Trannies for RWD

[witalon]

Does anyone know if you can convert a 2G FWD to an 2G AWD and how would you go about it??
Spike

 

[peregrine]

Does anyone know if you can convert a 2G FWD to an 2G AWD and how would you go about it??
Spike

i hope this post is a joke. if its not it was a moronic post.

 

[witalon]

i hope this post is a joke. if its not it was a moronic post.

Why was that a moronic post I'm new with this and I'm just asking a question. Give me a break. An answer would be nice.
Spike

 

[peregrine]

Why was that a moronic post I'm new with this and I'm just asking a question. Give me a break. An answer would be nice.
Spike

because the title of the thread is not "Does anyone know if you can convert a 2G FWD to an 2G AWD?" its "Trannies for RWD". does that answer your question? go ask your question in the newbie section.

 

[iamtall77]

Okay I'm bringing this one back from the dead. I have the car. I have the engine (although not built yet) and I still haven't found a tranny. I can't seem to locate an R154 that would suite my needs. I've looked at Tremac T56's and TKO 500's, but they are too expensive to make them a "reasonable" swap. Has anyone found more info? I'm at a dead end. I can't find any info on the Mazda trannies. I hear the RX7 and B2000 have the same tranny, but how much torque can it handle? My goal is 400+ ft lbs from a boosted 2.4L narrow block. Anyone have info on the Mazda units? Anyone have another option? Let me know.

 

[craighardy]

Any update on the adapter plate from Japanese Auto Repair? Will the W55 trans. not work for some reason?

 

[iamtall77]

As far as I know the W55 has the same input shaft and external deminsions as the W58. However, I believe the W58 is stronger. I have just ordered my R154 and it should be at my home shortly, so I can give first hand knowledge of how to adapt it. The only issue I'm looking at right now is adapting a clutch plate. Since the input shafts are different on DSMs and Supras, I need to find out if the Supra friction plate is roughly the same size to make it easy. Otherwise I'm looking at a custom friction plate with a DSM plate and Supra input spline. I'll have more info soon.

 

[DJpHGotBanned]

I do see some familiar names in this old thread. Nice to see it resurected. If anyone wants more info on RWD 4G63 stuff, stop by my site: www.ProjectZeroG.com . I drive a Starion with a 4G63 swap (using a D50 transmission) and am working on a 4G64 wideblock'd racecar. It has an RX7 transmission. That's just what I'm working on. There are lots of other members in different stages of RWD swaps. Come check it out.

 

[underradar92]

Is there any reason other than cost, that nobody seems to be using an aftermarket trans. like a G-force, Jericho, or Doug Nash?

 

[GRNDSM]

Is there any reason other than cost, that nobody seems to be using an aftermarket trans. like a G-force, Jericho, or Doug Nash?

Well, just the adapters for those trannies (never the mind the actual tranny, which can be well over $5k), will cost you more than a few of those other OEM trannies that are discussed in this thread...

So cost is a major factor!

 

[DJpHGotBanned]

I definatly consider those alternatives. If I do exceed the limits of the RX7 transmission, I know that there are adapters from RX7 (or B2600) bellhousing to Mustang boxes. (This of course would use the hard to find B2600 Bellhousing and a wideblock engine.) At that point I could pick from several of the listed alternatives.

Midwest turbo also sells an adapter plate / flywheel combo to use a T56 transmission.

This will all be critical in the 600+hp range where buying a $4000 transmission starts to become realistic (and dwarfed by either the cost of the rest of the car or the logistics of racing at that level (transportation, research, testing, backup parts / chassis.))

 

[underradar92]

Thanks, good to know. I've been thinking that if I happen to wad my car, I'd consider a rwd chassis donor, since 4g63's are such worthy mills.

 

[blight]

All right i don't know how i missed this thread but thanx "GRNDSM" for the link-

all right this makes it even EASIER for me seeinghat i am starting off with a toyota- 78 corolla with a 5 speed. So the w58 trans- whats the deal ont he adaptor exactly it is still not that clear to me.

also as for the buscher racing adaption plate to a gm auto trans what is that for like a turbo 350 or 400? cause that looks much more like a better swap[ then the yota trans myself just cause i know gm trannies.

https://secure.buschurracing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=648

and other than that plate what else would i need? I am missing that as well.

 

[peregrine]

All right i don't know how i missed this thread but thanx "GRNDSM" for the link-

all right this makes it even EASIER for me seeinghat i am starting off with a toyota- 78 corolla with a 5 speed. So the w58 trans- whats the deal ont he adaptor exactly it is still not that clear to me.

also as for the buscher racing adaption plate to a gm auto trans what is that for like a turbo 350 or 400? cause that looks much more like a better swap[ then the yota trans myself just cause i know gm trannies.

https://secure.buschurracing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=648

and other than that plate what else would i need? I am missing that as well.

you need the adaptor plate and the flexplate. use a th-350. they are physically smaller and have better gearing in my opinion.

