awd question

its my (possably incorrect) understanding that the volvo awd system varies the amount of power for/aft depending where the best grip etc is, and while cruising most of it goes to the front wheels to save petrol or something. is this correct?

anyways, i was thinking, if it is, would it be possible to 'chip' the diff (or alter it in some way) so that all the power went to the rear wheels, thus making a nice shiney new volvo (say a v70r) drive like a proper car??

just a thought..

Hugh

[big h]

>its my (possably incorrect) understanding that the volvo awd
>system varies the amount of power for/aft depending where the
>best grip etc is, and while cruising most of it goes to the
>front wheels to save petrol or something. is this correct?

Think thats pretty much it Hugh
>
>anyways, i was thinking, if it is, would it be possible to
>'chip' the diff (or alter it in some way) so that all the
>power went to the rear wheels, thus making a nice shiney new
>volvo (say a v70r) drive like a proper car??

Hmmmmmn, anyone?

[TheJoyOfSix]

Even if it were possible (I have no idea), the rear diff is only meant to handle about 1/3 of the power so if 100% was sent to the rear I suspect that a broken diff would result.
Mounting a stronger rear diff and removing the front driveshafts may be an option?

[sarge]

I think I'm right in saying the rear diff. is the same one used on V90s, so in theory it ought to be able to handle all the power. As far as I am aware the normal split is 95% power to front and 5% to back, but I think this can switch to 5% front and 95% back if need be.

Sarge
'99 V70 AWD

I have been told it works like that of a Nissan Skyline. I.e.

Hard straight line acceleration = 90% rear, 10% front
Hard cornering = 50/50 or more to whichever end has the most grip
Cruiseing = 80% front, 20% rear

I have been told thats how it works but dont quote me on it.

[sarge]

I've checked my brochure. The rear diff. is off a 960 and the power distribution is from 95% to the front and 5% to the rear to 5% front and 95% to the rear.

Sarge
'99 V70 AWD

[Muscas]

Suggest you take a look at the following link:

http://www.sunnmore.net/div/FHPs_SB46-0005-0101.pdf

Regards

Patrick
2000 V70 R AWD Laser Blue

[Ross9]

Hmm, switching diff sounds very good, didn't realise the 4wd R's had the capacity to swithc the drive.

Skyline GTR's dont all shift the drive, R32 GTR's do, R33 and R34 GTR's it's only the V-Spec versions that do it, but full rwd barring when the rear wheel slips is ideal.

Been in an R32 GTr that was 366 BHP @ the wheels, and every shift up you felt it do its drive ####, clutch out, rear wheels spun up for a split second, back end does a wiggle, shifts enough to the front wheels to get grip and off you go

exit roundabout at 20 and by the time you hit the next ones braking point, in sight on exit of the first one, your doing 3 figures, impressive stuff.

Never knew volvo cars did the same, seriously if the 4wd's can do the diff switching, whu does no-one 1/4 them? 4wd traction for 1st gear, then rwd drive and limited tranny losses for the rest of the sprint.

Ross

You can't "chip" the diff on the old AWD cars. The system is mechanical, of the viscous type. The new R is different, with the electronically controlled 4WD system.

Adam.

[Ross9]

So the new ones do diff switching then?

ie, as I said, surely good for drag racing etc?