AWD Conversion Project.

[miguelmcv]

I finally found a gsx.
The car was not working when I bought it, But after replacing the fuel pump and filter, Boom, It start wright up.
After driving it found out that, Transmission is bad, it make a bad noise, It sounds like a bad throw out bearing and 4th gear pops out, radiator is leaking and is from another car, They just fit it in there, The car was really bad, loose bolt all around the engine, leaks all over the place, dirty carpet, bad seats, etc, etc, etc.
I fixed every single thing, I am using it now and it drives well with out using the 4th gear, obviously I'm not forcing it at all.
The top paint of the car is really bad from the front all the way to the back (Hood, Roof, Trunk), and have some bends on the roof.
After waiting to find a good deal to get a gsx and sell my gst., now that I have it, I being looking at it and is bad, bad, bad decision, Because the car looks like is not being well care, and seriously, changing all the good stuff that I have in my gst to the gsx like MR2 Electric power steering system, seats, wideband, boost, oil gauges, engine, fuel system, etc, etc, etc,.... So I got to the conclusion on doing the GSX conversion.
I will convert my gst to gsx and the gsx to gst, so I can sell the gsx as a gst and get some money back.
I being reading and it doesn't looks to hard to do it, It seems the hardest part is to be swapping the rear Bolts for the rear end, so I start stripping down the car and open the holes to clear the bolts.
On my case, It will be more harder to do it, because not only will be a gsx conversion, but it will be a gst conversion as well, I have to take everything from the gst and put it on the gsx, so I have to do an extra hole to bring the 2 front bolts out of the gst (sub-frame) and open another ones on the gsx to install the bolts, this is because the gst has only one bolt that aligns with the gsx (rear bolts), the other front bolts of the gst are on a different location of the gsx. All the conversions that I have seeing, they leave the front bolt on the gst and just install the front bolts of the gsx, But because I need the gst bolt to put it on to the gsx I have to take them out.
The gst has 8inch in between the front and rear bolt (Sub-Frame), which the gsx has around 12 or 14inch, I don't remember but is some where around, I will take measurements tomorrow and verify, I will put some pics as well to let you guys see how is the project going and understand better on what I am trying to say.

 

[miguelmcv]

Updating my swap project.
Everything was going well, until my Welder freak out.
I spend all the weekend taking off all the parts and I fill like I did a lot all ready.
I removed all the rear end of both cars and removed all what it needs to be removed (bracket, Bolts, Fuel Tank etc, etc, etc...
I drill all the brackets and took them off the gst and gsx, I will weld all the brackets to both cars tomorrow if I get the welder to work, or other wise, I will be buying another one.
Well, Like I said, Here are some pics of the project.

 

[Xeiros]

I'm jealous of how clean and rust free those parts all look.

 

[rayrayx11]

looking good!

 

[miguelmcv]

Well, Today was raining again, so I couldn't do anything, all what I did was, switching the wiring harness from the Fuel Tank.

After looking at the diagram on the Manual, I found out the FWD and AWD have the same wiring from the fuse box to the Switch, FIC Relay and etc, But It changes from the fuse box all the way to the back of the car, which is just the Fuel pump system.

By switching the wiring, I will have no headache when connecting the gst fuel pump on the gsx, and I will do no cutting on any of the fuel pump wires.

Here are some pics from the wiring harness.

 

[TSI_AWD_FTW]

I give you props, this is a really big challenge.

 

[Ludachris]

I'm jealous of how clean and rust free those parts all look.

Gotta love NorCal.

 

[crash89]

Hey man your only a little over an hour from me! haha Good idea with the wire harness to the fuel pump, I never would have thought about that. Im doing this swap this fall to my spyder and Ill keep that in mind! Good job so far!

 

[miguelmcv]

Hey man your only a little over an hour from me! haha Good idea with the wire harness to the fuel pump, I never would have thought about that. Im doing this swap this fall to my spyder and Ill keep that in mind! Good job so far!

Hey Bro.

I didn't know there were some DSMers around here, But I have seen some of you lately. Is always good to know, maybe some day we get to meet.

Good lack with your project.

Let me know when you do the swap, maybe I can give a hand.

Updating my project..

I just finished the GST conversion, Well,, only the rear end.

I install the fuel tank, all the wiring from the fuse box to the back of the car, with the fuel pump wiring and the rear frame.

I steal have to change the transmission, But I am waiting for the GSt Flywheel to arrive so I can install the Trany.

I will remove both of the Tranys while the flywheel arrives, so when the flywheel gets here, I will install the trany wright away and give it a try to see how it feels

I will let you guys know how is it going.

 

[68442]

wow, lots of work! At least throw some blocks of wood or rims under the red car so your not pancaked when those jack stands tip.

 

[miguelmcv]

wow, lots of work! At least throw some blocks of wood or rims under the red car so your not pancaked when those jack stands tip.

Thanks for the TIPS Bro.

Yes, I have one seating on wheels, and the other is on jack stands, But when I work on it, I put the jack as well, for safety.

 

[Black-Out]

This is what I'm gonna have to do once I get my 6 bolt swap done and bolt up my 35r....glad your documenting it....it's gonna help out tons.....

 

[miguelmcv]

Finally got some time to work on my Project.

I found some issues.

First:. The AWD doesn't have the bracket to hold the muffler at the rear end (one side of the Fuel tank).

