AWD Corvette
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: Bristol CT
AWD Corvette
I been thinking....How would an AWD Corvette perform....Is it even possible......What would it take to convert ........What do guys think...........Good Idea, Bad idea Curious to see?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
I'm gonna lean on not possible.... Well I guess you could have the passenger sit on top of a tranfercase with the front driveshaft b/w their legs 
Definitly would be fun though!
Definitly would be fun though!
Last edited by VR'92; Jan 28, 2005 at 09:52 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 1
From: Weymouth Dorset
If Nissan can squeze 295 BHP 2.0 16 valve turbo intercooled engine and a trick 4x4 system ( viscous transfer 70% front wheels 30% rear wheels + LSD rear ) in this Pulsar 
I am sure it can be done in a vette 
I am sure it can be done in a vette
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I look at it this way, I would like to see it, but I don't think we would like the result. Here's why: Porsche has tamed the rear engine by adding AWD, and from everything I have read, it has diluted the driving experience.
Jensen tried it years ago, with the Interceptor FF, but it was heavy, complex and didn't help performance enough.
About the only places it really works is where the car was FWD in the first place, there, the packaging is ok. The engine hangs far enough out over the front end, that even with AWD, they have a tendency to plow and over steer.
Look at the basic layout of the Vette - it's a near front mid-engine. That layout does not really work well for AWD. Nissan has made it work, but it's not a "performance" system. So has MB and BMW, but theirs are all aimed at bad weather.
Personally, it's a neat idea, but with limited appeal. Stick with good ole fashioned RWD. It's more "natural".
Jensen tried it years ago, with the Interceptor FF, but it was heavy, complex and didn't help performance enough.
About the only places it really works is where the car was FWD in the first place, there, the packaging is ok. The engine hangs far enough out over the front end, that even with AWD, they have a tendency to plow and over steer.
Look at the basic layout of the Vette - it's a near front mid-engine. That layout does not really work well for AWD. Nissan has made it work, but it's not a "performance" system. So has MB and BMW, but theirs are all aimed at bad weather.
Personally, it's a neat idea, but with limited appeal. Stick with good ole fashioned RWD. It's more "natural".
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 2
From: Honeoye Ny
pushing 1khp, I think about it all the time.
It would require significant modifications to both the floor and front frame, in addition to having cantilever front coilovers. Using the tranfercase from a awd syclone/or astro van and the front diff from a 4wd s10. The front knuckles would have to be custom to hold a standard front drive bearing/halfshaft. It would add a minimum of 350lbs to the car.
Feasable, yes. But very expensive. Better off doing it to an early or second gen F-body.
It would require significant modifications to both the floor and front frame, in addition to having cantilever front coilovers. Using the tranfercase from a awd syclone/or astro van and the front diff from a 4wd s10. The front knuckles would have to be custom to hold a standard front drive bearing/halfshaft. It would add a minimum of 350lbs to the car.
Feasable, yes. But very expensive. Better off doing it to an early or second gen F-body.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 2
From: Stamping Ground KY
AWD only helps in wet conditions and on acceleration from a stop. The corvette is a sports car, it's not supposed to stop.
The porsche carrera 2 vs carrera 4 shootouts show that the 4 is faster off the line, but the two overtakes is just after the 1/4 mile, is faster from 60-90 (or from anything over 0 to anything), and has a higher top speed.
Adding weight and friction would not make a corvette better. imho.
The porsche carrera 2 vs carrera 4 shootouts show that the 4 is faster off the line, but the two overtakes is just after the 1/4 mile, is faster from 60-90 (or from anything over 0 to anything), and has a higher top speed.
Adding weight and friction would not make a corvette better. imho.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Originally Posted by Baldturbofreak
pushing 1khp, I think about it all the time.
It would require significant modifications to both the floor and front frame, in addition to having cantilever front coilovers. Using the tranfercase from a awd syclone/or astro van and the front diff from a 4wd s10. The front knuckles would have to be custom to hold a standard front drive bearing/halfshaft. It would add a minimum of 350lbs to the car.
