Fwd Vs Rwd
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Brooklyn Park MN
Fwd Vs Rwd
I have a few FWD friends that think it does not matter if it is a FWD or RWD when it comes to racing (If the cars have the same HP). I always though the RWD will out accelerate both FWD and 4WD, but 4WD is better off the line. Any thoughts on this?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by SteveDR425
I have a few FWD friends that think it does not matter if it is a FWD or RWD when it comes to racing (If the cars have the same HP). I always though the RWD will out accelerate both FWD and 4WD, but 4WD is better off the line. Any thoughts on this?
Drag racing favors rear driven wheels because of weight shift encountered during the launch. Of course on 16 second ricers - I guess traction isn't as much a concern
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Brooklyn Park MN
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
What type of "racing"???
Drag racing favors rear driven wheels because of weight shift encountered during the launch. Of course on 16 second ricers - I guess traction isn't as much a concern
Drag racing favors rear driven wheels because of weight shift encountered during the launch. Of course on 16 second ricers - I guess traction isn't as much a concern
Yep, this is in a 1/4 race with both FWD and RWD having the same amount of HP.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by SteveDR425
I have a few FWD friends that think it does not matter if it is a FWD or RWD when it comes to racing (If the cars have the same HP). I always though the RWD will out accelerate both FWD and 4WD, but 4WD is better off the line. Any thoughts on this?
The quicker the times become and the higher the horsepower becomes, the more RWD gains the advantage over FWD. The quickest/fastest drag cars are RWD period.
Intermediate
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The reason "sports" cars favor rwd designs is because the reduced power losses through the transmission.
In a RWD; The power is taken from the engine sent directly to the rear wheels with minimal change in direction or cramping.
However FWD cars have superior handling; especially in non-ideal conditions. So some companies started making and still do make mid engine cars that send the power to the front wheels.
In a RWD; The power is taken from the engine sent directly to the rear wheels with minimal change in direction or cramping.
However FWD cars have superior handling; especially in non-ideal conditions. So some companies started making and still do make mid engine cars that send the power to the front wheels.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
you can't get needed traction at the front wheels when they are being lifted up by all the weight transfer to the rear of the car during the launch.
It's that simple.
Of course, FWD cars can be modded to recoup this lost traction. But the suspension tweaks - along with super wide tires on the front - make those cars look & ride hideous everywhere they're driven (except at the dragstrip).
It's that simple.
Of course, FWD cars can be modded to recoup this lost traction. But the suspension tweaks - along with super wide tires on the front - make those cars look & ride hideous everywhere they're driven (except at the dragstrip).
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
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The reason "sports" cars favor rwd designs is because the reduced power losses through the transmission.
In a RWD; The power is taken from the engine sent directly to the rear wheels with minimal change in direction or cramping.
However FWD cars have superior handling; especially in non-ideal conditions. So some companies started making and still do make mid engine cars that send the power to the front wheels.
it really depends if the horsepower ratings are "engine hp" or hp "at the wheels". That makes all the difference in the world.
Another thing that makes a major difference is gearing. Just because two a4 corvettes have 350 hp; doesn't mean that one does not have 2.73 gears while the other has 3.45.... Just guess which one would win that 1/4?
do they weigh the same, do they have the same gearing, how different are the engine's power band, how much torque do the tires support, how "free reving" are the engines.
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So to answer you friend's question; if EVERYTHING is the same with the exception of the FWD vs RWD vs AWD... The RWD will out accelerate a FWD because the FWD introduces more power loss into the system. Furthermore FWD will out accelerate a AWD because AWD has roughy all the losses of the FWD+RWD.
In a RWD; The power is taken from the engine sent directly to the rear wheels with minimal change in direction or cramping.
However FWD cars have superior handling; especially in non-ideal conditions. So some companies started making and still do make mid engine cars that send the power to the front wheels.
it really depends if the horsepower ratings are "engine hp" or hp "at the wheels". That makes all the difference in the world.
