Test Driving comparrisons

[_Waffles_]

I am still looking for a DSM. I have been pretty hard set on a 2gb GSX or a 2ga talon.

I have been thinking though and realized that I dont really care about the looks, but rather wanted the 2g due to a lot of people saying that they have better handling characteristics.

I am wondering if anyone knows how to compare the 1g and 2g as far as driving capability/handling?

I am able to find several 2g GSX's and GST's at some local dealerships to test drive them, but I have yet to see a 1g. I am guessing this is due to age, but maybe its because everyone loves their 1g too much to give it up


Any ideas on how to be able to get more sense between the two when it comes to handling/drivability? I have not been able to find a direct comparison (most 1g/2g comparisons are about the 6 bolt/7 bolt).

Thanks for your help,
Travis Walthall

 

[98_tsi_]

I have owned a 1g awd and two 2g fwd's. My 2gs handled much better than my 1g awd. But in its defense my 1g was set up for drag racing. 1gs are much cheaper than 2gs. Most people want a arm and a leg for a decent 2g turbo.

 

[_Waffles_]

I have owned a 1g awd and two 2g fwd's. My 2gs handled much better than my 1g awd. But in its defense my 1g was set up for drag racing. 1gs are much cheaper than 2gs. Most people want a arm and a leg for a decent 2g turbo.

I have been noticing this a lot.

I have been unable to find a decent 2g for under $5000 listed. Even ones that have shot motors and engine fires are still being sold for $3500.

I am really starting to look into a 1g. I dont like the looks nearly as much, but if the suspension can be made to be as good as a 2g, then why even bother with the 7-bolt overpriced cars?

It is also really sad to find over and over 2g GSX/AWD and 1g '92 with the 6/4 combo with under 125k miles for under 2 thousand.

I have found about 10 in my area in the last 2 months like this.


.... They are all automatic....

 

[cshunter]

Lastly, has anyone found a difference in handling between a FWD/AWD?

Thanks again,
Travis Walthall

It depends. Awd will ###### be a bit heavier due to more drivetrain componets.
Awd "awesome wheel drive" will be nice for traction, depending on the amount of power.
High power and fwd "fail wheel drive" is not so nice. Constant wheel spin and torque steer.

It really just depends on the application of it.

 

[_Waffles_]

It depends. Awd will ###### be a bit heavier due to more drivetrain componets.
Awd "awesome wheel drive" will be nice for traction, depending on the amount of power.
High power and fwd "fail wheel drive" is not so nice. Constant wheel spin and torque steer.

It really just depends on the application of it.

HA!

I have driven many cars: AWD (subarus), RWD (about 12 different musclecars, infinities, vettes, and a really fun viper), FWD (hondas, subaru, nissan, etc), and even a few mid engine cars.

I have learned that handling doesnt matter on the drive train.

The problem is that I have never driven a car that comes in multiple drive trains to get a comparison between them. Thats why this is so unique of problem.




The one thing you had said does bother me though: Torque steer. Does the GST/TSI have this pretty bad when getting more power from the engine?

I have driven a few Mazda Speed 3's and they had a really bad torque steer at only 300HP. If the DSM is going to have the same problem, then I am going to hate it for I am hoping for 350WTQ and what ever HP turns out to be.

If that is the primary difference, then you helped me decide only a AWD for I really dont like torque steer, and I can only imagine that it can get worse if I take out the power steering.

 

[reallyslowfwd]

nice thing about the 2g. if you have the parts a friend or two few cases of beer (or soda depending on your age) and a weekend you can do a fwd to awd. something to think about if your dsm search comes up all fwd

 

[_Waffles_]

nice thing about the 2g. if you have the parts a friend or two few cases of beer (or soda depending on your age) and a weekend you can do a fwd to awd. something to think about if your dsm search comes up all fwd

I have read a few times about this conversion, but nearly everyone has said that it is more of a pain than its worth.

I have the ability and means to do it, but I have been going with knowledge and experience from others who have.

I will still keep that in mind for GST's are a bit easier to find around here than GSX's

 

[DSM_prospecT]

I have read a few times about this conversion, but nearly everyone has said that it is more of a pain than its worth.

I have the ability and means to do it, but I have been going with knowledge and experience from others who have.

I will still keep that in mind for GST's are a bit easier to find around here than GSX's

This is what I found http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-drivetrain/95132-how-2g-fwd-awd-swap.html
I don't know how this couldn't be worth it, knowing the advantages of an AWD car and knowing that everyone selling a GSX wants $10k and a left testi.

 

[cshunter]

HA!

I have learned that handling doesnt matter on the drive train.

The problem is that I have never driven a car that comes in multiple drive trains to get a comparison between them. Thats why this is so unique of problem.

Pretty much.

The one thing you had said does bother me though: Torque steer. Does the GST/TSI have this pretty bad when getting more power from the engine?

I have driven a few Mazda Speed 3's and they had a really bad torque steer at only 300HP. If the DSM is going to have the same problem, then I am going to hate it for I am hoping for 350WTQ and what ever HP turns out to be.

If that is the primary difference, then you helped me decide only a AWD for I really dont like torque steer, and I can only imagine that it can get worse if I take out the power steering.

Changing motor mounts, transmissions mounts (still learning this platform) can help also. Ie. putting stiffer ones on. You can also play with the tune of the car also by lowering the output in the lower gears.

 

[pauleyman]

I don't know why people do the awd swap. I looked and found a 52k mile one owner car. They're out there if you're patient.

 

[M4s73r]

Thought i would throw on my 2 pennies on this. When I first started out in DSM I bought my 97 GST. And I like it. However knowing what i know now, I would have gotten a AWD. Im looking to either finding a 2Gb GSX or finding the rear end and doing a AWD Conversion. The fact is I have damn near reached the end of my upgrade path. (575-625ish hp)I can make more power but I cant get that "power" to hook up. (on the street, Slicks and new axles different story). So im floating right on that edge of usable horsepower and unusable horsepower. Now my Bro-in-law has a 1g GSX making over 800hp and he is putting meth in this weekend. My Sisters 420a has the ablity to also make a lot more horsepower (its modded with turbo) but again restrained by being FWD. Thats that on the AWD vs FWD.

Now for working/modding them. The 1g has a longer nose to it. My brother has about 5 more inches or so between his radiator and valve cover. So there is a little more working room on the front side of the motor. The 1g was right in the range of 2,930 lbs. The 1ga was rated @ 190 hp and the 1gb @ 180hp The 2g was 3,269. (both AWD models). So you have a little more weight on the 2g. However to make up for the weight difference the hp on both the GST and GSX was 210hp.

Cant say anything about the handling for these cars as we mainly drag race.
So 1ga 1gb 2gb whatever, (and I also like the look of the Talons, dont tell my bro ) make sure to stick with AWD if you ever want to get over that 600hp mark. Wish I would have read on the internet before I ever bought mine as it would be a GSX.