AWD conversion?

Kieper · Post by **Kieper** » May 20th, 2007, 10:49 pm

I recently came across an interesting oppourtunity to purchase an engine. The motor is the BPT from the Mazda 323 AWD. My question about this is: Assuming you get the axels as well as the transmission would it actually be possible to convert the MX-3 into an AWD vehicle. To me it seems close to plausable but there may be a few things I'm not thinking of (or more than likely a thousand).

Anyway just looking for input from other people. Thanks in advance.

Cy · Post by Cy » May 20th, 2007, 10:57 pm

Less then can be counted on one hand have seriously tried...
To my knowledge only one has made it through the gauntlet...

After purchasing all nessicary parts, it still requires MASSIVE amount of body strengthening and stiffening tobe able to handle any power being put to the rear...

Kieper · Post by **Kieper** » May 20th, 2007, 11:41 pm

Do you happen to know where I can talk to the guy who was sucessful? Although I'm really starting to think it would just be easier to buy an EVO, or a WRX STI if I really want a rally car that badly.

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » May 21st, 2007, 12:01 am

Kieper wrote:it would just be easier to buy an EVO, or a WRX STI if I really want a rally car that badly.

You think? Although if you had the money for an EVO or an STI, why would you bother to convert an Mx-3 to AWD if your affraid of the work involved? The Mx-3 never came AWD, so there will be some customization involved, however the Mx-3's chassis is very close to that of the 323/Protege, which is why it's doable.

If you search, there's plenty of threads in regards to an AWD conversion. Josh has it complete (http://home.comcast.net/~josh95mx/), as well projectmx is as well in the midst of this conversion.

Kieper · Post by **Kieper** » May 21st, 2007, 12:09 am

Nd4SpdSe wrote:You think?.

Ouch, but thanks for the URL anyway.

Paradox MX-3 · Post by **Paradox MX-3** » May 21st, 2007, 7:53 pm

my friend wanted to try this , then he actually read about it and realized how much custom work had to be done

Josh · Post by **Josh** » May 22nd, 2007, 8:38 pm

well seeing as i have done it, its defiantly plausible. it requires front end work. custom front engine cradle, custom motor mounts front and rear, you have to modify the trans. then to make way for a custom drive shaft, either the Protege drive shaft has to be shortened or the GTX one needs to be lengthened, as well as mounts for the carrier berrings. then that brings us to the gas tank, if your not going to put a fuel cell in it you need to find a GTX or AWD protege gas tank. and hope you can mount it, as it will need some work too. and they use two fuel pumps so a little wireing as well. then the rear end needs to be completely refabricated. new sub frame rails, mounts, strut placement, and you have to make sure everything is aligned perfectly or your car will drive down the road sideways. (this isnt even all of what you will need to make it work)

its defiantly not easy, but if you have some time and about 2-2500K to throw at it assuming you do all the work yourself, or at least know someone who can weld. cause if your welds don’t hold it will fall rite out from under you.

end result: its fun as hell to drive, threw snow and ice with ease, swamp it in the mud, 4 wheel drifts and burnouts. but you cant cut yourself short when doing the swap, as it really messes with the integrity of the car, and if not done properly, it could be fatal. thats why you will find no write up on the swap, at least from me. lol best of luck

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » May 29th, 2007, 12:28 pm

this is really something you should only do if you have the ability to have a lot of downtime with your car. I have been workingon this for 16 months now and i'm still not quite done. The only write up you'll see from me are pictures proving i actually did it and pics of my engine build that i am currently finishing also.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » May 29th, 2007, 8:55 pm

projectmx wrote:this is really something you should only do if you have the ability to have a lot of downtime with your car. I have been working on this for 16 months now and i'm still not quite done.

Your just slow. lol

I did mine in a month, by my self on jack stands in my garage, only working on it a couple hours a night and on weekends. but it did take almost a year to save the parts up to do it.

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » May 30th, 2007, 7:58 am

i didn't wait for the parts i started working and just got parts as i could find them so it isn't taking me that much longer sort of

plus my car is about 1.5 hours away and i can't work on it as much as you could yours

joetoken · Post by **joetoken** » June 12th, 2007, 4:02 pm

Alot of work, but imagine how quick this would be at the 1/8 mile, you could problably win all the money you put in it back at the track....

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » June 12th, 2007, 4:08 pm

i didnt' do an AWD conversion to go in a straight line