Is AWD worth it?
an AWD Imprezza had a 1 foot thick slab of concrete land on it (feel sorry for that guy). So I wad thinking about how hard it would be to use its drive system on a cavalier. Well I think i would need the entire motor, pcm, guages, suspension, and drive train. I know this would be a HUGE project no doubt. But since I would be getting the car for free is it worth it? I am a shade tree mechanic, I would work on it every night after work most likely. I have an entire machine shop at my disposal also. What would you do?
---1998 2.2 Cavalier Automatic Red---
<img src="http://www.softtouchsewing.com/banner1.jpg">
-Evidica-
Oh wow what an undertaking. I've never really looked that closely at the drivetrain of a subaru, but I'd have to just guess that you'd basically be fabricating a new underbody/chassis for your cavy. Firewall, driveshaft tunnel, and I think the rear differential would land where your spare tire well is. You'd have to relocate your gas tank. Doubt your current front subframe would work since the motor is pointed an entirely different direction at the moment.
I mean even if I were an expert welder, fabricator, and machinest I'm not sure I'd do it...
On the bright side though I think the bolt pattern is the same so you'd get to use the same wheels! Offset and everything is pretty close.
In a word.... no.
You would be better off buying a car that is already AWD (think 1st or 2nd gen boosted DSM... mmm)
Rob
Sold 2/2/05
NOT WORTH IT.
But if I was going to do it, I would cut the cav's Uni-body apart and place it on top of the Subaru's frame/trans.
That would be the easiest route, but them you still have to line everything up. Probably have to cut and shorten the Subaru's frame.
Thats my .015 cents.
PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO
its not worth it. just buy a car with AWD. its sort of like buying a auto tranny car and converting over to 5 speed. just get the 5 speed to begin with
Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
if you cant figure out is it worth it to YOU or not, then prob not
It would be wicked cool when it was done!!
And no... offset isn't the same.
im the lone duck here i guess.. if i had the time and energy and resources to do it i certainly would.. it would be a one of a kind thing.. but the thing is... ^ read all that above multiple all your troubles and you got nothing but greif...
not worth it
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
thanks guys, i think im just gonna buy an XLR
---1998 2.2 Cavalier Automatic Red---
<img src="http://www.softtouchsewing.com/banner1.jpg">
-Evidica-
if i was gonna try such an undertaking, i'd be looking at a vehicle with an engine option that was offered in the j-body and try to make that work...
think saturn vue... that would probably be alot easier (not that it would be easy by any means) than trying to make a subaru powertrain work in a chevy...
Find an Isuzu Impulse that was AWD. They use the same 76mm tranny that our J's got. You can work from there
O noes!
REDGOTE (ROBZ IL CAV) wrote:In a word.... no.
You would be better off buying a car that is already AWD (think 1st or 2nd gen boosted DSM... mmm)
Rob
Fully agree. Plus, AWD cars have the power to push all 4 wheels...a stock cavalier/sunfire doesn't have that much power. If you look at Suburu & Audi, most of their cars are AWD with turbos or high power motors to push their AWD drivetrain.
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