Car Talk!

[EpyonMelee]

Just so you know, Ep, if you don't already, "mugen" means infinite/infinity.

Did not know that, thanks Whir.

[SoloCamo]

So heres a question I still want answered by companies

It is the question of FWD vs RWD. Why, with todays technology, do they still use FWD? Chrysler and dodge are atleast starting to revert back to how american cars should have always been.

Now look at the civic for example which represents a huge market amount, with that mugen kit epy posted. A new motor and a supercharger... that's going to add a good 50+ hp I'm ASSUMING. Now 250hp and FWD = hoppage and bad launches, decent handling handling, and off balance weight distrubution.

Soooo, since they just built the civic from the ground up, why not make it FWD. That would = in better launches, better 1/4 miles times, better handling, extremely good weight distribution and so forth...

Am I missing something? It's not like RWD is horrible in snow or something...

RWD doesn't cost more does it?

[EpyonMelee]

cost more, and Mugen Civic is 300Hp.

Mugen didn't build the Civic from teh ground up, Honda did, and honda decided to use FWD since its cheaper and easier to use with smaller motors.

[Whir]

At a guess, they'd probably have to modify the underside of the unibody to allow for a front-to-back (latitude?) mounted motor and transmission. That would probably cut into the cabin quite a bit. The rest of it is pretty simple, the suspension and such.

On the other hand, I could be entirely wrong.

Americans have been taught to believe that FWD = a better car. That's why they're FWD. Probably has little to do with build costs or performance.

[The Real Bingo]

Weight, cost, bad-condition driving dynamics, all of the above.

By not having a driveshaft and a differential, you cut back on weight. It's cheaper if you don't have to make a driveshaft and a differential and other rear-end comopnents. People just innately suck at driving RWD cars, let alone in crappy conditios. And it does keep the floor flat in the back for rear passengers since a space isn't needed for a driveshaft. There's also probably less power loss due to the fact the power doesn't need to be transferred through the transmission to the driveshaft to the differential to the wheels.

[Bizkitkid2001]

People who complain about torque steer and wheel hop (Which I have never experienced, even in my mom's 260hp avalon) on front wheel drive cars just don't know how to compensate. Its the same reason why people who don't know how to drive a RWD car fish tail when they give the engine to much gas on a slippery surface.

It can be looked at both ways. People who have only driven FWD cars will find their first RWD car harder to drive, and people who have always driven FWD cars will find that their first FWD car is harder to drive. Their mind has not learned to compensate for the different driving style.

Since I drove the Freestyle for a couple months, I don't even notice torque spin on FWD cars anymore because my mind has learned to compensate for it. And since I started out driving on a manual RWD pickup, I have learned to be VERY good at handling fish tailing on a RWD vehicle.

[RedFury]

Well, some cars have more torque steer than others. Our Grand Am has a bit of torque steer @ 155hp. Not that I care much, because I can still drive the car without fighting the wheel....( it's called power steering for a reason folks! ).

As far as the FWD/RWD debate goes... Honda has always been a FWD car in the US, and will remain such as far as their lineup of econobox type cars go. They know their market, and what their market wants, so they give it to them. Those Honda fanboys that wanted a RWD car got the S2000.

[DesertFox01]

does anyone know if a corvette 6 speed manual transmission will work in a 1994 chevrolet impala SS?

[sixf00t4]

it looked brown, if not reddish brown.

Didn't smell it though, i'll try that when i get home.

and i believe you're right about taurus transmissions, can't complain about a free car though.

[DesertFox01]

Taurus transmission?

[SoloCamo]

cost more, and Mugen Civic is 300Hp.

Mugen didn't build the Civic from teh ground up, Honda did, and honda decided to use FWD since its cheaper and easier to use with smaller motors.

I know that, I was reffering to honda.

People who complain about torque steer and wheel hop (Which I have never experienced, even in my mom's 260hp avalon) on front wheel drive cars just don't know how to compensate. Its the same reason why people who don't know how to drive a RWD car fish tail when they give the engine to much gas on a slippery surface.

Since I drove the Freestyle for a couple months, I don't even notice torque spin on FWD cars anymore because my mind has learned to compensate for it. And since I started out driving on a manual RWD pickup, I have learned to be VERY good at handling fish tailing on a RWD vehicle.

Ok, but the fact still stands that FWD is not as good as RWD. First off, the avalon is not sport-oriented cars, it's a family car.

Put it this way:
FWD cars result in Understeer.

RWD cars result in Oversteer.

For any performance, FWD is not a good idea IMO. If it was, why aren't Porches or Vette's or Lambo's FWD(list goes on)? Weight distribution for one, and secondly, horrible horrible off-the-line launches.

Besides sports car, even look at this, Mercedes, BMW... not one signle FWD vehicle, and I always see tons of them out in the snow fine.

The people who complain about torque steer and wheel hop are the one's that have known how it affects a car.

Just look (who I forget was saying it, but in this thread) was driving the new impala SS, they complained about tons of hop.

Look at FWD car's 1/4 mile times for example. Let's say a CRX with around 300hp. Now that's a pretty fast car due to it's weight. But now let's factor in FWD. Light turns green and the "slower RWD" car launches ahead of it, once the FWD hooks then it pulls and passes the RWD. Proffesional drivers complain about FWD and performance, it's just not a good match.

FWD is FINE for a plain ol' family car, yes because quite frankly, that's exactly what it's meant for.

[RedFury]

does anyone know if a corvette 6 speed manual transmission will work in a 1994 chevrolet impala SS?

With enough money, you can put anything in anything

I'd say you may have to shorten the driveshaft and maybe do a little pounding on the tunnel to squeeze it in there, and most likely the rear mounts would have to be fabricated for it to bolt up. Then of course, there is the electronics of it..

Shoot, it isn't the same question as asking if a 700R4 tranny will bolt up to an older 350 anymore...much more complicated.

enter google...http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/48479/

[Bizkitkid2001]

Ok, but the fact still stands that FWD is not as good as RWD.

You are not reading what I am saying again. I never said FWD was better than RWD. So anything after this is pointless. Learn to read before you waste half a page of type that people already know in this thread.

First off, the avalon is not sport-oriented cars, it's a family car.

Again, learn to read. When did I say the Avalon was a sports car? I just said hat is has a 260hp engine. BTW, the avalon can compete well enough with most "sports" cars on the street.

[Bizkitkid2001]

I want to enter my truck for Pimp My Ride

[SoloCamo]

But the thing is I never said you claimed that. I am saying that FWD is not as good as a RWD.

[DesertFox01]

o because the stock transmission(I think its an L80E but i could be mistaken) that came in my impala is going out and i wanted to put a manual in it

[EpyonMelee]

lol, why would you put a T56 heavy duty tranny in a impala?

[SoloCamo]

He plans to twin turbo it -.-

[EpyonMelee]

LOL!

[DesertFox01]

idk i just want a 6 speed that can handle alot of torque