FWD GST swap to a AWD GSX? Basic [Merged 2-07]

[Xain10229]

POST ALL OF YOUR BASIC QUESTIONS HERE.

1) Yes, it's possible.
2) Yes, it requires some basic cutting and welding.
3) Read through this thread before asking any questions. And read through this article written by Jacob Isaac-Lowry.
4) If you're serious about specific parts of the swap, and/or you're in the process of the swap and you have specific questions other than "is it possible", then please post in this thread.

-99gst_racer

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

I was just wondering how hard it would be to convert my 1999 GST into an AWD GSX or if its even possible. What all do I need to swap and how hard is it?

 

[S Bizzy]

I love my spyder, I dont want to just get rid of it and buy a hard top. What I had in mind from the start was to get a convertable for it's style and turn it into a racer. I understand that I can't do the conversion myself and like I stated before, I'M 100% positive that I would screw something up. I really do want an AWD convertable though, and I did'nt just want to buy one, I wanted to start off from scratch. Even though money is an issue, time is not. I dont mind saving up over time to pay someone who knows what there doing. So what I'm basicly trying to say is how much it will cost me to get someone who has a garage and wants a winter project next season to do the convesrion.

 

[Attack Eagle]

1k to 2k plus parts

 

[SilenceEvolves]

I have an whole AWD parts car... Not by choice. Early this morning, around 12:20AM (2/12/05) I wrecked '97 GSX. I'm not sure how bad the bottom is, and won't know until Monday when they transfer the car from the towing company to the Insurance company's "preferred" shop. The body is more or less done for. I'm hoping the bottom isn't hurt bad. I went to the towing company's yard today, around 12:30PM today, and checked it out. Boy, was it sad to see the car in that condition. And knowing it was all my fault, for plain stupidity... That made me feel even better. I popped the hood, and the engine seems to be fine. My battery is dead, since the inside lights stayed on, even after I managed to slam the driver's side door closed. It really sucks. Watch, the insurance company will screw me over. :thumbdown

 

[Openoner]

contact AMS in lafayette , Louisiana, ask for nick. theve done the conversion

 

[S Bizzy]

I have an whole AWD parts car... Not by choice. Early this morning, around 12:20AM (2/12/05) I wrecked '97 GSX. I'm not sure how bad the bottom is, and won't know until Monday when they transfer the car from the towing company to the Insurance company's "preferred" shop. The body is more or less done for. I'm hoping the bottom isn't hurt bad. I went to the towing company's yard today, around 12:30PM today, and checked it out. Boy, was it sad to see the car in that condition. And knowing it was all my fault, for plain stupidity... That made me feel even better. I popped the hood, and the engine seems to be fine. My battery is dead, since the inside lights stayed on, even after I managed to slam the driver's side door closed. It really sucks. Watch, the insurance company will screw me over. :thumbdown

ouch man, i'm sorry to hear about that. Well I want to raise the money for the conversion and hopefully be good to go next winter so I still have 8 to 10 months before I will seriously be looking for someone to do the job. So it's looking like i can expect to spend anywhere between 3 and 4k :-(

 

[marcmsj]

how about converting an AWD into a spyder instead?

 

[purplehazetsi]

this topic has been whored out more than anything. Wasnt there a topic about this were it cost almost 15,000 for parts and labor?

 

[suicidal2af]

this topic has been whored out more than anything. Wasnt there a topic about this were it cost almost 15,000 for parts and labor?

Or, more accurately, wasn't there a post about a week ago that showed it isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be?

Oh yeah, there was

 

[gunner52]

ok i know its kinda late but i thought id put my 2 cents in im considering doing the same mod to my gs-t and im doing it because i love my car and just rebuit the whole engine and could just not part with my car for another so im either gonna convert mine or buy another one. also in my area i could find any gsx's that were in good enough shape to pay the price that was wanted so for me it seems like itll be easier to just do the conversion and take all the parts i need form a wrecked one and spend some time and do it that way.

 

[Spool'n Spyder]

I just bought a 95 Talon tsi awd and i'm going to do an awd swap on my 96 spyder. I was wondering if there are any things to check out before I put the stuff in the car. What I mean is any certain parts that usually wear out or commonly get damaged/abused. Also, I searched but I was wondering what kind of hp I could push before having to do drivetrain upgrades? I'm only running a evoIII on 10 psi but I plan to move up to a 20g.

Thanks, Nathan

 

[IMMORTALSPYDER]

I believe there is some welding and stuff involved. I believe there's a tech article on it. Not a good one but it gives you the basics. Drivetrain wise I don't think you'll have problems for a while as long as you have an upgraded clutch-which you should have by now. Good luck with the conversion.

