Converting an AWD Subaru Impreza to RWD?

[gregoron]

Can this be done? I mean, I am thinking that permanently removing the front driveshafts to the wheels and locking the front differential would be feasible.

Why do it? I'm looking for a light Japanese RWD sedan with MT and I'm getting impatient waiting for the 4 door Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS to come out.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: gregoron
Can this be done?


Yes.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: gregoron
Can this be done? I mean, I am thinking that permanently removing the front driveshafts to the wheels and locking the front differential would be feasible.

Why do it? I'm looking for a light Japanese RWD sedan with MT and I'm getting impatient waiting for the 4 door Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS to come out.

A RWD Impreza wouldn't be like a BRZ. It'd be like an Impreza, but worse. You'd still have a front-heavy car with relatively unsophisticated suspension designed around AWD.

Certainly possible, though. If that's what you want, go for it.

 

[skyactiv]

This is the kind of question I'd expect to see on Yahoo Answers from a teenager.

The ring and pinion wont last long. Your a fool if you think it will. The rear end is tiny on AWD Subaru's because they only send around 50% of the power to the rear wheels virtually all the time.
The STi is another discussion. If your wanting to do this to an Impreza I gotta ask why? I own an 07' WRX and there's no way I'd want to convert it to a "Tokyo drifter".

 

[Bandito440]

Uhhh. Only do this if you're going to install a fartcan and lambo doors. That'll make it awesome.

 

[Rand]

its a bad idea the suspension and drivetrain are not designed for it.

It will handle horribly and break swiftly

which brings up the question why?

AWD>RWD for most people.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
The ring and pinion wont last long... The rear end is tiny on AWD Subaru's because they only send around 50% of the power to the rear wheels virtually all the time.

With the personal attacks edited out, this is a good point.

 

[gregoron]

I was prepared for these kind of replies so I have my flame suit on. Good point on the ring and pinion being tiny. This wouldn't be a good idea then.

The Impreza is not going to be a BRZ, and it is FWD biased all the time. The most power sent to the rear is only 50%. The WRX sends most of its power to the rear, but it's not what I'm looking for. Driving dynamics of an AWD differs from RWD. And no, it's not for drifting. I'm just being nostalgic for the days when Japanese car manufacturers made light, fun, and inexpensive sedans with RWD decades ago. To get one today, you'd be buying a luxury car paying premium prices for options that a driver's car doesn't need.

 

[rationull]

I don't think this is such a ludicrous idea, aside from the differential strength question. There aren't very many RWD wagons available lately, none below the entry level luxury class/price point AFAIK. What's wrong with making one if you're so motivated?

The Subaru drivetrain configuration does make it feasible to convert to RWD and there are various articles and threads about this online. It is somewhat involved.

Other posters are correct IMO in that is probably doesn't make sense to tear into a good/working Impreza drivetrain to do this since it's not really clear whether the driving dynamics would actually be decent. But it still seems like a fun project. One I would consider (probably only briefly and rule it out, but still) in the case of a center diff failure where you need to open or replace the transmission anyway.

I'm not clear on whether the differential in the base Impreza is different from that in the WRX (non-STI) or not. The MT drivetrain setup in the WRX and the base Impreza is the same, but the parts may be different. But the WRX has 50% more power than the base Impreza (more or less, depending on year) and if the parts are close to the same you'd think that the diff could handle base Impreza levels of power for a long time.

As far as suspension design -- the BRZ and the current Impreza AFAIK have the same rear suspension design. I'm sure the tuning is different but if you're opening and modifying the transmission, replacing the springs and shocks hardly seems like a big deal to improve the handling. The design may be slightly different between this generation and last generation but I think it's still overall pretty similar.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: gregoron
I'm just being nostalgic for the days when Japanese car manufacturers made light, fun, and inexpensive sedans with RWD decades ago. To get one today, you'd be buying a luxury car paying premium prices for options that a driver's car doesn't need.

Right on. Can't speak for anyone else, but I'm right there with you on this.

Have you considered a used E46 sedan? Hard to find a good one, but might be worth the effort.

 

[gregoron]

@rationull

Thanks for the post and the link. I'll do more research on this as apparently some have done it. I'm looking at an early model as a project car to keep cost down. Some of the parts I'd have to get from junkyards. I'd probably have to look for rear diffs and drive shafts from a donor WRX.

This is not for racing, autocross type of use. Just a daily driver that's as close to stock as possible. I just want to have that RWD feel on daily drives.

