo, suspension, weight, cams, clutch. 225 width STREET tread (not drag radials). MBC and a hacked maf. Name another FWD car tht can do the same w/ the same power to weight ratio ( I was likely running 250whp or so).

 

[Boostdclips99]

upgrade the motor mounts and an engine damper (like and ingals) helps on the launch as well.

Are you talking about the engine damper that connects motor to the shock tower? If so, I contacted ingalls and they told me they don't have an engine damper for the Eclipse/Talon yet. He told me they were looking into it, but I seriously doubt they have. Maybe the more demand the more likely they will make them

 

[hun6over]

Fwd is cheaper to fix the rear suspension if you ever mess it up.

 

[Bmxr152]

OK so my plans are this for my project Talon Tsi fwd...
All matinence (EVERYTHING)
Free mods
K&N filter
Catback
wally 190 pump
MBC and boost gauge set at 16psi
Port and polish turbo and exh. manifold

Ok so after all that i figure i have $400 more to spend right away. Anything else im missing?

 

[stealth mullet]

OK so my plans are this for my project Talon Tsi fwd...
All matinence (EVERYTHING)
Free mods
K&N filter
Catback
wally 190 pump
MBC and boost gauge set at 16psi
Port and polish turbo and exh. manifold

Ok so after all that i figure i have $400 more to spend right away. Anything else i should get?

a clue?!?!

asking the internet for what to spend your money on = ftl.

 

[BoostFrenzy]

The rest of the piping for the exhaust and the intake would be a good idea to do. Or maybe an upgraded SMIC.

 

[Black_Bullet]

a clue?!?!

asking the internet for what to spend your money on = ftl.

And this would be him getting a clue by asking for help.
We are merely just setting him in the right direction not holding his hand as he buys it.
What do you think half the post on this website are of, people needing advice
and opinions and help from experienced dsmers so no offense but maybe you need a clue.

 

[Bmxr152]

Yea exactly i didnt say i have a stock 1g, what shoudl i get? I put a list of what im thinking about getting so poeple could say ya or nay, if they have had expirence with a setup similar to that.

 

[dsm-onster]

Guys, just ignore him. Who's thread is this?

Yea. I'd get a cheap intercooler upgrade. A good intecooler will keep the heat generated by that little turbo down. But watch out. The mass flow will increase as well. So you'll push your injectors to their limit.

 

[stealth mullet]

And this would be him getting a clue by asking for help.
We are merely just setting him in the right direction not holding his hand as he buys it.
What do you think half the post on this website are of, people needing advice
and opinions and help from experienced dsmers so no offense but maybe you need a clue.

the search button should be used first before "what should i spend my money on" question is asked. and yes, there are way too many threads like this. but anyway, back to post whoring guys. and by guys, i mean bmxr.

 

[Bmxr152]

When did i ever ask what to spend my money on??? Never i put up a list of what i want to get, unless your illiterate i dont understand how you got that i was asking for what to spend my money on. Ive been on here long enough to know what a search button is and

 

[stealth mullet]

Ok so after all that i figure i have $400 more to spend right away. Anything else im missing?

^^^^^asking the intetent what to spend your "money" on.

 

[Bmxr152]

^^^^^asking the intetent what to spend your "money" on.

watever bro, i guess asking for "anything im missing"?, is asking what to spend $400 on then right on thats what im asking. Didnt mean to offend you mullet
No where did i ask the intetent "what to spend my money on"

 

[dsm-onster]

^^^^^asking the intetent what to spend your "money" on.

Nevermind the spelling. How about the grammar?

'Post whoring' has nothing to do with the OP asking questions. Yea, 'and by OP, I mean Bmxr152'. What's your beaf, Mullet? IF there were a problem, a moderator would have finished this thread. Do you question those that have created the rules you so deperately wish to enforce? We all know where you're leading. There's no bench racing here. . .

I know what you meant, Bmxr152. I'm sure "the powers that be" do as well. You're missing nothing except a FMIC. I think that will insure you're goals and allow you to max the hell out of your stockish setup. . .

 

[stealth mullet]

Nevermind the spelling. How about the grammar?

'Post whoring' has nothing to do with the OP asking questions. Yea, 'and by OP, I mean Bmxr152'. What's your beaf, Mullet? IF there were a problem, a moderator would have finished this thread. Do you question those that have created the rules you so deperately wish to enforce? We all know where you're leading. There's no bench racing here. . .

I know what you meant, Bmxr152. I'm sure "the powers that be" do as well. You're missing nothing except a FMIC. I think that will insure you're goals and allow you to max the hell out of your stockish setup. . .

yeah sorry and the spelling mistake. but what was grammatically incorrect? please fill me in. and my "beef?" this thread was supposed to be about "pros/cons of awd/fwd." not, im buying these parts...what else should i get.

this thread is full of post whoring. i wish it would end. (see post 43 and 44)

 

[Zmann42087]

well, back on topic...

So my last talon was an AWD, the project car im picking up this weekend is a FWD. I know obviously i wont be able to do any hard launching, but is there any benifits or cons besides that to the FWD 1G's?

two words.. highway pulls*












*on a closed/private road, of course.

 

[dontfeedphils]

mmmm FWD is ummmm cheaper. AWD RULES!

 

[_Madman_]

Yea, the acceleration in 2nd gear and higher is insane on fwd. It's also way cheaper and pleasant to drive if you travel on highways a lot.

Then again, if it's wet

 

[98eclipsekidd08]

you may want some bigger injectors

 

[dsm-onster]

Well, 450s are good for about as far as a stock 14b can take you. . .

Mullet, you ended your sentence w/ a preposition . . . Let's just chill. We're all getting where he's going. The pros/cons include what else may be needed that will yield AWD results at the track/street. This involves knowing what else he may need to purchase/add to his list.

 

[Bmxr152]

Anyone with fwd ever run drag radials? If so what rpm are you launching at?

 

[fhudsonjr]

Back to the pro's of FWD that a number of you mentioned...lighter weight

I had mine weighed at a NASA event a little while ago.

With all the stuff that could fly around on a race course removed (rear seat also removed) , Megan coilovers, Traklite2 wheels w/ 235/40/17 and about half tank of gas, my Talon weighed 2638 lbs.

 

[TearsForTalon]

Nothing is better. Nothing.