FWD to RWD conversion.

[RS13]

Now, before you go off at me, telling me its not worth it.. I know.

Hence why, I'm considering changing a FWD AE82 to RWD. At this stage, ideas are all we have, so any comments/criticism is appreciated.

The car: 1985 AE82 1.6GL Corolla.
The parts donor: 1980 AE70 1.5SE (yeah ok, its a DX)
The plan: Get rwd 4age T50, driveshaft, hilux/ae86/te71/corona rear end.

Chop both tranny tunnels out, weld RWD tunnel to FWD floor, as much and as far as possible.

Attempt to mate RWD engine/susp. crossmember to FWD chassis rails, or fabricate new crossmember.

Cut body out around rear wheel wells, fabricate new sheeting to house rear end. Install susp. arm mounts, strut towers to suit. Install donor rear end. Fabricate gbox crossmember, install gbox, install motor.

Adapt waterpump, manifolds (well, not really, as the 4AC manifold rises in the middle of the motor) to suit RWD.

Thats the basic plan. The only major flaws we can pick are;

If we do keep the AE82 front struts/brakes/crossmember, what happens to the CV/driveshafts? do we just leave the outboard CVs in the hubs?

Length of tunnel, adapting to rear of FWD floorplan.

Fuel tank; would probably have to be chopped up to fit, or a new one in the boot.

Adapting interior to fit back in! We want the "factory" look.

Now, before you think this is some outlandish plan for RWD domination, its not. We just have the time, tools, materials and beer to make this conversion a reality; its not likely that the modified car will ever see the road again! So basically, its just a fun project.

Comments?

[matt dunn]

This is much more of a mission than you think.

We have converted two AE101 to RWD.

IMO you will not get the std interior to fit back in,
you will not be able to use the std front hubs etc

It is possible but will never be a road car again.

Matt

[wde_bdy]

http://forums.toyspeed.org.nz/viewtopic.php?t=13034&highlight=

That will give you an idea of the work on the rear end.

http://forums.toyspeed.org.nz/viewtopic.php?t=8812&highlight=

That will give you some pics of the trans tunnel conversion.

This is all for a rear wheel drive so for a FWD it is a hell of a lot more work, and probably not worth it in the long run. I went this way with my project as it will actually save me money.

Callum

[KinLoud]

Steering rack on the AE82? Where is it located? might be a pain if it is on the firewall... right where the transmission tunnel will be.
Maybe fit a rwd front crossmember with steering rack so it will be below the engine?

Ken
Taupo
021 408 863

[kingcorolla]

http://forums.toyspeed.org.nz/viewtopic.php?t=13034&highlight=

That will give you an idea of the work on the rear end.

http://forums.toyspeed.org.nz/viewtopic.php?t=8812&highlight=

That will give you some pics of the trans tunnel conversion.

This is all for a rear wheel drive so for a FWD it is a hell of a lot more work, and probably not worth it in the long run. I went this way with my project as it will actually save me money.

Callum

damn thats a $&#$% of customisation, u got anypics of how it is now? (if its finished...)

[wde_bdy]

That first link is basically where its at at the moment, in the middle of shifting houses and building a new garage. Then will get back into it, get the welding of the rear end finished then cage etc.

Callum

[matt dunn]

Steering rack on the AE82? Where is it located? might be a pain if it is on the firewall... right where the transmission tunnel will be.
Maybe fit a rwd front crossmember with steering rack so it will be below the engine?

Yes the standard will will probably pass through the centre of the bellhousing.

Problem with you suggestion is the height of the chassis rails.
On a RWD the bottom of the rails are normally about level with the sump gasket. On a FWD they're closer to head gasket level so you can bolt anything to the bottom of them cause the engine will be too high.

Matt