 

[Spool'n Spyder]

Yeah I went with an ACT2100 so the clutch would slip instead of something else braking. I just didnt know what the awd drivetrain could handle and if there anything needed to be done to it, I would rather do it before it goes on the car.

But if it will hold up, i'll slap it in there. As far as the install, i've read and pretty much understand what all it takes.

Thanks for the info, Nathan

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

the only thing you haev to cut and weld is a bracket for an exhaust hanger nad somethign else that is on one piece. Everythign else is bolt on pretty much.

 

[flinguist]

Here's a write up on the Spyder AWD conversion.

 

[Spool'n Spyder]

Yeah, I know this thread is old but I now have all of the parts off of the awd car and want to know if there is any certain things I need to check before installing in my car.

I could not get the axles out of the hub. I think the passenger side is the same as fwd but on the driver's side it has the half shaft and the inner shaft. Can I replace just the outer shaft? If I can, what should I look for to make sure the inner shaft is good.

When I get a chance i'll put some pics up. This thing is EMPTY

 

[Spool'n Spyder]

Well, my pics are too large and i'm not really a computer guy so here's a link.

http://www.4g64.com/gallery/album23?page=1

 

[Spool'n Spyder]

Well this weekend I got the rear end and gas tank out of the Spyder. I
started getting the bolts put in for the awd rear end and tank. The write-up
I have is for a gst, from here...

http://www.automotivearticles.com/AWD_Conversion.shtml

Now, if you look at the write-up it says on the front subframe bolt to drill
a hole and drop it through and thats it. The only problem is the Spyder has
reinforcement all across the back seat. I cant get to the place where I need
to drill the hole because its under all of the reinforcement. If you look on
this page you'll see what i'm talking about....

http://www.4g64.com/gallery/album23?page=2

Now, do ya think I could weld a stud to the bottom of the frame and bolt it
up and then weld the subframe to the frame. Bad idea? I need some help here
guys. I've asked a few people on here that has already done it but they
have'nt replied back and I need to get this done.

So if any of you guys that have done this can take a pic of how yours is done I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Nathan

 

[RRevolveR]

I have a 96 eagle talon TSi front wheel drive i wanted to know if a AWD conversion was avalible and if so for a resonable amount of money? Also i've read that the 1st gen's have a bigger throttle body would it be possible for me to take the throttle body of a 94 non turbo talon take a grinding tool to it and swap it out? if anyone has any help for me i appreciate it i am new to dsm cars
-thanks-

 

[t3/t4eclipse]

The awd conversion is alot of work seeing as the underbodies of the car are different. However it has been done by a few people, I don't believe there is a kit for it though. Here is a link to a page that tells you what you need and how he did it. http://www.automotivearticles.com/AWD_Conversion.shtml

 

[racetracker]

I have a 96 eagle talon TSi front wheel drive i wanted to know if a AWD conversion was avalible and if so for a resonable amount of money? Also i've read that the 1st gen's have a bigger throttle body would it be possible for me to take the throttle body of a 94 non turbo talon take a grinding tool to it and swap it out? if anyone has any help for me i appreciate it i am new to dsm cars
-thanks-

the throttle body off of a non turbo 1g and a turbo 2g arnt interchangeable im not sure if one off of a turbo 1g will bolt right up to the 2g manifold but im pretty sure you can swap your manifold out for the better flowing 1g turbomanifold and throttlebody

someone correct me if im wrong

as far as wanting the traction of the awd i can relate i have a fwd too and was considering the same thing but after some research it was way too much work and money your way better off just buying a car that was awd from the factory

 

[u12run]

buy an awd shell that would save you alot of time and money

+1
or just by my fully built 90 gsx for $3400 and save your money to find out why it won't start

 

[u12run]

YOur right the TB on the 1g is bigger. 64mm vs 70mm if i remember correctly. Make sure you keep the 2g elbow and MAF though

 

[kidwiththelaser]

Id definetly try to find a walked AWD, or a shell. But if you really want to take the time t make it AWD. Heres some info that I found on a local DSM site.

http://www.dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7


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

Again, this isnt from me, but a local DSM site.

Hope it helps!

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

While you CAN convert a fwd to awd, you would be much better off in finding an awd and build it up the way you want it. The reasons are oh so many.

Good Luck

 

[TaetschZ24]

new to this fourm, i have a 91 AWD talon but the body is, very bad, however the drive train is awsome. i also have a mint FWD turbo eclips with a bad motor, is there a wright up on the tricks of doing a first gen swap?

thanks

Chris