AWD Options on Spyder GSX

[98spyderboost]

First off please no "why you wanna do that? questions." That being said I have a spyder gst and am researching for an awd conversion. I would like to know what the differences are between the 1g and 2g manual trans diffs are. What would be the best combination of parts for the drive train to meet my goals. Those being:
1.cost/availability- 3g total budget and lets face it, a special vr4 trans or something is gunna be hard to find within budget.
2.compatability - i have a 7 bolt close to stock setup that i will be hooking to. But I will be building a 6 bolt next year most likely.
3.reputation - i read that alot of people have alot of trouble with certain parts in certain situations but i would like you input on them in this situation.

Points for discussion
-Spline/yoke differences.
-gsx gas tank vs. fuel cell
-mounting differences between 1g and 2g trans and tc
-suspension and axle differences.

Thanks for all your input!!!

 

[RamenPride]

no one's gonna get on you for wanting an AWD Spyder.... Might want to check this out.

 

[Jebus[tuning]]

To tell you, you can't use a 1g tranny in a 2g. Umm let's see, you're going to need a transfer case. Hrm, a driveline....Uhhhh there's plenty of other stuff out there. I know you LOVE your drop top, but unless you've got close to 5 grand to spend I wouldn't even think about AWD.

 

[aves911]

You have no idea what you are talking about

 

[98spyderboost]

Will a 1g tc work on a 2g FWD Trans? I know this sounds like a stupid question but I would think if they were going to make it completely non-interchangable then they would have made an trans with an internal final drive? I am probably wrong tho. Tell me if I am.

So if I buy a 2g trans it wont work with a 1g motor a year down the road?

If i get a 2g trans will a 1g AWD or FWD TC work?

And I know this is obscure and probly pretty overbeaten but... What rearend assembly is the best.



Oh and....

You have no idea what you are talking about

Who is "you"?

 

[RamenPride]

To tell you, you can't use a 1g tranny in a 2g. Umm let's see, you're going to need a transfer case. Hrm, a driveline....Uhhhh there's plenty of other stuff out there. I know you LOVE your drop top, but unless you've got close to 5 grand to spend I wouldn't even think about AWD.

two guys on the local list converted their FWD's (one was a Spyder) to AWD by buying wrecked AWD's for $500...

 

[Denji]

That would be the heaviest dsm EVER.

 

[Defiant]

It's apparently an easier mod than on the sedan. I think there's 3 members on here with them, one up at Reno. Picked the damned thing up on a used car lot, the effer.

Figure maybe 200 pounds weight difference. There's enough horsepower in a blown DSM to deal with it, handily.

 

[FireyIce01]

It's apparently an easier mod than on the sedan. I think there's 3 members on here with them, one up at Reno. Picked the damned thing up on a used car lot, the effer.

Figure maybe 200 pounds weight difference. There's enough horsepower in a blown DSM to deal with it, handily.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131537

Theres one of them... really, what you want to do is get a wrecked GSX or TSi AWD, or one without an engine... because there's a lot of little parts and pieces that you'll need off the car to make it all fit... if you search the forum there's a couple threads on it, and a howto (that I've read enough times that I could probably do this swap without actually looking it up again )

This is the one AWD conversion that won't get too much bashing... yea, you're going to pick up a couple hundred pounds, but you can make up for that with a little more power... and the DSM can make the power

PLEASE, keep us posted, and take lots of pictures along the way, I would like to see how you do it

 

[aves911]

*You* was Jebus.

For the swap you will need all 2g stuff. 95-99. The only little catch is that the fuel pump sender assembly in the gas tank has different wiring between the 2ga and 2gb, not a big deal but just something there.

I am actually in the process of the swap myself. Its not too bad at all. Some drilling for new bolt holes on the tank, and then cutting back a layer of sheet metal inside the car to get to the rear end bolts to change them and make them longer. It can be done in a weekend really.

 

[boostedinaz]

You seema bit confused on the tranny parts and what they will and wont fit.

You will have to use a 2G tranny and it will have to be an AWD tranny becasue it will have the extra output shaft that the Tcase bolts too.

