converting GST to RWD

[tode5tool]

ok well, i have this 97 gst that has been plagued by problems, wrecked, title is messed up, ect ect. its just a mess and i might as well just go ahead and get a awd since ive wanted one for so long and the gst will be to much for me to get road ready. so.. i was thinking of using the engine for a rail, then had a thought. lets just convert the gst to a pure race rwd car. it wont be to hard and will be fun, and the wife wont be on me about racing me daily all the time. Ive seen a lot of guys make rat rods, where they take a caviler or something and convert it to a rwd car. using a ford 9" or a gm 12 bolt rear, and a sbc 350. my plan is to use a ford 9" rear and a old 67 power glide i have in my garage and turn the engine 90. my question is I understand ill have to do some welding to get a ford rear in the car, and alot of other custom work but Im wondering what the input spline count is for a 97 gst, cuse ill have to change out the powerglides to fit in the 4g63. And is there anything on rotating the engine i need to take into account? i know i will need new motor mounts and a gm tranny adapter for the block.

my current plan for gearing is a 2500 stall converter with a set of 4.11 gears in the rear. that should give me a good stall for building boost and good launch off the line. but im going to need some serious tred and suspension to keep it from getting crazy.

 

[bryanwheat]

You need alot more than just motor mounts. You will have to completly built a engine and suspension crossmember for the front, cut out the transmission tunnel, built a rear subframe to mount the solid axle to. It's quite a bit of work if you have never done anything like this before.

 

[tode5tool]

im not afriad of work. its my only hobbie. and i...really like cars...like a lot. but im just trying to get an idea of what ill need to do. what were you saying about the crossmember?

 

[bryanwheat]

im not afriad of work. its my only hobbie. and i...really like cars...like a lot. but im just trying to get an idea of what ill need to do. what were you saying about the crossmember?

If you look at the engine bay you will notice that the crossmember is at the back of the engine bay, there is no way for a transmission to occupy the same space as the crossmember. You will have to make a complete new one out of tubular steel, and re-design the steering rack setup. The lower control arms also hook to the crossmember so you will have to incorporate that into it.

 

[gabytech]

Im in the process of converting my GST to RWD also.. Its a very expensive conversion, it can cost from 5k to 10k... My conversion will cost around 11k. Ill be using a ford explorer 8.8in axle assembly, billhousing custom t5 bellhousing, tko600 5speed transmission, custom tubular front and rear crossmember, strange engineering suspension and custom driveshaft.. Theres a huge difference between a junk cheap conversion and a profesional conversion which will get expensive real quick.. After the engine, transmission, live axle assembly and suspension are mounted and done with, then comes the issue of the intake manifold, turbo kit, custom exhaust, custom intercooler, cooling system, wiring harness, fuel cell, etc.. Which add around 5k to 10k more. Total cost of the conversion can range from 15k to 20k. I estimate my total cost of the conversion bumper to bumper will be around 30k to 35k.