FWD -vs- AWD

[It's Just Eric]

I found myself wondering which driveline setup was better...front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Im curious about information on proformance diffrences between the two.Now before you automaticly blurt out all wheel drive, take a moment or two to consider weight diffrences, power transfer (wheel horse power) driveline dependability, traction loss, and other such things. Actually Im curious if anyone has some skidpad numbers and 0-60 numbers to throw in to help out.

I personally can vouche for traction loss with the front wheel drive as opposed to all wheel drive. If I decide to punch it it takes a few seconds to hook up. I havent really driven it hard enough around corners to say weather it can pull as many G's around a corner, but Im guessing it cant. I really cant vouche for 0-60 times either, I havent lined up next to an awd svx to see if I pull away (or fall back for that matter)

Any information or personal experiances are apreciated.

[Earthworm]

It really depends on what you're using it for. I will always choose AWD as there's enough snow here to make it worthwhile. In reality a RWD manual SVX would be the fastest and possibly more fun to drive. The FWD would be lightest and possibly handle best due to that fact.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Earthworm

The FWD would be lightest and possibly handle best due to that fact.

The FWD would only handle better if it had a limited slip diff. Unfortunately, all front diff's in the SVX are open.

-Chike

[Seraph]

Having driven and (owned) both 94 FWD AND AWD models, I can say this:

FWD looks like a SVX, drives like any other FWD car. It's still heavy. But quicker than a V6 Camaro.

AWD SVX drives like a SVX, looks like a SVX. It's more forceful when taking off the line.

Now, 92 SVX is the quickest to launch from the line and the most powerful of them all. Why? I don't know. See that coin tray? I can drop coins from the 92. I can't from any 94s.

But I feel safe in all of them. I've nearly flipped my 94L once. I saw the grass on the side a few inches away from my face but a solid car came out without a scratch (mud helps in the ditch if you are rolling on the side).

I've made very high speed in my 94L in the rain (search for previous posts under Seraphim). I have never done those speeds again in the AWD models.

[NikFu S.]

Originally Posted by Seraph

Now, 92 SVX is the quickest to launch from the line and the most powerful of them all. Why? I don't know. See that coin tray? I can drop coins from the 92. I can't from any 94s.

Interesting.

I have also driven both an AWD and FWD SVX.
However they are the same car.

Other than insane off-the-line traction loss I can't say the vehicle behaves any differently either way. Mine anyways. Can't speak for an actual FWD car.

I did however own both a FWD and a 4WD XT6. Again, only difference I could feel was the FWD could chirp tires.

[TomsSVX]

FWD is good for a daily driver. It can handle itself in the snow...not to same extent of the AWD but still not too shabby. It will have slightly better gas mileage, less transmission issues, and it is lighter to boot.

The AWD is more for the sport enthusiast who likes to play. Or needs the car in bad weather. Either way, they are both SVXes and you cannot go wrong there......right??...wait....I am right....right??

Tom

[benebob]

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

Interesting.

I have also driven both an AWD and FWD SVX.
However they are the same car.

Other than insane off-the-line traction loss I can't say the vehicle behaves any differently either way. Mine anyways. Can't speak for an actual FWD car.

I did however own both a FWD and a 4WD XT6. Again, only difference I could feel was the FWD could chirp tires.

I've driven a AWD, FWD and RWD SVX and by far the RWD was the most fun. Granted it was the same car as well but with 3 different trannies in it. Having also driven the FWDer on the track I would also have to say that it is probably the worst when it comes to spirited driving in tight stuff. Oversteers heavily and you can't compensate by sending power to the rear. It is a bit lighter but most of the weight loss is in the rear (where the SVX sorely could use some more weight at the expense of the front of course).

[Wocketman]

Interesting thread!

Question from an SVX ignoramous:
I've had a couple instances where my 92 spinss the wheels like it's NOT an AWD. My first time I noticed it was in dirt in Norcal before I shipped to car to Maine where I am now. Recently (like yesterday!), I had it occur in the snow where some wheels are spinning either just in front or on just one side (hard to tell when no one is around to look), which should NOT occur unless BOTH front and rear differentials were "open". Right? This phenomemon confuses me, as at other times when I gun it, the fronts spin for about one second and you feel a real push as the rears kick in. What am I missing here?

[Manarius]

You may have a misfunctioning Duty Solenoid C...this would cause your car to lurch because the Solenoid is sticking. Now, you may just also be feeling the effects of the Limited-Slip Rear Differential. One would have to drive your car in order to determine exactly what's going on.

[Wocketman]

Originally Posted by Manarius

You may have a misfunctioning Duty Solenoid C...this would cause your car to lurch because the Solenoid is sticking. Now, you may just also be feeling the effects of the Limited-Slip Rear Differential. One would have to drive your car in order to determine exactly what's going on.

Thanks! Will look into this. Will likely have a shop check it out, but where is this particular solenoid located?

[It's Just Eric]

So anyway, is it hard to convert from fwd to awd?


(obvious bump)

[n00b on demand]

Originally Posted by It's Just Eric

So anyway, is it hard to convert from fwd to awd?


(obvious bump)

You would need the tranny...tcu?...driveshaft...rear diff...the holes and spots r all there i believe. Just a matter of getting all the parts and installing them. ...at least i think so