AWD LS based V8 swap donor

If you were trying do a "cheap" AWD LS swap using a single donor what donor would you use? 
 

I have found that almost all early Escalades and Yukon denalis had AWD and the 6.0. 
 

Seems like some of the trailblazer and envoy 5.3s have AWD. 
 

Saab 9-7 5.3 come with AWD. 
 

Do you just go with the cheapest donor or are there pros and cons I am missing other than 6.0 vs 5.3. 

All of the Express/Savanna vans with AWD are the 5.3L and a BW viscous Tcase.  The viscous part wears out after a while but it's easy to replace.  The trucks (I think) get an NP Tcase which is the preferred box for 4x4, but not sure how it compares in the AWD boxes.  The vans also net you a somewhat preferred ECM.  The LS ECMs differ across the lineup; some have drivers for an IAC (used with a cable throttle) and others don't.  Some have the drivers for flex fuel and others don't.  From what I hear the vans get an ECM wth all of the above so it gives you more flexibility down the road.

Also, after a certain year I'm told that the vans all got rectangle port heads which don't seem to hurt any low end torque, but they give you some more flow if you want to go that way.

The 6.0L is more displacement, but usually a lot more money.  The 5.3L is the GRM go-to for cheap and they can take a ton of boost/cam/nitrous.  I suppose it depends on your end goals.  Tow pig?  6.0L will put more torque down low.  Racer?  5.3L can take most of what you throw at it.

I have the awd pan, front diff, driveshaft, and transfer case for an awd envoy that can be had cheap to free depending on how generous you're feeling 

In a car or a truck?

If it is car, truck transfer cases stick waaaaay too low.  You'd want a drivetrain from an all wheel drive 4.6 STS and an LS4 engine and some fabrication skills for the differential/oil pan setup and starter location.  But both engines have the "Metric" bolt pattern at least.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks good info. What is the bw in the bw viscous tcase? Just not familiar with that. 
 

My goal is way in the future challenge swap dreaming, into some unknown cheap shell. So would just use donor for everything possible. 

In reply to Patrick :

Thanks I will keep that in mind if this ever becomes a reality. 

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

I never thought of that combo before. The goal is mostly just day dreaming at this point. 
 

In reply to Somebeach (Forum Supporter) :

Borg Warner

Trailblazer SS = Saab 9-7X Aero = LS2 + 4L70E + Torsen T3 (40f:60r torque split) center diff + 9.5" 4.10 LSD axle.

Somebeach (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

I never thought of that combo before. The goal is mostly just day dreaming at this point. 
 

I have thought of it a lot 

Probably easier and cheaper to just use an entire 3.6l CTS4 drivetrain as is.  Big torque in all wheel drive sounds fun until you realize that there are basically no cheap AWD drivetrains that won't explode on contact.  The strongest I am aware of are Audi 01E transmissions, can handle 1200hp turbo five cylinder engines, but an LS can easily explode one after you add a couple dozen pounds of boost.

And if you are not adding a couple dozen pounds of boost, why bother with all wheel drive?

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

What cars did the Audi O1e come from the factory in? 

In reply to Somebeach (Forum Supporter) :

Audi S4/S6 from 1992-on, 6 speed 2.7t and 4.2 V8 models up to a certain year, some 3.0 A4s.  Porsche 968 and Boxster too, not AWD obvs.

The strongest ones are from the last year of five cylinder S6, not coincidentally are also worth more than Challenge budget.  The six speed ones are "okay" but easily fold the shift collar splines if you try to shift it like a A833, so they are cheaper ($600-1200) but more of a consumable.

Interesting thing about Audi AWD things is that due to the way the transmissions are laid out, the driveshafts rotate backwards.  Clockwise, vs. counterclockwise for practically everything else.  This means you pretty much need an Audi rear diff to match.

If it were a just An all wheel drive chassis plus an LS, Oldsmobile Bravada.

In reply to Appleseed :

Is there a specific reason why you would go with a bravada? 
 

For some reason I thought there was differences in how the transfer cases worked between some of them. With some of them being AWD all the time and some only transfer if power to the front wheels if there was slippage and therefore a little lag before the front drive kicked in. 
 But I can't refind that info. 

If I remember correct, the Bravada's AWD system is basically the same as the AWD system of the vaunted GMC Syclone/Typhoon, without the Sy/Ty tax. And the Sy/Ty AWD also helped Troy Trepanier build the Quadraduce.

Also, we've been here, about 10 years ago.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/cyclonetyphoon-clone-on-a-budget/22144/page1/

In reply to Appleseed :

Thanks. Good info. My goal would just be one donor for all the parts. Just for simplicity's sake. 

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

In a car or a truck?

If it is car, truck transfer cases stick waaaaay too low.  You'd want a drivetrain from an all wheel drive 4.6 STS and an LS4 engine and some fabrication skills for the differential/oil pan setup and starter location.  But both engines have the "Metric" bolt pattern at least.

When you say the transfer case hangs to low are your talking about in the frame or just overall height based on the top of the engine to the bottom of the t case? maybe that is the same? So length of the arrow in the picture below. 
 

Also can you "clock" this type of transfer case? Might make for an akward floor in the back seat but if a challenge build might be ok. 
 

Most T cases can be clocked.  Some you can just stab it on the next bolt like the old Danas with a radial pattern.  Others you need an adapter ring to clock it.  Some you can't clock at all because of sump/pump oiling reasons.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

....and I am pretty sure any AWD case has a pump that precludes reclocking.

I'd expect the chain to explode with great ease, too.  They do it enough as it is.

In reply to Patrick :

Actually if you are ever coming near Findlay . Or if there is a GRM express from your house to near Findlay let me know I might take you up on those parts if you want to get rid of them. 
 

Maybe a while before I can use them but would be nice to have. 

Just posting this for future reference. 

Thinking about this again. 
 

Does anyone have any insight on a hummer h2 transfer case? 
 

looks like most are the 6.0 and some say AWD and some say 4x4. 

Gregg Hamilton did an AWD trans am with LS power using a Nissan GTR transmission and parts bin Nissan stuff from the junk yard. I don't recall the particulars of the clutch/bellhousing. It looked very budget oriented other than the transmission and blower. 

Somebeach (Forum Supporter) said:

Thinking about this again. 
 

Does anyone have any insight on a hummer h2 transfer case? 
 

looks like most are the 6.0 and some say AWD and some say 4x4. 

There were some Escalades and Denalis that got the 6.2L/AWD combo from the late aughts to now.