AWD vs FWD

Which one is faster?

[SubaSteevo]

AWD is faster in the snow

[svxsubaru1]

You will have less power lost throught the FWD, when compared to the AWD, but AWD will always be faster than FWD in any real world situation because you can get all the power to the ground instead of like 1/4 of it with a FWD car. Both cars will have similar limits on handling, but when you get into a slide/drift i like AWD better becasue I can control it better.

Originally posted by svxsubaru1
You will have less power lost throught the FWD, when compared to the AWD, but AWD will always be faster than FWD in any real world situation because you can get all the power to the ground instead of like 1/4 of it with a FWD car. Both cars will have similar limits on handling, but when you get into a slide/drift i like AWD better becasue I can control it better.

Limits are not similar. Compare a FWD SVX to an AWD one. In very demanding handling situations, the FWD plows forward when pushed hard through curves. The AWD ones are completely neutral if you work the gas properly, and on slick surfaces you can even induce a bit of oversteer...I don't consider that to be "similar" handling limits.

[mikecg]

I think my wheels spin faster. The car just doesnt seem to go as fast as the wheels.

[solarsvx]

AWD = superior
FWD = useless

any questions?

[Mr. Pockets]

At some point, somebody who owns a FWD SVX will chime into this thread and say that the FWD SVX accellerates better than the AWD SVX. And they'll be right, because the FWD loses less power through the drivetrain and weighs less.

But, for my money, I want my AWD SVX. FWD SVXs have an open diff in the front, so in slippery conditions they'll be one-wheel-drive. They'll understeer a lot more than an AWD SVX.

Why do you want to know which one is 'faster?' What do you even mean by that?

[mikecg]

Originally posted by mikecg
I think my wheels spin faster. The car just doesnt seem to go as fast as the wheels.

Min is a FWD. I'm not sure about losing less power though. When I had it Dyno'd the tech was suprised at the amount of power loss. It was kinda high even for an auto, however we are a few hundred pounds lighter. I thought I was putting on better tires with the KUMO's, but I seem to spin alot more. I also rerouted the intake air (remove intake resinator). So either Im getting more power to the ground now, or less traction. Before I had to work to spin the tires on a dry /straight take off. Now I have to work at not spinning.

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by mikecg


Min is a FWD. I'm not sure about losing less power though. When I had it Dyno'd the tech was suprised at the amount of power loss. It was kinda high even for an auto, however we are a few hundred pounds lighter.

I don't find that surprising. The transaxle really was designed to do AWD, so it goes through a couple extra steps to get power to the front wheels than a typical FWD car does. But I would still argue that, without the transfer clutch and rear half of the drivetrain, a FWD SVX still suffers less drivetrain loss than an AWD SVX. A FWD SVX may be more complicated than a regular FWD car, but it's still less complicated than an AWD SVX.

[mikecg]

might be. I've never been in any other SVX then mine. So I cant say how and all wheel drive compares.

[BordeauxComet]

I've got FWD also and never driven an AWD one.
Although, I can't imagine that FWD and AWD with a 90-10 split could be very different though.

BTW isn't the torque split on the JDM models different? like 40-60?

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by BordeauxComet
I've got FWD also and never driven an AWD one.
Although, I can't imagine that FWD and AWD with a 90-10 split could be very different though.

You're forgetting that it's a variable torque distribution (VTD) system. Yeah, it'll be 90/10 on the freeway, cruising at a constant speed. But it'll split it up to 50/50 in many situations. That's pretty different compared to one-wheel-drive, in my book.

[Seraph]

Having own the following SVXes:

94 L FWD
94 LSi AWD
92 LS-L AWD

I can say this from my personal experiences:

94L FWD: Feels like a typical FWD car. Acts/handles like a typical FWD car. Most likely the fastest of the bunch and I have gotten 130s in this car even in heavy rains.

92LS-L : Quickest of the lot. When you step on her, she moves like a bat out of hell. Coins fall out of the holder.

94LSi : A typical 4WD car. Acts like one, feels like one. Handles like on. Fun to drive around 60-80mph. Not the quickest or the fastest.

Does it answer the questions? I am not sure if Earl has FWD SVXes as well. Check with him as well.

[oab_au]

One of the differences that i think would show up between the two, is when the AWD looks like spinning the front wheels it engages the rear wheels to prevent it. Power is then applied to all wheels.

In the FWD if the front wheels look like spinning, the torque control turns the engine power down to prevent it from happining.

Harvey.

[GreenMarine]

Originally posted by mikecg
might be. I've never been in any other SVX then mine. So I cant say how and all wheel drive compares.

Well then ya better get your happy A$$ to the next Reading event and ride in as many SVX's as you can... There will be all types there!!