Audis Quattro comes to mind .. its true AWD (Torsen Diffs) and handles
430 HP of their V8 motor .... it should hold up to 500 HP at least for
a reasonable period ..

It will be expensive though ..
Matt

You probably mean: not part-time 4x4 here ?

What about a Range Rover.
The chassis makes it easy to built your own whatever on top and you have
full time 4WD.
Erik-Jan,

--
http://www.fotograaf.com/trooper

From what I've read and heard, Please correct me if I'm wrong, the
difference between 4x4 and "All Wheel Drive" AWD is that on a 4x4 system the
wheels always travel at the same speed like in my GM Trail Blazer. Great for
rock crawling but not racing, I believe that AWD systems are viscous coupled
and therefore each wheel is able to travel at it's own speed and I will get
a lot better traction control in snow and rain???

I'm building a custom car and think I want AWD for rain and snow.

Any chance you can explain to me why when driving an AWD car the ride was
nice and smooth, including sharp corners but on my 4x4 trail blazer taking a
corner is tough, I tend to feel like I'm fighting the wheel the whole time?

If you are truly looking to "Hot Rod" something, I'd suggest either an
Olds Bravado or GM AWD Astro/Safari van.  (Hear me out before you
start laughing!)

Both models, pre 99, used a tough viscous clutch AWD transfer case.
Basically the same case that was used in the Syclone/Typhoon models.
While the SyTys didn't come with 500hp, many folks have pushed them to
that level and beyond.  (In 99 they switched to an electronic clutch.
The jury is still out on this transfer case, but it seems to be less
dependable due to the required electronics.)

A small block V-8 will drop right in to the Astro/Safari AWD van with
only oil pan mods and motor mounts being needed.  (Two companies offer
parts to do it.)  Several folks have dropped big blocks into these
vans, but I'm not aware of any running AWD.

The Bravada is probably a tight fit for a V-8 as I've read that is the
case for the S-series trucks.  Still, kits are out there to do it.

Of course you could also build your own Syclone/Typhoon type truck by
swapping the above mentioned T-case into any of the S-series 4x4
trucks and SUVs.  In fact, you could do the same to a fullsize GM
truck or SUV, but you may need to carefully match transmission output
shafts and the like.

As for the mention of AWD leaving you with only 1 wheel drive on ice,
that isn't the case with this AWD system.  The standard torque split
is roughly 60/40 rear/front with it easily shifting to 50/50 when slip
is detected.  (The system is a viscous clutch and a speed difference
between ends causes the fluid to heat and lock the clutch plates
together.  While it isn't "locked" like a true 4x4 system, you will
NEVER experience 1 wheel drive.  (I've been impressed how quickly the
system reacts and in real-world conditions, you never notice any slip.
My AWD van has over 160K miles on it and I used it as a snowmobile tow
vehicle for many years in New Hampshire and Maine.  It is still my
preferred ride when the roads get slick.)

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4
96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion Van

THANKS for the course on 4x4, I think what I'm looking for is fill time 4x4
or AWD, I really don't need the low range option. I'll keep hunting and keep
everyone p[osted when I come up with a few more ideas. THANKS

You'll find a lot of discussion of powerful AWD Subarus here:

 http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=79

400 hp isn't a problem for those. Dunno about 500, but nasioc is a good place to find out.

I think I'm going to go out and have a look at a suburban, I figure that
they are readily available with a lot of engine options and apparently AWD.
I actually like the option of being able to turn off AWD however I do not
want a ton of transfer cases and such. I'd like to keep the car close to the
ground. I think that possibly adding an air ride kit (air bags) would help
with any ground clearance issues, does anyone have any experience on how
they would affect the ride?

I think I'm going to go out and have a look at a suburban, I figure that
they are readily available with a lot of engine options and apparently AWD.
I actually like the option of being able to turn off AWD however I do not
want a ton of transfer cases and such. I'd like to keep the car close to the
ground. I think that possibly adding an air ride kit (air bags) would help
with any ground clearance issues, does anyone have any experience on how
they would affect the ride?

OK I know you guys will know the answer to this question.

1) Is there a transfer case that would allow me to select between FWD, RWD
or Both? What vehicles are using them?