 

[gregoron]

@dOOdfOOd,

Thanks, I have considered uses 3 series BMWs, G35s, ISs, C classes and 190Es. I just wanted to add this as another alternative. The potentially lighter weight of the Subaru and the boxer 4 engine makes it more ideal.

 

[87sammy]

Originally Posted By: gregoron
I was prepared for these kind of replies so I have my flame suit on. Good point on the ring and pinion being tiny. This wouldn't be a good idea then.

The Impreza is not going to be a BRZ, and it is FWD biased all the time. The most power sent to the rear is only 50%. The WRX sends most of its power to the rear, but it's not what I'm looking for. Driving dynamics of an AWD differs from RWD. And no, it's not for drifting. I'm just being nostalgic for the days when Japanese car manufacturers made light, fun, and inexpensive sedans with RWD decades ago. To get one today, you'd be buying a luxury car paying premium prices for options that a driver's car doesn't need.



Need this.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4535846714.html

 

[artificialist]

The Hyundai GenCoupe is a lightweight car with a turbo engine. When I first heard of it, I thought of the Nissan Silvia. For those who don't know, The Nissan Silvia and 240SX are almost the same, except the Silvia had an optional turbo engine.

The best thing a Scion FR-S could get is a supercharger. Here is an example of what it should have: http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/supercharger-frs.php

Yes, people can make an RWD Subaru by removing both front CV axles. Unfortunately, as others have stated, that stresses the transmission, center differential, and rear differential much more than stock.

The new Mustang will be lighter than many previous versions, and have an optional turbo 4. It will also get an independent rear suspension. It may be right for some people who want a RWD car.

 

[d00df00d]

He said he's looking for a sedan, guys.

 

[eljefino]

If you do this make sure you leave some sort of stub axle in the front spindles with a nut so the bearings get the right preload.

I'd also run really lousy tires on the rear so they break loose before you bust something expensive.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

One of the guys at a TSD rally I was at had an older RWD Volvo Sedan and did a motor swap (not sure about tranny). 5.0L Mustang motor , stick shift, he also put in some electric cutouts on the exhaust. It was quiet when pulled in, should have seen the heads turn when he dropped the clutch, rear end swung out with full muscle car, straight pipe sound. AWESOME.

Enough time and money you can make anything happen.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Sequoiasoon
One of the guys at a TSD rally I was at had an older RWD Volvo Sedan and did a motor swap (not sure about tranny). 5.0L Mustang motor , stick shift, he also put in some electric cutouts on the exhaust. It was quiet when pulled in, should have seen the heads turn when he dropped the clutch, rear end swung out with full muscle car, straight pipe sound. AWESOME.

Enough time and money you can make anything happen.

Sure, enough time and money...
The OP is already getting impatient about a new RWD sedan, and he says he needs a low price which keeps that option off the list.

I just thought of something. Are the suicide doors of a Mazda RX-8 close enough to a having a sedan for the OP? I remember working with a guy who had small kids and it worked for him. Unfortunately, he was the same guy who had no compression at 130,000 miles. If the OP could know he was getting an RX-8 with a low mileage engine, it may be a good value for him.

 

[jrustles]

Wouldn't do it, personally.

Aside from the obvious undersized rear end and driveshafts, the gearbox is still going to be a transaxle, albeit longitudinally arranged

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I just thought of something. Are the suicide doors of a Mazda RX-8 close enough to a having a sedan for the OP? I remember working with a guy who had small kids and it worked for him. Unfortunately, he was the same guy who had no compression at 130,000 miles. If the OP could know he was getting an RX-8 with a low mileage engine, it may be a good value for him.

For what it's worth, 2009-2011 RX-8s got a TON of upgrades to address the egnine failures in earlier model years. New cooling hardware, better oil supply, all-new PCM, etc. Also, it should be possible to find one that still has a good amount of warranty coverage left. Mazda's normal powertrain warranty is 5 years/60k miles, their CPO powertrain warranty goes out to 7 years/100k and ALL RX-8s come with an 8 year/100k mile warranty on the engine itself. If you find one that hit the road in late 2010 or 2011 and has good maintenance records, you should be set for a while. Might take a nationwide search, but definitely doable (hence my sig).

All that said, I think the RX-8 is the exception that proves the rule: small + lightweight + RWD + 4-door = basically nonexistent in the US. The RX-8 (barely 4-door) and the 1999-2006 BMW 3-Series (barely lightweight) are as close as it gets without being hideously old, and both of them involve some compromises.