... and you'll see the AWD system on some GM cars here soon.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...256E9E00061D2D

 

Looks like those of us who were not happy with present exhaust routing (too many bends) will be even more disappointed.


"The all-wheel drive hardware means a compromise in exhaust routing which in turn knocks peak horsepower of the LS1 5.7-litre V8 engine back from 285kW to 270kW, while torque heads downwards from 510Nm to 475Nm. "

 

Only in automatic too...good thing they're only building 200 of those. Let's hope an AWD GTO is better.

 

yeah, auto only sucks IMO. I predicted that last fall. If this system makes it to the gto or the new chevy coupe I dont think that it will be availbable with manual gears.

 

I think anyone that wants an AWD vehicle with big HP and 3800+ curbweight is nuts to want a 6spd.

I don't know if I'd trust the trans or clutch to live with 350hp, let alone if it's modified to make even bigger HP.

The clutches in the LS1 Fbodies & Vettes suck (don't know about the GTO), and the T-56 isn't exactly God's gift.

I guess it wouldn't be bad as a driving car for the street. But the only way to drive it at the track and expect the clutch or trans to live an AVERAGE life would result in a mid/low 14 second pass.

I'm sorry, if I my experience with a T-56 was based on driving LT1 camaros, I'd trust the T-56/clutch in most anything. . . but not since the LS1 has arrived.

Mike

 

I am thoroughly convinced that the GTO would look 100% better with some nice fender flares like that Coupe 4...

 

Which is why my AWD stick shift car is only 3000 lbs...the Manaro is just too freaking heavy.

 

Uhhh...

The T-56 is God's gift. It survives behind the Viper but GM went cheap on some of the parts that they shouldn't have (syncros and shift forks). From what I understand, C6 has a syncro fix.

 

AWD

Automatic Trans

 

The coupe 4 has been around for while..

Auto only....will be till they get a new manual gearbox that will handle hi HP and AWD.


Also GM needs a new auto that 4speed sucks big time..

 

Just curious, how would AWD GTO be better? In what way, just because of AWD? I guess it's OK for certain northern climates, but I would think it to be a burden (sluggishness, fuel economy) for warmer climates.

 

Well, the T-56 in LT1 Fbodies was freakin' incredible. I've beat the crap (while driving them) out of them and they took the beating and kept shifting like they were brand new, even with 80k+.

The T-56's in the LS1 were built by Tremec in Mexico and just suck ***. (I"ve gone through too many, even on a bolt-on LS1). And it seems no matter who's 6spd LS1 fbody I've driven or what year, they all felt like garbage compared to the T-56 in the LT1s. Like I said, I can't speak on behalf of the Vettes & GTO's.

But even so, I wouldn't be confident of a T-56 out of a Viper living behind a ~3800-4000lb LS1 AWD car.

Have you ever driven a stick AWD car. . . I've driven an Audi A4 5spd, and each shift made me cringe (while in the driver's seat or pass. seat). Felt like the trans was trying to leave the car.

I've also owned a Syclone (and been in MANY fast syclones & typhoons). My bro's went 11.0@126mph. The 4L60E never felt like it was being torn from the truck, even on the brutal 1-2 shift.

BTW, I'm sure that we're going to see SRT-10 trucks having trans/clutch issues due to its tremendous weight.

 

There's still some misconceptions about AWD. Most of the old problems of AWD systems from way back when are what people remember. This technology has come a long way since then. AWD can add as little as 150lbs to a car. AWD is offered for as little as $1000 over a FWD or RWD version of the same car. Gas mileage can be as little as 2% in difference. Some AWD systems can handle over 400 HP. I live in a southern climate where is rains a lot and I love it. But even in dry conditions or on dirt it's still very nice. Also, I don't have to get new tires every 20,000 miles either! That saves money (makes up for the added cost and gas mileage).

 

Even though i've been a fan of AWD for awhile, I do admit some people think they're invincible with it...

Back in winter I was driving on the beltway early one morning when I was ZOOMED by on the right by a WRX sti (first time i'd seen one on the street) racing some other white ricer (looked like an integra) both were doing about 85....This wouldn't have been out of the ordinary if not for the fact that WE JUST HAD A FREAKIN' BLIZZARD all day yesterday The roads were clear, but they were very wet and salty.

So the two cars disappear around a bend, and sure enough, when I come around, the WRX is spun out on the median in a snowdrift. The driver, in his late teens/early 20s, is yapping on a cell phone, i guess to call for a tow. I personally wanted to stop and confiscate his keys as not to endanger anyone else, but thought better of it....Future Darwin award nominee in the making, i guess.

 

AWD helps, but it can't defy the laws of physics...