AWD to RWD thread, official [Merged 10-7]

[IdealEclipse]

hey buddy sorry but my DSM is a 91 GS .. its beat! yeah so whats ur point? I do have a 97 GSX rolling Chassis right now and a brand new 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the driveway. And you have a civic? Wow! I know about 38,000,000 people with Civics. Have a nice day GSX RCR.

 

[IdealEclipse]

by the way i didnt call anyone poor. having no money is by choice. choose the correct field of business and you too can have some money.

 

[PsSsShTGSX]

o boy cant we all just get along.

 

[GSX_RCR]

! Don't take it personally guys. I'm just tired of these RWD posts...

But if you really wanted a RWD car...then you bought the wrong car. Not saying that it CAN'T work...but the time and expenses put into such a project far negates the purpose of it's performance values.

If you wanted a RWD DSM, why not go with a Conquest/Starion and drop in a 4G63? At least you have the benefit of having a chassis built for RWD applications.

But if you wanted to convert a FWD DSM (Eclipse/Talon) into RWD, you'll probably have to get a new custom rearend, custom driveshaft, aftermarket transmission, the works. All of this, for only 0.4 secs off your 60ft times and being able to do a "mad burnout yO!"? You'd be better off getting an AWD.

Buschur...Rau...they both OWN their shops with which to fabricate whatever they need, and a seemingly unlimited budget for which to build from. You can contact one of them and ask for them to convert your car to RWD....but don't expect to get it done within a month and for under $25k. So um...what was your purpose for building such a monster of a car? *Please don't tell me you wanted to be "different"*

BTW, do you actually believe I own a 1979 Civic? BUHAHAHAHAHAH!

 

[gotwood?]

buy a gsx and break the center diff? wouldn't that make it rwd ?


-tj

 

[GRNDSM]

Originally posted by gotwood?
buy a gsx and break the center diff? wouldn't that make it rwd ?


-tj

You do not have to brake it. Take and AWD, remove spider gears from center diff, install a welded VC and you will have a RWD .

Couple of points about this conversion, even Buschur and Rau did not do the actual conversion work! This was done by a specialty chassis shop! This is NOT DIY kind of project!!!

One of the more difficult aspects, is completely redesigning front end suspension and steering system.

Starion makes a pretty good donor, but Might Max truck is even better. It is a direct bolt in and it is 400lbs lighter than a Starion. Plus they are even cheaper and offer more of a sleeper package .

Leon
RR

 

[LilLaser]

i am curentlly in the process of doing a rwd setup on a 91 laser

after every one in these forums said an engine swap from 1.8 to 2.0 turbo wouldn't work amazingly it bolted right up with just having to change the cross memberbrace total cost on that job 150 for motor with turbo plus 200 for awd tranny plus 17 hours of my time

now for the rear wheal drive all we are doin is lockin the front half shafts so they will just freewheel but be warned the rear pumpkin is very weak with all your hp goin to that thing get ready to replace it thats my guess any ways now yes there are many little details to be worked out but the cars are all the same just different motors and trannys that said all you other guys try things outside your civic buddies perspective
lates

 

[GRNDSM]

Something does not add-up here... Are you using AWD parts to run it RWD mode? Like stated here, AWD RWD parts are pretty weak... I am not sure what you will be able to do with it.

Be RWD conversion that we were talking about had to do with tubbing the rear end, installing a VERY strong rear end and using RWD tranny, which requires a large tranny tunnel, which we do not have.

Leon
RR

 

[GoFastTSI]

Where the hell is the BS flag icon??? It's urgently needed on this thread...

 

[Culetto]

well im really interested in this, if anyone has some useful info please post it, i was thinking about the front drive axle removals in case i felt like going drifting, or putting them back in for drag racing

 

[GSX_RCR]

Originally posted by Culetto
well im really interested in this, if anyone has some useful info please post it, i was thinking about the front drive axle removals in case i felt like going drifting, or putting them back in for drag racing

If you want to "Drift" with a DSM, you bought the wrong car. If you wanted a RWD car, then you bought the wrong car.

But if you wanted to pull 1.7 60fts on street tires, then you bought the RIGHT car! *That's if you bought an AWD*

Look, this isn't a magic carpet where it'll turn into whatever you ask it to. AWD + turbo = a great car. What more can you ask for? *Well obviously some people still do*

 

[greathuskie]

everyone do yourselves a favor and get an AE86

 

[nine5raptor]

hell, just get any old 240sx

 

[LilLaser]

Something does not add-up here... Are you using AWD parts to run it RWD mode? Like stated here, AWD RWD parts are pretty weak... I am not sure what you will be able to do with it.

