1998 AWD Spyder Project

[link16]

I guess the right thing to do here is to start with a back story.

I was sitting at work (Mitsubishi parts) and recieved a phone call from a kind old lady; she says that she wrecked the front of her car and doesn't want to see it go to the junkyard. I told the lady that I would gladly come take a look at the car and offered her $500 up front before seeing the car. Later that day I went and checked out the car with my fionce; the car has a cracked headlight and a dented fender. My fiance told me that I was an idiot if I didn't buy the car. I told the lady that I couldn't give her $500 but had to give her $1000 based on the condition of the car. This lady was the origional owner; the car was originally titled with 33 miles on it.

I happen to have a 1995 Talon AWD that I purchased on the cheap, and decided that an AWD swap would be great way to make a rare daily driver.

The car is a Monarch Green 1998 GST Spyder Auto.

I am doing a 5-speed swap along with the drivetrain swap. The car is going to be back in pristine condition.

I hope everyone will enjoy the progress I hope to make in the next month or so.

 

[FLASH1970]

Good luck on your project. I hope it all goes smoothly.

 

[AGSX2NV]

Wow that was a great deal and trust me your going to have fun doing the conversion. I did the exact same conversion on my 96 spyder but left it automatic considering i only see 5spd conversions

 

[nuclearr]

I am in progress on my awd swap spyder. I have a 96 Monarch Green. But I am going manual may swap back to an auto later down the road.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Got any pics yet?

 

[link16]

I will try and get some pics up tonight, the car is really dirty, and needs the body work finished, but it's still a pretty car.

 

[DearestNameless]

Hey I have a 98 GST Spyder. I might be interested in your old trans if it is in working or. PM me a price. Thanks!

 

[haha1969]

im thinking of doing the same thing with my 98 gst spyder as well. keep us updated on the progress on cost

 

[ivoryskyline]

Let us know who did/does the work.

 

[97SPYDER210]

I also did the swap ever thing is pretty straight forward.the only problem I had was the fuel pump I couldn't get the ground wire to ground thru factory location.I think it was the mfi relay.

 

[link16]

I am doing all of the work, and my biggest issue is going to be the subframe bolts; the holders seemed pretty rough to get out of the AWD shell, trying to do it neatly in the spyder seems like it is going to be difficult.

 

[97SPYDER210]

yeah I cut mine form the top.be careful not to cut the head of the bolt or just buy some grade 8 bolts that would be easier.on the spider you will have to cut the cross frame to make room for the sub frame bolts and hole.I used a cutting wheel on a grinder.for the bolts by the re wheel you will ned to remove the rewheel then cut a u into the side to access the side hole again gr 8 bolts would be better bc the stock bolts don't have a head on them.good luck

 

[whe3ls]

personly why would you do a 5 speed swap. go auto, they will take a beating

 

[link16]

yeah I cut mine form the top.be careful not to cut the head of the bolt or just buy some grade 8 bolts that would be easier.on the spider you will have to cut the cross frame to make room for the sub frame bolts and hole.I used a cutting wheel on a grinder.for the bolts by the re wheel you will ned to remove the rewheel then cut a u into the side to access the side hole again gr 8 bolts would be better bc the stock bolts don't have a head on them.good luck

According to all of the write-ups, you can't get to the front bolts via the top, and I was under the impression that the OE bolts were recommended most over aftermarket bolts.

 

[link16]

personly why would you do a 5 speed swap. go auto, they will take a beating

Auto's make me fall asleep at the wheel.

 

[gorf]

regarding the subframe bolts. Just butcher the doneor to get them out unless you are going to re-use the shell for something.

After scratching my head for a while this is what I came up with on the spyder
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/151339026-post139.html

 

[98SpyderAWD]

Great project.... Nothing like the finished product!

 

[92AWDHX40]

Thats something to consider the awd on a spyder, 2g turbo can be changed to awd, worth it for a spyder though when you can just buy a awd versus doing the swap.