RWD 6th Gen, Guaging Interest Options

[roo]

Being the U.S. representative for Varis, I've been toying around with doing another project car for them. I've seen alot of attempts at turning 6th gen celicas into ST205 GT-FOURs but I also saw a guy in Australia who turned a ST185 GT-FOUR into a RWD monster by dropping a Lexus V8 in it and making it RWD.

Seeing as how the U.S. Spec Celicas have the driveshaft tunnel and I already have a AWD Celica, I've been thinking it would be pretty dope to convert a U.S. Spec 6th gen into RWD with a 3SGTE. I already have a spare rear diff from my ST185 which is a small, yet vital, part that I will need....

What are your thoughts on such a project??

[Kwanza26]

Back on topic now...

Let's get down and dirty with the possible parts. If the 3SGTE is to be used, it'll bolt up to the W series tranny (those on the old RWD celicas amougst many others). I believe the bellhousing is a direct bolt-up to the engine and at the very most, some minor modifications. The water lines, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, throttle cable, speedo cables, wiring harness, along with motor mounts and possibly accesories (depending on clearence issues) will have to be custom fabricated... The firewall might also have to be modified to fit the tranny... but that's just a maybe. Tranny mounts will be custom and most likely a custom drive shaft will have to be made. It's a lot of work... but a RWD celica will be the result, along with some drifting pleasure and the pure joy of FR driving... ;] That's not including the rear-end BTW...

Alternate motors that will work: 2/3RZFE's from the Tacomas along with associated drivetrain parts and underhood goodies (engine has size and some serious potential with forced induction)... 1/2/3MZFE V6 with W series tranny (they bolt up to the same tranny as the 3SGTE).

There are many others, including oldies such as the 18/20/21/22R's, 4AGs, 2/3T's... etc... however, I'm also taking into account the longitual length of these motors, and am trying to keep them workable under the 6th gen hood... I wish I had a crap load of money to blow.

roo: why don't you try this on your ST185 (if you still got it)? It'll be easier... considering the only thing you need to worry about is underhood stuff... just a thought...

To close... not the kind of conversion that you can do in your backyard, unless your backyard is like mine (a garage with the works)... but would be nice to see.