Why No AWD Spyder?

[wrenchtech]

I seached a couple of DSM forums without finding the answer and now I must ask; why is there no AWD Spyder? I also read that some people have converted FWD DSM's to AWD, but that it's a difficult and expensive project. Is there any reason that the Spyder would be even more difficult to convert? Has anybody done it? -- Matt

 

[robs90tsi]

Ya, theres at least one guy I know of that has converted his 2G spyder to AWD, Im not too familiar with 2G's, but I think the trunk is different, which I think interferes with the rear diff, somthing like that, I wouldnt count on that, I heard something like that on here, maybe the guy who did this conversion will chime in here.

 

[wrenchtech]

... Im not too familiar with 2G's, but I think the trunk is different, which I think interferes with the rear diff, somthing like that,

In the reading I did they talked about belly pan and trunk sheetmetal mods. It wasn't a very good discussion though, or I'd link it here. I think (I'm just guessing here) that the rub is going to be in getting the top and it's mechanisims to stow down behind the seat and still have enough room under the floor for the rear differential and drive shaft. -- Matt

 

[piachiii]

I have done two 2G spyder AWD swaps now. An auto and man. It is not the most difficult job. Just takes time, patience and the parts. The best way to do it is have a nice GST Spyder and a GSX or Talon parts car next to it.

I am starting another stick GST GSX swap once the parts car gets here from the West.

Let me know if you need help doing it....

Thanks,

Val

PS They is a nice write up to get you started at http://www.automotivearticles.com/printer_AWD_Conversion.shtml

 

[robs90tsi]

http://www.prostreetonline.com/projectcars/awdspyder/

Heres one.

 

[knighteclipse1]

In the new issue of SuperStreet on page 150, they have a write up on one in Arizona, check it out.

 

[TSi999]

Here is one for sale on our site!! It is so hot, I'd hit it.

AWD Spyder

 

[kelvinb]

well to answer your question, it was probably deemed unsafe because awd and not having the support of a hardtop could be a bad thing. is this not correct? I know there is awd 3kgts but those are big fat cars that can support that. we are dealing with matchbox cars here.

 

[wrenchtech]

Wow! Thanks to everyone who responded. It's like I just got a crash course in AWD conversions! Not as bad as I first was lead to believe.

...to answer your question, it was probably deemed unsafe because awd and not having the support of a hardtop could be a bad thing. is this not correct?

I think you have a good point. I already thought a six point roll bar with tubes to the rear and to the door sills would be a good thing to have. Not to mention the hardcore look you'd get. -- Matt

 

[TSi999]

Why no AWD spyder? Why no LSD in the FWD Turbos?

Because whoever made those decisions is a farking moran!

 

[RamenPride]

probably because the combination of AWD and the convertible top would make for a very heavy car. well, for a stock 2G with a T-25 it would probably make it feel like driving a tank

 

[garrett21]

To answer the question of why no gsx spyder. A couple of reasons come into play. The first one is that a awd spyder would just make the price of the car (new) go up even more and out of the ball park. So by making them fwd it would not cost to much. There is also the problems with the rear diff and it may have been easier to just make them fwd. Also having all the different models RS, GS, GS-T, GSX, and spyder. One more would just be too much.
Just a couple things that may have been considered by when being built.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

probably because the combination of AWD and the convertible top would make for a very heavy car. well, for a stock 2G with a T-25 it would probably make it feel like driving a tank

Thats what i was going to say.. Thats gotta be one hell of a heavy bi***.

 

[tkrPerformance]

I have one auto to 5speed 6bolt 95 drivetrain

 

[wrenchtech]

...the combination of AWD and the convertible top would make for a very heavy car. well, for a stock 2G with a T-25 it would probably make it feel like driving a tank

Yes it looks like the AWD option adds 236 lbs and the Spyder adds about 140 lbs. If having both addded a cumlative wight of the two you would end up with a car that weighs 376 lbs more than a 140 hp 2G or about 3300 lbs. With a 4G turbo motor at 210 hp it wouldn't be too bad, but 300 hp would be much better. -- Matt

<BTW> How much does it cost to build a reliable 4G for 300 - 350 hp?

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Yep, probably the whole too heavy thing. Or maybe they meant the AWDs to be geared towards racing and competing...and racing a convertible isn't necessarily a good idea as the chassis won't be as stiff and would flex too much. That might be another reason.

 

[flacopower]

well in the rest of the automotive world there sure are plenty of awd convertibles.. about to let you guys in on a little secret: mitsubishi doesn't care about weight or they wouldn't make a nearly 2 ton performance car (4g eclipse), and they don't care about chassis strength either.. of all the reasons stated in this thread the most logical one would be the price. an eclipse is a bang for the buck car. awesome looks, performance, and potential for a great prcie. my fwd 99 spyder with every option on it was just under 30k so an all wheel drive option would have bumped it up considerably. that would also make the regular gst's less desirable if there where 3

 

[SycloneDriver]

I am in the final stages of my 98 Spyder AWD conversions. Its not that bad. I would say changing the clutch (swaping the trany) has been the worst part of the job so far. It is time consuming and the instruction I found on the web were for a hard top, the convertable has some bracing that makes it a litte more difficult. I will post some pictures. As for why Mitsubishi did not offer the Spyder as AWD I would say price.

Troy

 

[talonTSIDriver]

I got an AWD 97 Spyder. Took a complete 99 GSX drivetrain and put it under the spyder. Also had to change out the fuel tank, exhaust, and a few other things. Not too hard, again, mostly time and a few custom fabrications. Car is heavier than a stock GSX because of the extra bracing from the convertable. They need to stiffen the car a little better since there is not much support from the top.

 

[kelvinb]

how much did it cost you to do it? i assume prices have changed since this was first done. i think it would be nice to know what your paying (if you dont mind disclosing it )

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Well, to be honest I did not do my swap. I bought the car from a guy who paid a shop to do it. Total cost was around $6500. If you do it yourself, it should only cost you around the price of an AWD 2g. If you get lucky you might be able to find a 2g AWD with a bad engine for a few thousand and then your set.

 

[femmeDSM]

Yes it looks like the AWD option adds 236 lbs and the Spyder adds about 140 lbs. If having both addded a cumlative wight of the two you would end up with a car that weighs 376 lbs more than a 140 hp 2G or about 3300 lbs.

Heavy, yes. But remember, the 3000gt VR4 was a big girl.

3000gt VR4 - Curb Weight : 3760 lbs(coupe), 3995 lbs(Spyder)

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Who cares about weight when you have a AWD turbo. It could weigh 4000 pounds and have 400 hp, and it would still be a SICK street car. It wouldnt handle good at all, but how many of us street race on rotarys anyways? Go for the AWD conversion.

 

[2G_RFF_GST]

about to let you guys in on a little secret: mitsubishi doesn't care about weight or they wouldn't make a nearly 2 ton performance car (4g eclipse), and they don't care about chassis strength either..

mitsu DOES care about weight and chassis strength. one word- EVO. You can read ANY test of the EVO VIII vs STi. and EVERY test says, the EVO is lighter and has a much stiffer frame. that's why most of the time the EVO won. because it felt just a little better around the corners. And as far as mitsu making a "tank" for a performance car. Well, i don't really consider a V6 a performance car, so that's your fault for buying a wanna be sports car/tank.

 

[flacopower]

mitsu DOES care about weight and chassis strength. one word- EVO.

yeah they did add 160 spot welds to the evo 8.. but name another car besides the EVO that mitsubishi makes right now worth while.. the evo is the execption to the statement i made about everything. it seems as if the mitsu engineers spend all their time on the evo and then just throw together all the rest of their cars.