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?

 

[Ruben16V]

Hello
First of all sorry for my english, I want to start writting here and learn a lot, so here is my question

I´m doing an AWD conversion to my 98 GST, and I have two problems

1. I have the dirveshaft supports of a 96 gsx I found, but I´m having a lot of problems with founding a MIG welder for my car, it is difficult and very expensive for my to change this parts

I have noticed that the only difference between the AWD and the FWD ones are the exhaust hangers (very easy to solve) and the "studs" for the drivesaft

Question is, Is there anyone using this http://www.bollhoff.es/es/es/productos_de_fijacion/principales_productos/rivkle.phpor this http://www.directindustry.es/prod/degometal/esparragos-remachables-60078-542982.html???
I think installing this parts and a stud with his nut or just using a bolt should work very well, plus it would be great for people who doesn´t have the AWD parts
What do you think about???


2. I don´t have the rear AWD bolts for the subframe, I´m silly I know I forget them at the car.... no problem if I use standar SS bolts right??

Well thanks guys, and forgiveme another time for my english

 

[nuclearr]

The bolts for the subrame need to be hardened steel bolts SS would be too brittle.

I would NOT use those. I have used them on motorcycles (for farings) and are very light weight. You will get movement and they will break useing them for the drive shaft. There is also only one thin pice of metal at 1-2mm thick. If you had 4+mm those might work. Other than that you could drill and drop them from the top but there is 2-3 layers of metal to go through just above the holes. Other than that welding is required.

 

[jdxnc]

Those inserts could work on the front bracket no problem I think, but you don't have the rear bracket at all on a GST, although you could make one pretty easy, but it would need to be welded on.

Regular bolts would work fine, just get the right size and it will be fine, you only need 2 long bolts, your FWD bolts work for the front holes on the AWD subframe. I would use regular steel bolts, they will stretch a bit instead of snapping like SS.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Just get some grade 8+ bolts for the subframe and front driveshaft mount. I drilled a hole from inside the car and dropped the bolts down into the mount. For the rear mount, you can use metal glue/apoxie and rivet it into place.

 

[Ruben16V]

Ok thanks for the info, I think I'm going to install it with this "inserts" and keep the gsx ones I have

Perhaps latter I have money to take the car to a place wich could weld them

The main problem is if this inserts will work because I have to pass the anual tecnical inspection, and I'm also building the engine and finishing the interior, and want to run the car as soon as possible

I use this inserts to install a GT3 wing on a 2010 GTR and it seems to be very reliable
I also have installed my FMIC with those inserts and no problem

Anyway thanks for your help now I'm going to search for some pics to see where I have to cut the trunk for the subframe bolts

 

[nuclearr]

Let us know after you have some time on them if they work. I am concerned that they might vibrate loose or break after a while. This was one of the issues I had with them on my motorcycle the gas tank was held down with them and the eventually vibrated loose and it was a PITA to pull the tank off when they just start spinning. Granted that was an aluminum frame with steel inserts.

 

[gorf]

1. I have the dirveshaft supports of a 96 gsx I found, but I´m having a lot of problems with founding a MIG welder for my car, it is difficult and very expensive for my to change this parts

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/152640383-post325.html

 

[Ruben16V]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/152640383-post325.html

Sorry, I was searching and I read that threat but seems like I lost your post
Anyway thank you very much, thats the only thing I need to read before install them

Autocross and no problem, that´s perfect because I want to be at Jarama circuit about twice a year and once a year at Montmelo

 

[jdoherty420]

Recently picked up a 97 GSX in order to Finish and convert my 97 GS-T to AWD.. I've come across this post with somewhat detailed instructions ( http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-drivetrain/353458-2g-dsm-awd-conversion.html ).. But I still have some questions bouncing around in my head.. My GS-T has some minor suspension mods (Struts, Springs, etc) nothing major but it is alot lower than factory height.. I know the front ends of the cars are very similer so I'm not so worried about that, but in the rear, are the struts the same so I can just swap them over or atleast swap the coils so it keeps the car at the same height? Also sadly, the doner GSX is Auto mad:BLAH) But I am currently looking for a 5spd.. Are the axles and transfer case the same between the AT's and the MT's. I'm sure once I get it all apart I will have all my answers, but if anyone can fill me in before hand it would be apprieciated.. And also for people that have done this conversion what are some issues you have run into?

 

[abaum565]

you should be able to use your struts from your gst, although spring rate will be a touch lighter than they should be. I have never noticed on mine.

I know for sure autos have different rear end gearing ratios and the auto rear end will not work with a mt tranny and transfer case.

 

[jdoherty420]

bad news haha good to know tho..Do you Happen to know what the ratios are?

And Does that mean the driveshaft mounting ( Transfercase and Rear Diff) are diffrent too?

 

[dallasadkins90]

you will have to swap everything to auto to make it work the auto rear end gear ratio is 3.308 and mt is 3.50 also xcase in an auto is 23 spline where as a mt is 22 spline. no parts will work if you want to keep it 5 speed

 

[jdoherty420]

damn man so all i actually can really use from the doner is the rear subframe and driveshafts? everything else is useless? should have looked more into it stupid me haha

well thank you guys good to know now before i got it all together

Any idea where i can find a quality trans and rear diff?

 

[dallasadkins90]

damn man so all i actually can really use from the doner is the rear subframe and driveshafts? everything else is useless? should have looked more into it stupid me haha

well thank you guys good to know now before i got it all together

just swap the the auto set up in put a shift kit and end clutch kit in do the blue wire mod and you will be happy trust me autos are not as bad as everyone puts them out to be. alot of the drag guys are switching over. plus whats wrong with being in boost through every gear ?

and if you didnt live so far away id be happy to switch you one of my 5 speed shells for the auto im looking for a swap to auto

 

[Mr PopUps]

Pretty sure the AWD rear struts are about 1" LONGER than the FWD rear struts. Using the FWD rear struts would make it sit way too low, especially with lowering springs.... Correct me if I'm wrong.

