6G Celicas Forums

Cool, so good luck with the project. Now get to work and post updates on your progress!

why dont people ever use the search function?

Why are you so ignorant. Im no retard

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

But your are yet just another ignorant jack*ss? I never insulted anyone, people doubted me, proved them wrong and only asked one question. You really cannot critisize me for using this website, and you act like I have never read a page of writing before.
I guarentee you have no knowlage of this thread, and just droppd in to act like you know a little something.

P.S.- instead of tawking trash over the net, make your life worth wile and do something constructive. Any one can be a internet bully.

Im not here to start sh_t, but guarenteed youv asked a question thats been ansered aleady(before me).

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.

This post has been edited by _Jim_: Mar 11, 2010 - 1:17 PM

Dude, chill, you are a new member and new members get banned for behavior like this,

Frankly this attitude will take you nowhere.

Did you actually research that batman has helped more people with swaps here than anybody else, He has a 3rd gen 3sgte, a BEams and helped me in my beams swap.


You know how to read and search right? Maskedmand and Pipes have done what you are attempting, why not just read their posts too.

I guided you to Jmeyer, yet you still are asking questions.

WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT.

Please be more respectful in your posts, as we dont take this too well.

I have counted in my two years almost 6 or 7 people banned for skills like yours...

Well I guess I should say sorry to the mod team, I do understand what you are saying njccmd2002..
I have read through your threads as well.(before this)
I just find it offending when people like batman are so quick to judge.
Jim, thank you for so much for all the info! I have been researching your info provided through your profile, and it is great!
I shall get in touch with the folks that have done the swap legally in CA.
Im still debating in my head weather to weld two clips, or weld in subframe's, a floor channel, ect.
I will make sure to contact you for anything I need

Glad I could help.

If by a floor channel, you mean an area to fit the driveshaft....it isnt needed. There is already a "channel" for the driveshaft to fit on the USDM Celicas. Like I said, this conversion is more feasible then most people think.

I dont see the advantage of welding 2 "clips" together.

Ok say in a perfect world, you got your hands on a GT4 the was PERFECTLY cut down the middle and you welded it back together. For these 2 clips you are looking at something like $8,000 delivered to your door.

Now for your $8,000 you have 2 halves of the same car welded together, you will need new interior plastics, new carpet, driveshaft, fuel lines, brake lines, you will need to body work, repaint the car, etc.

Since you only welded the 2 halves together, you do not have a USDM VIN, so you will not be able to register the car unless you do a VIN swap (FELONY) or pay about $3,000 to legally register it as a GT4

You also didnt do any maintenance to the engine that is 15+ years old and your still on the stock clutch.

So a quick tally looks like this:
2 clips...8k
body work and paint...2k
repairing damage done when cut in half...500

You are looking at over 12K for a car that you cannot even register legally/cheaply, still on original gaskets, original clutch, etc. Not worth it in my opinion.


For 10K I can get you a GT4 delivered to your door in running condition and still in one piece. No need to weld it together.

This post has been edited by _Jim_: Mar 11, 2010 - 3:53 PM

like jim said easier than you think..... and yes it can get pricey if i were to redo mine i could do it for 8k.... but i decided i wanted fancy things so i touched 10k

how about the fact that he wants this to be legal in cali? its absolutely impossible... you cannot make any car legal with an engine change in cali... or in the US for that matter... the vin codes have to match... there is no and, ifs, or buts about it... now if you know a mechanic that will pass the car then thats a different story.... shouldn't really worry too much about smog then... but considering cali is known for busting cars that have been lowered.... driving a swapped AWD 3sgte daily.. not such a good idea

I was tawking to the smog guy at my school, and he said to "make your own vehicle" you would need its emissions to get approved by the US standards (every year it gets strickter), this is a long process.
You can find complete clips on ebay for around 4-5g but with no suspension or wheels

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

he said theres smog standards, I never herd of any other inspections.
ASE mechanics are not certified welders either..
You would keep the origional JDM vin on the car.
It costs bank to register like JIM stated.
Another legal way would be to get a good deal on a GSX or something similar for like 3K and boom..
But than again you would have to be a hardcore Celica enthusiast to tear down a perfectly fine GSX
(for that matter lets find a VR4!!) and swap it ALL over...
It wouldnt be much of a Celica afterwords though..
Sounds fun

"10K if you want your momy to have her mechanic do it for you!!"

AWD swap complete yet? or did the OP wake up from his dream