AWD conversion

[dragon2200]

Has anyone thought about trying it, I know where to get the parts to do it somewhat easy with a few floor pan modifications.

[Boss122]

I thought about trying it with 323 GTX drivetrain parts, but it seems liek its more trouble than its worth.

[mechtech]

I love the 'somewhat easy' part.

[mellowness65]

if it was somewhat easy it would've been done already;)

[iceracer]

So where do you get an AWD transaxle that will fit a ZX2 and the rear hubs etc.?

[dragon2200]

A Jag X type

[tre2000zx2]

A Jag X type

good luck with that ...

[dragon2200]

there's 4 at my local JY I'm just toying around with ideas right now, either way when I get my house I will be doing either a rwd or awd conversion. rwd is easier but awd would be funner.

[Beodude123]

I'm not going to say it's impossible, but I will say that it's more than likely not worth it. You would be unique if it was AWD, because I haven't seen one yet.

[ZX2 Sleeper]

Why not just buy an escort cosworth

[dragon2200]

Why not just buy an escort cosworth

I was actually pondering on havind a Cosworth yb 2.0 shipped over from the UK but the only way I could do it under the radar is have it shipped to Canada and drive it over, I'm still thinkin because it is a 700 hp motor for around $6500 and it's the same size as the Zetec. That is the motor I will use if I go rwd. I will use either the Zetec or 2.0 Cossy Duratec from Focus power as the awd motor.

[5spdzx2]

Alot of people will tell you its impossible, stupid, or too much work. Its none of these if you have the ambition to do it.

If you want to do it, just do it and post a picture after it all in the photo phorum and they will drool over your work.

[Beodude123]

Why not just buy an escort cosworth


Having been in England, and having a friend that was trying really hard to ship his J Spec 4th gen Supra over, I can tell you that is probably the hardest route to going AWD.

[dragon2200]

The only way to LEGALLY import a car is to do it through a reputable import company that changes all of the parts over to US spec parts which is about 15-30k on top of the vehicle price

[Texas Tracer]

The easiest way is either getting a Mazda 323 GTX or AWD Protege that was sold over here and cut the flooring out and weld it up to the ZX2 body. Or you could import a Ford Laser TX3 (AWD 2nd gen escort w/ GTX turbo motor) from Australia and do the same.

[dragon2200]

cheaper for me to get the jag x or the protege and the jag X system is a lot stronger, as far as cutting the floor out and welding up that's quite alright it would be easier to take my cutting wheel and modify the existing floor pan. The import route is not an option as it would be tied up for months in customs.

[fastporsche911s]

If you have enough time and money I am sure you can make it work. Sounds like a neat idea...practical? Maybe not... cheap - hell no...reliable, not sure...but dude that would be a sick car. I've been toying with the idea of that V6 swap off the DIY board, but an AWD conversion would be sick! If you do it I wish you luck. Seriously...time, money, patience you can do anything...check this out http://www.renegadehybrids.com/

-Steve

[CT9A]

If you can find a 4wd protege(or just import BG chassis 323gtr) the actual rear end will bolt right into the zx2, but thats the only easy part. You will have to move the fuel tank to have room for the driveshaft. Then you would have to buy a jdm 323 gtr trans and have a new bellhousing made that would bolt to a zetec.(the 4wd protege one sucks) Then you would have to fabricate mounts to mount the trans into the zx2, and have a driveshaft made. Then after you do all that you still have a transmission that isnt any stronger then a zx2s other then the fact that it has a lsd. The rear end can be made pretty strong though because the pumpkin is the same one used in the miata. So aftermarket lsds are plentiful for it.

[dragon2200]

I'm swapping out for a 5 gallon fuel cell so moving the tank won't be a problem.

[CT9A]

Well as long as its a BG chassis the rear subframe will bolt in. So any 90+ 4wd protege or Jdm/Euro 323gtx or 323gtr rear end(make sure its a Bg 323 and not the older ones. Most jdm engine sites that sell 323gtx engines and front clips sell the 85-89 models). You could probably get one of these import companies to import you a 323 and do a front clip chop and then sell you the rear end as well. The gtx is pretty much the same as the 4wd, but the gtr comes factory with a rear lsd. The 4wd protege are hard to find in the us but there are a lot of them in canada