Fwd

[lngbrdr]

Okay I don't want to make this into a huge argument but what are the advantages to a FWD besides being cheaper? I know for one gsx's have us beat at the drag strip with the increased traction, but does FWD have AWD beat in some circumstances?

 

[1bad92awd]

stock vs. stock gst and gsx, the gst should have a better top end only for the simple fact that awd drivetrain loss is 25%.

 

[lngbrdr]

GST or GSX, which would do better at autox?

 

[punishercb]

so what's the loss for a fwd? I'd guess around 15% because that's what my last car was.

 

[1bad92awd]

A gsx. It is awd, which in turn will mean tighter corners and whatnot, a gst is good for high speed straight line racing, but in most cases you might as well start looking for a gsx anyways otherwise you are likely to have traction issues. A gst in autocross is likely to be all over the place.

 

[lngbrdr]

A gsx. It is awd, which in turn will mean tighter corners and whatnot, a gst is good for high speed straight line racing, but in most cases you might as well start looking for a gsx anyways otherwise you are likely to have traction issues. A gst in autocross is likely to be all over the place.

I've heard though with autocross the AWD tends to suffer more from understeer

 

[1bad92awd]

i believe it is about 15% maybe a little less. Its good to have low drivetrain loss, but in this case i would just recommend a gsx or awd as i should say just for the fact that there are modifications out there that will increase top end power on an awd car. Sorry i should have stated this with my last post but i didnt read closely.

 

[trbotaln]

GST is cheaper to own (less parts to break).

 

[slider85]

most people will tell you that to have the power and steering going through the front tires with 2/3 of the cars weight on them is not great. you are better off to find an AWD model or a RWD of some other car.

 

[1bad92awd]

I've heard though with autocross the AWD tends to suffer more from understeer

It does, but under those conditions, with a decent suspension setup, you should be able to reduce the problem where as a gst would be more likely to slide in a stright line when taking a corner too fast. Again im not an autocross expert or anything but this is what i have gathered from past experience.

 

[saw wave analog]

the only advantage i can think of is less rotating mass, so less power loss through the drivetrain.. meaning all things being equal a fwd will pull harder once it gets rolling

the only reason the platform exists is because its cheaper to make a single unit transaxle that combines the transmission, driveshaft and differential into one unit, it is also easier for the average driver to handle fwd.. more traction in the snow vs rwd etc..

 

[TrystanGST]

Okay I don't want to make this into a huge argument...

It always seems to ends up that way.
However, I went from a GS to a GS-T, and I love it. Also, they don't make a vert GSX, and I would NOT give up my drop top.

 

[SuperMario]

I've read alot of fwd vs awd posts, but nobody has ever said anything about a fwd using slicks. Wouldn't having slicks on a fwd pretty much counter an awd's advantage of traction?

 

[gringoloco]

Even with slicks it still gets wheel spin. GSX is a better all around car for the drag strip, and snow driving. But a FWD is not by any means worthless. You just have to have more whp to catch up down the track. The only advantage we have is we can still do burnouts Ive gone down the highway with a GSX before (same mods give or take a few) and we were dead even for the most part. I dont believe the top end theory based off of my experience. Plus driver, weather, alt, etc. come into factor also.

 

[Quasimondo]

Okay I don't want to make this into a huge argument but what are the advantages to a FWD besides being cheaper? I know for one gsx's have us beat at the drag strip with the increased traction, but does FWD have AWD beat in some circumstances?

From the home office in Maplewood, NJ, QuasiMondo's Top Ten Reason Why FWD Is Better Than AWD:

10. Less drivetrain loss
9. No need to worry about the transfer case locking up.
8. A flat trunk so you can install a huge set of subwoofers.
7. You won't be charged extra by the tow company because they had to get a flatbed to haul away your broken DSM.
6. FWD burnouts.
5. No need to worry about your 3-bolt rear end doing it's best impersonation of a M-67 fragmentation grenade.
4. It's stupid, but fun.
3. Your calves will still be symmetrical because you won't need to install a 2600 lb clutch.
2. You don't have to worry about crashing your car this winter because you won't fly down the street thinking you're Tommi Makkinen in the Swedish Rally.
1. FWD Burnouts (They're so fun I had to mention it twice).

 

[Defiant]

Nope, not again. Search for it, we've had fight after fight about this topic.