AWD Mazdaspeed3

the MS3's LSD came from the RX-8. the MS3's tranny is the same as the MS6's triple shaft tranny. if you look at the engine bay of a MS6 and MS3, it's the same layout (transversely mounted), the only difference is that the MS6 tranny also sends power out to the rear axles
 
the rear suspension and rear subframe setup is very similar between the two cars, the "PTO"/transfercase should bolt onto the ms3 with no trouble as the ms3 trans has all the needed holes.
 
Trying to retrofit the ms6 rear suspension setup and differential doesn't sound too far fetched. I looked at both cars suspensions dimensions on Mazda website and they are similar:

Speed6
Rear track: 60.6 in.
Rear suspension: Independent, E-Type, Multi link
coil spring & stabilizer bar.

Speed3
Rear track: 60 in.
Rear suspension: Independent, E-Type, Multi link
coil spring & stabilizer bar.
 
why not just use the rear diff out of the volvo beacuse it is a direct bolt up. the only problem i could see was how much torque it could handel but it only needs to stand up to half the ms3 power.
 
dkswim said:
why not just use the rear diff out of the volvo beacuse it is a direct bolt up. the only problem i could see was how much torque it could handel but it only needs to stand up to half the ms3 power.
Click to expand...

Direct bolt on? Where is this info? I would like to know more. (dunno)
 
So what do you think we are looking at here? Car parts are expensive to start with...a full turbo back exhaust can cost up to almost 2K, so you have to figure something complicated like an AWD system would run at 5K at least.
 
Mazda really should've offered both drivetrains in the MS3. For the folks that fear driveline HP loss, they'd be free to contend with the wheelspin and torque steer. For those of us who relish AWD grip...we'd have it. Transmissions between the two are the same units. Hook up the transfer case, send the driveline back, mount up a diff, replace rear suspension and add the halfshafts, and there you are. The hardest part might be mounting the diff and adding the necessary electronics. Wheel speed sensors and the like all have to be there to make it work. Or, just program it for full-time 50/50 and turn it loose. :-)
 
Found it! Here

It's called the Ford C1 platform. This platform is designed for either front or all wheel drive. It's the same as the European focus, Volvo S40, V50, C30 And C70. Only the S40 and V50 comes with AWD.
Ford_c1_platform.jpg
 
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seems like AWD would help a lot. Granted it'll slow the car down a bit, but isnt it frustrating having all that power and fighting to get it to hook up.
 
I am really going to pay close attention to this. It seems like it should be pretty easy with volvo parts.
 
If you can find a junked awd s40, it could be somewhat cheap. I never said it would be cheap, but it shouldn't cost more than 5 grand in parts even new.
 
If someone can find a way to go AWD for under $10k I'm all ears. If the cost of a mazdaspeed 3 project approaches $35k then its better to think about starting with something more along the lines of STI or evo.
 
subparpunk03 said:
If someone can find a way to go AWD for under $10k I'm all ears. If the cost of a mazdaspeed 3 project approaches $35k then its better to think about starting with something more along the lines of STI or evo.
Click to expand...

Im sure it will cost more than that if you can't do it yourself, but I would be shocked if the parts cost more than that.
 
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