Which is faster RWD or AWD on a drag strip??
 

which will be fastest in lauching? AWD or RWD ? how about 0-60mph? will the AWD be slow in launch and be fast in catching up ??

thanks

AWD for absolute certain. AWD will ALWAYS be faster if there is a decent amount of power there. If you have an underpowered engine which doesn't peel out with just rear wheel drive, then the RWD might be faster because you have less to power and you don't have any wheel slip, but if you start getting into any significant amount of power, the AWD will always be faster because you have 4 wheels to grip your launch, which in turn means you can launch at higher rpm's without losing traction in a peel-out. This is why cars like the new Subaru WRX and other cars like the 911 Turbo AWD are so fast in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. I know, I used to have a Syclone pickup (modified S10) which had a turbo and AWD built in, it was only makes a bit over 300hp but I could smoke RWD cars with 400hp. Although, thinking this over, there are a few exceptions, like if you had some nice slicks that you can pound the power onto, you don't need to worry about AWD, but it all depends on what situation you're looking at.

oh and your question about catching up,
it's actually the opposite. The AWD will the the faster for launching because of it's traction advantage and the RWD has a possibility of catching up, given the right circumstances (more power, different gearing, etc.)

the answer to that really depends on how we're comparing. AWD will have more driveline losses at launch and throughout all RPMs. which is faster depends on how large a factor wheel spin is during lauch. if you could equalize drive wheel traction with larger tires on a RWD vehicle to the traction of a AWD vehicle, if both vehicles had the same engine, the RWD will win the race.

ever wonder why many auto manufacturers have a much higher HP rating for their AWD versions than their RWD versions yet both vehicles do about the same in 0-60 and 60-100?

Wheel spin not necessarily bad.
 

Depending on power to weight ratios and gearing wheel spin can be your friend. Some times allowing the engine to get in to it's powerband before hooking up will result in a lower ET.

thanks for info guys... at least i have to wait for the awd evo's

I'm no expert, but I think AWD's advantage lies in handling more than straight line acceleration. Sure, the Porsche twin turbo is AWD, but tuner 996's (RUF, TechArt, etc.) with 600+ hp are RWD. As long as there's sufficient traction, wouldn't RWD be quicker in straight line because of weight savings?

What happened to the SLK, Daesun?

The acceleration of the car in drag racing will depend on weight distribution, gearing, suspension, aerodynamics--if AWD were hands down superior, professional drag racing cars would be AWD. Ever seen one?

AWD probably provides better handling for the majority of us. I have been told that a rally car driver can usually get better handling from RWD. Supposedly FWD is the worst from a handling standpoint. But again there is a great deal that can be done with suspension, steering, and such to improve handling. My guess is you would need to actually build the car and test to find out which is superior in any given case (or perhaps perform computer modeling).

Actually, RUF, TechArt, etc. are RWD because their engine mods produce too much power for the front drivetrain to handle. For some reason the front Porsche axle's snap when you get around 600 HP. I guess you could ponder why they don't just install a stronger drivetrain, but then again, who knows... could be the money factor or maybe because RWD is more useful at that point.

The CLK was wrecked in a high speed freeway accident. The E500 is its replacement. Blessing in disguise...

The drivetrain fails at a *measly* 600 hp? Hehe, I can't even imagine what 600+ hp would be like... probably pretty damn cool.

I think the weight savings of RWD makes up for any gain in traction. The hard acceloration needed for low ET will transfer the weight backward and off of the front wheels so AWD would not give much extra traction.

Seen any AWD top fuel rails lately?

If you set up a chassis for only RWD drag racing (eg. Top Fuel with squishy rear shocks and the whole chassis designed for wieght transfer), it will give you the best ET. It will also drive like crap if you try to do anythiing else with it. However, if you want a chassis you can actually drive on the street and occasionally drag, AWD rules. There are Skylines that run 9s on street tires.

If there are Skylines that run 9's on street tire ? How about the EVO's - (Mitsu) that is...I forgot somewhere that i saw an actual footage of an Evolution doing a 1/4 mile.....

Dunno. I've never seen an EVO at the drag strip. They don't seem to be as popular to import as the Dkylines.