 

[blight]

so whats the deal with the Alternator Relocation Kit and the things of that sort- i know with my fiero when one uses the 3.4 lt from the 90's f body and swaps it into the fiero one needs to relocate the starter why would one need to relocate the alternator in this swap?

or is it really just the flex palte and the adaptor plate. yoru right about the 350 trans 300 a pot holds well and is MUCH lighter.

 

[blight]

hey would that plate and all that work with the 4wd trans in the s10s? if so then that could almost solve the prob for the mitsu trans.

 

[iamtall77]

Not sure what you're asking here? Are you wondering if the GM transmission will bolt up the same using the adaptor plate on the block? I beleive the adaptor plate you're thinking of is the same style that Buschur uses. In that case, ANY transmission made for a small block Chevy would bolt up. You could even use that plate to mount a T-56 or the like to the Mitsu block.

I am still in the process of mating my R154 to the Mitsu bellhousing. Southbend Clutch has already given me the okay that a custom clutch can be made to work. I just need to figure out where to get some aluminum plate for a reasonable price. Any ideas? Will local metal recyclers have anything like that?

 

[blight]

hmmmm. i wonder if this will work with my getreg tranny iw ill be getting to for the fiero then..........

 

[GRNDSM]

hmmmm. i wonder if this will work with my getreg tranny iw ill be getting to for the fiero then..........

No, Fiero uses 60 degree V6 pattern. It is not the same SBC. Case and point, SBC kits for Fiero require an engine adaptor.

If you want to make a 4G63 powered Fiero, there is another DSMer who is going it with a FWD DSM tranny .

 

[blight]

yeah i know greg is doing it up- he is no where near done- are ya greg?!

anyhow he's got the linkage and a bunch of other stuff that he has to do finish up. i think he's got 2 jobs is why.

 

[GRNDSM]

are ya greg?!

Did you look at my signature? I am not Greg, but I would like to think that I had something to do with him getting into this project. Though, I am sure that at times he is not happy with me for that.

You sort of have to pick your poison. Would you rather deal with making one extra tranny mount, custom axles and shifter modification. Or would you rather do engine/tranny adapter and all the clutch issues? Depending on your skills and capabilities, one can be easier than the other.

Personally, I prefer to keep OEM designed engine/tranny combination intact. There are dozens of shops that can do custom axles, making extra tranny mount when you are already making 3 engine mounts is trivial, so all that is left is the shifter, which can be tricky, but it is not a show stopper.

BTW, with some help from Dent Sport, Greg is done with his shifter:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[underradar92]

I just need to figure out where to get some aluminum plate for a reasonable price. Any ideas? Will local metal recyclers have anything like that?

If the leftovers our shop tosses are typical, scrap dealers should have a lot of odd shaped remains. Whether or not they sell to the public is outside my knowledge, since I get it at the source. Know any local machinists?

 

[blight]

it just seems to me that dealing with the clutch issues with a adaptor plate and the mess would be just cheaper. Did you guys think of the 4t60? i mean with the busher kit doesn't it hook right up to that trans? cause it is ment for 90 degree v6's. right?

 

[iamtall77]

I'm not familiar with the Fiero tranny, but another issue you need to think of is power. Is that tranny capable of supporting the power you intend to make? I chose my tranny based mostly on that factor, not that it is compatible in any way. The next factor I took in was price. It cost me $500 for a used R154. I could have gone with an R160 from the newer Supras or even a T56, but price wise, this made more sense. I also looked into running the Starion tranny and other Mitsu units, but none was reliable enough at 400+lbft torque.

So back to the point above. The FWD DSM tranny is deffinately good for most power applications and keeping the stock clutch setup is also benificial since most of us use a couple clutches in the life of our beasts. I know Drivesahft Shop makes custom axles for around $500. I'm sure you can get them cheaper, but that's just one option. Other than that, what other custom machined materials will you need? I can't imagine many. Some people are building high priced toys and have the money to spend. My budget is $10K with everything including suspension and body work. The only real expense I'll have is in custom parts like a driveshaft and axles (maybe). I'm still searching for someone that carries aluminum plate in the size I need. I know they're out there. I just need to make some progress to keep me motivated.

 

[GRNDSM]

I'm not familiar with the Fiero tranny, but another issue you need to think of is power. Is that tranny capable of supporting the power you intend to make?

In '87/'88 they put a pretty good Getrag 5sp tranny behind their V6 engines. It is my understanding that it is a pretty strong tranny. They put all sorts of V8s on Fieros, so there must be plenty of options of dealing with high torque . And there was also a very rare '84 Munsie (?) 4sp tranny that was indestructible.

I also looked into running the Starion tranny and other Mitsu units, but none was reliable enough at 400+lbft torque.

'88/'89 Starion trannies should be pretty strong. And I am banking on this being true, as that is what I have inside of my Mighty Max bell housing . Erik P. made pretty good power and torque on his hybrid tranny.

I guess, I will eventually find out...