This is a simple and cheap way for some one wanting to toy with the idea and for all the people here that say its "too expensive, No gain, or just can't imagine anything out of the factory specs. As you are all aware this is a tuning site i see more people ask each other what turbo to use and who killed what mustang over and over again . God forbid someone ask a question different form " what APC spoiler should i put on my car". That being said and off my chest i merely gave an alternative way to do this cheaply but yes there are cheap ways to do a rwd set up on this car my site and pics will be up in another couple of months when my car is ready a how to section maybe ill put that on after a few of the people making fun of this idea beg me for it

im really trying not to be as bitter as i really want to but come on peeps performance tuning is everything so if some one ask how to do something give them answers if you know how or a " try it" if you you don't dont flame peeps for it

 

[GRNDSM]

>This is a simple and cheap way for some one wanting to toy with the
>idea and for all the people here that say its "too expensive,

LilLaser,

The reason why I questioned what you are doing is because you said that you took a '91 Laser and claimed to have converted it to RWD. Now, we all know that Lasers did not have AWD option until '92.

You second discrepancy came from the fact that you were starting with 1.8l Laser, which was never offered in AWD format.

So I am confused as how you were able to do this. Perhaps I misunderstood something...

I do not have a problem with your motivation for you have done, I just do not understand how it can be done.

Leon
RR

 

[GSX_RCR]

...I can't wait to see that setup.

*Holding my breath now..*

 

[GoFastTSI]

Your use of the word "peeps" speaks volumes of your intent and base of "tuning" knowledge. If it smells like BS, looks like BS, and talks like BS, then it's BS in my book. Just calling a spade, a spade. Until you prove me, and everyone else wrong, I will maintain this opinion of you and your RWD Laser 1.8 FWD.

 

[LilLaser]

tO GRNdsm

 

[LilLaser]

tO GRNdsm yes you are right about the 91 laser not coming with all wheel drive although the eclispe gsx did after looking for parts cars i relized talons lasers and eclispes i came across the awd GSX looking it over with my brother ( who has more knowlegde of drivelines than i) we noticed hey the 2.0 engine mounts and 1.8 engine mounts line up i mean who would of thought that automakers came up with some crazy sceam to make the same car with different options out of one base model ( crazy huh GoFastTsi ) any way the only thing i looks like i have to really change is the front sub frame (front cross member really ) for the awd setup which hey i could get that off the 91 GSX no problem and it will bolt right up ( they are the same car ya know GoFastTsi ) the only thing i am worried about is the rear setup because as of now i havent gotten that far yet im still doin some engine and body work but i am documenting with pictures and notes every little thing i have done and will do i have the help of many "custom mechanics" and friends with free time i am fully aware of the people who will bash me for trying this because i allready get it down here enough as it is but im tired of seeing the can'ts and the cans fighting over this subject with no action from eigther side i got the money the time and a handful of "peeps" who know what they are doing and if this car moves after all this i will personally upload a video to my future site so all of you can see what it does if it doesn't work hey ill take the bashing all is fair right so when my site is up "hopefully in a couple of weeks" i will try to keep it current to what i am doing and answer any questions pertaining to what and how i am doing this conversion i also promise to explain every step and any potential screw ups along the way so if some else wants to try this or just see something differnt they will have a good site and documentation to follow next post i put in this forum will have the link to the site as for personal language prefrences sorry GoFastTsi as we all know now i am diffrent and if you think this is bs well your opinion is your right but all i have to say is stay tuned

 

[FastRthenU]

I dont know. Call me captian Obvious. But why to ppl love to take the hard route. Why would you want to take a 91 lazer, and make it basicaly a 91 talon tsi or eclipes gsx? When you could buy one for not really that much money. its not like they are really expensive? You could just sell your car, and put the money that you are spending. On parts to perform this swap. Into buying a awd model? Would that not just be ten times easyer, and less head aches? Why take such a difficault route when the easy one is staring right in your face. heck if you like doing the work buy a AWD rolling Chasis and put the parts in?

As for making it RWD. Again, why bother? Thats one of the best things about these cars. dont get me wrong there are some problems with the drive line. But that can be fix with money, and time with you seem to have so much of. Once again If this is what you want, buy a differnt car that is RWD?

thats all

 

[GRNDSM]

>after looking for parts cars i relized talons lasers and eclispes
>i came across the awd GSX looking it over with my brother ( who
>has more knowlegde of drivelines than i) we noticed hey the 2.0
>engine mounts and 1.8 engine mounts line up

Well, sure they do, I could have told you that. 1.8 and 2.0 are basically the same blocks.

