Just a quick random question and I know its going to sound stupid but I have got my reasons for asking this.

If you had exact same car, exact same engine, and exact same power in 2 cars But 1 was FWD and the other was RWD, would 1 be quicker than the other or would it make no difference? Thanks

 

RWD probably has a tiny bit more transmission losses, but probably loads more grip

 

Off the line potentially the RWD should be quicker, but its very vehicle dependant.

Once moving, the FWD will win due to less transmission losses.



Thats assuming weight and aerodynamics etc are the same, although in reality if its in the same shell the RWD one will normally be heavier as the drivetrain itself weighs more.

 

Sub 2 seconds 60ft from a decent corsa with 300bhp is perfectly possible, and a low 12 quarter.

That will utterly wipe the floor with almost all the rwd cossies on this site.


So it just goes to show that a decent suspension setup (vauxhall) in fwd versus a shit suspension setup (ford) in rwd can actually make the fwd quicker.


So the devil is in the detail, its not as simple as just which end is being driven.

Dont forget as well that in a front engined cars although the weight transfers backwards on launch, at least the tyres have some grip initially on fwd.

 

PS

The fastest FWD cars in the world are quicker up the quarter than the fastest 4wd cars in the world.

 

was asking because I wanna do something else project wise. Was thinking of RWD the escort zvh but I dont wanna do it if i have to spend another 3k on engine to get it as quick as it is now.

 

Mid engined is the best way to RWD it.

With mid engine you get:
FWD layout means good wieght on the wheels initially
RWD means as you accelerate more weight pushes onto the driven wheels
FWD layout means lower transmission losses


If you mid engine it you will lose NOTHING in terms of straight line performace (providing you dont add too much weight doing it) and will gain a massive amount in terms of launching.

 

cool!!! anyone know any good links where I can start gathering some info and tips??

 

Well if you can be arsed to drive to somerset, you are welcome to have a good look over my nova.

Chris Todd @ torque of the devil would be a good person to ask for advice too.

 

"Chris Todd @ torque of the devil"

Now thats an idea.

Not sure how far somerset is but thanks for the offer. Wont be for couple weeks but i might well do that

 

Mine wont be on the road again till last week in august (out of mot at the moment) so a few weeks is a good plan from my point of view anyway.

Mid engined is by far the best possible setup, hence every genuinely good rwd car in the world I can think of is laid out that way!

 

PS

You want to be using a mondeo or focus rs gearbox I should think, not a shitty CVH one.

 

cool. will PM you soon fella,
thanks again