AWD Ms3

An MS3 AWD would be pretty cool!

The MS6 cruises around with the front drive until the ECU powers the elect clutch in the nose of the rear diff as has been stated above. There is no way to lessen or disconnect the front drive, i.e. making the split more than 50% to the rear. The front is on all the time no matter what.

I have an MS6.
 
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I just send a PM to Antoine asking for any kind of info on the awd axela. Let's see what he can dig for us.

Very cool idea and I hope you pursue it to the point of completion! (thumb)

If I've got some free time after work...I'll drop by my friendly Mazda dealer and see if they can provide any useful info...Can you guys post a brief (don't want to overwelm them at first) list of specific questions so that I know what I need ask about...Thanks and Good Luck!
 
I would like to know a couple of things. Gas tank, is it divided in the middle like the ms6 or was it relocated. Suspension, is it the same dimensions as the mz3/ms3 or something completely different. Tranny, 5 speed or 6 speed, same ms6 design or new. And I read somewhere the the awd system is the same " active torque split" as the ms6, but some info on this will be helpful.

Thankx Antoine! (2thumbs)
 
Very cool idea and I hope you pursue it to the point of completion! (thumb)

If I've got some free time after work...I'll drop by my friendly Mazda dealer and see if they can provide any useful info...Can you guys post a brief (don't want to overwelm them at first) list of specific questions so that I know what I need ask about...Thanks and Good Luck!

Cool any genearal info about the system would be awsome; the nature of the torque split and how it is controlled would be very helpful.
Does the system have a powersending unit coming of the transaxle similer to the speed 6?
How many peices is the drive shaft?
What is the gear ratio of the rear diff?
Center diff?
Rear diff contolled like the speed six?
Are the rear suspension pieces similer in layout?(major diffeerences)
Maximum power % to the rear?
Thank you very much!
 
I had a thought come to mind. How does the AWD CX-7 work, is it the same as the MS6? Maybe some parts could be sourced from that vehicle considering it does have the same DISI engine, in certain trims that is. I know nothing about the CX-7 admittedly, but thought maybe some of the parts might be a little beefier than the MS6 parts if there's any similarities.
 
That sounds like a good idea. The cx7 uses the ford CD3 platform, but it uses the mazda5 rear suspension, which rides on the ford c1 platform like the mazda3. The awd system is the same "active torque split" as in the mazdaspeed6.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CX7
 
No update yet guys :( I still haven’t had a chance to drop by the dealer…maybe this week though…Any progress yet? The CX-7 idea sounds interesting…Have you guys tried getting specs/more info on the possibilities from your dealer and or Mazda NA?
 
No update yet guys :( I still haven’t had a chance to drop by the dealer…maybe this week though…Any progress yet? The CX-7 idea sounds interesting…Have you guys tried getting specs/more info on the possibilities from your dealer and or Mazda NA?

I'm waiting on the workshop manual for the 6 speed transaxle in the speed 3and 6; this should give us alot of info.
 
Are you sure you need the ms6 tranny? I thought they were the same between the speed6 and the speed3, except the speed3 doesn't have the PTO to the rear diff?

If this is indeed the case wouldn't you just need the PTO, rear diff, and a new rear suspension setup?

Then again, maybe its just easier to find a whole new speed6 tranny!!


disregard this post, it is worthless. Posted before I re-read the thread.
 
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Are you sure you need the ms6 tranny? I thought they were the same between the speed6 and the speed3, except the speed3 doesn't have the PTO to the rear diff?
If this is indeed the case wouldn't you just need the PTO, rear diff, and a new rear suspension setup?

This is what I'm for, when I finally get the workshop manual for the transaxle I will be able to see if the powersending unit will bolt up.
 
I finally had a chance to stop by my local Mazda dealer...After discussing upgrades for my own ride, I mentioned that I know someone interested in creating an awd ms3...The following info is based on using an awd axela for your conversion:

They definitely have an awd axela available in the current lineup and long story short...My friendly staff friend said that he does think it's possible but it would no doubt take an enormous amount of time, effort and money to make it a reality...

That said, it seems it's conceivably possible to create an awd ms3 using parts from an awd axela.

After further discussion, you would definitely be better off tracking down a totaled awd axela and using it as a "parts car" then ordering new parts to make the conversion.

A new AWD Axela is 2,000,000 yen which is a little under $20,000

I will be visiting again soon...I could ask about using MS6 parts...:)
 
go volve same chassis as the speed3 they are AWD. need ot get a MS^ tranny and dive shaft. might have to have it welded. and dpends how the ecu is. Some volvos have a seprate ECU for the tranny and rear end.! MIgh tbe all thatsneeded.
 
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