AWD - It's been talked about. Alot. Options

[Gildier]

So, I am purchasing a 1997 Toyota Celica GT with a silvertop 4AGE 20v (MT). I plan on slapping a 3SGTE and new clutch on it to handle the power, but here's the kicker:

I want AWD.

Why? I'm a GT-Four enthusiast. I know the '94 will be legal in 2019, but this is a project I want done before Christmas because it'll be a present for my father, who's been eyeing the GT-Fours for 13 years now.

NOW, the fun part. Do I care about price? To an extent. Please don't tell me "if you want AWD just go buy a subaru". No. Screw you. I want a GT-Four, lol.

Is it at all possible to ship a GT-Four sans internals and have US VIN marked parts such as a 3SGTE and tranny + diff etc dropped into it? Or would there be a VIN issue due to the VIN being stamped into the car itself and it being a japanese body not having a US standard VIN?

Maybe just order a GT-Four frame? Transfer EVERYTHING onto the new frame?

Or for the builders, fabricate a subframe and bolt everything to it and call it a day? Cut out the spare tire well, run a new fuel cell (ST205), extend the brake lines, and welding in drive shaft support brackets?

Just wanted some up-to-date info. Thanks guys!

[slavie]

VIN goes with a frame. It is highly illegal in US to change the FRAME VIN number. Engine and transmission do not matter, the car always goes by the chassis VIN.

Because of that, and for other reasons, starting with a GT4 chassis is not really an option unless you want your vehicle impounded.

You can get it done by Christmas if you make it your full time task and have a well equipped shop. Or outsource it to such a shop along with a suitcase of cash. We're talking 100-300 work hours here, depending on skill and knowledge.

If you're like the rest of us and work on weekends and after work, then have to wait weeks here and there to source part this and have part that custom made, you're looking at a year or two project.

But hey, nobody here will complain if you get it done by Christmas, and I'm sure plenty of people will share knowledge with you if you take the project on.