Making my Limited ed really limited., Possible RWD convertion Idea. Options

[Soulend]

Hey everyone!

I would really like to change my 97 Celica in to a RWD. I have prospects on a 3SGTE engine and transmission. personally, I think RWD is better than AWD in respects that I wont be rallying the car. do you think it is possible? if so do you think its also possible to make it posi trac? Sorry to sound like a total newb but its true. please give me all the advice you can possible give!

Thank you very much,

Kevin

[jason]

anything is possible. and if i were you id put on your flame suit a while as its not a very financially nor labor logical thing to do. theres a good amount of info on the boards, just use the search feature.

i think you should get a jag rear end assembly, then drop an ls1 engine into it or some blown 467 race engine and have the celica poppin wheelies with its 500hp+ monster hangin out the hood

[Soulend]

hrm... Id rather stick strictly toyota, Celica if i could. if RWD isnt a good idea with that engine, then ill go AWD.

[BloodyStupidDave...]

hrm... Id rather stick strictly toyota, Celica if i could. if RWD isnt a good idea with that engine, then ill go AWD.

RWD would be easier than AWD in a Celica. The non-GT4 Celicas aren't designed for AWD and you would need some serious chassis modifications with the risk of structurally damaging the chassis. If you want AWD, you would be better off getting a GT4 to start with. Having said that, a few people have done an AWD conversion (and I believe one of them almost runs straight and true ). There are loads of threads discussing AWD conversions.

As an aside, does anyone know if the chassis for the ST203 with 4WS is more suitable for a AWD conversion?

RWD would be easier as one could move the entire engine bay to the trunk. A rear clip from a MR2 might be a good donar. This has been talked about several times as Jason says, but to my knowledge no-one has actually attempted it yet.

[Soulend]

hrm I see... well is it still possible to put that engine in a FWD?

[97lestyousay]

hrm I see... well is it still possible to put that engine in a FWD?

Yes. Tons of people have done it. Defgeph converted his 97 ltd, I plan to do the same.
If you search the stickies you will find all the info you need.

[95celgt]

well what i would do is what the WRX guys are doing and make it 4wd, then remove the front half-shafts. I plan on doing something to mine, dont know if i should go 4wd or RWD as my friend makes full tube chassy's at his shop and he could prolly mock it up for me with a good rearend.

[playr158]

removing the front half shafts is BAD idea.....you'll only be gettin 50% percent of the power instead of transferring it correctly..

to CORRECTLY do RWD with a 3sgte
you need to find the bell housing from a 2s motor and a supra tranny of which code i totally forget at the moment, and rotate the motor in the engine bay by 90*

i've already done the needed research for this project...its expensive, the parts are HARD to find...and it takes LOTS of work

[Rayme]

Well if the drivetrain is much of a driving concern, you have the wrong car.

The easiest way to have a RWD celica (in the US), is buy a pre 4th gen, or buy an all-trac and properly convert the transmission to send power to the rear wheels only.

Sounds like you'd be better off getting a 95+ 240sx

make it a posi-trac? Can I make my 5s-fe vtec , it's a LSD you mean. I think 94+ GT-FOUR rear diff are lsd's.

This post has been edited by Rayme: Nov 24, 2007 - 9:28 PM

[netrata]

Maybe Blacktop Beams 3SGE conversion using parts from the JDM Altezza?

[Harold_Fastwaker]

removing the front half shafts is BAD idea.....you'll only be gettin 50% percent of the power instead of transferring it correctly..

to CORRECTLY do RWD with a 3sgte
you need to find the bell housing from a 2s motor and a supra tranny of which code i totally forget at the moment, and rotate the motor in the engine bay by 90*

i've already done the needed research for this project...its expensive, the parts are HARD to find...and it takes LOTS of work

W58



Yes, the price list is how you say, 4 times the cost of what you paid for your car. AWD would be easier as you dont have to make room for the transmission and driveshaft. Either way you still need to fabricate up the rear end.

[Kwanza26]

Yes, the price list is how you say, 4 times the cost of what you paid for your car. AWD would be easier as you dont have to make room for the transmission and driveshaft. Either way you still need to fabricate up the rear end.

engine bay fab is EASY compared to the rear...

[Harold_Fastwaker]

Yes, the price list is how you say, 4 times the cost of what you paid for your car. AWD would be easier as you dont have to make room for the transmission and driveshaft. Either way you still need to fabricate up the rear end.

engine bay fab is EASY compared to the rear...

It always is


Nothing wrong or hard about cutting up the firewall and floor but some people haven't grasped that requirement yet.

[Kadett]

There alreay is a RWD Celica, its called a Supra. Bigger/powerfull engine with better internal design. Stronger rear diff (i dont believe the ST205 rear diff can hold more then 300-330bh).

Just look at the 4.0 twin turbo RWD 5th gen Celica. He cant get any traction with the car. With a supra you can stick some wide tyres under there but the Celica is very limited (without widebody conversion).

I dont think the ST203 AWS could be made RWD since the hubs of the ST203 and rear suspension would be removed for ST205 parts in order to make it RWD.

[playr158]

supras are fat and heavy though.....

traction is only a problem if you think inside a box.

[Harold_Fastwaker]

supras are fat and heavy though.....

traction is only a problem if you think inside a box.

6 wheels?

[95celgt]

well fabrication like i said is no problem, we can do anything down south:P and i was thinking of using a ford rear end....

[Kwanza26]

well fabrication like i said is no problem, we can do anything down south:P and i was thinking of using a ford rear end....

You're not gonna have much stroke room for a live axle, nor are you gonna easily find brace points for the links. The GT-4 (St165/185/205) rear will be significantly easier to put in because it uses a similar multi-link set-up, not to mention it's indy.

[playr158]

my plan is to either use a modified GT4 rear end or a corolla/early celicasupra


but thats not the hardest part.......

1 piece is a PITA to find...and without it the rear is pointless

This post has been edited by playr158: Nov 28, 2007 - 1:50 PM

[Kadett]

my plan is to either use a modified GT4 rear end or a corolla/early celicasupra


but thats not the hardest part.......

1 piece is a PITA to find...and without it the rear is pointless

What is? A rear diff suitable to sustain enough BHP?