A FWD trans wont work, cause well, its a FWD trans.

The 1G and 2G motors will swap, but you still need to use a 2G trans becasue that is were your motot mounts are located.

As for the rear end you will need to get on from a 2G becasue it is the only one that will fit.

Basically do what a few other have said and look for a parted out 2G AWD and take ALL the drivetrain out from underneath it. That post linked above is a buddy of mine and he has all kinds of good luck. I think he did his for a total of less than 2K and that included full 3inch exhaust. So, if you can find all the parts cheap and you feel comfortable in doing the swap yourself then I say go for it.

 

[dave99gst]

*You* was Jebus.

I am actually in the process of the swap myself. Its not too bad at all. Some drilling for new bolt holes on the tank, and then cutting back a layer of sheet metal inside the car to get to the rear end bolts to change them and make them longer. It can be done in a weekend really.

document it all !!

 

[kyledykstra]

Will a 1g tc work on a 2g FWD Trans? I know this sounds like a stupid question but I would think if they were going to make it completely non-interchangable then they would have made an trans with an internal final drive? I am probably wrong tho. Tell me if I am.

So if I buy a 2g trans it wont work with a 1g motor a year down the road?

If i get a 2g trans will a 1g AWD or FWD TC work?

From what I learned when I was looking around for my motor swap... the only trans/motor combo that will not work is a 6 bolt motor with a 2G automatic trans. No one makes a flexplate for it.. you could get one made if you wanted, but the cost might make it prohibitive.

Every other combination should work with mixing/matching the proper 1G motor flexplate/flywheel parts.

 

[boostedinaz]

From what I learned when I was looking around for my motor swap... the only trans/motor combo that will not work is a 6 bolt motor with a 2G automatic trans. No one makes a flexplate for it.. you could get one made if you wanted, but the cost might make it prohibitive.

Every other combination should work with mixing/matching the proper 1G motor flexplate/flywheel parts.

Yes good point, I just had to pull a tranny for the second time because I never realized that the flywheels were different.

You have to get a flywheel that will work with the tranny you will use AFTER the swap. You will be changing from a FWD to and AWD, so you will need a 6 bolt AWD flywheel. I swaped a 6 bolt into a 2G FWD and used an old AWD flywheel and it didnt work cause it is a bit to short.

When you get to actually doing the 6 bolt swap then just search and you will find out all kinds of wierd stuff liek thsi that you should klnwo to make it all work.

 

[98spyderboost]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. Very helpful so far. And BTW I am taking all the pics and notes to write a small book on it.

OK so I need to find a toasted 2g awd..... if it aint got a motor it proly aint got a trans right? so ill have to get the trans. i live in TN. is there anyone who knows where to go to find dead DSMs for a transplant in my area? how hard are they to find?

 

[FireyIce01]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. Very helpful so far. And BTW I am taking all the pics and notes to write a small book on it.

OK so I need to find a toasted 2g awd..... if it aint got a motor it proly aint got a trans right? so ill have to get the trans. i live in TN. is there anyone who knows where to go to find dead DSMs for a transplant in my area? how hard are they to find?

Maybe... but you might look for one with crankwalk also... I happen to know that there's a guy on here with a Talon TSi AWD in Nebraska, look in the classifieds... he wants 3500 and his runs.... I've been scavenging for AWD 2Gs for a while (for a similar project) so I'll try and keep an eye out for one for ya.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/classifieds/
http://www.dsmtrader.com/

and of course

http://www.ebay.com/

 

[FireyIce01]

Hey Dude, how's this going? Did you find an AWD parts car yet?

Here's an AWD shell in Illinios... just a couple states north...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=12037&sort=1&cat=4&page=1

 

[killab443]

late post but: automatic rear diff. have differnt gearing and will burn up with a manual trans outputing to it, if thats what your getting at.

 

[keltalon]

That would be the heaviest dsm EVER.

:laugh:

 

[tsibryan]

more motivation: http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=440

*drool*

Very cool project, and that one's very fast.

bryan