On the first pic you can see what I am talking about.

However, I just bolt on the rubber that holds the muffler from the bolt that holds the (Parking Brake line).

The other issue was, The rear O2 sensor.

They are different, the GST has a Long wire, which the GSX is Short.
You can see that on the second pic.

This is not a real problem which I can switch the sensors. But I just wanted to let you guys know.

Well, Actually this doesn't apply to the AWD Conversion, It is only for the FWD Conversion.

I know, I know, Who would like to do a FWD Conversion......

However, I thought that it was good to tel anyways....

I forgot to add the last Pic to show how good the muffler cam up on it's place.
This is the GST Conversion.

 

[Droptop Spyda]

I want to convert my Spyder, Thanks for the insperation!

 

[miguelmcv]

Updating my project.

I finish installing the FWD transmission and axles,

I found out that the AWD front brakes are bigger then the FWD.
I don't know if they are stock or if they are upgrade it.
The AWD has two pistons which the FWD has only one, well.. Here is a pic of the brakes so you guys can check that out.

Was wondering if they are upgrade it?

 

[nuclearr]

Those are stock GSX breaks.

 

[JuGs]

Hey man nice work. Keep it up I just did a awd swap in my buddys 2g but we used a 1g transmission so it was a bit more work invloved. Good luck man its a fun swap.

 

[phunny]

Great read and great job man

 

[johnmarines]

Updating my project.

I finish installing the FWD transmission and axles,

I found out that the AWD front brakes are bigger then the FWD.
I don't know if they are stock or if they are upgrade it.
The AWD has two pistons which the FWD has only one, well.. Here is a pic of the brakes so you guys can check that out.

Was wondering if they are upgrade it?

No.. they are not upgraded. when I did my swap I swapped out the calipers from the awd to my gst. I also went ahead a bought new rotors and pads . If you have any questions on the swap LMK...I just did it a few months ago, best mod I have done so far!!!

 

[miguelmcv]

Hey man nice work. Keep it up I just did a awd swap in my buddys 2g but we used a 1g transmission so it was a bit more work invloved. Good luck man its a fun swap.

Hey.

What you did to fit the 1g tranny into the 2g?
Did you used the 1g AWD, axle, TCase?
Could you give some Info About it.

My AWD Tranny is pupping out fourth gear and it grinds so bad when it pops out.

I will open that out, But, if it is really Bud and the swap is not a really pain in the ####, I would like to be interesting on doing the swap which is more cheaper and more easy to find a 1g AWD.

No.. they are not upgraded. when I did my swap I swapped out the calipers from the awd to my gst. I also went ahead a bought new rotors and pads . If you have any questions on the swap LMK...I just did it a few months ago, best mod I have done so far!!!

Thanks Bro.

I did the swap as well while I was swapping the axles.

Pads are New, Rotors are not so good, But I will get them after finishing my GST Swap.

 

[DSMnOOb00]

awesome job, cant wait to see it run

 

[pazsion]

This is awesome documentation, And really good, hard work.

But why do this? why take a good car apart, to make a "crappy" (they both look to be is more then fair, almost excellent condition) car better? only to sell it and be left with no car? When you could have 2 good cars?

Your keeping the 4wd you worked really hard on right?

 

[miguelmcv]

This is awesome documentation, And really good, hard work.

But why do this? why take a good car apart, to make a "crappy" (they both look to be is more then fair, almost excellent condition) car better? only to sell it and be left with no car? When you could have 2 good cars?

Your keeping the 4wd you worked really hard on right?[/QUOT





Well.
The GSX is in really bad condition, is some kind of rusted all over the engine bay, The interior is crap (seats aren't good looking),,,,, It has so many things that have to be change and fixed to make it looks good.

My GST is Nice, It has all interior in good conditions, It is (Rust Free). and I have done so many things that Is more easy to do the AWD swap then change all the goodies to the GSX, and on top of that It needs the rust to be removed from all over the Body.

Updating.

I install the FWD transmission, But,.... I didn't change the metal plate that goes between the transmission and the engine.

I was wondering if it needs to be swap or the AWD and FWD Plate are the same.

After installing the Transmission, I notes that the Starter was seating on the flywheel and when cranking the engine it didn't move at all, and a really bad grinding sound was coming out.
I add a washer in between the starter and the transmission so the starter gets a little far from the flywheel,,,, After doing this the engine moved half turn and the grinding sound was less.

I Think that I have to remove the transmission and change the plate that goes in between the engine and transmission.
I checked the Flywheel and Starter and they both are FWD.

Thous any one have any suggestions?
Should I change the plate?
Or should I just play with the Starter to see if I can make it work?

I just notes, the steal plate that goes in between the Transmission and the Motor is broken and one hole at the top does not match (starter side).

I checked the transmission and the AWD has two Holes and the FWD has three holes (Top Holes).

Here is a pic of what I am talking about.

 

[miguelmcv]

Well.

I removed my transmission and I took out the engine as well, just to bolt them outside and make sure the transmission and engine were good, I test the starter and it was going.

After removing the transmission, I didn't see anything, (like if the flywheel, starter or something inside were ribbing the Bell housing).

Any ways I bolt up the transmission to the engine and starter and everything was align.

I will let you guys know how it end up.

Hopefully tomorrow it will run.

 

[805DSM]

Nice work, you make it seem real easy .