Has anyone considered AWD?

[myclone]

I don't mean to be a killjoy, but why?

AWD is inherently heavier, it's more complicated, and thus more stuff to break, and more expensive to maintain. Unless you have some good 20/80 or so torque split you are begging to plow in the corners. On a launch it's a great deal more shock to the driveline than rwd. On top of that you are stuck with an auto (iirc) if you go with that setup as a base.

The only things I see awd good for are rally, and bad weather...and I assume you wouldn't do either with your camaro.

-Matt (former awd car owner)

I agree with Matt on 99% of what he said. AWD vehicles with decent hp/tq numbers are extrememly hard on transmissions when raced or driven "spiritedly". Not to mention a stock syclone weighs in at close to 3700lbs (3900+ for a typhoon) without driver and the parasitic drag from the extra drive line components eats top end power. Youll never see an AWD vehicle putting down a high mph number unless its packing insane power or the front drive line can be switched off, so to speak, after the 1st ~100ft in a drag race.

On the flip side and from one AWD vehicle owner to another there are benefits to be had for the right person. I do enjoy getting 1.5X 60ft times on fairly narrow 245/50/16 street radials (not drag radials) and can duplicate that on the street just as easily should I find myself in a stop light to stop light "disagreement". Other than the transmission the rest of the drive line actually sees less "shock" when drag racing since the hp/tq you are making is shared by four tires and their components rather than just two. Case in point is the proven fact that the 7.65 rear diff is weak yet there are a hand full of syclones/typhoons that regularly run into the 9.80s without breaking it. I doubt that diff would last very long in a 2wd vehicle that was capable of running those numbers.

While Im just starting my pro touring learning curve I do live in a mountainous area and have enjoyed the curvey roads/lack of traffic that living where I do provides and can testify to the fact that the AWD in my syclone has saved my hind end on occassion when I out paced my driving abilities. If I get into a curve too deep I can actually increase the throttle input gently and the AWD actually seems to pull the front end where I steer it. Granted doing something stupid then expecting the AWD to save you is going to result in wrinkled sheet metal or worse but with the 35/65% split of the BW AWD transfer case the torque split isnt the under steer issue IMO. In my limited experience understeer has more to do with the weight bias, CG, suspension set up, and narrow tires on my truck. Not to mention its just that...a truck and I fully expect it handle like something designed initially to haul manure or cinder blocks.

I would have to say that unless you are going for the "its different" approach I think putting yourself through an AWD project like you have mentioned is an expensive and frustrating endevor for not much return when all things are considered. By all means if you can do it and want to then have at it but IMO itd almost be like buying an airline just to get the free peanuts......there are usually easier/less expensive ways to get what you want.