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Originally posted by jadcock There's a reason that a stock '96 Deville will get down the dragstrip every bit as fast as a stock '96 Impala SS -- weight and parasitic loss advantages.
Then why is it an advatage to drag race an RWD car? Even the import guys convert FWD to RWD.
Originally posted by jadcock It's much more fuel efficient than an "identical" RWD design.
I just went to Lexus and Infiniti. They both have RWD car's that share engines with there sister divisions FWD cars. You can compare them side by side. There is no fuel savings when you take into account the HP ratings, drag coeficient, weight and transmissions. Just more marketing hype from the FWD pitch man. But your doing a great job!
Now explain away the torque steer and I might even be compelled to buy an FWD.
I can tell you right now from experience that FWD is better in the snow. I was driving my Q, and i did a power slide around a corner in my neighborhood, and i got stuck. Fortunately, some guy came and helped me, otherwise i would have had to walk home to get the suburban.
With a FWD, i would have gotten out of that predicament in no time. I think i may retire the Q and switch back to the GTP until i can see dry pavement again.
FWD handles less amount of power than RWD(torque steering sucks)
RWD is better for go power because all the weight transfer back into the rear unlike FWD.
FWD is cheaper and easier to drive
On a track fwd understeers severly when pushed to the limit whereas rwd will slide around if pushed hard.
RWD will get you in more trouble but it is more fun to drive.
When I had the misfortune to live in Colorado a few years ago I thanked my lucky stars every time I had to drive in that miserable white stuff that my Seville had FWD. I had a Chevy and a pickup, Both with rear wheel drive and it wasn't pretty! It also gets right down the road too! A little torque steer doesn't bother me a bit. I'm with jadcock on this one gang....RWD is nice and so is FWD! They each have their place I.M.H.O.
Originally posted by kcnewell When I had the misfortune to live in Colorado a few years ago I thanked my lucky stars every time I had to drive in that miserable white stuff that my Seville had FWD. I had a Chevy and a pickup, Both with rear wheel drive and it wasn't pretty! It also gets right down the road too! A little torque steer doesn't bother me a bit. I'm with jadcock on this one gang....RWD is nice and so is FWD! They each have their place I.M.H.O.
well when the aftermarket performance products roll out and we all start mod'ing our cads, torque steering is going to get more apparent(our cads aren't too bad on torque steering). I had a gtp coupe(w/ smaller supercharger pulley, cai, replaced ubend, aftermarket exhaust, shift kit, replace pcm.... ran high 13s on good days low 14s on bad days) and those things put out 280lbft at 3200rpm stock and the torque steering was pretty horrible in stock.
I'd rather have AWD. It handles better in the snow (and wet)than FWD and handles good on the track too. (Or the back roads for those of us who like that kind of stuff.)
Anyone remember Audi's IMSA championship in the 80's using stock chassis car's spanking all the tube framed RWD V8's? That's when IMSA decided to ban AWD. The Audi's could drive up in the marbles and still keep their grip.
AWD is the next greatest thing to happen in the car industry. Watch how fast it will spread.
Oneday, we will all thank Audi and Subaru for their persistance.
