Automatic FWD to Manual FWD using an AWD trans

[samuraitekno]

okay after reading almost every post about swaps for trans i now have a headache. I have a couple questions. here is my situation. I have a 90 non turbo automatic talon. yeah i know the worst combo ever. but at least it isnt a 1.8. Anyways i love manuals and i want to covert mine. I understand the conversion and have no problems with it. My problem is this my car is a fwd and i have the opportunity to get an awd trans for cheap. there is no definite thread for converting an auto to a manual using an awd trans on a fwd. I have read about welding the diff and/or using a vc eliminator. So my question is this. should i get the trans and modify it somehow to only use fwd? or should i just keep looking for a fwd trans? Also to let you know my plans i would like to either rebuild this engine with turbo internals and then turbo it or just get a turbo engine. Also is there a way to use the awd trans and then later on fully convert to awd if i get the rest of the parts. like lets say i use the vc eliminator can i then remove it later and go to awd with a rear end and transfer case? I know you all think i am crazy and i should have just got a turbo manual in awd or fwd but i got my talon for $400 and it runs fine and looks great aka no rust which is crazy to find here in ohio. so i have a great body and an ok engine but i want manual and eventually turbo. please let me know what i need to do.

 

[jrohner]

FWD transmissions are cheaper (and lighter) than AWD ones, so staying FWD it would make more sense to use a FWD transmission. However, some people use an AWD tranny for FWD because it's supposedly an upgrade.

If you're not going for some big power, I'd just leave the engine alone. As long as you have a good safe tune, you shouldn't have any issues until you start running a lot of boost. If you want a stronger engine, just throw some pistons (and rods) in your engine.

Do a bunch of reading on here so you know what you need to gather up to do it right. Good luck.

 

[samuraitekno]

yeah but i found a guy parting out an awd and he made me a great deal on his trans so i was just wondering if i can use it. I am not really in any hurry i can drive my automatic until i get some answers but the fwd being lighter would be nice.

 

[jrohner]

You could do it with a welded viscous or a VCE (viscous coupler eliminator), but a welded center diff would be best but harder to install as you have to take the tranny apart. To get to the viscous, you just have to pull the cover off.

If you do the welded center diff, you might as well check over and possibly replace the syncros while you have the tranny apart.

 

[samuraitekno]

true. but why is the welded one better? sorry i am new to trannys But thank you for your help so far.

 

[jrohner]

As a FWD, you probably won't get enough traction for it to matter, but a welded center diff eliminates the possible issue of breaking the spider gears.

 

[ramsack]

i think it would be kinda dumb to do that. the awd trans is more heavy, and has lower gear ratios so it's a lose/lose to put one on a non turbo. plus the cost to modify it for that.

 

[FLASH1970]

Leave your car stock. Use it as a DD. Find a turbo AWD manual to play with. Done. But, if you are set on converting it to manual, find a FWD trans.

 

[jrohner]

With a turbo and FWD, you'd be better off with an automatic. FWD 5-speed turbo's suck; the first burnout is fun but after that it gets old. Even bone stock you can burn the tires through second gear without trying to. You'll at least want to throw in an LSD if you do this, so you have a chance at a slight bit of traction. As well as some expensive tires that won't last very long.

My car was FWD for a while (needed a different t-case), and I couldn't floor it in 3rd gear without burning the tires off. This was when I was on stock cams and a SMIC at 340fwhp/380torque on a dyno dynamics.

 

[Clinical]

okay after reading almost every post about swaps for trans i now have a headache. I have a couple questions. here is my situation. I have a 90 non turbo automatic talon. yeah i know the worst combo ever. but at least it isnt a 1.8.

Hey dont bash on the 1.8

If I was going to have a non-turbo DSM I'd want a 1.8
Sure they're slow as balls but those motors are absolutely indestructable and get much better gas mileage than the 2.0. ALso don't have to worry about a timing belt destroying your motor

I miss my 1.8 DD

 

[samuraitekno]

well thanks for all your thoughts. I think i might just stick with the automatic. I now feel there will be less problems. I can not go out and get another car that is a turbo manual since i have 3 vehicles already and my fiance has one. so that is 4 vehicles in a house that only has a 2 car garage. I will be getting rid of my van and using the dsm as my daily driver but i am definitely not giving up my Dart Swinger. So eventually i will be turboing my dsm but i think i will stick to the auto trans. Thanks for all of your input.