rwd vs 4wd challenge

[Hakkola]

Just googled it, only about an hour away, perfect. Alright, looks like we'll have to wait a little while.

[Sugarphreak]

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[stevo 27]

i know my alltrac with bald motomaster all seasons was 1000 times better than my mustang with studded winters on all four corners

alltrac if i didnt wanna spin a tire i didnt

but would under steer unless i was on the gas

straight line awd wins

low speed handling rwd with good tires wins

high speed awd wins

last winter the alltrac was on the road she had studded on all four and it was sex

[Sugarphreak]

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[tsi_neal]

Sort of did this tonight, moved the RWD with new snow tires to the garage and the AWD on balding all seasons to the street, but went around the block first. Other than moving from a stand still the AWD was useless, but would move from a stop with ease. from a standstill the RWD still likes to spin, otherwise is great. Oh AWD is center torsen and open front/rear differentials and the RWD is a viscous LSD. I am a big fan of snow tires always have been but they are only as good as the driver.

[r3ccOs]

IMO -- the latest rendition of technology with the variable assist/traction control/lock brakes and viscus coupled AWD transfercase with a real locking 4hi/low 4x4 with the proper sized tires for the weight of the vehicle with proper tread will give you the best traction overall...

I myself own a 03' chevy tracker 2.0L which is gutless, but it doesn't make enough torque to break my tires loose under 2500 rpm in RWD in most stuff other than pure ice, let alone 4x4
It weights 2764 w/ a full tank due to some weight reduction to accomodate my lift and 32" tires...
Not only do I have a 4hi/lo transfer case, but I put in a lunchbox locker which basically adds much much more traction under all conditons. (100% in just rwd)

Coupled w/ the 32" Wrangler Terrorititories (which are snowflake rated) running @ just 25psi (cause I can, as its so light)

I can pretty much get through just about anything...

with a locking transfer case, both axels run at the same speed... helping with reducing understeer and oversteer during cornering and also allows for engine braking across all 4 tires as opposed to just the rear... (yes the transfer case can handle slight engine braking)

mind u, when its unlocked... its just a RWD

and in just RWD, its very drivable, but NOWHERE near close to the traction as 4wd

[Scuderia]

I'm in for the ice racing event if you can set it up.

[Wrinkly]

Originally posted by Hakkola

I was thinking pylons and a timed run, though separate tests might be a good idea.

Some tests you could do would be like some of the videos posted from youtube about tire comparisons:

1) Accelerate to a set speed from a start point. (Time & distance traveled)

2) Brake from a set speed to a 'finish' point. (Time & Distance traveled)

3) Take a marked curve at a set speed (direction traveled and how well control was maintained)

Vehicles:

2x FWD (one with all-season, one with winter)
2xRWD (ditto)
2xAWD (ditto)
2x4x4 (?) (ditto)

Be cool if you could get identical vehicles for each pair, too - just to even it out. And, as someone mentioned, interesting to compare different brands of F/R/AWD too.

Cameraman would be the icing on the cake.

[jdmXSI]

If you need an AWD with winters I wouldn't mind donating time and my car for this experiment

[texasnick]

I would be down for some testing. This is my first real opportunity to try my car out in the snow (bought last February). I never realized how spoiled the AWD crowd was, but now I can see that the GT4 was made for conditions like we've had the last 2 days.

I have a set of Goodyear Nordics on it.....they aren't studded.

PM me if you want to test the Toyota 4WD

[89coupe]

LOL, an AWD vehicle with winters will out perform any RWD with winters PERIOD!

[arian_ma]

Originally posted by 89coupe
LOL, an AWD vehicle with winters will out perform any RWD with winters PERIOD!

Maybe in acceleration, but AWD doesn't do shit for stopping. That is 100% tires.

As someone who daily drove an S2000 over the winter, I think tires are 90% of the equation. Of course, AWD will have more traction, but unless you are stuck in a snow bank or wanna do amazing 0-60 times...

[n1zm0]

Originally posted by arian_ma
Maybe in acceleration, but AWD doesn't do shit for stopping. That is 100% tires.

i'd have to dispute that and say engine braking in an AWD car does something for stopping faster, but i agree tires are the heavy favorite to fix lots of traction issues.

[Sugarphreak]

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[arian_ma]

Originally posted by n1zm0


i'd have to dispute that and say engine braking in an AWD car does something for stopping faster, but i agree tires are the heavy favorite to fix lots of traction issues.

You gonna engine brake on ice?


I stand by my statement. If you want to brake, and you're hitting the brakes and engine braking, you're demanding too much from all 4 tires (similar to trying to take a corner while on the gas). I'd go as far as to say that thinking about it mathematically, a RWD car while engine braking will do better than an AWD car (Edit: or a FWD car for that matter).

[Chester]

Hey if you can't stop with AWD at least you can turn the steering wheel and power out of the soon to be collision.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


Pretty broad statement... how about a Subaru Leone driven by your mom VS a BMW 750i driven by Antone L'Estage?

Huh? WTF does that have to do with my statement?

Did I mention anything about who is driving the vehicle?

Use some common sense.

[SScott]

I'm pretty interested in this.

I have an 04 Avalanche 4x4 with Brand new All Seasons.

I can fish tail that thing so easily even in 4x4, it boggles my mind, very frustrating. It almost feels like 4WD doesn't do this big ass boat any favours

[Sugarphreak]

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[Aleks]

Originally posted by arian_ma

Maybe in acceleration, but AWD doesn't do shit for stopping. That is 100% tires.

As someone who daily drove an S2000 over the winter, I think tires are 90% of the equation. Of course, AWD will have more traction, but unless you are stuck in a snow bank or wanna do amazing 0-60 times...

Like I said i have both a RWD and AWD with snow tires. AWD just moves easily from a stop, it moves easier going up inclines, it makes turns a lot better in snow, lane changes accross deep snow are easier etc. I think the argument here is RWD with snow tires vs AWD with all season.