Converting to RWD....

[Vracer111]

Hello, I just recently joined this forum and I have a question I'd like to ask. What would be the best way to convert a FWD subaru to RWD? My brother would like to convert his '90 Legacy (FWD with automatic tranmission) to rear wheel drive only with 5speed manual. The best way I could see doing this is welding/locking all the differentials except rear - though I really think the work associated with converting from FWD is too much effort to be worth it. It would probably be better to sell the car and get an all-wheel drive BC chassis car to make rear wheel drive only. I have been reading on this board about the limited power which actually gets transferred to the rear wheels because of the transmission and AWD system though. Would locking the tranny differential and all the driveline up to the rear differential be successful in transferring 100% of power sent to the transmission to the rear differential? I'm not that knowledgeable in the Subaru all-wheel drive system, but imagine that if you can lock everything behind the pressureplate and up to the rear differential then you will have the power being transferred to the rear wheels. What are yall thoughts on this?

[boostjunkie]

Welding the center diff would probably be your only option for a rwd subaru (other than going with a completely different tranny from a rwd car and figure out how to bolt it up$$$$$). Why do you want a rwd subaru? Just seems to me like the rewards from doing such a thing would be far less impressive then buying a real rwd car.

You'll still have the weight penalty from the awd system and the rear diff wasn't made to take 100% of the power all the time, so you'll probably have to upgrade it.

If you still go this route I would highly suggest getting a rear lsd from either an impreza or legacy. You don't want a rwd car with an open diff!! lol! weaksauce!

[Legacy777]

hey......another houstonite.....what area of town you live in?

[ciper]

RWD? Why? If anything just replace the center diff with a 20kg unit, the 15kg is supposedly really stiff so with the 20 its almost locked.

[Vracer111]

boostjunkie - Personally, I would not want to go RWD on a Subaru either, since they were designed to be AWD. I've been suggesting either a 1st generation Nissan 240SX or 2nd generation Rx7 to him for a RWD car... Though for the power that the Subaru EJ22 puts out, going RWD would yield better performance over the AWD system since you'd have less weight overall, definately less unsprung weight on the front suspension, and more power going to a single set of wheels if proper implemented.

I know with my Tacoma that a Limited Slip Differential would help out a lot, but I still have fun autocrossing it and beating some WRX drivers times with the Tacoma's stock open differential... (WRX's drivers aren't the only ones either, there are BMW 3 series [including M3], Honda S2000, Mazda Miata, and Ford Mustang drivers too...)

Legacy777 - I'm between Houston and Galveston, near the ClearLake area.

ciper - It wouldn't be good to just have a stiff center differential if converting to RWD since it can still slip and rob power to the only two drive wheels. Again, converting an AWD subaru to RWD is the last thing I've been suggesting to my brother...buying a RWD car being the first thing. Though I do think that insurance will be a big factor too, since a "AWD" subaru legacy will probably have a better rate than a RWD sportscar...

[ciper]

Vracer111: You didnt understand, I was suggesting to convert the vehicle over to 4WD and getting a stiffer center differential. You are not going to save weight between FWD and 4WD. What is the purpose of the vehicle that you are speaking of anyways?

[submannz]

We have converted plenty of Subarus to RWD only without any issues, in NZ the diffs are very strong and haven't killed any yet, the things that don't survive this mod are the half shafts, they bend or break.

[Legacy777]

I got a buddy that lives in clear lake.

I'm up on the west side, near dairy ashford & I-10