If AWD is quicker than RWD in a drag race, then why do most drag-built cars like mustangs have RWD
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If two cars have the same power band, the same engine, transmission, and tire size, the rear wheel drive will be faster until traction becomes an issue. This is because the rear wheel drive has a more efficient drivetrain. With a simple tire swap to some drag slicks, and slimmer front tires, the rear wheel drive will have the advantage again.
A lot of vehicles don’t handle modifications very well and it effects reliability. You continually move the weakest link until you go full circle and then you start over. Rear wheel drive simply has less parts to break.
You often end up modifying the differential by adding some kind of locker or spool and you often install lower gearing (numerically higher) to accelerate faster. It costs costs about $1,500 per diff around here for parts and labor, last time I checked. Add a second diff and that doubles your costs.
CV joints are more expensive and aren’t as reliable as a solid axle vehicles. You can get stronger axles for each style, but the solid axle will have less moving parts, and the rotating parts are lighter.
The rear wheel drive will weight less, due to not having a second set of axles, a second diff, and a transfer case of some type.
Basically, the rear wheel drive is lighter, cheaper to mod, easier to mod, and has less moving parts. A good set of tires fixes everything the AWD does for a fraction of the cost and complexity.
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