Another thing that makes a major difference is gearing. Just because two a4 corvettes have 350 hp; doesn't mean that one does not have 2.73 gears while the other has 3.45.... Just guess which one would win that 1/4?
do they weigh the same, do they have the same gearing, how different are the engine's power band, how much torque do the tires support, how "free reving" are the engines.
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So to answer you friend's question; if EVERYTHING is the same with the exception of the FWD vs RWD vs AWD... The RWD will out accelerate a FWD because the FWD introduces more power loss into the system. Furthermore FWD will out accelerate a AWD because AWD has roughy all the losses of the FWD+RWD.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Burlington NC
Here is something to think about. When a front wheel drive loses traction the weight is pushing back on the front tires. When a rear drive loses traction the weight is put on the front tires. This is not saying the front drive cars are better, but something to think about.
Randy
Randy
Le Mans Master
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
I read somewhere that FWD have a lower HP loss b/c they dont have as much drivetrain as the RWD do. But the FWD cars do look ridiculous with the wider tires on the front. Also I agree with the having to have to make up for the weight transfer difference with more hp but i guess they make up for some of em by being lighter. YUCK, just got an image of a wide front tired car goin down the track. Hideous...and very un-aerodynamically friendly...
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Jacksonville FL
FWD Not True, Better Handling
I know the guy was talking about drag racing, But the one guy said FWD was better for handling? Nope. In Road racing, which is more relevant to what cars are all about, NO F1 cars FWD, NO CART cars FWD, NO LeMans car FWD, including the C5's and the most successful Racing car ever, The Porsche 911 and its derivitives. There is a reason for this, and The engine is behind the driver in serious racing cars (NASCAR Doesn't count, they want ot hold on to the 60's) Carbs? Who makes carb cars anymore? V8's in cars that don't even come with them? Heck the cars they're based on are FWD anyway. They make them into RWD (big Clue) But it makes a good show and NASCAR is successful, (Please don't all you Nascar fans jump on me.) Hey, I can't figure out why The C5 has been made into a world class Sports Car, but So many guys on the FORUM are nuts about only the 1/4 mile? Why buy a Vette? If you really wanted to burn the 1/4, you'd get a Hot *** bike, or a Mustang, You could make a fast 1/4 Mustang for a lot cheaper. OH well, I guess I got long winded. Go to an ALMS Race and see the C5 Team and the AUDI LMP cars. Incredible.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15
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From: San Francisco CA
The biggest disadvantage to driving a FWD car is understeer!
I will never drive FWD again after I had a close call in a VW Cabrio (FWD) when I went to fast into a turn and almost didn't make it. The car continued to drive straight instead of the right turn that was intended. That's the fault of the driver, trying to go too fast with a POS car that can't handle well. But the point is, in a RWD car like the Corvette the ***-end of the car would be sliding out, with the front of the car aiming hard in the direction the steering wheel is turned towards.
If you ask me, oversteer is much more enjoyable, predictable, safer, and easy to drive than a car that produces understeer (FWD). There are RWD cars out there that exhibit understeer qualities, though, but they're not drivers cars (like an old Lincoln, Buick, etc.)
I will never drive FWD again after I had a close call in a VW Cabrio (FWD) when I went to fast into a turn and almost didn't make it. The car continued to drive straight instead of the right turn that was intended. That's the fault of the driver, trying to go too fast with a POS car that can't handle well. But the point is, in a RWD car like the Corvette the ***-end of the car would be sliding out, with the front of the car aiming hard in the direction the steering wheel is turned towards.
If you ask me, oversteer is much more enjoyable, predictable, safer, and easy to drive than a car that produces understeer (FWD). There are RWD cars out there that exhibit understeer qualities, though, but they're not drivers cars (like an old Lincoln, Buick, etc.)
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15
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From: San Francisco CA
Ah also, since I broke my leg in june I've been driving a friend's automatic 3.2CL Acura. It's FWD and it handles OK for a commuter car, but pushed to the limit the car just doesn't want to turn. 250 horsepower means nothing when the tires get no traction and understeer stops the car from rotating.
I can't wait to trade back when my leg heals!
I can't wait to trade back when my leg heals!
