I'm not sure ACD is better...
 

Has anyone who's owned a stock suspended, non-ACD VIII liked the way it handled better vs. an ACD equipped Evo? I noticed that when I had my '03 VIII, it understeered in a controlled manner and i didn't need to adjust my steering input nearly as much as with my IX SE. I drive the same off/onramps everyday and I noticed that when I used them like before, I could feel the ACD kick in (switch from under to oversteer quickly) and I would have to adjust my throttle and steering inputs to compensate. Keep in mind this is with the STOCK suspension on both cars. I realize people like Warr are gonna say I don't know how to drive, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed that.

FYI: I think with suspension mods, an ACD-equipped Evo WILL handle better than a non-ACD equipped one on a track. This is comparing "stock vs stock"...

i had an 03 VIII and now own a 05 VII w/ Sun-Roof and I liked the way taht my 03 VIII handled better.

I'm almost positive that it's the sunroof and the flex of the body, but that's my input/experience on owning both cars.

It's probably the LSD you are feeling, not the ACD. I felt some weird handling at low speeds where throttle input made a big difference in under/over steer (search if you want more details), but I got used to it.

Don't know which is better ACD or non-ACD (since I never drove an non-LSD ACD version), but based on my experience with both, the the IX is quicker in handling than the VIII due to the LSD. I used to lift the inside wheel and spin quite a bit on the VIII, never happens on the IX. It just grips and goes.

I agree that its prolly quicker, it just takes some getting used to after having a non-ACD VIII!

If you have a mechanical center diff and front LSD, you will handle just as well on tarmac as ACD equipped Evo's. On water or ice, thats a different story...

Coming from an 03, the LSD/ACD takes a bit getting used to. I'd love to drive an 04 (or did they start in 05?)RS w/o the ACD to see where th difference lies.

I don't know if you know how to drive or not. I think that you feeling different things in the same places in 2 differently-equipped Evos qualifies you for something at least. I have 99% of my experience with my 05 MR on stock suspension, which means I have ACD and FLSD. I have only driven an 03-04 Evo once. It had a basic set of Megan coilovers, and I drove it in an SCCA auto-x where I did very well. I felt that it was much easier to drive due to the suspension, but I am not sure how much of the difference was due to the lack of ACD, nor am I sure if that even made a difference. Even it's lack of FLSD didn't seem to bother me, so I cannot say I have any input as good as yours.

I can say that never have I had a problem with unexpected OVERSTEER in my acd-equipped stock-suspended car, though. When racing, I often experience heavy understeer, but I'm not familiar with the sensation you're reference. I have never had my car kick towards oversteer in any situation on the street unless it was snap oversteer caused by excessive acceleration coming out of a slow, sharp turn.

Yeah, Jamdown, 04 RSs got the FLSD.

As mentioned, it's probably the front LSD you're noticing, when I drove an '05 it definitely felt like there was more grip, that I didn't know how to utilize, overall it just seemed easier to drive, it felt like I could get on the pedal sooner exiting a corner and not under steer like crazy.

A good comparison of non-ACD versus ACD would be to drive an '04 RS and '05 RS...
'04 RS came with front LSD and '05 RS came with ACD and front LSD.

gratzie

I have an 04 rs. I've never really felt it push at all. If anything it's always been slightly loose or twitchie in the rear. (pardon the nascar refrences)

Wow, I'm glad that you said something. I've got a IX SE and I can also feel the ACD kick in when I'm really turning hard. I always thought it felt awesome to have the car direct itself through the turn, but once I almost got myself into trouble because it oversteered HARD. I'm talking like RWD oversteer. Maybe it's something wrong with the SE??? Who knows, but I'm interested to learn more.

lol

Some of y'all need to learn how to drive an AWD car. You should NOT experience heavy understeer if you are driving the Evo TO its limit and not OVER its limit. Go take an Evolution Autocross School, it'll teach you a lot. If it's any consolation, Clayton can't drive either, understeer man. :D (humor here-lots of smilies)

Here's a link to an Evo that I drove before I bought my RS.
Yes, it is the Ralliart Evo from SEMA.

http://www.scca-susq.com/movies/060924mitsu.mov
results
http://www.scca-susq.com/results/200...sults.html#pax

Good...someone else understands what I'm trying to say. I'm not saying ACD is bad (my title isn't very good), it just takes some getting used to after having a non-ACD VIII for 2.5yrs. Its kinda like the car "rotates" on its vertical centerline (imagine spinning a top), not nessecerily over- or understeer. Maybe on the 'SE', :mitsu: "turned it up" so to speak!