>way the only thing i looks like i have to really change is the
>front sub frame (front cross member really ) for the awd setup which
>hey i could get that off the 91 GSX no problem and it will bolt right up

I still do not get why you are going for AWD drivetrain? If you want to install FWD 2.0 Turbo into 1.8, then fine. That makes some sense. Both the engine and the transmission should bold right in.

But trying to convert it to an AWD (or RWD through AWD drivetrain) is just plane nuts. Especially if you consider that you can pick-up AWD chassis for next to nothing (I have seen 5-6 AWD bodies with titles go to the junk yard with owners paying $30-$50 to get rid of them).

>the only thing i am worried about is the rear setup because as of
>now I havent gotten that far

Well, let me tell you what awaits you… While the front of FWD and AWD cars if nearly identical (aside from a couple of removable x-members), the rear end is COMPLELTEY different! There is no resemblance or an easy way to bolt-in different parts. It is a MAJOR project and the only time it is worth considering is if you are dealing with FWD Spyders...

It is the last part of your project, which you are yet to tackle, is what made most people skeptical about your project. And our gut instincts were right, when you said:

>i am curentlly in the process of doing a rwd setup on a 91 laser

You haven’t even touched the difficult portion of such conversion…

Leon
RR

 

[ItsStockOfficer]

Originally posted by LilLaser
tO GRNdsm yes you are right about the 91 laser not coming with all wheel drive although the eclispe gsx did after looking for parts cars i relized talons lasers and eclispes i came across the awd GSX looking it over with my brother ( who has more knowlegde of drivelines than i) we noticed hey the 2.0 engine mounts and 1.8 engine mounts line up i mean who would of thought that automakers came up with some crazy sceam to make the same car with different options out of one base model ( crazy huh GoFastTsi ) any way the only thing i looks like i have to really change is the front sub frame (front cross member really ) for the awd setup which hey i could get that off the 91 GSX no problem and it will bolt right up ( they are the same car ya know GoFastTsi ) the only thing i am worried about is the rear setup because as of now i havent gotten that far yet im still doin some engine and body work but i am documenting with pictures and notes every little thing i have done and will do i have the help of many "custom mechanics" and friends with free time i am fully aware of the people who will bash me for trying this because i allready get it down here enough as it is but im tired of seeing the can'ts and the cans fighting over this subject with no action from eigther side i got the money the time and a handful of "peeps" who know what they are doing and if this car moves after all this i will personally upload a video to my future site so all of you can see what it does if it doesn't work hey ill take the bashing all is fair right so when my site is up "hopefully in a couple of weeks" i will try to keep it current to what i am doing and answer any questions pertaining to what and how i am doing this conversion i also promise to explain every step and any potential screw ups along the way so if some else wants to try this or just see something differnt they will have a good site and documentation to follow next post i put in this forum will have the link to the site as for personal language prefrences sorry GoFastTsi as we all know now i am diffrent and if you think this is bs well your opinion is your right but all i have to say is stay tuned

Your a horrible horrible person for forcing us to read that. AWD and FWD 1g's, unlike 2g's, are completly different from th firewall back. The entire floor man must be cut out and a awd welded nto place, the awd gas tank but be fitted onto the car, the entire suspension assembly must be swapped, the pumpkin has no attachment points, the rear hubs and assemblies are different. a FWD 1g to a AWD has been done once by RRE and it cost 7 grand, they said they would charge more if someone tried to get them to do it again.

 

[LilLaser]

Site almost ready rwd conversion wont be on it for another 2 weeks

The reason i explained why the eclispe's, and talons, and lasers are the same is because some people still have trouble with the concept why some of you attack this point i dont know

yes the awd setup on a laser is a lot of work but as explianed above not much

reason i dont sell this car IT WAS FREE

reason for rwd setup BECAUSE I CAN

reason i typed a very ugly reply Because if your that hard up to read it i know what type of person im dealing with

as for your other questions like i said before a site will be up soon

too explain why im being "dumb" for doing this setup when there is easier ways because its my hobbie you dont like APC is hiring and they need all the help they can get

 

[AW4G63]

------------I have a Lambo, how do I make it in to a fierro kit car?--------


Im just intrested in the motovation behind this worth while project?
I think it could be fun. But why not just go AWD?

You gotta love AWD, no?

And why do you want a 2g motor? (wishlist) Why wouldnt you go with a fresh 6 bolt set up?

 

[cait sith]

Please give it up LilLaser. You are surrounded by far more competent people who have been working on these cars a lot longer than you have, and have a much, much higher level of DSM knowledge than you will ever hope to dream of.

PS: Your car will be RWD when I run JGTC GT500 with a Ford Pinto.