all wheel drive conversion?

[Temjin]

Just wondering what would be involved with doing that? Would it be impossible, or just really really really hard. I really want to do it, and money won't be a problem. I don't want to import a whole skyline over, but I was wondering if I could use the drive train.

[NISMO_RB25]

first time for everything.

Unstable hybrids was working on a kit for it, but it looks like they may not be around anymore. site is down.

I am considering trying this at somepoint as well, or using my existing S13/RB25DET, an converting it to AWD using the RB26 transmission/oilpan.

anyway to answer the question, I have never seen anyone who has actually done it, but the cars are similar enough that if you know what you are doing, it should be possible.

[Imissmyturbo]

I have a feeling if an AWD conversion was done the car would drive like crap. You need to find a way to make the front suspension work with the axles. Remember the AWD transmission doesn't fit in the tunnel of the S13/14. You would have to make sure you use the same gear diff in the rear that goes with the front diff (imagine the rear wheels going faster then the front) <-- Just got a killer idea for a drift car. lol

I would love to see it done for an AWD 240 with an RB swap would be really sweet! But the only resound I see to do an AWD swap on a 240 is to make it go in any condition so it would have to be reliable and I don't see that happening.

[nab911]

I have some friends who im sure could do it, and even get it done in 2 weeks. They all work on trucks and do solid axel conversions on trucks that have IFS (indepent front). Pretty much you need excellent fabrication skills. You would have to remove all the axels and suspension pieces and custom make shock mounts, axel mounts, and the such but im sure it wouldnt be hard for someone with a good welder, grinder, metal custting skills.

[JonPowell]

Here is what is involved. Please understand I have not done this, but researched it alot.

Skyline suspension is an upper/lower control arm setup in the front. 240SX is MacPherson strut in the front. They are not directly compatible so to tackle this problem, you would either need to have a customer front spindle machined to accept the front axles, or retrofit the upper/lower control arm setup into the 240SX. The only problem here is getting all the geometry correct.

Then there is the mounting of the engine problem. I am not sure the engine would sit in the right spot for the axles to be in line with the spindles unless you use the Skyline mounts and crossmember, in which case you will have problems with the exhaust/steering, swaybar/oil pan, and hood/engine.

Then comes the AWD trans fitting in the 240SX tunnel, self explanitory

Then is the issue of getting the ATTESSA system to properly function.

Then there is the issue of the ABS system installation

Then the ft/rr diff have to be geared the same

Then the actualtor pump and the reservoir for the transfer case

Then the ETS computer

Then the "G" sensor

on and on and on and on.

I have a feeling I "could" get it to work, but I am not 100% sure until I have all the pieces in my hands.

Good luck attempting it all. Let me know if you get it to work.

I HAVE seen an old Z with the AWD setup, here is the linkhttp://www.z31.com/~morgan/nd/?z/awd1000hp240z.jpg

[Real Boring 240]

why would you spend all this money when you can get an r32 for 30k legal that you KNOW will run like OEM cuz it is! especially if "money wont be a problem"

-Rafael

[nab911]

Thats def AWD... the pic of the front axels shows it going in... but WTF... hes roasting the back tires... How exactly does the skyline center diff work? Is it only in the turns kinda thing (im guessing this because you mentioned a G sensor).

[JonPowell]

The ATTESSA system ONLY sends power to the front wheels if the rear start spinning, thus the need to integrate ABS. I have not figured out the need for the g sensor yet, but I am working on it. It is in the wiring for the system however, so I am pretty sure it would be needed.

[Joe]

"g" sensor, look at the C5 corvetts. if the *** end begins to slide around the ABS applies the brakes a little to control the skid. thats why no matter who drives a corvette they look like they can drive AMAZING. turn that anti-spin **** off and they cant drive for 2 ****s.

[FAST-DATSUN]

It can be done!!!!!!!!!! BUT, the expense of doing it RIGHT far out way the gain. Several have try to do it and failed badly by try to cut cost of doing it.....

[Temjin]

somebody give me a good place to start researching:)

[Joe]

do you really want to spend well over 10,000$ doing this?

