Rwd Conversion?!?!?!?!

[scuba0100]

I have a 94 Dodge stealth and i have been driving myself crazy trying to find a conversion package that would convert it from a FWD to a RWD. (Correcting the only real mistake Dodge/Mitsu made with the 3S cars). I have only seen a "RWD" rear sub frame assembly that looked homemade at best. Wondering if anyone knows anything about a conversion package or possibly some ideas on where to start. ....I know that it won't be cheap, but im trying to lean more toward unique than inexpensive....

[quackmandude]

no idea man. i personally like the fwd, gives handling an edge, but that depends on a lot of things. rwd is better on the drag, but they made the vr4s and stealth tts for that purpose and their awd. i have no idea where to get a rwd ki or plans at best. good luk kid dont worry tho ive seen crazier stuff.

[scuba0100]

I wouldn't mind the AWD of a VR-4 but i figure if im going to spend that kind of money then i might as well build what i really want... A Drifter.. Im really looking forward to someday beating my Brothers 240SX into the ground sideways..

[Dreamspawn]

You are talking bout more money then buying a vr4 it would be easier and cheaper i think to buy a vr4. Then weld up the front half shafts or somthing of that nature. I have a whole ebay page saved up a rwd vr4 on there i could upload somewhere i guess if you wanted to look at it. BUT you are talking bout a extreme amount of money even then a 3kgt or stealth isn't going to be the best drifter IMO buy a 240sx b/c they are known for drifting parts are cheap and the BIG one you can find them..

Second thought 2nd gen rx7 with blown motor throw in 350 for dirt cheap waa laa perfect drift car or if you want to stay true to nature that rotory isn't a slouch either.

[Stealthee]

There actually is a kit out there now. Its ridiculously expensive just for the kit, and it only supplies the mounting hardware. Everything else is up to you.

The only reason they went with FWD was because of the Viper. Dodge didnt want a 320 hp RWD sportc car to be competing with its flagship car.

[Crackhedbob341]

Having to work on a rotary FTL. A base 3S weighs in at 3000 lbs, which would make it hard to control in a drift. A TT is 3800, has extra crap definitely not for drifting - AWD, AWS, weight, etc. (3S are heavy for high speed stability) The only RWD 3S I have seen uses American car parts from like Chevy, which would require you to turn your engine 90 degrees for the conversion meaning custom fabrication. Time and money are the key factors here. The N/A DOHC only has 222 BHP, which means for your car to be decent you would need a big single turbo, TT conversion, or a supercharger. My 2 cents....

[Stealthee]

A few things to note

A base 3s weighs around 3200. My SOHC weighs 3100.

Most TT 3s are generally 3700 lbs and under. Only Spyders get up over that 3800lb barrier. They are not heavy for high speed stability. They are heavy because of all the AWD and the extra "gadgets"

There are at least 2 RWD 3s's using the 6g72. There is a few more in the works.

Fox body Mustangs had around 220 hp and did just fine.

[AutostradaVR4]

lots of custom fabrication involved. And time.

If that doesnt scare you off, your going to need to start by finding a rear subframe from an AWD.
The route i would go if it was my project, would be to mount a VR-4 engine in there longitudinally, and start searching for a RWD tranny to mount to it. Both the RWD cars i've seen were autos...i think they were using the GM turbo400 trans IIRC. One was a langitudinally mounted 6g72 (looked good too), the other was a V8.

[Stealthee]

You dont have to have a rear subframe from a VR4. As I stated earlier there is a kit now available that will let you bolt up a domestic style solid rear. The kit includes all the brackets but the rear and everything else is up to you.

[scuba0100]

Thanks for all the good advise guys. I thought i saw a kit out there to convert to RWD so im glad someone else has seen it to so i know im not dreaming it up. I was expecting ridiculously expensive so im ok with that. Quick backround....I work at a GM Dealership as a rising Technician. Im might not be a whiz with a wrench yet but i know my way around. All th guys i work with in the shop are ASE Master techs and love a good challenge. We've had a few projects in the shop and the boss doesn't seem to mind so i have most of the money, the shop, and all the time in the world with no labor costs. Back to "The Conversion".. I have a 94Dodge Stealth SOHC (Stupidly Omitted Half the Cams) 3.0L.... So an engine swap was definitely in the works already.. I think i want to stay with the 6G72 but im still not sure about going with the TT VR-4 or a DOHC with a Big Turbo kit.. The VR-4 swap would be a little harder because of all the ECU and sensor modifications i would have to make not to mention i would still have to "chop off" two wheels and modify the front suspension setup that was made for AWD and possibly might loose power using TT Trans. dragging gears im not using. The DOHC would probably require a diffrent trans too though depending on the rear setup.. Luckily i do have the shaft in my floorpan so i won't have to do any custom welding on that part anyways. So there are so many variables for me to think about.. a kit would make it much easier for me to plan the details... Since i want to build everything around the RWD setup. I know how much easier it is to build a 240 Drifter, i am watching my brother do it right now. But like 75% of drift cars are 240's or RX-7's. Which is why i bought the Stealth.. There aren't too many floating around anymore.. So if my Frankenstein 3S still won't get sideways with a 240 then i will just have to make more power or shave off more weight until it does. I figure this might take a year or two to get right and a few wheel barrels full of money. But it will be a rare gem when it's all said and done.. (...Im hoping...). I would love a link to that ebay site DreamSpawn ([email protected]).. And if anyone knows any details about that conversion kit that Stealthee was talking about.. i would love some more info.. Thanks again for the help...

[Crackhedbob341]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

A few things to note

A base 3s weighs around 3200. My SOHC weighs 3100.

Most TT 3s are generally 3700 lbs and under. Only Spyders get up over that 3800lb barrier. They are not heavy for high speed stability. They are heavy because of all the AWD and the extra "gadgets"

There are at least 2 RWD 3s's using the 6g72. There is a few more in the works.

Fox body Mustangs had around 220 hp and did just fine.

I have to redeem myself. Weights were from memory, i didn't mean that a TT was specifically heavy for stability.

The american parts i was referring to was the rear axle and transmission.

220 hp i was unaware of. Guilty on that one.

[Stealthee]

One of the RWD 3s's uses a Porsche trans and the stock rear.

There is a RWD 3s in the works that will also use the stock rear.