Awd

[USMCspy]

yes it is truely possible to go AWD in a Grand Am, there is just the cost issue. Talking to several transmission shops (they are who you will go to) The general consences is 7 days and $6,000 plus donor parts.

Where do you get the donor parts? Why a 3.4L AWD Aztek. They are better service in the junkyard than on the street once again. You'll need the transmission back. There is a lot of weilding involved, and although I have plans, it will be easier to just talk to a tranny guy yourself.

But the Aztek tranny and drivetrain will fit directly to a GA. everything will work smoothly, it's just getting all the supports up there. That $6K includes rebuilding the tranny, and balancing the whole baby out. $6K is alot but what you are getting from it. Plus you can get it done a lot cheaper if you know someone. Me, my Dad is a Mechanic, but wont help me with the project cause it's too crazy.

[TA^Guy]

that and the fact that the car will sit a few inches higher for ground clearance.

That or you redo the floor pans

[Xidion]

to much cash if you ask me.
For those who dont know what AWD does is that during traction loss on the driven axle could be front or rear a fully automatic system hydraulic, mechanical or electronic, routes torque to the axle with traction. This means you have to completely lose traction in 2WD on your driven axle first and then the other axle will take over and try to keep the car moving. So, for a moment you have 4WD. Doesn't mean much because only two wheels have traction. Once the driven axle regains traction and both axles rotate at the speed again, the system moves back to 2WD

[USMCspy]

that's not true actually, that is how some car companies use AWD. You can set it up with 2way Differential's in the front and back (which is part of the $$$ with the above setup). What you are talking about is traction on Demand, like what Honda uses on it's CRV. What I am talking about is almost 4wd, only the wheels don't stay locked around corners, and yes if you are smart you would have the drive axle unlock at about 50 mph so you aren't loosing so much power in the drive system. This is closer to the Lamborgini or Porsche AWD than the AWD on Granny cars.

[Xidion]

ohhh ok i see what your saying now, still going to be A LOT of money, i dont even know if theres room for a differential is there?

[USMCspy]

umm, you have a differential in now, it's just a open one. You can also get limited slip differentials for about $500 that work nice for a fwd setup. Yup it's lots of money, but the outcome is worth it, if you can afford it that is.

See this is needed for a turbo setup over 250 whp, cause you wont have enough traction. Plus the street racing potential is awesome.

I'm having a tranny build with pre-loaded slip differential. It's tight, but you can get one in there.

If you get good enough tires, you can do plenty without AWD. You just need good friction material and the right size tires and type of rubber. You can get enough traction, you just have to balance everything right.

you can, but AWD is lots of fun anyway. My first car was an AWD and I still cry every time I think about that fateful night.