Quest for More Power and More Traction! BP+T + AWD Build Thread

[Nerd Racing]

Well I didn't want to start a thread before I was fully committed to the swap... Since I went from this:



to this:



I'm pretty sure I'm committed.

I'll be using a Miata rear suspension assembly for the rear half of the AWD setup. I am putting 323 GTX guts into the Miata rear diff housing so I have the correct ratio.

Miata rear suspension:







Jacked up in place to see how everything lined up:





Looks like it will line up pretty well to me, just have to get it all centered. I did have an issue with the upper control arm contacting the unibody rails so I had to devise a way to replace that section of the unibody and still have some strength in the back of the car there.

After a few different ideas I came up with this:



And I'll tie the two sides together like this:



They are just set in place for now, I need to get a few welding magnet/right angle jigs so I can tack weld the frame assembly together.

I am so glad I picked up a metal chop saw (abrasive blade).



near perfect cuts every time... mmm... sure beats the hand cuts with a sawzall or an angle grinder like all the rest of my projects.

More to come tomorrow!

[skimsucka]

wow! i like the plans and fitment looks better then i would have thought


will be following

[FestYboy]

that things gonna need to go on a diet.

[nitrofarm]

Sub'd

[sasquatch]

thats more like it, finaly someone doing some big work to a festiva

[Nerd Racing]

that things gonna need to go on a diet.

the tubing I am using is 1" x 2" and not too thick of a wall. I will try and do a comparison of what I took out and what I put in weight wise.

[Nerd Racing]

thats more like it, finaly someone doing some big work to a festiva

I wish it was an aspire... but I could not find a clean enough candidate to build off of.

[citizen caine]

I like your style!!

I would try to do a weight comparison, it's very time consuming and a huge junk pile builds up real fast...what I did is build it light but sturdy. Then weigh it when your done and compare it to the stock specs..

Love the project & can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Rocketman]

Finally, some pictures! haha

[Nerd Racing]

Matt what does the GTXR2 tip the scales at?

[Grey Vw]

You are beast. Good luck

[Rocketman]

Matt what does the GTXR2 tip the scales at?

She sat at 2750 after the BPT and AWD. ~2400 to start

[thered56]

I thought you might be planning this! Sweeeet!

I'll be using a Miata rear suspension assembly for the rear half of the AWD setup. I am putting 323 GTX guts into the Miata rear diff housing so I have the correct ratio.

Miatas have "correct" ratio rear ends, although my understanding is that you can vary the ratio difference front/rear for different torque split. What tranny you going with? One with the viscous center diff?

[mattman]

wow looks like its will be a kool ride when done I LIKE IT

[Damkid]

Sub'd