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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
March 2004
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Celica FWD to AWD conversion - the facts?
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Sun, 12 June 2005 12:37
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Is it really possible to convert a FWD Celica to an AWD Celica? I'm sure some of us have seen or heard of the RWD Integra and the DIY Evo getting around... To the sane man, the sheer cost involved in procuring parts, fabrication and modification of the floor pan, upgrading ancilliaries such as brakes etc. would make this concept seem completely mad. Regardless, surely somewhere in the world *cough*America*cough* someone has tried and pulled this conversion off.
My reason for believing this is that a LOT of people are under the impression that an AWD conversion is a simple bolt-in job on any FWD Celica. I've even heard a mechanic suggest this once! Surely someone with more dollars than sense has tried it!
From what I gather,
- The floorpans are significantly different. The GT-4 has a much more rigid chassis and mounts for a rear diff cradle. I dont know about the 180 and 200 series Celicas, but there's no way one of those cradles would bolt into the ST162.
- Even if you were to sink the money into it, the suspension geometry would be a shambles and the car would drive like a pig, and generally perform poorer than a GT-4.
Oldie but a goodie:
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AWD Conversion in 5 Easy Steps
1. Open bonnet, remove radiator cap.
2. Remove FWD Celica
3. Install GT-4
4. Reinstall radiator cap, close bonnet.
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So what are your opinions? If it were possible to get pictures of the floorpans of the two cars side by side it would make for interesting comparison. What other technical / engineering points would need to be considered? Could you put a guess-timate on how much it would cost? Hopefully we can either confirm or deny this myth once and for all!
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
March 2004
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Registered:
October 2004
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Re: Celica FWD to AWD conversion - the facts?
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Sun, 12 June 2005 14:39
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I think people carry out these conversions because there isn't a car on the market that's like that and/or their really attached to the car and there isn't another car like the one their going to mod etc
I don't think anyone's done a sx celica to a gt4 celica conversion because it would cost alot more than a gt4 to carry out the conversion.
But like the integra that was a rear wheeler for drift, there wasn't a rear wheeler integra on the market, and the idea would make peoples jaw drop (in a good way). get me?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth, Western Australia
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Celica FWD to AWD conversion - the facts?
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Sun, 12 June 2005 17:31
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Yes, it's possible. No, it's not economical - sell your FWD, and buy an AWD model if you want that feature?!
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
March 2004
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Re: Celica FWD to AWD conversion - the facts?
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Mon, 13 June 2005 00:37
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lol - no, I personally DON'T want to do this!! IMO its completely insane, I was just wondering, seeing as so many people think its possible, if anybody had attempted it? Excluding cost as a factor, IF it were possible, how would you go about it?
Also thought a thread dedicated to the topic might help out newbies who are under the impression they can do a conversion like this. It has been discussed a few times before but there has been no definitive conclusion, just a lot of people saying 'no you can't do it' without offering a detailed explanation.
Sorry if my previous post was a bit muddled, it was late and I was trying to avoid having to study. 
[Updated on: Mon, 13 June 2005 00:38]
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Celica FWD to AWD conversion - the facts?
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Mon, 13 June 2005 02:10
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the one i believe mentioned on the us celica forums was eventually cubed - the AWD setup didnt align properly causing huge vibrations thru the car ..
So unless your a fully quialified engineer and have access to the toools of the trade - not just a backyard hack - this is an impossible swap ..
As mentioned , anyone considering it is mad not just to buy a Gt4 in the first plce ..
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Location:
South Australia
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Celica FWD to AWD conversion - the facts?
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Mon, 13 June 2005 02:24
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There is a huge difference between the arse end of a ST165 GT4 and a ST162 SX (except for the panels) - pity I can't take pictures of 'em to show just how different they are.
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