AWD vs. RWD debate

[Jnic335i]

Myself and Ben (OBIKE) got into a little conversation tonight and he said that off the line RWD would take AWD. I, of course, didn't believe it. So lets hear it. What does everyone think? I want to see where this goes.

[TheWill]

Litstne yuor btho suptid and THis thread si gay:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :happyFU: :happyFU: :wth:

[CPMaverick]

Good debate.

If both cars are underpowered enough that they don't overwhelm the tires, it doesn't matter.

If the cars have enough power that traction is an issue, then AWD is better.

The big exception is when a car has very high power and very high traction, like an all-out drag car. These cars have so much weight transfer and launch so well that they have the ability to pull the front tires off the ground. So obviously the only thing you need at that time is RWD.

So the arguement can be made either way; but for street type cars with a reasonable amount of power the AWD car is going to be quicker off the line.

[ActiveAero]

In theory a proper AWD system that could transfer 100% of it's power to anywhere it needs would of course be able to launch better under more circumstances because it could essentially become a 100% RWD car when needed and an AWD gripping car whenever traction was available elsewhere.

In the real world however there seems to be little difference between the two. In a properly setup high hp RWD drag cars the front wheels are barely pressing on the pavement anyway so being AWD wouldn't really do anything for them. Heck even in stock form there are plenty of RWD cars out there that don't take much to cut wicked 60' times without much driving effort at all. Nailing a truly amazing 60' time out of most AWD cars is actually more difficult than you would think.

A Z28 with a proper stall and a good set of tires is damn hard to beat in the 60' time per $ department

Edit: Looks like Charlie beat me to it.

[2Fast4Radar]

Good debate.

If both cars are underpowered enough that they don't overwhelm the tires, it doesn't matter.

If the cars have enough power that traction is an issue, then AWD is better.

The big exception is when a car has very high power and very high traction, like an all-out drag car. These cars have so much weight transfer and launch so well that they have the ability to pull the front tires off the ground. So obviously the only thing you need at that time is RWD.

So the arguement can be made either way; but for street type cars with a reasonable amount of power the AWD car is going to be quicker off the line.Your exact words came to mind as soon as I read the thread title. A good example I can provide to the thread is a stock vs stock Toyota Supra TT and a VR4 3000GT. They have roughly the same crank HP from the factory, nearly the same weight, but one is AWD & one is RWD. Chances are 9 out of 10 times with the appropriate driver the cars will have similiar take-offs. Adding power to the mix blows the argument out of the water. :D

[ANTIVNM]

A Z28 with a proper stall and a good set of tires is damn hard to beat in the 60' time per $ department

I've proven that argument. :D

The way I look at it is this: How many truly fast drag cars do you see with AWD? If AWD is better, then why doesn't top-fuel use it.

Once you start getting fast enough to cause the car to do some major weight transfer, AWD is less and less efficient at getting the power to the ground. That's why F-Bodies and Mustangs can pull some awesome 60's with little more than sticky tires and a big stall...

Also, RWD is less complex, and lighter, both pluses in my book.

AWD is better suited to street driving and corner carving. Take the RWD cars to the drag strip.

[A418t81]

Shep runs 7s at over 190 mph with AWD and a little 2.0L ;)

[1.8t]

Awd is great for the street and for street cars. If you start prepping your car for the track, rwd is best. Throw some meats on the back, adjust your suspension for some weight transfer, remove your sway bars, and bam. No one w/ an awd car will argue its validity in a drag specific application. They will argue its efficiency on the street in any weather condition, and its ability to pull 1.6xx 60's at the track with no prep work at all. No tire change, no suspension adjustments, no nothing. Just roll up and nail the launch. That is the most impressive part of an awd car. That, and the ability to launch pretty much identically on the street as it can at the track.

[phillyd]

All the points above seem to be valid and true.

My question is: Where will said RWD or AWD car be driven and for what purpose. The goals of the owner would make the biggest difference...Example, if you want a car for rally...get AWD, drifting get RWD...etc.

The real point if this thread is to say: FWD blows. :2xFU:

[Veedubtrek]

The real point if this thread is to say: FWD blows. :2xFU:
:thumbsup:

[UR2SLOW]

:thumbsup:
I will be at the track saterday if anyone wants to see how bad a fwd sucks:2xFU:

[talon_awd]

what kind of car do you have?

[Crankee]

what kind of car do you have?

who are you. Intro thread.

[Crankee]

The real point if this thread is to say: FWD blows. :2xFU:

My FWD will blow,






















your doors off.

[2Fast4Radar]

what kind of car do you have?A FWD faster than you. :D

[VR4Rob]

I <3 my AWD.

[UR2SLOW]

Just a dx civic!!

[easy2speed]

Just a dx civic!!


:D

[Grider]

who are you. Intro thread.

<strike>One not needed. http://forums.aspeedracing.com/showthread.php?t=7201</strike>
EDIT:
I'm a dumbass.


Who are you talon_awd?

[easy2speed]

One not needed. http://forums.aspeedracing.com/showthread.php?t=7201

I think he meant talon_awd

[Grider]

I think he meant talon_awd
Oh yeah he did.

Doh.

[talon_awd]

A FWD faster than you. :D


Thats cool, but what kind? :)

[ChukiDori]

The kind that will understeer horribly when cornering at low speeds But would be a blast to ride in on the interstate.

[2Fast4Radar]

Thats cool, but what kind? :)

Your answer is here:

Just a dx civic!!

[xamraci]

just a little EJ...thats all andy has

[phillyd]

My FWD will blow,





your doors off.

blah, blah, blah :rolllaugh

[Crankee]

blah, blah, blah :rolllaugh

ZOOM ZOOM

[talon_awd]

just a little EJ...thats all andy has


I'm guessing this is the red or gray civic from montgomery?

[2Fast4Radar]

It's so fast it blew the paint off, so it rides around in an unknown color at all times.

[xamraci]

It's so fast it blew the paint off, so it rides around in an unknown color at all times.


True Story...that shits like an ever lasting gob stoper...

[funinthecav3]

True Story...that shits like an ever lasting gob stoper...

LOL!!!

[GFXGUY06]

AWD owns WRC....