Any Successful AWD Swaps Out There?

[Kickerbeast]

Well I don't exactly have the car sitting in my driveway. This thread was nothing more than a feeler and some thinking points. Right now I'm trying to sell some sheds, but most people don't want to buy them in the middle of winter so I'm looking to other avenues where I can fund this project. I'm still in the planning and finding a shell stage of the game and once I get a shell I will start an actual build thread. I don't expect to find a shell till sping/summer so it will be slow going.

[st12131]

have you looked into using the Volvo S40/S60 AWD parts? the cars are similar to the FoFo and came with 2.5T AWD!
If I were to ever come across a briefcase full of money, I would find a wrecked S40/S60 Turbo AWD and use that as a parts source.

Good luck with your build!

[Kickerbeast]

Interesting thought. My biggest reason for using the 4G63/4G64 setup is that I am familiar with that engine and it's potentail. The thing that made this whole thing very doable is the 8.8 that Kugel uses for the V8 kits. I forget what ratio (think 3.83), but a stock ratio 8.8 from an Explorer, Mountaineer matches perfectly to the manual DSM trans. Being as I can buy the kit to bolt that into a Focus, the hard part is really mounting the engine and setting up the front end. I'm still looking into if I can use the Focus spindles with a custom bearing that I can press the DSM hub into. It looks like it will work, but I'm not completely sure yet. Worst case, I can fab up some center shafts for the front axles. There are some little things that I'm not sure about yet, but all in all I don't think this would be a very hard install. Time will tell. That is if I can sell a freaking shed.

[Turbo Turtle]

custom cv axles would be a lot easier than custom hubs. you just need a mitsu trans axles and some focus axles and have a shop put them together with the proper length shaft.

[Kickerbeast]

I figure that will likely be the way I will go. Anyone know what power the Focus axles will hold?

[Kickerbeast]

Looks like I'm getting about $500-$600 to start looking for a shell. Hopefully this project will be starting soon.

[Turbo Turtle]

Originally Posted by Kickerbeast

I figure that will likely be the way I will go. Anyone know what power the Focus axles will hold?

as much as you want to make 6-700whp. you can break them with less power but that is driver error. they will hold plenty of power

[mikebontoft]

well after some major setbacks with the v8 swap (placement, ground clearance, overall weight, bad week.... blown turbo on DD that's getting upgraded), it's on hold for a bit, either to work on again as planned or do something else odd to it..... I have been really wanting an evo lately. I know of a wrecked evo nearby.

HMM shell, sell current drivetrain setup, go buy evo system and be happier. Get good ground clearance, have it installed faster and actually make decent power too. FML

[Kickerbeast]

I love the idea of the V8 setup, but after driving AWD for a couple of years, I am spoiled and don't like the idea of going RWD. Although, if this goes well, then I might look into doing a RWD 4G63 just to be able to do some killer doughnuts. The idea of an AWD Focus just makes me drool.

[bennyfocus]

Escape engine and trans, Kugel Komponents 8.8 rear end....................... ?

Obviously there is more to it than that but it seems alot closer to reality than some peoples far fetched engine and drivetrain swap ideas. (not ment to offend anyone.)