AWD Project Vette - Doing some Dreaming....

[71RS/SS396]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

You make a great point. I was firguing that the width of those as well as the weight/girth of the full size frame (or Trailblazer) would be too heavy and wide to use. However, it doesn't mean I couldn't yank the guts...and figure out how to suspend them in the other frame.

Seems the issue is the front springs. The old S10 based stuff uses a torsion bar that comes up from the transmission cross member as the drive axles go right through where the coil springs would go. I would suspect this is one of the more tricky aspects of it.

I saw video of the dude in Poland that did it - and it looked really clean. The 3rd and 2nd gen Vette share many components suspension and frame related.

It might be pricey,but what about having someone make a steering knuckle that you could mount a coilover on top of or on the side of ?

[groovyjay]

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ngray-awd.html

Just do it Chris!

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by groovyjay

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ngray-awd.html

Just do it Chris!

That's it! That is the guy...and the first time I saw this concept.

I wonder how much floor space is taken up by the front drive axle and box.

[Payton King]

The same upright used on a C5/C6 for the front is used for the rear. You will be able to use the drive bearing set front and rear.

The Holden that the GTO is based off of in Au has another derivative called the Comadore I think. It is a El Camino looking thing that is 4 wheel drive and is the same size as the GTO. They run an LS motor. There is your source for the front drive/transaxle.

[GMracer]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

You might also consider using a Silverado SS or Trailblazer SS for a doner since they are already AWD and are LS based drivetrain. The Silverado comes with a 4L80E trans and Trailblazer has the 4L65. Sounds like a fun project! I have a Silverado SS with a Magna Charger and it hauls a$$ and it's fun to suprise the late model Mustangs with.

Just FYI Silverado SS comes with a 65e and the TBSS comes with a 70e, the 80e was only in the 2500 trucks.

[Bowtieracing]

Hello Chris,

Do you remember one of Troys early masterpieces - The Quadraduce ! It had GMC Cyclone drivetrain with 6 speed trans and aluminium smallblock. It allso had C4 vette rear . Road&track tested it for handling and performance with great results. Sorry to say but Stielow took the fun out by changing automatic transmission for summit ..

Anyway do some search of it. Had lots of good ideas!

[Ketzer]

Originally Posted by Bowtieracing

Hello Chris,

Do you remember one of Troys early masterpieces - The Quadraduce ! It had GMC Cyclone drivetrain with 6 speed trans and aluminium smallblock. It allso had C4 vette rear . Road&track tested it for handling and performance with great results. Sorry to say but Stielow took the fun out by changing automatic transmission for summit ..

Anyway do some search of it. Had lots of good ideas!

Maybe I remember that wrong, I thought Troy did the re-do and put in the auto? Still, one of my all time favs. Would still like to see it in person.

[syborg tt]

Okay so here is a link to a bunch of pics of the build of the vette

http://garagescene.net/gallery2/v/Ma...rs/GMAWDVette/

You are Correct Steilow built the Car and the Rad Rides did the re-do.

Start by getting a 92 or 93 Typhoon Transfer case as they are stronger then the 91 syclone case.

Mike Lee at Raceproven Motors make the 4l80e adapter for the t-case to the tranny. Mark Bowler is very familiar with the conversion/hardware swap.

You can buy and 1st gen 4wd frame for the front clip if you plan to craft it to the stock vette frame.

Once again call up Mike Lee for the coil over coversion and you can ditch the torsion bars. Mike also sell an upgraded front sway bar for the front.

The stock T-case has held up to 1000hp and seen very few failures.

I think Rodger is toying with the idea of building a awd car as we speak.

FYI - also available from Mike Lee is the oil pan conversion for an LS style motor.

btw - your talking my talk now ( just think Syclone )

[4OfaKind]

Chris,

You can also use an '92 Escalade Tranfer case w/ a 4l80e. Lingenfelter did it w/ his "Stelath S15" TT LS1 AWD Sonoma (only he initially used a 4l60e before switching to a TH400). I am doing it with my '56 4Dr. I am also using a '92 S10 4x4 front diff.

The hard part would be if you want to change the steering to R&P. That is the delay w/ my project.

Mal

[Bowtieracing]

Originally Posted by Ketzer

Maybe I remember that wrong, I thought Troy did the re-do and put in the auto? Still, one of my all time favs. Would still like to see it in person.

Omg ..then i take my words back on Mark and blaim Troy for taking the spirit out of it

Any still one of my alltime favorites. With or without stick