Struts dont make your car sit lower or higher, springs do. From what i remember the Spyders had a higher spring weight than the normal FWD's and if you use lowering springs you would use the AWD kit, not the FWD one. So, add that to your database if it helps. Honestly i would use the struts/springs from the AWD and be done with it. RRE used to have a write up on their site, but its been gone long ago.

 

[bryanwheat]

Struts dont make your car sit lower or higher, springs do. From what i remember the Spyders had a higher spring weight than the normal FWD's and if you use lowering springs you would use the AWD kit, not the FWD one. So, add that to your database if it helps. Honestly i would use the struts/springs from the AWD and be done with it. RRE used to have a write up on their site, but its been gone long ago.

If the is body of the strut is physically taller or shorter than it will raise or lower the car.

 

[abaum565]

Pretty sure the AWD rear struts are about 1" LONGER than the FWD rear struts. Using the FWD rear struts would make it sit way too low, especially with lowering springs.... Correct me if I'm wrong.

makes sense. I had to raise up the coilovers about an inch after the swap, thanks for catching that.

 

[crash89]

Take a look in this thread.. http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/drivetrain-tech/247093-awd-conversion-swap-guys-enter-here-advanced-merged-2-07-a.html Also here in the VFAQ drivetrain section, Visual Frequently Answered Questions - Home Page

Struts will work, rear subframe and driveshaft will work. Tcase and rear diff will not work for your 5 speed set up. Perhaps try craigslist or the classifieds here for more drivetrain parts. Also, a quick search would have led you to two pages worth of AWD conversion threads..

 

[jdoherty420]

i would consider the auto but im looking for more of a road/track car over the drag strip car i understand the whole quickshift idea of the autos plus not having to let off and losing boost thats just not the route i wanna go i do appriciate the advice tho

even tho the struts are diffrent would the springs the same? if not i could just take the fronts from the stock gsx and raise it back up i was just wondering if any one has tried... @ crash89 thanks for that info and ya i know ive searched it plenty of times i was just looking for a quick direct answer

@dallasadkins90 mail me the 5spd parts ill mail you the auto stuff

 

[dallasadkins90]

i would consider the auto but im looking for more of a road/track car over the drag strip car i understand the whole quickshift idea of the autos plus not having to let off and losing boost thats just not the route i wanna go i do appriciate the advice tho

even tho the struts are diffrent would the springs the same? if not i could just take the fronts from the stock gsx and raise it back up i was just wondering if any one has tried... @ crash89 thanks for that info and ya i know ive searched it plenty of times i was just looking for a quick direct answer

@dallasadkins90 mail me the 5spd parts ill mail you the auto stuff

that would be expensive it would be cheaper for you to split gas with me and i drive to mass

 

[crash89]

even tho the struts are diffrent would the springs the same? if not i could just take the fronts from the stock gsx and raise it back up i was just wondering if any one has tried... l

The struts ARE the same! FWD or AWD, all the same. FWD will bolt up to an AWD car or vise versa.. After I did my all wheel swap I used my Tokico struts that were on the car when it was FWD..

 

[bryanwheat]

The struts ARE the same! FWD or AWD, all the same. FWD will bolt up to an AWD car or vise versa.. After I did my all wheel swap I used my Tokico struts that were on the car when it was FWD..

Why does every company offer one for awd and one for fwd and they both have the different part numbers? The length is different between the fwd and awd struts as already stated.

 

[Mr PopUps]

Struts dont make your car sit lower or higher, springs do. From what i remember the Spyders had a higher spring weight than the normal FWD's and if you use lowering springs you would use the AWD kit, not the FWD one. So, add that to your database if it helps. Honestly i would use the struts/springs from the AWD and be done with it. RRE used to have a write up on their site, but its been gone long ago.

If the is body of the strut is physically taller or shorter than it will raise or lower the car.

Yes, i know that, i was talking 'generally'. I dont feel i need to technically explain everything i say. If you install a longer strut without springs it wont even hold the car up let alone raise it....

 

[jdoherty420]

@dallasadkins90 are you really serious about that? if you have just the rear diff and trans ill seriously consider it or frieght shipping may even be cheaper i could always have you send it to my old shop and ill send it to you somehow someway haha i just wanna get myself out of my stupidity headache as soon as possible.. im kicking my self in the ass

Also i asked my dad and a couple of his buddies, they older time mechanics and hate my dsm but the brought up something... Is the hosing the same and just the gears are diffrent? i know its a long shot and prob more expensive in the long run but can you interchange the internals of the rear difs from wuto to manual? if i could just buy all the parts for the internals and rebuild it so that its practicly new would that work?

and im not talking about keeping the coil springs out i just wanna know if they can be put on the gsx struts without an issue(as far as seating is concerned) i know it my sit a little lower because the gsx is 3-400 pounds heavier than a gst.. but are the spring seats the same?

i already planed on buying a trans and transfer case so thats no biggie but this rear diff situation was something i would have never thought of... stupid me should have just done some research first but the car was a great deal for what it is i couldnt pass it up... but now im in a pickle haha

 

[bduran1220]

Is that thing about the Spyder spring having a higher spring weight true compared to the AWD spring??? I have a Spyder and planning to do a konis and lowering spring, so what mr popups is saying is true im better off getting an AWD lowering KIT??? That seems kinda far fetched to me but on the other hand spyders & AWD(2G) do come close to there overall weight so it does make sense after all!!! Great looking out!!!!