Quote:
Originally posted by MazdaspeedZOOM
I don't agree with this, there is a greater loss of power through the drivetrain, hence the reason if you were to dyno a front wheel drive car and a rear wheel drive car of the same fly wheel horsepower, the fwd would have a greater wheel horsepower.
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Like someone said earlier, FWD cars typically have smaller transverse engines which = less power than a RWD V6/V8.
If you want to take the hypothetical situation where a FWD and RWD car have identical flywheel power ratings, yes the FWD car
MAY dyno more rear wheel power (I say "may" because I have seen a few FWD cars on the dyno with more than 25% drivetrain loss, where the norm is 12-15%), but the RWD car will still be faster, straight line and handling, due to better balance, weight transfer, etc.
Quote:
Originally posted by MazdaspeedZOOM
As far as handling goes, if your considering things like x-crossing, you'll find a majority of these vehicles are FWD due to there easier to control nature.
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I have found this to be untrue at every event I have participated in....
Those who
do have FWD cars are, for the most part, in one of three categories:
1)They are young and cant afford the usually more expensive RWD vehicles (although there are a few that can be had for cheap)
2) They are into the whole "Sport Compact" scene, with giant wheels and stickers and wings that are so popular right now
3) They like to take the old family hauler out and have some fun with it. I have thought about putting some suspension under the 'ole lady's Intrigue (220 hp, DOHC, FWD V6) just to have some fun
Quote:
Originally posted by MazdaspeedZOOM
I think you'll tend to find the young and dumb kids wanting rear wheel drive because they just need to show off that burn out power, hence the reason they all drive mustangs and camAros.
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I
almost take offence to this remark. I bought my 97 Z28 because is has lots of power out of the box, the potential for plenty more, and i knew with the right suspension setup, it could be made to carve corners with the best of them. I beat Mazdaspeed Proteges on the AutoX course all day long
Quote:
Originally posted by Peryn
There are always a few people with a FWD car, and they occasionally do very well, but they are few and far between. At least in skilled drivers. a Very large portion of auto-cross, and most any road course, are RWD. All the high end performance cars as well, if not AWD, are RWD. This is not just to show off their burnout prowess. Typically the FWD cars are driven by people that dont know their limits of driving, or of their car very well. They are easier to be consistant with and not kill yourself, but by no means are the best for the job, and here at least, they certainly aren't the majority at the autocross.
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Dammit Peryn how is it that you almost always manage to say exactly what I am about to say
And stingc did hit the nail exactly on the head