FWD to AWD Conversion Questions

[fmars62]

I read through the threads and found most of the things you need to do the conversion. But I have a few questions.

1. How much would it cost? (never found a solid number)

2. Can I still use the fwd tranny? Just get a awd flywheel? If not can I transfer the gears from the fwd tranny to the awd tranny? (I am looking at a fwd with built gears thats why i am asking)
- also would the gear ratios be different between the fwd and the awd?

3. Does anyone make a kit like a vendor to do the conversion?

Thanks.

 

[dsmpat95]

For the conversion you can't use the FWD trans. Also you will have to find a donor car to swap the parts from.

 

[GofaST4life]

Keep in mind you cannot use a Auto donor car if your planning to be Manual, as the gearing is different in the rear.

 

[GPTourer]

There's no kit or conversion because GSXs are cheap and easy to find. The retail cost of doing it exceeds the cost of several of the cars. I'd only consider it if I could do it myself and if I had lots of donor cars laying around. Unless you have some radically modified GS-T that you are just enamored with, it just makes more sense to buy a GSX and swap the mods over or just start from scratch.

Paying someone to do it? I'd guess at least 4 stacks.

 

[fmars62]

well i am looking at this car for example: 1997 talon mint read. Tre built 80k lSD - DSM Classifieds

you wouldnt convert that thing?

 

[miguelmcv]

That's a nice car and will worth the swap if you do it your self,,,,,, But looks like you are not going to do the swap your self, You are going to pay to do it, so If this is the case, then look for a moded AWD, It will be cheaper.
If you pay for the swap, you will end up paying over 3, 4K,,,,,,, at the end you will pay more then what the car worth even with the mods and being an AWD.

 

[T is for TURBO]

The conversion cost depends on how much you can get the needed parts. It could be free if someone gave you a wrecked donor car. or you it could cost a bunch. I paid:

Drive shaft: 100
Working Trans: 400
Rear diff/ subframe + gas tank: 250
Flywheel: 45
Brand new clutch: 450
Front Axles + Intermediate shaft : ~150
T-case: 80-100?
Rear Knuckles: 200
Exhaust: 400
Misc. shit (gas tank straps, new bushings, tools, hardware: 200-400
Trans + T-case rebuild 2,700

I sourced all my parts. I have a pretty clean low mileage chassis that have an attachment to. Plus, I can now say I did it. It was a good learning experience.

No kits, just search the classified/junkyards.

Search man, lots of threads about this subject. It's not for the faint of heart though. It's "easy" but very time consuming, and can be frustrating at times Especially if you have no help, or lift.

 

[crash89]

I read through the threads and found most of the things you need to do the conversion. But I have a few questions.

1. How much would it cost? (never found a solid number)

2. Can I still use the fwd tranny? Just get a awd flywheel? If not can I transfer the gears from the fwd tranny to the awd tranny? (I am looking at a fwd with built gears thats why i am asking)
- also would the gear ratios be different between the fwd and the awd?

3. Does anyone make a kit like a vendor to do the conversion?

Thanks.

1) there is no set amount of money it will spend. Could be 200 dollars or over 1000.. For one, it depends on if you have the skills to do this all yourself or if you have to have some one do it for you. If you do it yourself, do you have the equipment to do so?! Torch, welder, drill, tools etc. Two, if you find a complete donor car or piece together a swap parts list. Three, do you have the time and place to do this? It took me 70 total hours to do my swap and Im VERY mechanical and have everything I need.

I bought my donor car for 500 dollars, it was an auto. Didnt come with a transmission or tcase. I also needed to buy a rear end since theyre different from 5 speeds. Total I probably spent 1000 dollars just to have everything.

2)No you cant use a fwd trans. The awd trans is what the transfer case bolts to.

3)No there is not a kit you can buy from any vendor. You have to buy either a full donor car to piece together your own.

 

[GPTourer]

well i am looking at this car for example: 1997 talon mint read. Tre built 80k lSD - DSM Classifieds

you wouldnt convert that thing?

No I wouldn't. My car isn't that nice, but I'm in to it almost as deep and I still don't want to convert it. Maybe it is because I have/had other AWD Mitsus. Id still rather buy as clean a GSX as as I could and mod it the way I want it. OR I'd do an AWD Spyder, or a 7G Galant AWD 4G63 conversion - something that just can't be bought already done from the factory.

 

[jdxnc]

I dropped about $2000 on my swap.

To me it was well worth it. Sure I could have sold my GST and found a GSX, but I would have probably been in just as deep and in the end would own someone else's mystery box. I've owned my gst long enough to know every nut and bolt of it, I know what's been replaced and what hasn't.

 

[COdsm]

It would probably be more cost effective to buy a GSX and restore it, rather than buy a clean 2G and convert it to AWD.

Also like someone else said it depends on resources. Parts, knowledge, and tools/workshop.

 

[Bloody Panda]

If you're going to do it yourself and have access to a junk yard/donor car, than ya go ahead and do it. If your going to pay someone to do it with parts that they sourced, it is just not worth it. I find 2g awd for 4-7k all the time.