6G Celicas Forums

theres not a chance "building" your own vehicle would ever pass any type of inspection UNLESS you know the guy giving you the sticker

I agree with the Jack*ss part completely, you hit the nail on the head there.

If you are serious about converting to AWD, and you have welding skills...the conversion is very doable. You are also very much correct in saying that anything is possible, ESPECIALLY with welding skills. If people scoped out Chevy and Honda forums they would understand this better.

Here is what you will need to do your conversion:

GEN3 3sgte (my own personal preference, GEN2 will work also)
AWD trans that comes with the ST205
rear AWD components from an ST205:
diff
cradle
axles
rear struts
calipers
rotors
gas tank
etc.

From there, I feel the best and safest way to do the conversion is to weld in a rear "subframe." The front can literally be just a 2" (ruff measurement of course, as I have not gone out and measured my actual subframes before) piece of steel welded to the existing frame of the car, as the frame for the front of the cradle is actually there...just sits a little to high.

The rear "subframe" is where the challenge comes into play. You can either box out a 2"x4" rectangular piece of steel and weld it from existing frame to existing frame, and weld in a solid piece of steel where the cradle needs to bolt to, so you have a nice solid piece of 2" steel the drill and tap or....

You can do as I am doing. I had a custom set of rear subframes made for me. These rear subframes slide tight against the floor plans, and tight against the frame rails. From there I am going to weld EVERYTHING in the rear. I will weld the custom rear subframes to the existing frame of the car, and to the floor plans of the car. I am doing this for both the front and the rear subframes. This will not alter the structurally integrity of the car in any way (as welding in GT4 floor plans, or welding a GT4 back together would) and it is strong enough to withstand ANYTHING you can possibly throw at it.

After the subframes are welded in, the rest of the swap is basically bolt in. Only small fabrication will be required after that.

I can get you everything you need to do the conversion with the purchase of a front half cut from me. It includes everything need for the conversion, and includes the GT4 front body panels, RHD, super strut suspension, etc. The only thing you will need to do is weld up a set of subframes for your self, and possibly order a longer driveshaft from drivshaft.com IF the coupes have a longer wheel base (I dont think they do, but then I again I never measure either)

As for passing smog, there are a few Cali members here with 3s swaps...so it is very possible. Contact them maybe and see where they went, or what they did.

As for using the 5sfe...You can. You will need to cut off some metal off the block the clear the AWD trans. I know this because I assembled my 5sgte last weekend, and that was all that was required for me to attach the AWD trans the 5sfe. I wouldn't recommend using the 5sfe stock with an AWD car tho....You think you car is slow NOW...wait till you have the added weight and drivetrain loss of a complete AWD system. If you think you will have less trouble passing smog with a turbo kit on your 5sfe (of if you plan to remove it every time you go in for inspection) go that route. You will not make as much power as a GEN3 3sgte would be capable of...but with cams, a nice size turbo, built bottom end, and 20+psi 400+whp is very possible.

I hope this helps answer the question you have and if not...keep them coming, and if you are interested in parts...feel free to PM for pricing.

then instead of asking so many questions that have been asked many times before (like a retard), use the search button and look for the answers and you won't look like a retard, because you look like one now. Did I mention you look like a retard insulting other members trying to help you ?

first, you've asked some basic questions and done no research and expect things to be just handed to you ...?

next, since you are living in California you should be well aware of the strict smog and modifying laws they have in place. Have you researched those ?

the easy answer to your big question is no.

Good luck

why dont people ever use the search function?

How old are you if you dont mind me asking?
If you have the knowledge to weld 2 clips together, then you would have the knowledge to know how bad of an idea that is.

As for the price, its about 10k if you do your own work for all of the parts, and it will never be street legal, especially in california.

easy solution, get an ST185

Did anyone consider that he has a coupe?