AWD Conversion Options

[Swifty]

If I get the ST205 Clip and get that dealt with (- read - Thats a big IF (I'm in my last year of high school and have all my cash going towards university, scolarships are pending)) HOw much would it cost to do the AWD conversion. would this be something I could do on my own? Is it harder or easier than an engine swap (with a clip). This conversion is pretty much a must, if I decide to get the 3sGTE, that many horsies in a FF car (front engine, front wheel drive) would really take away from the experience/clean starts off the line. Also I have a bunch of mods already (UD pulleys, sway bars, short shifter) would any of these have to be replaced or would they work with the new engine and drive train?

PS: anybody know how easy/hard it would be to get a 3sgte in Canada (Ottawa).

This post has been edited by Swifty: Mar 29, 2003 - 12:32 PM

[Guest_Matthew_*]

Ok, a couple of things:

1. For the parts go to www.jarcoinc.com. 4500 for an st205 front and rear clip. If you just buy the front you will not have all the parts or the floor panels needed.

2. Like chuck said you will not be able to use you suspension or engine mods from your 5s-fe or 7a-fe on your 3s-gte.

3. This swap again like charlie said will cost you 5-7 grand, not counting the price of the parts. I would suggest getting all new belts, oil lines, brake lines, fuel lines, spark plugs, etc. In a sense do what I am doing. Get all the parts that you will need before you attempt the swap. Such as internal engine parts, clutches, suspension, sway bars, brake system, etc.

Then you have to find a shop that has a frame straightener or frame holder. Because you have to take out the floor of your car and swap in the floor pans of the st205 clip. Then you also have to do the same for the gas tank. If you do not have a frame straightener/holder, when you take out the floor of your car your car will lose its structural integrity and the roof will wrinkle and you will have a whole mess of other problems. The engine part should be a lot easier to do than the awd part.

Don't think that I am just making this up either. I got this information from highly trained professionals. In fact it is from eric and a couple of other guys at E.L. Prototypes in Aruza California. This work is just his estimate on what needs to be done. He is not entirely sure if the floor needs to be swapped out or not. But just to be on the safe side that's what I would do.

Oh, and please please please do not use 5th gen awd parts for your 6th gen suspension. I know of someone who did that. I will not mention his name. Also I do not know how safe it would be to just weld the parts to your car.


Any more questions?? If so, PM me or talk to me on Aol Instant Messenger (AIM) My screenname is "igotta5SFEturbo". Or talk to Qatar11. He is doing this too. Not sure how far he is now...but he has an st so he will most likely be your best source of info after he gets done.


Matt

This post has been edited by igotta5S-FEturbo: Apr 3, 2003 - 11:30 PM