FWD vs. RWD

[A1monky]

Well prepped EVOs can beat almost anything at the track. It all depends on the driver and how the car is adjusted. I have seen evos beat comp. coupe vipers and I have seen evos lose to extremely light hondas. In a time attack situation FWD can be very effective. But, in a short race (50-100mins) the front wheels on a FWD car have a tendency to over heat. AWD can be the best of both worlds. On long sweeping corners AWD is awesome grip everywhere! But, on fast switchbacks, an experienced driver can get more out of a RWD car. The main reason that we dont see more evos in speed touring car or speed GT is because their is no manufacture backing. I really wish that Mitsu did more to support road racing in North America. Money is a vary large issue in professional racing. The more resources you have the better you will do in racing. GSC Motorsports is trying to get a 500 WHP evo into speed gt for next season. They will have a lot to overcome, I wish them luck.

 

[ScottB]

hahaha .... 100+ on most on and off ramps !!

FWD was originally designed to offer better capabilities (notice I did not say handling) in bad weather and northern states. With the advent of Traction Control and now Stability programs there is little need for FWD. FWD usually see more warranty claims as extra weight sits on axle housings and such.

As offered for best handling a near 50/50 split would be optimum. I have had numerous FWD and RWD cars/trucks and only RWD units sit in driveway now. Another reason we chose CTS/SRX over other crossovers for wife. The only thing I missed in FWD is smoking the crap out of the tires on my two Supercharged Regals. With pulleys each would pull about 1/2 a block with tires just ablazing and everyone clapping !

 

[ricka]

joy rider!

 

[A1monky]

Trade?

I have raced FWD and AWD, yet to race RWD, but I really want to FEEL the diffrence. Killr, wanna trade for a week? I assure you will not be dissapointed.

 

[ScottB]

I have driven an EVO ... nice peppy ride indeed. I dont know what I would like more, the blowoff valve on your ride (shhh .. shhh ....shhh) or the G-meter built into my HUD. I love having all stats on glass in front of me !

 

[P1et]

I have always preferred rear wheel drive cars, but I certainly do miss my FWD Volvo S80 T6!

 

[supercharged]

I have driven an EVO ... nice peppy ride indeed. I dont know what I would like more, the blowoff valve on your ride (shhh .. shhh ....shhh) or the G-meter built into my HUD. I love having all stats on glass in front of me !

You have that option on your Vette?

 

[A1monky]

Hell yea the heads up display is awesome!!I have been thinking about getting a heads-up display installed in my dash. Its really expensive, but way better than 5 guages litterin up my interior.

 

[ScottB]

You have that option on your Vette?

yep ... had it on both cars. This one is much better with track options, including G meter and timers to record best runs. I dont know if I could live without it any longer. Funny thing, you cannot see it from anywhere else in car, and thus nobody believes you have it unless they sit in drivers seat or move head in front of yours ...

 

[Surfer]

It seems all the audi guys swear by their quattro, and for the most part everybody else likes RWd over AWD. After doing some reseach there are more disadvantages to AWD that i did not mention, the main one is the extra diff and other parts add to the unsprung weight(more unsprung weight=bad on rough surfaces). I have also read that some people believe that RWD is better off road, like on gravel.(weird?) i saw a pole in a old car forum on this subject (which offers better performance*DRY*) and 70 people voted for RWD 50 voted for AWD and 3 voted for FWD

Well if your talking offroad AWD like on x-over vehicles and some suv's that don't have true 4wd, then yes, it does suck and a rwd truck will outperform an awd one offroad. AWD is not the same as true 4wd. What happens is offroad the power starts trying to go all over the place and either you end up slipping and losing traction or can't get over certain obsticles on a trail that a rwd or 4wd vehicle will when lifted etc.

Now if your talking a race up like Pikes Peak...then thats different.

yep ... had it on both cars. This one is much better with track options, including G meter and timers to record best runs. I dont know if I could live without it any longer. Funny thing, you cannot see it from anywhere else in car, and thus nobody believes you have it unless they sit in drivers seat or move head in front of yours ...

wussy...who needs traction control, anti yaw, anti flip, butt stabilizers, electronic gizmo's.......

 

[sneek]

Not on a road course, rwd still dominates.

but AWD with RWD bias functions as a rwd car most of the time, then switches to Rwd when you need it.

 

[Thejoyofdriving]

I have driven an EVO ... nice peppy ride indeed. I dont know what I would like more, the blowoff valve on your ride (shhh .. shhh ....shhh) or the G-meter built into my HUD. I love having all stats on glass in front of me !

Is that HUD after market?

 

[Surfer]

Is that HUD after market?

from the factory

 

[ScottB]

.who needs traction control, anti yaw, anti flip, butt stabilizers, electronic gizmo's.......

Unfortunately about 90% of the population should be REQUIRED to have it. Especially those that think they shouldn't.

Is that HUD after market?

And yes HUD has been a factory OEM offering since 2001 in Vettes ... available in the high end packages or as a option.

 

[Thejoyofdriving]

hahaha .... 100+ on most on and off ramps !!

100+, hum, you guys must have some weird on and off ramps up there. The ones here go from 90 degrees to 270. And there is no way any sort of car(i dont car how modded it is) or any thing on wheels for that matter can take one at 100, maybe with a mclaren F1 you could take one at 80. I am not doubting you indeed take on and off ramps at that speed, i am just saying if you tried going 100+ into one of our off ramps you might get a scratch in your clear coat

 

[ScottB]

we have rather long on/off ramps, usually raked well and no curves. Thus easier to get up to speed and merge. Actually quite fun, especially with those not use to these ramps and come off accelerating. We have a round about ramp on Sample heading north ... this one can be taken at about 60 and break the tail out once or twice. WIFE HATES IT !

 

[supercharged]

yep ... had it on both cars. This one is much better with track options, including G meter and timers to record best runs. I dont know if I could live without it any longer. Funny thing, you cannot see it from anywhere else in car, and thus nobody believes you have it unless they sit in drivers seat or move head in front of yours ...

Helps you keep your eyes on the road.

 

[A1monky]

Hell yea! Florida on ramps are fast! But, he dont really have the curvy roads like most northern states. You really have to hunt to find a good curvy roads. For lets say, 40-50 high performance cars to cruise through. :righton:

 

[mywifehatesclowns]

This is just plain and simple and the top pros have proven it time and time again.

RWD and AWD are the better options.

FWD is for Grandma's grocery getter and some punk kids riced out Honda.

Every try to put a lot of power to a FWD CV? I had my Eclipse when I was a teenager and I went through axles left and right. I had a rebuilt and boosted 420a that put out 405hp to the wheels at 22PSI It was cool for a while, until the Camaro guys were still running and I was being towed home.

AWD is GREAT for acceleration but horrible for highway acceleration. AWD is very nice in the turns as well...EVO VIII and the Subaru proved that one.