FWD to RWD conversion

I always wished the Accord V6 6-spd cars were RWD.

If I were setting out to design a performance car it absolutly be RWD, but there are some quite respectable FWD performance cars to be had. watch this video and then rethink how badly a performance car needs to be RWD if you are not actualy using it for a top tier racing series

5th gen Celica. I think it's flat out one of the most beautiful cars in the modern era but its hum-drum Camry engine did it no justice. That said I used to own one and thought it handled just fine and was plenty fun in FWD form.

I'd probably start with an AWD GT-4 though. Run a low-slung, lightweight V8 (Toyota 1UZ?) or maybe a boxer 6 and keep the rear end and suspension as it is. No big re-working of anything needed. The shell would be a nice widebody NON-RC/Carlos Sainz version, hopefully with no sunroof, leather & the optional 10-speaker sound system. I'd keep the full interior, all the amneties, and keep it looking as standard as possible. It would be gloss black, just like my old one with dark tinted windows. The only indication that it was anything other than it seemed would be a subtle dual-exhaust system and meaty rubber on 16x8/9 wheels. I might even do away with the hood scoop and all the GT-4 badging.

See, I've already thought this all through. :D

There's one out there running a twin-turbo 1UZ through the standard rear end. Google "Celica GT8" if you don't believe me.

Strizzo wrote: been done. well not the Ms6 drivetrain i dont think, but a ms3 awd conversion.

Well how else do you make a MS3 awd? My first thought would be to use the parts available that bolt up to everything already like the stuff in the speed6?

I'd love for my mazda3 and a Miata transmission and diff to come together. It would be like a Japanese BMW 1 series hatch, particularly with the MS3 turbo motor.

RossD wrote:

Strizzo wrote: been done. well not the Ms6 drivetrain i dont think, but a ms3 awd conversion.

Well how else do you make a MS3 awd? My first thought would be to use the parts available that bolt up to everything already like the stuff in the speed6?

i'd imagine the transfer case came from the ms6, but they're the same trans minus that anyway. all i know is that a while back, a guy on the mazda forums bought the rear suspension and diff from an ms6 to see if it could be made to fit, since there are awd mazda3's in japan so it might have the pick-up points there, and nothing was even close to bolting up.

they probably did use ms6 parts, but for that amount of fabrication, they probably could have put a solid axle and 4-link in if they wanted, if ya know what i mean.

Strizzo wrote: and nothing was even close to bolting up.

Ouch. I guess thats what happens when you dont do your homework. If I was thigh deep in almost brand new mazda parts with a big hole in my wallet, I'd better have an awd ms3 by the end of it come hell or high water.

If there are 4wd Japanese Mazda3's in Japan, the MS6 transfer case will bolt up to the MS3 trans, and companies have already hacked the computer, it sounds like a decently easy swap if you collect the right parts.

awd Mazda3's are only available with the smallest nonturbo four banger, so the rear diff for that is not likely to be able to stand up to the kind of power that even a stock ms3 puts down.

An often visited fantasy of mine, until I remember I don't have time to wash my own car and have sold on my 323GTX and FSAE car projects due to lack of progress. But when I'm in the mood these are my list.

1. Original Mk I Fiesta with a 99 Miata engine and trans, FB Rx7 axle out back and new front suspension using Miata uprights.
2. Mid engined Focus using a 3.0L Duratech and SVT Contour heads and cams
3. Old 80's Escort GT body sitting on an XR4ti floor pan and running gear, easily updateable to Escort Cossie running gear to make it 4WD.

Those are just the favorites :)

Adrian, I like your style. I've always like the old rally escorts that were rear wheel drive and a xr4ti covered with 80s escort sounds like a great idea along with the other two.

The old Ford EXP should have a xr4ti underneath it too.

P71 wrote: Integra Type R. It was stellar in FWD, it would have been transcendental in RWD.

That was my main entry into the woolgathering engine swap thread from a few months ago. K24/6MT midships mount into a DC2 Integra hatchback. When I hit the lottery that's about 3rd on my "must build" list.

eh... lots of guys have done the mid engined/rwd or front engined/rwd Integra conversions...

braille auto being one memorable example.

they end up being underperforming bastard children.

Jay wrote: 5th gen Celica. I think it's flat out one of the most beautiful cars in the modern era but its hum-drum Camry engine did it no justice. That said I used to own one and thought it handled just fine and was plenty fun in FWD form. I'd probably start with an AWD GT-4 though. Run a low-slung, lightweight V8 (Toyota 1UZ?) or maybe a boxer 6 and keep the rear end and suspension as it is. No big re-working of anything needed. The shell would be a nice widebody NON-RC/Carlos Sainz version, hopefully with no sunroof, leather & the optional 10-speaker sound system. I'd keep the full interior, all the amneties, and keep it looking as standard as possible. It would be gloss black, just like my old one with dark tinted windows. The only indication that it was anything other than it seemed would be a subtle dual-exhaust system and meaty rubber on 16x8/9 wheels. I might even do away with the hood scoop and all the GT-4 badging. See, I've already thought this all through. :D There's one out there running a twin-turbo 1UZ through the standard rear end. Google "Celica GT8" if you don't believe me.

Interestingly enough... MOST GTSs have a driveshaft tunnel under them, making this not HORRIBLY hard.

And yes... Justen Simpson's "GT8" is unreal. Too bad he used a REAL GRP A to do it. My avatar pic is his car.

There's also this car: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3205027

Here's the "GT8"

The funny thing is its probably cheaper to make a celica rwd than to buy a last gen supra.

RossD wrote: Adrian, I like your style. I've always like the old rally escorts that were rear wheel drive and a xr4ti covered with 80s escort sounds like a great idea along with the other two. The old Ford EXP should have a xr4ti underneath it too.

Thx.

It's funny, I loathed EXP's wher I moved here in 94, but love them now.

yea, I used to hate EXPs too...now they're kinda cool.

I've noodled around with the idea of combining a RAV4 and a 6th gen Celica into a GT4. All the mounting bosses and tunnel are under there. I think the fuel tank is an issue, but that's fixable with a real cell.

I used to hate EXPs as well, until I got laid in one.

still saying a rear wheel drive dodge dynasty...

Even though I like the OG Mini as it is being FWD, this is cool:

http://www.superfastminis.com/

AWD Mini.

Color me a simpleton but I think a RWD 2005 Passat wagon stick powered by a Lexus V8 would be a smooth critter.

I always wanted to do a RWD 80's Dodge Charger with a 16 valve 2.2 turbo engine. I seem to remember that Mopar had offered a "kit" to convert to RWD and drop in a V8.

There's a POSsat wagon VR6, AWD MTX that lives near here with a custom exhaust on it. It sounds beautiful, I love uncorked V6's, simply heaven.

rebelgtp wrote: I always wanted to do a RWD 80's Dodge Charger with a 16 valve 2.2 turbo engine. I seem to remember that Mopar had offered a "kit" to convert to RWD and drop in a V8.

IIRC, during the Dodge/Lambo Days, there was a RWD Daytona concept with a Lambo (Jalpa?) engine called the "Decepzione" or something like that. I remember reading about it in Automobile.

I believe that a 3.8 turbo/supercharged RWD Reatta would've been the coolness.