The Central Hub for DSM Community and Information

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. This is where the DSM platform history is documented and archived. Log in to help us in our mission, and to remove most ads from the browsing experience.

Converting FWD to AWD

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

miguels3000

20+ Year Contributor
229
0
Mar 31, 2003
Los Angeles, California
When I bought my car i wanted a AWD GST Eclipse but also wanted it to be a Spyder. not being able to have the best of both worlds I went with the FWD Spyder GST Eclipse, with future hopes of converting it to a AWD. Well The time has come. I am now ready to do this. I was just wondering if anybody has been succesfull in doing this? And if you have any Information that can be usful I would apreciate it. Feel Free to also email me at [email protected] Thanks!!!!
 
Be prepared for many smart ass comments from people.

When you search the board for this you will not turn up all that much info. Is is possible to peice things together, but the best way is to buy a complete car.

Framework has to be done. You need to fab a few mounting brackets for the shocks, fuel tank and the IRS assembly in the back. For the most part it is a bolt up conversion.. but not quite that simple.

To give you an idea of what you will need...

Trans
Exhaust
DS
Rear assembly
Fuel tank and pump assy.

These are the big parts, I can't remember all the small ones you need.
 
Expect to pay around $10,000 for labor alone. I believe. Road Race Engineering has done one before. Give them a call, and they can help you out.
 
Originally posted by Hobbes =^.^=
Expect to pay around $10,000 for labor alone. I believe. Road Race Engineering has done one before. Give them a call, and they can help you out.

Okay Great, i had a pretty good idea of what kind of work it was going to be but i didnt know it was going to require frame work and the fuel tank. A friend and i are going to do the labor itself. But about contacting Road Race That sounds like a good idea. I will. Thanks. Luckily theres a junk yard not far from where i live, all they cary ar DSM's mostly eclipse. Im going to talk to them about the set up. THanks
 
Sounds good, give them a call. You'll need the entire back half of a GSX to make things easier. I think getting a whole parts car would be better just in case. Good luck.
 
what junkyard is this??? ive heard of a few people that have converted their spyders, good luck
 
Its Called, Pit Stop Racing on Brandford Street In the valley or semi valley. I forget, dial information they will give you the number(411). Theyre pretty good with parts and prices. They carry mainly eclipse and theres two other kinds of cars that are very similar I forget.

Im Going to do the conversion. I think I can get the car parts for maybe $2500. Im Going to wait a while to be able to expect extra expenses and for a roll cage at the same time to stiffen the car back up. im expecting a total of maybe 4,000.OMG . with the 6 point cage.
 
I just finished a 97 GST to awd conversion, for a local dsm'er. The whole bill was about $4500. I also felt that I did just fine as far as labor goes. It is alot of work, but it turned out great and there are no troubles with the car.
 
hello
I did the swap on my 98 spyder alon with a 6bolt and 5 speed swap also here is the list of parts you need and how to do the swap.
mark
at tkrPerformance

this is for every on who wants to do a awd swap to there car what parts are need to do it right
we will start with the front
1. tranny
2. transfer case
3. gsx starter
4. gsx flywheel
5. gsx front axles
6. while your at it do the brake swap to the 2 piston front brakes
7. main drive shaft
exhaust system
1. down pipe
2. cat
3. mid pipe
4. muffler
5. all hangers for the exhaust and drive shaft they are spot welded to the car
6. the mid pipe heat shield
the back of the car
1.gas tank
2. gas tank straps
3. gas tank metal shield
4. complete rear end with all suspension parts brakes and ebrake cables
Every thing in the front and exhaust system will be a bolt on thing but the rear end parts need to be made to fit in all holes are there for it to bolt in to the car.
The gas tank
take out the gst tank and cut out the two tank holders where it bolted to then put the gsx tank in and mark where the bolts will need to be moved to hold the new tank. The front bolts are there just need to be drilled to get rid of the spot weld and moved 2 holes in an both sides and tacked back in to the new holes that are there already. As for the rear I put bolts in the car to bolt in the rear also.
The rear end
take out the gst rear end and ebrake cables. To put in the gsx rear end you need to cut the frame of the car it is in two layers of metal the rear bolt is in the right spot just cut it out and take ot the spacer that is on the bolt to drop it down so it is longer make sure to fabe a bolt holder so it wont spin when you tighten up the nut. as for the other bolt in there already just leave it a lone it if fine were it is or cut it off your choose but the next hole forward of that you will need to do the same as the rear bolt but you need to put in a grade 8 bolt in the hole then just bolt in the rear end and hook up the ebrake cables in the car.
drive shaft install
You will have to drill out you exhaust holder and weld in the new one in the same spot you took yours out at they look the same but the gsx has the exhaust holders on it and the drive shaft bolts . As far as the rear holder you will need to weld it in right before the gas tank
then just Finnish bolting things in the car
that's it
mark
at tkrPerformance
 
I think it's worth it. He wants awd in his spyder, Like he said before. If he has the money why not do this. You guys just jealous that hes going to have an awd spyder or what.

Matt
 
What about the torque on the frame? You dont have roof to help with the frame torsion so wouldn't you need to stiffen the frame somehow?
 
Actually that is why I am also getting the 6point cage.

I want to thank everyone for there feedback. opinions and suggestions.
Especially mark at tkrPerformance :thumb: Thanks for all the detailed info.
And now actually the cost has gone down. Im guessing in parts has gone down to around $2,500 and $700 for a good 6point cage.
 
Wow, thats really cool, I'll forward this thread on to a buddy of mine who is doing a T66 setup in his spyder as we speak.
 
Originally posted by Hobbes =^.^=
Expect to pay around $10,000 for labor alone. I believe. Road Race Engineering has done one before. Give them a call, and they can help you out.

RRE charges 2k for labor, you hafta find your own parts.
 
$10,000 wow must have overpaid in labor or decided to go with many new parts.

As I said before the last one I did went out the door for $4500. I wouls suspect that that price may be going down, since 2nd gen car prices are comming down. One of the best ways to get all the parts is to buy a wrecked awd car, and transfer the parts. Be careful though make sure the parts you need for the conversion on the wrecked car, are in good condition.
 
Originally posted by miguels3000
Actually that is why I am also getting the 6point cage.

I want to thank everyone for there feedback. opinions and suggestions.
Especially mark at tkrPerformance :thumb: Thanks for all the detailed info.
And now actually the cost has gone down. Im guessing in parts has gone down to around $2,500 and $700 for a good 6point cage.
sence are spyders all ready have a lot of reinforcement in the doors,a pillers,the big x brace in the back. I have no problem with the body twisting. the price is ok for the cage for a 6pt. but look around you can get a cage made for under 100 a point. I am getting a 6pt made for 80 a point. and we do the swap for 3500 + parts the best thing is find a recked gsx
mark
at tkrPerformance
 
i didnt see this come up anywhere but, say you have everything ready and the tools etc. how long we talking to complete?
 
Also, anyone know a shop that has done or would do this conversion in eastern PA/NJ in that general area?
 
Im really interested and will have no problem getting the parts but is there anywhere i can take it near me thats reliable to do the conversion?
 
Add Value - Be Respectful - No Trolling - No Misinformation - Participate Often!
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Innovation Products Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications RixRacing RockAuto STM Tuned

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top