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.

 

[NoFear13X]

Disclaimer: n00b

Is it possible to switch off AWD while driving? Does anyone sell some sort of AWD differential that can switch off the front or back wheels after launch? That seems like something we'd all love.....

 

[TSi92]

yeah like the 323 gtx where you could unlock the rear diff at will.

 

[GRNDSM]

Originally posted by NoFear13X
Disclaimer: n00b

Is it possible to switch off AWD while driving? Does anyone sell some sort of AWD differential that can switch off the front or back wheels after launch? That seems like something we'd all love.....

Not in the stock form. If you get early JDM Galant tranny/transfer case, you can do it, but the benefits would be minimum.

When I am using welded viscous coupling (4X4 mode), I can switch to FWD by moving a lever on the transfer case. I considred launching my car in 4X4 and switching to FWD in the 3rd gear. I am not sure there will be enough traction, but I might give it a chance some day.

I just have to rig up some sort of remote actuator to switch it. Right now, I have to jack up the car to do it .

Leon
RR

 

[slugsgomoo]

to the guy who said that a 1g RS would eat a 1g GSX in the long run (it would have to be very long) what are you smoking? I've driven and ridden in both. In fact, the max we ever got out of my friend's RS was 137mph... the engine just started to float around and wouldn't give anymore. I know for a fact that a GSX has a lot more to give than that.

SaberTF: why in the hell did they put wheelie bars on a FWD civic? In RWD you need wheelie bars because the torque of the wheels brings the car up. In FWD the torque makes the car squat onto the rears. Do you mean some sort of anti hopping system? I'm confused here.

I've spent the last two years working on cars, and i've driven just about everything, (excluding the super exotics) from RWD porsche 911's, AWD 1g's, FWD turbo cars (saab, mitsu, etc) and well, everything in between.

All i can say is that FWD + turbo = sucktastic. It's "Fun" to fight torquesteer, understeer and wheelhop? What are you talking about? It's not fun... especially in the corners. Plus, front wheel drive burnouts do *not* look that cool. The beauty of an RWD burnout is the car goes: clutch dump --> squat --> spin --> smoke --> launch

with front wheel drive you've got wheel hop, some smoke and craploads of torquesteer. It's not my idea of a good time.

As for the 400 pounds of extra weight, sure it's there. You can make your car lose weight in other places, plus you can do other fun things. Reduce your rotating mass (flywheel, wheels etc) tear out carpets & sound dampener. Or you can just add craploads of power. If i take an AWD car of similar weight, and similar power and launch against FWD, there is no way they can win. You have to have *some* advantage, and if we weigh the same, put out the same, and i have traction, you lose. It's quite simple.

There are nothing better than fast corners, rapidly changing elevation, and not having to worry about sliding around.

 

[4g63tc]

the purpose of wheelie bars on fwds is to prevent the squatting of the rear. they were instrumental in bringing fwds into the 9 sec barrier.
in an fwd when launching weight tends to shift from the front tires to the rear causing a loss of traction/friction the wheelie actually "preloads" the front tires at the point of acceleration keeping weight over the front tires.

if they didn't have a useful purpose why would top draggers use them?

i love my gsx and wouldn't trade it for anything.(well almost anything)

did you know that KIA has a Spectra GSX? almost an insult.....yes it is!

 

[91TSi FWD]

First off, this is not a thread asking the difference between AWD and FWD. What I was wondering is how much power will be lost in an AWD. Like when I'm driving down the highway in my FWD turbo I'll gun it and the car will accelerate like nuts. But how much different is an AWD from a rolling start? Yah, yah, I know its faster from a standstill. But if I gun an AWD from a roll, will it be a big difference that you can feel? And will the top speed of a AWD be less than that of a FWD? Any help apriciated.

Thanks

 

[igs]

The difference is very small. And top speed is not affected by drivetrain.

 

[Lunch_Box]

When I'm driving done the highway and gun it in 5th yu can feel it, not as much as FWD drive but the pull is still there. I've had my car up to 245km/h so I don't know what kind of top speed you are looking for.

 

[91TSi FWD]

Originally posted by Lunch_Box
When I'm driving done the highway and gun it in 5th yu can feel it, not as much as FWD drive but the pull is still there. I've had my car up to 245km/h so I don't know what kind of top speed you are looking for.

Thats quick enough. I had my car to 200km/h and it still had a lot left(but m\not much road).

Thanks guys.

 

[KRAZYKOREAN]

Originally posted by Lunch_Box
When I'm driving done the highway and gun it in 5th yu can feel it, not as much as FWD drive but the pull is still there. I've had my car up to 245km/h so I don't know what kind of top speed you are looking for.

Holly sh!t you go to 245 damn you guys have it good in canada..

 

[Defiant]

Trust your inner speedo, Luke~

 

[Malefic DSM]

Speeding is Illegal. So I try not not do it.

