Pros and cons of AWD

[guamboyeli]

Ive heard A lot of talk on AWD cars... i have a FWD and I was wondering if I should keep it or change it for an AWD... Whats good about AWD, and Whats bad about them

 

[Leonthefaded]

in my opinion;
Some bad things about AWD are the gas mileage and heavier weight
FWD have less traction on take off depending on what you doing in varying cases
FWD is faster, because of the weight difference as stated in the beginning.
AWD is better in areas where the weather is known for snow and wet conditions.

You should conduct further searches on the forum to see more people talking about their experience's with AWD's and FWD's

 

[foxracing4500]

awd better launches, no tire spin, little better in snow/rainy conditions.

cons,
weight
more parts to break.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Ive heard A lot of talk on AWD cars... i have a FWD and I was wondering if I should keep it or change it for an AWD... Whats good about AWD, and Whats bad about them

There is a insane amount of information about this already. But im in a good mood so here go's:

AWD cons:
Fuel mileage is slightly worse
Most things to break
Slower then FWD in a roll race, (giving both cars have same power)
Heavier then FWD
AWD pros:
TRACTION!!!!! launching, snow, dirt, whatever. . .
Handling is better, autocross, etc.
talking about DSMS, the brakes are larger
FWD Cons:
Traction for launching, and second gear
Exiting turns sucks with high power
Torque steer
FWD Pros:
Lighter then AWD
faster on roll races
easier to work on drivetrain
and less to maintain,

Sure there more but thats a quick rundown.

 

[crash89]

Slightly worse milage? Id say its pretty significant.. Heres my scenario. Same car same tune, only thing that changed was an awd swap.. Drove my spyder down to the shootout, 36 mpg when it was FWD, swapped it, Drove down to MOD in Normal. 27 mpg. 9 miles per gallon difference. Now also as far as it being heavier? I really dont think thats much of an issue either. Before AND after my swap the spyder weighed 3200 lbs with a full tank of gas. Just my opinion.

 

[Dhan]

AWD versus FWD has been covered a number of times on this website.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/7334-gsx-gs-t.html

If you're happy with your FWD and aren't going to be using it for serious drag racing or dirt racing, just keep it. The FWD DSM makes a great, quick daily driver. Lighter weight, simple, cheap, etc.

Before AND after my swap the spyder weighed 3200 lbs with a full tank of gas. Just my opinion.

How's that possible?

 

[Crash429]

I also have a 1gb fwd tsi as everyone else hs said weight diff, gas mileage and less maitnence r the pros of the fwd an traction an handleing are the cons of a fwd, if ## spinning to much off the line wich was my main issue with my fwd u cld always look into buying a LSD or if u got have a tight budget u cld pick up a LSD insert for arnd $100, I recently bought one from sbr an it's been great so far, I have heard sum horror stories about them but so far so good in my experience with it

 

[Quadsportz]

Awd is a much better design. Just a little more parts to break

 

[crash89]

I also have a 1gb fwd tsi as everyone else hs said weight diff, gas mileage and less maitnence r the pros of the fwd an traction an handleing are the cons of a fwd, if ## spinning to much off the line wich was my main issue with my fwd u cld always look into buying a LSD or if u got have a tight budget u cld pick up a LSD insert for arnd $100, I recently bought one from sbr an it's been great so far, I have heard sum horror stories about them but so far so good in my experience with it

Please for the love of God read the site rules.. Particularly this one.. DSM Forums - FAQ: Site Rules & Guidelines

Kreez: I honestly have no idea.. haha! I just know that I weighed it both before and after and it was within 50lbs of each other. Currently sits 3240, full tank and without me in it.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I think my car gained about 100-150 lbs.

 

[finesse49ers]

And with all that's been said I'd take a GSX over a GS-T everyday of the week and twice on Sunday!

 

[awd_92laser]

Is just a choice, my personal opiion is awd is just easier to drive that. Rev launch n shift as for fwd you gotta kno when and how much fuel etc to control the spin, and like mention if u install a full LSD it possible to out launch a awd, as most awd that are out on da street didn't spend over 2-3gs on unbreakable axles chanced r they won't b launching the awd so hard. So like me I sold my tsi 1gb awd for a 1gb fwd I enjoy having to deal with the fwd issues of launching it

 

[Archer Fabrications]

I launch the shit out of my awd....nothin special back there.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I launch the hell out of mine too (clutch per year), and the axles are just standard stuff; no problems there. I did snap a front axle before when I was FWD, but there's little chance of that anymore now that the load is distributed across all four wheels.

 

[Lou98GSX]

to me there is nothing like luanching an awd car . i did own a 95 gst and everytime i gave it a little gas the tires would spin couldn't stand it . now with my awd i can nail it and the car moves and the tires only break loose if its very cold out.

 

[Dsmkauai]

It's just a preference really, both platforms can be built to do about the same thing. With my gst a LSD, race axles and slicks got me launching low 1.7 60' at the track. That's just as good or better than most awd. But now that I have my gvr4 I plan to see which car can be made faster for less and stay efficient all around.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

I was getting 1.7's on my stock trans and drive train and bald street tires, imagine slicks and upgraded awd parts..

 

[clipto]

I love my fwd it doesn't really snow here or anything so no biggy and is always faster then awd. I always just buy sticky good tires never had a issue and when I do just drop the tire pressure a little. Fwd less crap to break less weight and better top end. Awd only good if launch and hope you don't break anything or if you drive alote in snow altho I never had issue driving my fwd in snow.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Slightly worse milage? Id say its pretty significant.. Heres my scenario. Same car same tune, only thing that changed was an awd swap.. Drove my spyder down to the shootout, 36 mpg when it was FWD, swapped it, Drove down to MOD in Normal. 27 mpg. 9 miles per gallon difference. Now also as far as it being heavier? I really dont think thats much of an issue either. Before AND after my swap the spyder weighed 3200 lbs with a full tank of gas. Just my opinion.

Theres no way what you said makes any sense. you added a transfer case, driveshaft, rear diff, and rear axles. how would it weigh the same?

just my opinion. . .

 

[Archer Fabrications]

And gas tank and subframe i believe.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

Fwd will teach you how to drive. Awd not so much. Awd gets less mileage for sure. I feel like I'm watching the gas hand drop in my gf car, but I can get 500+ hwy miles in my gst from a full tank.
Out of boost driving is more sluggish due to the added weight. Awd puts more strain on the tires. Fwd only strains the front. A fwd can cut fast 60' when setup properly.
I might would buy a awd but I'd never trade my gst for one. Traction is awd only advantage. It has its limits in the corners as well, due to added weight and having the rear pushing the front it suffers from understeer. More than a fwd. Front tires and brakes are major stress points for awd road course racing.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

.
talking about DSMS, the brakes are larger

only certain models.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

I disagree that the rear wheels pushing the front is what causes under steer. These things dont steer for shit when parking either. It's just how the craps setup it's just not as good as say audi.

 

[snapc3]

I had a FWD 1g for about a month, found an AWD and pulled the trigger on it. Glad I made the switch early!

I live in Florida, and one thing that's great about the AWD is in the rain you can still accelerate with no worries about wheel spin and it feels much safer.

 

[cisco818]

Stock to stock they are both basically the same. The only difference is .05. The fwd wins when the race starts on a roll but from street lights to street light awe is king. All I can say is If there's not much of a difference why not get awd? It'll come on handy in snow and rain. Its basically the sane thing. Why not get traction with it?