Another Tranny Option?

[gse_turbo]

I'm doing a bit of research as well and instead of sticking the links If find in my favorates I'll post them here... expect some random links and info on related bell housings.

and to kick it off, the Aisin AW55-50SN, or as nissan uses it the RE5F22A.
CLICK HERE

[gse_turbo]

the Lotus Elan M100 transmission is also another usable option.

... as well as just about all early Isuzu 4-cylinder cars like the Impulse

here are some pics of the Impulse AWD transmission and transfer case.

Originally Posted by gse_turbo

thought you guys might lick to see this... I though more people knew about it so I didn't mention much before.

I've been going back and forth between the Calibra AWD and this Impulse AWD system for my build and the time is getting close to come up with a decision.

... the transmission from an 89-90 Isuzu Impulse Turbo AWD


... and the transfer case


enjoy!

[lamborgini112]

Wait a minute....you're saying the soon to be extinct in the U.S. Isuzu made a car called the impulse which is AWD and i can make my little Zuki Reno AWD with over 300 ponies?.... if you are telling me this i prolly explode.

[gse_turbo]

you got it!

and the icing on the cake is that the AWD impulse was a pretty dicent 2.0 Turbo with all wheel disc and all wheel indepent suspension!

it was a late 80's version of the EVO or WRX with no respect from the aftermarket even today.

Garrett

[lamborgini112]

I think i need to change my pants. omg do you know what year range, how much they are? I wonder what it would take to make this work. This is perfect. Do you know where to get one and how much i can expect to pay to get the parts i need off of it.

[gse_turbo]

this is what one of the kings of the Isuzu world just told me.

The 91-92 Impulse RS is the only one that came with the AWD tranny. The only weak point in it is the Viscus Differential.
The following will fit that bell housing bolt pattern that I know of:
1990-1993 Geo Storm + GSi
1990-1993 Isuxu Impulse XS
1991-1992 Isuzu Impulse RS
1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus S/XS/RS
1990-?? Chevy Cavalier
19?? - Fiero (not sure what models or years)
19?? - Saab (not sure what models or years)

The cavalier trannys are crap, most of those quys are getting Geo Storm trannys and swapping them in or swapping the guts in.
With the trannys I have taken apart, the Stylus tranny appears to have the nicest parts inside.

[lamborgini112]

so all those cars have the same tranny or have the same ability to bolt up to our block? And are they all AWD? I've never heard of half these cars but that doesn't mean anything but are you literally having to buy the whole car and pick and choose what you need or do you just need the drivetrain and suspension parts.

[gse_turbo]

The 91-92 Impulse RS is the only one that came with the AWD tranny. all of these transmissions will bolt up to the block. it would be best to, if you choose to do awd, to buy the whole car. there has never been an awd reno, optra... so there is no way to know what you would been. this would by no means be a direct bolt in awd system and you would likely need to cut the tunnle out of the Isuzu and put it into the reno. I'm taking a look at a local owners car sunday to see what is possible. I think the front sway bar may be an issue.

Garrett

[lamborgini112]

so would you need a custom bell housing mount or would the tranny bolt directly up to the block. There's gonna be a signifigant amount of sheet metal work and probablly some headaches that are well beyond doing this to a RWD vehicle but i think it can be done. Let me know what you find out from your research and if you can can you get a picture of the underside of the car for me. Post what you find out sunday

[gse_turbo]

OK the AWD swap into my car (Pontiac Lemans, Opel Kadett, Daewoo Lanos) is just not realistic. the Isuzu Impulse is all wheel independent and mine is tortion beam (like a Golf or Jetta). HOWEVER the Forenza and Reno being all wheel independent that's not too big a deal. I think with a bit of fabrication (mostly to the tunnle) this would be a really good and likely a realatively expensive upgrade... but not out of reach.

here is some more food for thought... these are listings and pics from ebay.

• 00-03 saab 9-3 5-speed 2.0 turbo 4 cyl



• 99-05 saab 5-speed 2.3 4 cyl



• 99-00 saab 9-3 5-speed 4 cyl



Garrett