Whats better..... 4WD or 2WD (RWD or FWD)

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:58 pm

Simple question chaps,

Whats better 4WD or 2WD ?

This can be for on the road, on the track etc etc

Experiences with myself and Ben the 4wd picks up from standstill a heck of a lot quicker (expected). But rolling start is fairer for RWD.

What do you prefer and why ?

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:24 pm

4wd - makes up for my deficiencies as a driver

2wd is what I have been used having only had a couple of rwd cars and I am too ashamed to name them here

- so never got used to driving rwd for fun. But RWD is probably the quickest on tarmac.

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:36 pm

dynamix wrote: But RWD is probably the quickest on tarmac.

No chance

Never in a million years, that's why they banned it in F1.

bazzagt4 · Post by **bazzagt4** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:32 pm

I drive a tuned up BMW 1 series during the week (RWD) and my Celica GT-Four (4WD) at weekends.

I have used both cars on trackdays and love the RWD for the drift action and balance ......My Celica is very forgiving, too much sometimes and you can become very lazy as it just ploughs around bends.

Of course the traction control is off on the beemer, no fun with that on, although even when its off I still feel something working when you are on the ragged edge coming out of a tight bend.

I love both of my cars for different reasons and they both make me smile on the track

Regards

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:59 pm

Interestingly enough the McLaren F1 and Ferrari Enzo are RWD but the Veyron is 4WD.

Post by **Ben** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:56 pm

And also how does this cover the Skyline - as it's not permanent 4wd, i.e. most of the time it's 2wd and only 4wd when it needs to be.

However at Honington I wasn't going into 4wd at all as the grip was so good - once back on normal roads it was.

NikWilson · Post by **NikWilson** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:21 am

Having owned an R34 GTR and now a Clio V6, I would say that the GTR is the most forgiving. The clio has no traction control either.

The Clio gives a better "reward" in driving for the effort put in. But I have to say that a 4WD GTR with 500bhp in a corner with all wheels engaged is a hard to beat!!!!!! But remember the HICAS (R32 R33) and Super Hicas (R34) is the rear wheel steering which will affect the feel of the GTR's.

As said above, the GTR is not permanent 4WD and on the R34 v-spec is electronic 4WD controlled (R33 GTR and R32 GTR is mechanical - I think), which is basically a set of friction plates in the transfer box with a pump that controls the oil flow between the plates. Less oil flow, more friction and so the plates give more drive to the front via the chain drive and onto the front drive shaft.

You also loose more power in a 4WD drive in the drive train - as much as a 20% loss in power (BHP) from the Fly to the wheels. This is less in a FWD drive car with a front engine or a RWD car with a mid engine.

Nik

Mad Monk · Post by **Mad Monk** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:56 am

Personally i prefer 4WD but its really a personal preference and what best suits the job you want it to do

MichaelH · Post by **MichaelH** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:41 am

Its probably a preference on based on what you want the car to do, I love the AWD of the scoob, on the 1/4 mile it will launch a lot better and on the track grips much better through the corners.

But I've fancied drifting for a while, which is a bit tricky with AWD! :lol:

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:47 am

MH - has yours got the DCCD?

I will be setting aside one session at Snetterton for Drift Skool

... wind the diff completely to rear (if we have rain) and have a little play