Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Would RWD cars launch faster that AWD?

Originally posted by klavender:

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That Zonda was bada$$. The reason I started this thread is someone here at work has a Mazda truck with a Chevy 4.3L Vortec in it. He's done alot to the truck. He's tubbed it, got nice fat tires on the rear and skinnies on the front. He's done some work to the motor, though not alot. A friend of his challenged him to a race with a WRX. Not sure if it's the STI or not. I doubt it is. He basically thought the WRX would launch faster. And I think it would against his truck, but figured in general RWD would be better. I'm rethinking that whole thing now. BTW, with the gearing he has in his truck, it's pretty fast off the line. And he's very good with motors and building cars. Hell, he's got a Chevy motor in a Mazda!

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Originally posted by ZetecNinja:

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if u know how to launch, I'd say AWD...if you don't then spinning all 4 tires will get u no better launch then a RWD vehicle.

take a look at the Pagoni Zonda (AWD) vs the Lamborghini Murcielago (RWD) vid...whoa

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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it's better to actually get traction than spin when launching.

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Originally posted by cvkillacontour98:

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i thinka good example would bea eclipse gst vs gsx. ive seen some pretty fast eclipse turbos most just gst i dont know anyone with a gsx. same with the talon. i had oen friend with a talon tsi all wheel drive and it didnt seem to launch pretty good. makes wanna compare the specs on the 2 cars now. only complaint i have heard from peopel with all wheel drive cars is more tire wear and shorter clutch life. i also dont get the uneven torque split on soem cars with all wheel drive. i figuered a 50\50 split would keep it all evened out.

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j/k

Originally posted by spgoode:

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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it's better to actually get traction than spin when launching.

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Sorry, every car that you can buy for the street will get a better launch with some wheel spin. Spinning the tires gets the engine into its peak torque range so when the tires hook up it doesn't bog down.
Every magazine article i've read that tested an awd car noted this quality.
That's why tests usually include a street start (5-60mph). This negates the advantage wheelspin gives some cars and represents the acceleration of a car without the drivers skill being a factor. And by the way, they are always slower even though they are starting at 5mph.

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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Originally posted by spgoode:

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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it's better to actually get traction than spin when launching.

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Sorry, every car that you can buy for the street will get a better launch with some wheel spin. Spinning the tires gets the engine into its peak torque range so when the tires hook up it doesn't bog down.
Every magazine article i've read that tested an awd car noted this quality.
That's why tests usually include a street start (5-60mph). This negates the advantage wheelspin gives some cars and represents the acceleration of a car without the drivers skill being a factor. And by the way, they are always slower even though they are starting at 5mph.

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Not quite. Wheelspin is not advantageous at all. The fact that getting the engine to get power to the ground quicker is, wheelspin is just a result of this and is NOT good. If you can launch hard and get ZERO wheel spin and opposed to launching hard and getting wheel spin (all other factors the same), getting no wheel spin will be faster as this means you're actually moving. Wheel spin is bad and is just slowing you down,,,, though on most street cars is nearly unavoidable on a hard launch.

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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the only 0-60 vs. 5-60 times I can find have the 5-60 being faster

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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You are NOT experimenting with the right amount of wheel spin. Wheel spin is not what you want. Again, it's the result of launching hard and you're experimenting with the right RPM and clutch release to get minimal wheel spin and maximum movement. With autos, you have to do the same (if you have some decent amount of power) as brake standing to high could cause too much wheel spin and not enough movement. I'm NOT saying wheel spin means the car is not moving at all, I'm saying it means it's not moving as fast as it could be as it could if it had traction. You are un-informed... the only 0-60 vs. 5-60 times I can find have the 5-60 being faster, PLEASE show me different.

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