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Build #2- 89 GT AWD
http://www.4g61t.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=37558		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  fastvtgsx [ Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Build #2- 89 GT AWD
Well I recently started my second AWD build for a friend of mine. He's supplying the parts and paying for the labor and I get to build another AWD, just hatchback this time. I will be taking what I learned from my first build and the misc other builds and info I've come across sense then.

Here's the run down.

Donor car- 93 Talon AWD with a 4 bolt rear, not sure on the miles but the rearend is clean and is LSD. I've cut out the carrier bearing supports and removed the rearend. I still need to pull the shortblock and transmission and I'll be done with that.

Receiving car- 89 Mirage GT- has a built longblock, was pretty stripped out and now completely stripped. His plan for the car is to make it is weekend fun car. So far I have the rearend completely out and the spare wheel hatch area cut out. I was thinking about taking coltsfan's idea on drilling out the dsm rearend supports but the shell is smacked on the bottom and has some ghetto reinforcement welded into it. So I'll be going with the standard box metal mustache bar support and still deciding on how I want to do the front support. I will be using Jafro's idea on the rear strut supports and something similar to his driveshaft supports.

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Until tomorrow!
Author:  G4CS [ Fri Mar 01, 2013 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
Man that subframe looks clean for a stock untouched unit!!
Author:  aaronsbig16g [ Sat Mar 02, 2013 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
I love watching AWD builds, everyone seems to do them differently. Can't wait for updates.
Author:  fastvtgsx [ Sat Mar 02, 2013 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
I did some brainstorming and came up with this.

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Now ideally I would like to be able to transfer that whole section into the mirage. That would guarantee that the suspension is just like a dsm and allow me to mount the mustache bar at the same time. Now I could be just spinning my tires and this be a complete waste of time but I think this will work.
Author:  fastvtgsx [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
Well past the speculation faze and into the just do it faze.

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And that is what the plan is. Should work out pretty slick I think, the only thing I'm somewhat concerned with is the spring touching the wheel well. But I'll deal with that when I get to it.
Author:  j2dapo [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
It looks like that cross member is hanging low.
Author:  Broke4speed [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
I thought so too. Neat idea though, could be worth trying out when I do mine.
Author:  fastvtgsx [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
Quote:
It looks like that cross member is hanging low.
It looks like that but it isn't, just the picture. The top of the cross member sits flush with the mirage floor and that's the way it needs to be. If you check out coltsfan's build thread you'll see it sits the same only he didn't use the dsm shock towers and notched the cross member.

Obviously it will need some tweaking, I just set it in there for some pictures. I need to square it up and level it then tack it in and check everything over before completely welding it in. Planning on tackling most of that today after helping the wife clean the house. :rolleyes:
Author:  cheaptalon [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
I like where this is going. Takes all of the guess work out of the angle and height to put the new strut towers.
Author:  Broke4speed [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
It also means that lowering the car will result in massive negative camber, lol.
Author:  aaronsbig16g [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
Quote:
It also means that lowering the car will result in massive negative camber, lol.
If you run dsm rear shocks it really shouldn't lower it too much if any, I know with the stock strut towers I have 2" extensions on my car.
Author:  fastvtgsx [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
Well the idea seemed like a good one but I ended up having to change it a little bit.

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The spring touched by a little bit but the bigger problem was the amount of wheel gap that it would cause. The dsm wheel well goes down about 1 3/4" more from the strut mount than the mirage does using the cross member assembly. So I ended up cutting the top mounts off and putting them aside for now.

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I tacked the cross member in with the measurements closer than 1/16" to each side. I didn't get to put much work into it today though, more thinking about how I wanted to proceed. haha But tomorrow I plan on getting it fully mounted and starting work on the front mounting points.

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I will be cutting the sections of the mirage I removed to put inside the frame rails and reinforce (like you would with a collision frame repair). The cross member section will be stronger than original.

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And one more picture for the hell of it. :)
Author:  j2dapo [ Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
Quote:

I will be cutting the sections of the mirage I removed to put inside the frame rails and reinforce (like you would with a collision frame repair). The cross member section will be stronger than original.

:)
I would like to see pictures of this.

Its interesting how you lined up the back cross member first and them will go figure out the mustache mounts second. I did not and my wheel gap was off a little.

Is this going to stay 5 bolt?
Author:  fastvtgsx [ Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
It will be going 4 lug.

So I didn't get nearly as much done today as I wanted but my back was getting worn out quick from welding. I bought a cheap welder from Harbor Freight and although it works well for what it is, there isn't much for adjustment with the power (min and max). I'm having to make quick, short welds with the thin metal to TRY to keep from burning through. That makes for some very very ugly welds as you will see. Good news is it has great penetration so the strength is there but not pretty. The plan after getting it all welded in and ground down is to use some seam sealer to make it look a little more presentable.


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Here's a picture of some of the metal pieces I used to inside the frame rail.

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And there's the basic idea of it.

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As stated, very very ugly welds.

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I still have a lot of welded to do on both sides but luckily I got most of the top thin stuff done. The heavier gauge stuff should be much easier to weld although welding above your body sucks.
Author:  installer88 [ Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build #2- 89 GT AWD
I love how you are doing the rear end. It sucks about the shock mounts not working. Keep up the good work.
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