Feasable, yes. But very expensive. Better off doing it to an early or second gen F-body.
It would require significant modifications to both the floor and front frame, in addition to having cantilever front coilovers. Using the tranfercase from a awd syclone/or astro van and the front diff from a 4wd s10. The front knuckles would have to be custom to hold a standard front drive bearing/halfshaft. It would add a minimum of 350lbs to the car.
Feasable, yes. But very expensive. Better off doing it to an early or second gen F-body.
this thought has gone through my mind as well.
Find some info on the "quadra duece". rad rides by troy built one. I have a hot rod article on it that lightly touches on what was done to make it work. It uses the syclone transfer case, which actualy hugs the tranny and engine. as BTF mentioned all the other custom built BS that goes with it. Possibly have to pull the engine back a little as well for diff clearence.
Another car converted to AWD is "frankenstude"
I am still trying to find good onfo on it.
here are 2 pics I found long ago of the tech BS
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by 88421VETTE
I think it would be cool to have a setup like the lambo VT's where the front wheels don't engauge until the rears start slipping
The only problem with that is then the Vette would cost as much as the Lambo.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
Now that would be cool! The only problem with that is then the Vette would cost as much as the Lambo.
The only problem with that is then the Vette would cost as much as the Lambo.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by bogus
trust me, the AWD system in the Lambo has little to do with its insane price point.
I'm just saying that if GM did it it would probably cost twice the base price for the package. Then it would probaby have more bugs than a corpse rotting in the woods. 
I dont think we have anything to worry about though. I dont see GM ever viewing that as a cost/performance worthy project for the Vette. JMO though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 1
From: Weymouth Dorset
Originally Posted by 88421VETTE
I think it would be cool to have a setup like the lambo VT's where the front wheels don't engauge until the rears start slipping
The Nissan Skyline has a computer controled center diff that allowes it to be mainly RWD until the point at which your rear end starts to overtake the front of the car and then it progresively puts more power to the front wheels until the car is back in shape again .
You got to be doing something REALLY stupid to wipe out in one of those
My friend has one that is running about 850 BHP
awesome carstill prefer my vette though they arnt as common over here
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by adi4
You got to be doing something REALLY stupid to wipe out in one of those
You see the problem with AWD is that once you do lose control of it, there is likely no correcting for it because it doesn't behave in any manner like you would expect for FWD or RWD. JHMO the Vette is a front engine RWD car, always has been and it always should be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I have an old AWD 3 series BMW, 1990 325ix. That's a 2.5 inline 6, and not much to write home about 160hp
They made it a 33/67 F/R torque split. It does not exhibit torque steer or throttle induced understeer. It is difficult to get much throttle induced oversteer as it's not very powerful and is well balanced.
It's awesome in inclement weather, fun too. In slippery conditions you can easily induce oversteer and make little snow donuts, then when your done having fun, cruise on home. (sideways for miles if you like)
It would be a great car to have an SBC in.
A torque split like this would maintain a RWD drive feel and let you use a little more of that torque. Of course a little extra control in bad weather never hurt.
Would not want it on the Vette though. GTO would be a good candidate.
They made it a 33/67 F/R torque split. It does not exhibit torque steer or throttle induced understeer. It is difficult to get much throttle induced oversteer as it's not very powerful and is well balanced.
It's awesome in inclement weather, fun too. In slippery conditions you can easily induce oversteer and make little snow donuts, then when your done having fun, cruise on home. (sideways for miles if you like)
It would be a great car to have an SBC in.
A torque split like this would maintain a RWD drive feel and let you use a little more of that torque. Of course a little extra control in bad weather never hurt.
Would not want it on the Vette though. GTO would be a good candidate.
Last edited by Steve85; Jan 28, 2005 at 04:19 PM.