[Temjin]

nope, is that how much it would cost?

[Temjin]

I was thinking some where around $10,000 but not over

[JonPowell]

A good place to start is to download the FSM for the R32 GT-R and study the system. Learn all you can about how it operate and the seperate components. Then you should purchase the parts and start to figure out how to put them on the car.

[Nameless EJ6]

waste of effort and time...

[Temjin]

bah I bet people first said "what? Youre installing a RB in your 240sx? why?" Did I say I wanted a skyline? No. I want a all wheel drive version of a 240sx. thats it. And I don't think there isn't any thing you can't do to a car, if your willing to do what it takes

[Joe]

its not like bolting in an engine that wasnt ever put in a car. that is cake. mounts, driveshaft, wiring, done. here you are looking at an entire suspension change. the suspension systems are completley different. not a bolt on replacment. the logistics and money involved make it a total waste of money IMO. its a show piece. "yea i spent 13,000$ on my engine swap and a custom AWD setup but if i would have just put it into the car/engine it would have more horsepower and handle better"

if you want to do it more power to you im just trying to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.

[Temjin]

I can find any fsm's. All the links are dead. Does any one have one?

[Temjin]

never mind I found one, like 1 min later

[Temjin]

Hey Im not looking for nah sayers. Although I know you guys are trying to warn me of the amount of work invoved. Thanks for your concern but I what Im going to need is your support and help. Thanks. Ill be in this section a lot more for a while asking questions and doing research

[FAST-DATSUN]

To be done right you will need to have a custom jig designed and built to allow the transfer of the complete front suppension from the Skyline to the 240sx. and make the needed frame mods to clear the AWD unit. A new front crossmember designed to clear the oil pan and front wheel gear box ect.... I would say any GOOD shop would want 10K+++ to get it done SAFTELY and correct. "NOT" including the engine and parts for the swap..

[Temjin]

ok so a couple of you guys said that people have tried but not succeeded. Do you guys remember who they were? I would like to ask them a couple of questions about what went wrong and were the BIG snags were

[Temjin]

ok do you think you guys could do it with a Ca or SR? Or do you think that I would NEED to start with a RB?

[JonPowell]

If you can find an SR or CA that was AWD, then you could do it, like the Pulsar GTi-R motor, but that is mounted crosswise instead of lengthwise so that in itself is another whole bag of problems.

[skillzilla]

What about GT4 R32, are they as technical as the GT-R's? Id thing the smaller RB20 would leave some room for other stuff, although the front suspension is still obviously different.

[Nameless EJ6]

Do you even have access to machines to custom fabricate and design all the parts necessary to make this happen? You're basically re-designing the car to make it house an AWD setup. I don't even think you're aware of how much is involved in something like this. It's enough to make most genius custom car shop owners/employees tell you it's a waste of time. You might as well just make a whole new car frame out of metal tubing or get a legalized R32 or 33 skyline. At the end of a project like this you'll still be driving a 240sx that now weighs and costs as much as a real skyline. Yet it will likely handle and drive like crap. You will not be able to take it to an aligment machine because no one will touch it.

Another option that sounds like a better idea would be to make a custom body for a REAL skyline that looks like a 240sx. That too would be a waste of time, but it would be an easier goal to hit. Good luck. If everyones discouragement doesn't kill you... the car project will.

[Red Lightning]

This may sound tupid, but I'm just wondering. Maybe it would be cheaper to buy a R32 frontend and have a professional bodyshop align it and weld it to a 240 rear. So everything before the firewall is Skyline, and the rest are still 240. Will that even work? Will the strength be a problem? Maybe adding some re-enforcements on the welds? Seems like it'll be easier than doing making the 240 chassis accept the Skyline suspension.

[JonPowell]

Yeah, that would be cheap.

I manage a bodyshop and have worked in shops since I was 19(10 years) and this could in theory be done, but the money involved would be more than just getting the suspension in place.

[rb250sx]

what about the bluebird? wasnt that an AWD sr20?