FWD v RWD - Page 2 - Saxperience

adamskiTNR · 18th September 2011, 23:30

plato was shitting himself. kept his helmet firmly on while o'neal towered over him

Jay_ · 18th September 2011, 23:32

the back end lets go on a RWD motor as the wheels are pushing forward. So on a FWD the back end steps out because of weight transfer to the front etc. Hence "lift off" over steer, rather than power induced over steer.

If that makes sense?

EDIT - Plato was obviously a little bit scared when Neal was going for him. He is a right tall bastard!

titchster · 18th September 2011, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by hard_corejoeboy

In my experience the back end on a RWD tends to let go before the back goes on a FWD but then my RWD knowledge is mainly from other people's cars as the only thing RWD i drive is a lorry lol

That's because the back end goes on a RWD when you're on power, in a FWD, the back won't go until you come off power. If you're wanting to do a comparison like that, you want to be looking at the point that a RWD oversteers, and a similarly powered (given all other variables are the same too, weight, tyres etc) FWD understeers. So, great example, MX5 and Saxo, similar power, similar weight etc, the Saxo will understeer before the MX5 oversteers on a dry circuit, guaranteed. I'd probably put money on the same result on a wet circuit too.

adamskiTNR · 18th September 2011, 23:37

All i can say is that i know of no performance cars (except that elan) that were designed from the ground up in fwd if given a choice

hard_corejoeboy · 18th September 2011, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by titchster

That's because the back end goes on a RWD when you're on power, in a FWD, the back won't go until you come off power. If you're wanting to do a comparison like that, you want to be looking at the point that a RWD oversteers, and a similarly powered (given all other variables are the same too, weight, tyres etc) FWD understeers. So, great example, MX5 and Saxo, similar power, similar weight etc, the Saxo will understeer before the MX5 oversteers on a dry circuit, guaranteed. I'd probably put money on the same result on a wet circuit too.

Never thought of that. Probably true, although i think MX5's are a bit gay and have annihilated everyone i have come across so far...they may handle well (although i've never seen proof) and jesus they are slow!

Jay_ · 18th September 2011, 23:39

MX5s are deemed one of the best handling cars aren't they...?

hard_corejoeboy · 18th September 2011, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamskiTNR

All i can say is that i know of no performance cars (except that elan) that were designed from the ground up in fwd if given a choice

Aren't pretty much all French cars FWD because they believe that to genuinly be the better way? In the same way that Porsche believes in making an old beetle perform like a race car :d

hard_corejoeboy · 18th September 2011, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayyoung

MX5s are deemed one of the best handling cars aren't they...?

I know i hear it everywhere...but i've never really seen the proof. Sure i've seen Dale Lomas drive his MX5 like a god but he drives most cars like one...

Im tired...gd night everyone

adamskiTNR · 18th September 2011, 23:44

Don't be silly. French cars are for people with families, and things to carry around. Performance is an afterthought with special models (r26r). FWD becasue it's cheap and gives lots of passenger room. And porsche have stuck with rear engined because it is an excellent engineering test bed to push technology. Technically it's shit, so this has pushed them into making it better. And developing lightweight engines and components that most of the world now use.

titchster · 18th September 2011, 23:50

Only Saxos that have passed me in mine were wearing R888s, just sayin'.

True about them being straight line slow though.

Mochachino · 19th September 2011, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayyoung

MX5s are deemed one of the best handling cars aren't they...?

Nah, one of the bet cheap RWD track toys though like the saxo is for FWD. Theyre meant to be a good introduction to RWD.

adamskiTNR · 19th September 2011, 00:09

Yeah. elise's on the other hand are apparently so differnet after fwd that they seem awful initially. As being mid engined and rwd the whole feel and technique is different. But once th groove is found then the magic happens

Paul^p · 19th September 2011, 01:14

I find FWD cars alot easier to correct. But then again i've had more experience with FWD.

Does anyone know where i can watch BTCC replay? The whole thing? Didnt watch it today/yesterday (

) just got back from work lol.

titchster · 19th September 2011, 01:41

FWDs are definately easier to correct, if you get in a slide, it's simply a case of counter-steering and mashing the throttle most of the time, RWD it's not, lol.

ITV player, or whatever it's called might have it on at some point? Only other alternative's to catch the highlights on whatever night they're on (Tues or Thurs IIRC).

AlexB^p · 19th September 2011, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by hard_corejoeboy

I had a massive spiel about another test the glossy magazines did recently involving the latest RS Megane but i saw db_sax's post and i think he kinda summed it up really.

I still believe given a certain power level FWD is best and above that RWD is best.

BUT saying that a while ago Honda's engineers said that 170bhp was the ABSOLUTE limit for FWD and now we have FWD cars with almost double that sort of power quite happily pissing all over the RWD cars.

The hot Megane's for example the R26R was faster than the old M3 round the Nurburgring and that had how much power?

Saab engineers say 240 is the limit but there ars cars with more than that

Imo rwd will allways be better look at all cars that are hailed for handeling abilities and quick with low power

Elise westfeild caterham exige

Low weight rlatively low power faster than pretty much anything fwd on a track with similar power

Viper · 19th September 2011, 10:42

Alex, my mate's mum has a 9-3 aero V6. about 280-290bhp with FWD. Saab are stupid. haha

Torque steer is ridiculous on it! (not saying you're wrong btw, just saying Saab are thick)

Mochachino · 19th September 2011, 10:44

Before things get any deeper im going to say 4WD FTW

Jay_ · 19th September 2011, 10:45

I would love to drive something 4 wheel drive....

AlexB^p · 19th September 2011, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper

Alex, my mate's mum has a 9-3 aero V6. about 280-290bhp with FWD. Saab are stupid. haha

Torque steer is ridiculous on it! (not saying you're wrong btw, just saying Saab are thick)

It was a few years back that was said tom so may of changed there tune by now

But still there is allways going to be theoretical "limits" to fwd

It seems more like people with no experience of rwd seem to feel fwd is king as theres lots of fwd motors tweaked to go quick

But any car designed to outright go fast starts as a rwd and sacrefices the cheapness

Tontsy · 19th September 2011, 11:39

so RWD means the power is aimed at the rear wheels ?
so like, if you do a burn out the back ones spin, not like my saxo with the front ones...

wow.