 

[9DTSiAWD]

My car seems to pull very hard to me on the interstate and im AWD. But here is a little story that might help you out.
We had a meet in holt at the 1/8th mile track there and my Uncles car is AWD and the mods are 16psi, Dejon Intake, ACT 2600, Gauges, cat-back, maybe more. The car he raced had the same mods but he was FWD with a homemade intake but he also had some stuff ported. Now on the track my uncle would take him off the line like mad ofcourse then a little ways down the track the FWD would close the distance on him and trap higher speeds. But on the interstate on the way home the FWD wanted to seek some revenge so he lined up next to my Uncle and on the interstate my Uncle had little chance at all. the FWD would just pull away. Hope that helped.

 

[CowPimp]

The AWD pulls enough for my liking on the highway. The difference is noticeable I bet, but FWD and it's crappy handling characteristics just arne't worth the extra speed to me. I can have more fun on twisties with AWD.

 

[9DTSiAWD]

Originally posted by CowPimp
The AWD pulls enough for my liking on the highway. The difference is noticeable I bet, but FWD and it's crappy handling characteristics just arne't worth the extra speed to me. I can have more fun on twisties with AWD.

I agree, but i have found that now that i have AWD it seems that i perfer running from a roll. I guess it is because i almost always know i will win from a stop, that is unless i run something that is modded out a good bit.

 

[Airpoppoff]

Originally posted by 9DTSiAWD


I agree, but i have found that now that i have AWD it seems that i perfer running from a roll. I guess it is because i almost always know i will win from a stop, that is unless i run something that is modded out a good bit.

against another awd dsm

 

[9DTSiAWD]

Originally posted by Airpoppoff



against another awd dsm

heh or another AWD

 

[abrxy3]

stock gsts walk stock gsxs from 40 rolls

 

[FKNAWD]

This is actually my first post, so whassup everyone. I traded my fwd for a tsi awd and the feeling is sooo awesome. I think that the control and traction gains are so much more worth than this top speed issue, IMO.

 

[midnght]

Yes, they are different. The power loss between the two is noticeable from a stop and from a roll. It's all about traction and when they are both having the traction at full force the fwd has less weight and drivetrain loss than the AWD. I know someone posted that it doesn't low you down but I don't understand how power distribution is not affected in the higher speeds.

I could be wrong, just asking a question. Please share more on this.

 

[allwheelTSI]

most people fail to realise that,theres a difference between quicker and faster, an AWD can pull 1.7-1.8 60' foot times,and get a 13.5 or so.. while on the other hand,the FWD is gonna pull 2.05/2.20 60' time but will run 12s and certainly net higher trap speeds aswell. when it all comes down to it,the FWD is gonna be the faster car,even in on the 1320'.
if you want a race car,buy a FWD. if you want a very practical very streetable car with no traction issues that will EAT anything you can find from stoplight to stoplight,buy an AWD. just look out for me with my LSD equipped FWD with 255's up front,because this laser just might cut you in half.

 

[91TSi FWD]

Originally posted by allwheelTSI
most people fail to realise that,theres a difference between quicker and faster, an AWD can pull 1.7-1.8 60' foot times,and get a 13.5 or so.. while on the other hand,the FWD is gonna pull 2.05/2.20 60' time but will run 12s and certainly net higher trap speeds aswell. when it all comes down to it,the FWD is gonna be the faster car,even in on the 1320'.
if you want a race car,buy a FWD. if you want a very practical very streetable car with no traction issues that will EAT anything you can find from stoplight to stoplight,buy an AWD. just look out for me with my LSD equipped FWD with 255's up front,because this laser just might cut you in half.

What mod did you do to get LSD in the front tires? That probaby gets rid of torque steer right. I hate torque steer!

A FWD LSD would be streetable right? Sorry for the noob question. I've heard of FWD LSD, but what parts did you need and how did you do it?

 

[allwheelTSI]

Originally posted by 91TSi FWD


What mod did you do to get LSD in the front tires? That probaby gets rid of torque steer right. I hate torque steer!

A FWD LSD would be streetable right? Sorry for the noob question. I've heard of FWD LSD, but what parts did you need and how did you do it?

its actually not currently installed in my car because i'm not at the point where i'm ready to pull the tranny,i'm gonna be using the LSD insert from www.bmtranny.com ,it makes your car alot more streetable and almost completely eliminates torque steer. its not a true LSD,but its cheap,reliable and works well.

 

[91TSi FWD]

This is what you're talking about right? Let me know how you like it. Does it acctualy give you a lot more traction?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[blinkin]

OK guys, Im selling my 1G GSX and am looking at either the 2G GSX or GST. Now of course I know the GSX is better? But is it really all that much better? What are some of the differences?
-Justin