FWD Conversion to RWD or AWD tips

obi_waynne

Administrator
Staff member
Moderator
Points
1,157
Location
Deal, Kent UK
Car
A3 1.4 TFSI 150 COD
I thought we should get a definitive thread going about conversion of a FWD car into a RWD or AWD.

This is a pretty big and expensive undertaking in anyones book. Ideally there will be a similar model in your line up with the desired drivetrain from which to cannabilise parts. The RWD sierra can be converted to AWD using parts from the 4x4XR or Cosworth.

An A3 or Golf can use parts from the S3 or 4 motion for an AWD conversion courtesy of Haldex! This will need a new rear floorpan and you'll have to change over the exhaust as well.

For most cars and I've only seen this done on an Astra so far it requires removal of the bottom the car and replacement with a 4x4 chassis (This came from an Escort Cosworth!). This will have the points for mounting the prop shafts and required clearances.

With some cars I suppose it might be possible to cut a channel inside the car to place the prop shaft through and run this through the car but it can foul up the gear change lever and handbrake housing.

You'll also need to think about diffs and setting these up as well as altering the suspension. Instead of the drag forces they were designed for they are now acting with PULL forces.

Jacking up the car provides another option and gives more clerance underneath but this only really looks right on rough roaders and off road cars.

What are your thoughts on these points and what can you add to the discussion about RWD or AWD conversion projects.
 
Last edited:
There is alot to take onboard when looking at any drivetrain conversion. If going from FWD to RWD as said you'll need a tunnel fabricated and also suspension changes to both front and rear to accomodate the removal of the front driveshafts/hubs and the addition of a suitable suspension set-up to the rear. Rear end will require clearances for suspension travel and anchoring points. Geometry will be the key element here for road set-up. I have seen plenty of these during my time on the ovals and level of work required. AWD wasn't allowed as this deemed as unfair at the time!

Many years ago I did play with an Audi GT in FWD, RWD and Quattro form and this was tested in various conditions and each configuration found to give gains and losses as you would expect, the Quattro giving the most losses as expected due to the transmission but gave the best grip.
 
Buy the right car in the first place....................(sorryT9)
:lol: Thats Rich coming from a guy that's spent a small fortune swapping engines & drivetrain in his! Besides where is the fun in buying a "finished car". ;)
 
For most cars and I've only seen this done on an Astra so far it requires removal of the bottom the car and replacement with a 4x4 chassis (This came from an Escort Cosworth!). This will have the points for mounting the prop shafts and required clearances.

are you talking about rc's (ronnies) astra i pointed out to you while ago???
if so the 4x4 floor actually came from a calibra and the transmission tunnel and seat brackets came from a sierra cosworth;) but only cause he went for a cosworth gearbox which made it easier for his rwd conversion
icon6.gif



there have been lots of 4x4/rwd conversions done over the years!!! mainly by ford owners from what i have seen. they seem to do rwd/4x4 conversions on any ford from old to new including vans.

vauxhalls have to be 2nd from what i have seen. there are quite a few rwd/4x4 conversions that have been done
 
:lol: Thats Rich coming from a guy that's spent a small fortune swapping engines & drivetrain in his! Besides where is the fun in buying a "finished car". ;)


Actually I do practice what I preach. -I have not spent anying doing the complete engine swop. I wanted a manual stagea with an RB26 so I bought one from Japan with the conversion already done. (thats auto to manual and rb25 to rb26) I had it tuned but not changed
Yes, Im all for modding , but some things such as a conversion to awd are so complicated that I would nt do it ,
My comments on engine swops are also consistent (sorry :p ) as in dont put a honda engine in a fiat rather take the sohc engione out and put the R engine in as it fits.
 
Actually I do practice what I preach. -I have not spent anying doing the complete engine swop. I wanted a manual stagea with an RB26 so I bought one from Japan with the conversion already done. (thats auto to manual and rb25 to rb26) I had it tuned but not changed
Yes, Im all for modding , but some things such as a conversion to awd are so complicated that I would nt do it ,
My comments on engine swops are also consistent (sorry :p ) as in dont put a honda engine in a fiat rather take the sohc engione out and put the R engine in as it fits.
Bother! I thought I had you there!

Yes Herb it was Ronnies Astra. It's amazing how foggy the brain gets in a relatively short time!
 
Relatively simple in mk2/3 golfs. only really the boot floor that needs chopping out, tunnel is plenty big enough.Gearbox, Trans box, Rear beam, shafts and prop etc and days work bolting it all up and jobs a good un!
 
I've head of people putting the syncro drivetrain in the mk1's but that required the front from a mk2 as well as the rear, pointless excersice really when the mk2 is techincally a better car, just heavier.

Seen a cossie floor pan put into a 106, 306 and 206 before, also seen a 406 t16 rear end transplanted on a 205 and a 306 for the 4wd, good job the gear box fits the gti6 engine :)
 
Do you need a tunnel shaft in both rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. W / o, how are you going to run the power-transmission speed. By the way, if you do not know the process, have not even tried. In addition, you must replace the gas tank.
 
I always wanted to create a mi16 4x4 in a 205 gti shell but never got round to it as i never found a mi16 4x4 that was for sale at a price i would pay the chop up.

Would have been a hell of a car though i think!!!
 
There's a project somewhere on the 205 GTI forums that does just that, but he used a 405 T16 and they are mega rare. He sold the engine and bought a Xsara VTS and used the engine out of that (same as GTI6) then he supercharged it using a roots blower from a merc. I never finished reading it but it should be one hell of a car.
 
There's a project somewhere on the 205 GTI forums that does just that, but he used a 405 T16 and they are mega rare. He sold the engine and bought a Xsara VTS and used the engine out of that (same as GTI6) then he supercharged it using a roots blower from a merc. I never finished reading it but it should be one hell of a car.


cool,ill go and sniff it out !!!

cheers
liam
 

Similar threads


Please watch this on my YouTube channel & Subscribe.


Back
Top