C4S: RWD Conversion
06-07-2006, 04:10 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
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C4S: RWD Conversion
Hey guys, sorry but I couldnt find anything in a search. I am wondering what is involved in converting my car to RWD. How much will it cost...what parts are needed? Can I do the mod myself? How much weigh will I save? Is it a bad idea here in Rainy Seattle, WA? I kinda feel that my AWD doesnt work all that well anyhow....if a Rev up and drop the clutch at all, the rear tires screetch quite a bit. Anyhow, sorry for my ignorance...I appreciate any insight/advice/information!
ADAM
ADAM
06-07-2006, 05:10 AM
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Viper Bob has a RWD conversion kit. I have no experience with the conversion (though I suspect I'll end up there someday, probably when I do my clutch), but supposedly he uses all factory parts and it's a fairly straightforward conversion. The weight savings is around 110 lbs.
You may need to make some compensatory changes in your suspension to make the car handle "correctly," however. Again, contact VB for details.
As far as your rear tires screeching when you drop the clutch:
1. Your car is not a dragster. Stop that. You'll end up with a broken transaxle.
2. Our cars have a viscous coupling at the nose of the transaxle to transfer power to the front diff. The viscous coupling only comes into play when there is a significant difference in the rotational speed of the front and rear differentials. Furthermore, the viscous coupling only locks up when the fluid is warmed up (which generally only happens when there is wheelspin), so if you're launching the car when the diff is relatively cold, chances are that the majority of the torque is going to the rear wheels. The viscous coupling has a delayed reaction that you can distinctly feel once you become accustomed to it.
So, in short, rear wheelspin is not necessarily an indicator of problems with your AWD system.
Cheers,
-Jeff
'97 993TT
You may need to make some compensatory changes in your suspension to make the car handle "correctly," however. Again, contact VB for details.
As far as your rear tires screeching when you drop the clutch:
1. Your car is not a dragster. Stop that. You'll end up with a broken transaxle.
2. Our cars have a viscous coupling at the nose of the transaxle to transfer power to the front diff. The viscous coupling only comes into play when there is a significant difference in the rotational speed of the front and rear differentials. Furthermore, the viscous coupling only locks up when the fluid is warmed up (which generally only happens when there is wheelspin), so if you're launching the car when the diff is relatively cold, chances are that the majority of the torque is going to the rear wheels. The viscous coupling has a delayed reaction that you can distinctly feel once you become accustomed to it.
So, in short, rear wheelspin is not necessarily an indicator of problems with your AWD system.
Cheers,
-Jeff
'97 993TT
06-07-2006, 06:45 AM
#4
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don't do it! - the C4S is unique and all the better for it IMO.
my apologies if you've already thought about this long and hard but maybe read these anyway:
the enhanced stability of your 4S in the wet
the increased confidence accelerating out of corners
the relative rarity of your car compared to 2S's
the possible problems at resale? who wants a 2wd 4S
my apologies if you've already thought about this long and hard but maybe read these anyway:
the enhanced stability of your 4S in the wet
the increased confidence accelerating out of corners
the relative rarity of your car compared to 2S's
the possible problems at resale? who wants a 2wd 4S
06-07-2006, 08:24 AM
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Adam - you've done so much work on your car. Why would you make this change now? I believe you can remove the d/s to see how it will feel but I dont know much more than that - and thats not a permanent solution. I would think that this change would not make your rear tires spin less - but more!!
06-07-2006, 08:50 AM
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I'm not sure if that would be a good idea, just to save the weight, on such a fine, limited-edition car. As Jeff pointed out, the front wheel drive is there when you need it, due to the viscous coupling. Washington is even wetter than Cleveland, so it must be an advantage out in the twisties!
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06-07-2006, 09:29 AM
#8
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If you've been dropping the clutch, chances are you've already converted it to RWD by breaking the viscous coupler. Get the car on a lift, spin a rear wheel by hand and see if a front wheel moves with it. If it doesn't ... ta-dah! You own a C2 and probably a $6k repair bill to put it right if you also managed to snap the driveshaft, like the moron who owned my previous C4 cab did.
You can disconnect the linkage to the front wheels and that will make it RWD and be reversible, as well. ViperBob knows all about that.
You can disconnect the linkage to the front wheels and that will make it RWD and be reversible, as well. ViperBob knows all about that.
06-07-2006, 09:34 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
Learn to appreciate the characteristics and unique advantages of the C4S rather than kill off a rare and desireable model. I lived in Seattle a couple of years, and can't imagine you would be happier with 2wd.
06-07-2006, 10:08 AM
#10
Seared
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Adam,
Driving a 911 in the manner you described is a sure-fire way to destroy your transmission. Just because the Civics with fart cans leave the line like this does not mean a 911 should be driven with the same vigor.
When I owned a 2.5 RS years ago, the big thing to do was to remove the front drive components (ala Cobb Tuning) in order to have a rear-wheel-drive Impreza. My car in stock form (AWD) and with a larger rear sway bar had wonderfully-balanced handling. The thought to chop up the drivetrain never crossed my mind.
Andreas
Driving a 911 in the manner you described is a sure-fire way to destroy your transmission. Just because the Civics with fart cans leave the line like this does not mean a 911 should be driven with the same vigor.
When I owned a 2.5 RS years ago, the big thing to do was to remove the front drive components (ala Cobb Tuning) in order to have a rear-wheel-drive Impreza. My car in stock form (AWD) and with a larger rear sway bar had wonderfully-balanced handling. The thought to chop up the drivetrain never crossed my mind.
Andreas
06-07-2006, 01:18 PM
#11
RL Community Team
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The only reason that I can possibly imagine doing the conversion is if you have a TT and want to do a GT-2 conversion. Jean and VP both did this, to varying degrees. For a street car, the weight savings are inconsequential. You have a beautiful rare car. Why mess with a good thing?
06-07-2006, 02:07 PM
#15
Nordschleife Master
My advice? A little more generic... how many times have I done some modification and didn't actually feel any improvement, and then that modification had its own set of problems? Many. Many, many. I'd just leave the car alone... you've got the cosmetics the way you want them. Don't mess with a good thing on the slim hope you can improve it. Old fartus wisdom....