Tsi fwd worth it or awd?

[ramirj10]

Hello guys just wanted to get an opinion I have previously owned a 2g AWD but now have a chance to purchase a TSI FWD its a very good deal just the shell basically, never driven a TSI FWD so before I buy it and build what do you guys think in comparison to the AWD?

 

[Doctor DSM]

They are two different paradigms. Back in the day the AWD was the way to go, and particularly the Talon since most V8 rednecks did not even know what a Talon was, never the less that it packed turbo awd. Times have changed and since then the word has spread to most of the rivals on the street and for the most part street races from a dig ended.

FWD PROS:
-you can use lighter clutches ( ACT 2100 is plenty), which is easier on your foot
-you don't have to drag some 300-400 pounds of extra weight in drivetrain "advantage" that you will nearly ever get to use, and trust me you will feel this weight on daily basis (difference between moderate weight reduction 1G FWD and 2G GSX is almost in 600-800 pounds!!!)
-better gas mileage
-no traction means wheels are spinning BUT less stuff is breaking!
-you can buy some used slicks and slap them even on factory steel wheels and hit the drag strip, in AVERAGE you will still hit just as good times as an AWD will on street tires. On street awd will own you, but frankly HOW OFTEN will you actually race an awd from a dig, hence the first part of my comment.
-got a flat tire, no problems, slap ANYTHING on any corner (unless u have LSD up front) and have a good day, try doing same on an awd car
-better than awd (this goes for DSM's only) for a track application

FWD CONS:
-traction will drive you nuts sometimes and if you ever cross 350whp, then you simply will not have one, until it eventually "hooks"

AWD PROS:
-solid foundation to build for kind of a car that's a little bit of everything (street, drag, highway)
-nothing but an EVO will ever touch you on the street from a dead stop
-IF you ever get someone to volunteer to get his/her's ass raped from a stoplight you will feel like God, possible side effects include errection and maybe even a date with a girl (less likely)
-if you live in an area that has winters or even occasional snowy elements, AWD will be your best friend, and it takes a moron to get one stuck in the snow
- 12's with a 14B turbo? no problem

AWD CONS:
-awd is actually 3 wheel drive (two rear and front left), so anything past 350-400whp and up, you will have traction problems
-once you roll even 10mph from a stoplight your advantage is lost, and on the highway your advantage is next to non-existent
-way more stuff to upgrade and build
-heavy duty clutch needed (your left leg WILL be stronger)
-lot more stuff to break (transfer case, tranny gets more abuse, rear end gets slack, driveshaft, etc)
-worse gas mileage
-you will be forced to maintain equal thread and wheel/tire size on all 4 wheels at ALL times as well as alignment
-people will ask you if it's AWD just so they wouldn't race you off the line, which defeats the purpose
-awd's are HEAVY, which is relatively fixable problem in 1G, but on 2G's it's a lost hope

My final thoughts are, if your sole purpose is a daily driving car then GST is a very HARD car to beat for what it offers, if you want more of a drag-ish car then get an AWD, if you want an actual DRAG car then get a Mustang LX Coupe, slap a small block Chevy in it and 250 shot of nitrous, go run 9's forever, want a dominating highway car put a 2JZ in a 240SX. Good track car would be anything you can dump ton of money, and then some.
I hope you consider my opinion, but it is merely just that, an opinion.

 

[ziggo0]

^^^Great post man.

IMO - I came to DSM from a SRT4...28psi on the stock turbo, it was a torque monster and spun all the way to be the beginning of 3rd. I drove my friends EVO 8 and WOW, AWD launches are SEX. The traction just puts you in the seat. Between the 2 when I choose my DSM, I went with FWD for many of the pros listed above, and because I knew what I was getting into. Sitting around a potential 400whp/tq - I still love my FWD. I'll be getting a LSD soon - not for the extra traction but to make the tranny more solid. The less weight overall and cost if something breaks makes me happy (knowing my transmission is many years old).

 

[turbo4awd]

Im just wandering what you decided on since i see your profile say awd.

 

[gusu]

Logic says the benefits of FWD should be pointless as it would only come in handy on the streets which isn't where you should be using that power.

 

[Below Ambient]

the key problem i think is that the flagship is AWD, and so the chassis is designed for it, so with an FWD it'll always be more of a challenge getting it around a corner, whereas the AWD will do this so much easier with little to no mods....

it really depends on what you do with the car, if I were going to the track on occasion than id stick with an AWD...

if you just want to make tire smoke than FWD is the key...

 

[spooling101]

I have owned over 24 dsm's most of them being fwd but have owned a few awd's too in my opinion fwd is fun they don't lose as much power to the wheels awds lose almost 30% of its power and there heaver also. it all come s down to traction vs horse power and how much money you want to stick in yours engine. Also awd's need more service!

 

[endsurvivor]

I have owned over 24 dsm's

GOOD GOD!
That's a man who knows what he likes!

neway's i said it before it's what makes you happy and i hate to be the bear of bad news but there will always be moments where you will say wish i had a fwd/awd. Just learn what is most important to you, and be realistic about what you plan to do...I'd like to think I'm gonna make huge hp with my dsm but realy probably going to sit around 300hp max so no need for the awd for me but once i'm able to move on from this car i will push into the awd market! again BE REALISTIC!

 

[igotawdpsi]

I have owned two AWD's and three FWD's and it is my personal preference to go with the AWD. Having traction is much better than spinning, which is what I have done with my FWD and RWD cars.

 

[sobmurda]

I have owned both fwd and awd. All around I would go awd,but doesn't mean fwd wasnt fun to drive.! Get awd and call it a day!

 

[ramirj10]

Hello guys being the last post was in april 18, I didn't realize I had all this feedback on the matter ITS AWESOME I just read all of them and thanks for all that. I have since purchased the TSI FWD its still a project and also purchased a 95 GSX that will need an engine also. I will build my GSX first and consequently the TSI. I would like to hopefully have both running sometime soon but they are projects...no rush after all the comments I will probably have the TSI for a daily driver and the GSX as a track car. .....I think they are both great cars

 

[Bud92gsx]

I bought awd and swear to never go back to front or real drive..

 

[TurBoneRed]

Awd is the way to go, if you drive both you will realize that there is nothing special about fwd, just a bunch of tire spinning. Awd on the other hand keeps all your hard earned power on the road.

 

[deek00]

Really depends on what your going for, I've owned two DSM awd and a sti. I've fallen in love with awd launches. If your looking for a fun dd the fwd is fine but if your trying to build a autocross/ drag racecar I would go awd.