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.

 

[dsm-onster]

if you ask me a moded fwd runing 1.8 60's isnt bad and with the less weight then awd it is going to be moveing up top end without as much power

AMEN! excellent results. I've noticed that any FWD which can reach the 1.8 threshold has a chance of matching an AWD of equal power. You're about 2 tenths slower than an excellent AWD launch.

 

[blkwidow]

I got another pro for the fwd.....they made spyders!!!!

 

[stevieraywolf]

I got a new pro for FWD, too.

I drive one! Yeah!

 

[silvermitsu10]

AMEN! excellent results. I've noticed that any FWD which can reach the 1.8 threshold has a chance of matching an AWD of equal power. You're about 2 tenths slower than an excellent AWD launch.

Am I really only that far off? I would have thought that they would be much better considering that my buddy in his STI pulls a little under a 1.4 But then again he is very heavily modded and spools a 56 trim T3/T4 at a little under 2800 RPM so yea. I'm shootin for a 1.7 on drag radials with the new motor next year. Hopefully I can get some slicks and be right there with an AWD.

 

[dsm-onster]

Am I really only that far off? I would have thought that they would be much better considering that my buddy in his STI pulls a little under a 1.4 But then again he is very heavily modded and spools a 56 trim T3/T4 at a little under 2800 RPM so yea. I'm shootin for a 1.7 on drag radials with the new motor next year. Hopefully I can get some slicks and be right there with an AWD.

Well, the 1/4 mile times on this site can give you some 60 ft info. 1.4 60 foots are recorded by kiggly ( FWD, too! ) and evil eagle. Both running 8.9-9.1 sec.

Most AWD guys run 1.6 and 1.7 sec 60ft times.

 

[stevieraywolf]

I've got a question. Let's say I become a mechanic, and I design a car with 3 axles and 6 wheels, but only the front 4 tires were drive tires. What would you call that?

Damn, that car would need 5 or 6 diffs.

Me, when it breaks.... -->

 

[BoostFrenzy]

I've got a question. Let's say I become a mechanic, and I design a car with 3 axles and 6 wheels, but only the front 4 tires were drive tires. What would you call that?

A GSX with a trailer on it.

 

[stevieraywolf]

Clever....

 

[kiggly]

Well, the 1/4 mile times on this site can give you some 60 ft info. 1.4 60 foots are recorded by kiggly ( FWD, too! ) and evil eagle. Both running 8.9-9.1 sec.

Most AWD guys run 1.6 and 1.7 sec 60ft times.

I was 1.34-1.37 all day long on a good track and 2-year old tires. Next year I expect to be high 1.2's. Don't expect anywhere near this without a lot of tuning in, upgraded drivetrain parts, 28" slicks, and wheelie bars though. Hell, I think I have the 60' record for a FWD DSM by about 0.1sec. Next closest FWD mitsu I know of is Frank/Serge in the Mirage at a best of 1.41, but I don't consider that a DSM.

A realistic goal for 24.5" slicks and a good driver on a well dialed-in non-wheelie bar FWD setup is mid 1.6's.

Kevin

 

[JOEY A]

three wheel drive

 

[dsm-onster]

A realistic goal for 24.5" slicks and a good driver on a well dialed-in non-wheelie bar FWD setup is mid 1.6's.

Kevin

Thank you very much for contributing here! By dialed in, you mean camber adjustments, tire pressure, etc., right?

 

[GST with PSI]

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

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THIS IS HILARIOUS! LMFAO.

Not to jack the thread or anything but while we're on the topic of FWD's lack of traction anyone running an OBX limited slip diff. I skimmed some threads but not much info. Anyone have some experience, info or a good thread to link. Did find some info on the Honda forums. Seems like the a bunch of the Honda boys are running them in the older Integra's. Appears the Honda and DSM OBX LSD are pretty similar but maybe I'm wrong. Honda boys were pretty split in regards to it's performance. I did read it's a copy of the quaife at a quarter of the quality. Any truth to that? For the price it looks like a pretty good option.

 

[stevieraywolf]

Limited Slip Diff's are more for offroading or REALLY hard cornering. If you're just driving straight down the quarter, don't bother, it's just dead weight. Also, if you're not planning on REALLY hard cornering, don't bother on the FWD, you're not gonna need it.

(By hard, I mean a 120 degree turn 220 feet long, and you're planning on going f***ing 90 through it.)

-------I---220 ft--I
--------\-----------/
-------- \______/

Something like that, about 2/3 of a football field from I to I, you should get through it in about 3-4 seconds if you need that LSD. For the street, useless.

 

[dsm-onster]

Limited Slip Diff's are more for offroading or REALLY hard cornering. If you're just driving straight down the quarter, don't bother, it's just dead weight. Also, if you're not planning on REALLY hard cornering, don't bother on the FWD, you're not gonna need it.

(By hard, I mean a 120 degree turn 220 feet long, and you're planning on going f***ing 90 through it.)

-------I---220 ft--I
--------\-----------/
-------- \______/

Something like that, about 2/3 of a football field from I to I, you should get through it in about 3-4 seconds if you need that LSD. For the street, useless.

Have you driven a 300hp FWD car before and after installing LSD? Straightline traction is wonderfully improved.

 

[crimsonGST]

I'm about two months from getting my 4g63. I know I'm getting a 2g, I've always loved those cars and I already own a N/A eclipse. Should I just spend the extra 2k and get a gsx or get a gst and use the extra 2k for some mods?

 

[hypnoticpimp]

GSX FTW!!!

 

[T Money]

If your going to upgrade you might as well go all out and get the gsx. Trust me you wont regret it.

 

[MountainDew]

AWD > FWD

Any day of the week.

 

[91TsiTalon]

GSX FTW!!!

Agreed! The advantages of AWD are worth it.

 

[95tzlgst]

Don't make the same mistake as me.
I love your car T Money

 

[FORMONTOYA]

This, as well as many other things in life really depends on what you're going to do with the car.

I personally would not want a GSX, but then again I'm not trying to set 1/4 mile times or do any rally driving...just to have a fun car to drive, and the GST fits the bill.

You would have to think that if the GSX is ~$2K more, plus the additional mods required on a GSX over a GST...think more on the lines of $4-$5K more after clutches, axles, trannys etc. That is if you're going for 400+WHP, if not, then what's the point of a GSX?

 

[1997hciv]

owned them both and if you like to spin all of the time when merging on the highway, or the track etc, then the gst is for you. If you want an all around better/safer car in all weather conditions gsx all the way!!

 

[daren_p]

Everyone automatically says go awd but thats not always the best choice, there are different areas that make the fwd a better choice. To the OP what are you plans for the car (mods, power, etc) & what type of driving etc. Personally for the street I think my fwd is great, at the track on the other hand, I wish I was awd all the time. Slicks will make a huge improvement in this area but if you want to run it the way you drove it in/street trim, the awd wins at the track, hands down.

 

[MountainDew]

This, as well as many other things in life really depends on what you're going to do with the car.

I personally would not want a GSX, but then again I'm not trying to set 1/4 mile times or do any rally driving...just to have a fun car to drive, and the GST fits the bill.

You would have to think that if the GSX is ~$2K more, plus the additional mods required on a GSX over a GST...think more on the lines of $4-$5K more after clutches, axles, trannys etc. That is if you're going for 400+WHP, if not, then what's the point of a GSX?

Go look at 60ft times and trap speeds of the two compared.

 

[bane3d]

It depends on what you want to do. I hear a lot of people complain that they wish they bought a gsx instead of gst. The reason being is that when you are modifying it and putting down 400+ hp it is hard to get traction on the GST. What are your goals? If you are planning on 350+, definitely go GSX to save yourself some headaches. I believe one of the mods here swapped out his fwd to awd and could probably give a lot better insight on this and at which point he realized that he needed to swap over.

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