SPEED 3 awd conversion

Then you're going to start selling a "kit" right? Lol

 

Hmmm....I mean you're on to something. Definitely was a thought that passed my mind

 

The OG speed 3 instead of the new with awd would be a game changer for many guys loving it but wanting awd (me included). I love the new style dash in the genpu and everything feeling more up to date but could never go away from awd now tbh. Amazing thread and I can't wait to see this thing driving!!!!! Huge props bro!!!!

 

Huge props to you for actually tackling this, and also in your GARAGE and with just jack stands!
by any chance can you elaborate on the controller for the awd. very curious on that.

 

Well rather than going through the hassle of wiring a speed 6 harness in to use the body control module and diff control module, I though it would be easier if I bought this diff controller and wire it into the existing speed 3 harness. It requires some inputs from things like throttle position and the ABS sensors and the kit includes a yaw sensor. Plus it's fully programmable. Tune it to lock in as much as you want or as little as you want. It also has built it "presets" like auto, snow, mud etc. As you see in the pic. I still have yet to try the functionality of the awd system though.

 

What brand controller? My inquiring mind would like to look deeper into that, strictly out of interest. I think your project makes the perfect MazdaSpeed. If I didnt already have an unhealthy relationship with my Speed6, I'd be all over this!

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

imyaqa.com is where I got the controller from. its a Russian company so the shipping times are just awful. but the quality of the product is A++. The owner Ilya is super responsive and very helpful with all questions. the kit comes with pinouts and everything you'd need to install this. once I dive more into wiring the controller I will be making a "how-to" on the wiring and where I spliced into everything. it will take some time though as I don't want a spaghetti factory under the hood.

 

Please tell me more about this genwon with AWD they sold in Japan I have positively never head of?

 

I wasn't paying attention to it being a Juan I just assumed no one would bother with those anymore. I know the pu was available with AWD in Japan. It would seem to be less work to use 3 parts on the wrong gen but good luck finding the parts to import at this point

 

Alright guys, I was able to take the speed out for some fun runs. But I also needed to get some logs for freek as I need a revision. It went fairly good with the exception of the ass end wants to go wherever it wants to, not sure if i need to adjust the position of the sway bar links on the control arm or what. I did record a video. Not much but a dash cam video just to see that it's moving down the road. Also I hit some boost/fuel cut when it started to get into boost. But I'm sure that's something with the tune or not enough fuel pressure to the hpfp. Either way I have to go back and look at the logs to see whats going on.



There's the link to my video.

 

Did you align the car after doing all the work?

 

Well you got me there, I did not get it professionally done no. I just aligned it as good as I could my self, but now that you mention it I totally forgot the camber arms, WHICH could be the main issue, if one wheel has more/less camber than the other it will cause some issues. luckily these tires are trash enough to where I don't care if I ruin them. well ill go back and see what I can do, if not ill have to tow/drive it to an alignment shop.

 

Lol it's always the simple shit

 

Just take it and get it aligned. Having the machine to dial it in is always better. If you were close to me I would align it for free.

 

Havent seen an AWD poo either. Where have you read that? Hope its not a torsion beam axle like new MS3.

 

All I know is that they sold regular 3s with AWD. I can't read Japanese so that's all I know

 

Alright I forgot to tell you guys something. remember the "custom axle" I needed because the speed 3 axle will not work at all, you have to use a speed 6 axle to go into the transfer case.

Well I actually got a oem speed 6 axle (front passenger side) to work with no issues. after a bit of scratching my head I thought, Well if I can get a wheel bearing to fit the speed 3 spindle BUT accept a speed 6 hub it would work. yeah it sure did too.
PART # DAC45800045 from vxb.com - $15
Speed 6 wheel hub and cv axle from rockauto - maybe $70ish
You WILL have to shave a bit of the inner lip on the back of the spindle where the bearing sits flush against in order for the axle to seat up to the bearing, after that is done you're ready to just pop everything in.

Also another change has been made. I went to move the car and broke the motor mount I had made (the material I used was...well.. a terrible choice), I then thought about an adjustable mount. why you ask? well the clearance between the transfer case output flange and the power steering rack plus the firewall is tight, so I though it would be a good idea to have some adjustability there. anyways its actually some suspension rod ends for some kind of off road setup or whatever. its all stainless steel and has some decent bushings in it. it did replace my SURE rmm so hopefully it can take some abuse.


EDIT:
As I have the car completely apart again I figured I get a couple pics of the front wheel bearings/hub assembly.
If you look at the oem knuckle there is a beveled edge at the inner most part, I had to completely remove(with a Dremel) that in order to slide the speed 6 cv shaft snug up to the bearing to be properly tightened down. I also needed to space the abs sensor out with a couple washers in order for it to work and not rub the axle since the diameter is bigger.

 

No doubt that hem joint or pillow mount adjustable rod will work. But sweet jayses that has zero damping in it. Please report back on vibrations.

Could you at some point show a few pics on where you bolted the CX7 rear subframe onto the body of the MS3?

Also did you know the CX7 rear diff has an open diff vs the LSD the speed6 uses? That would be worth the upgrade at point.

 

So the reason I didn't take those pics is because it uses the factory holes from the speed 3, no modifications needed there.

The motor mount is rather an experiment, if the vibes are too much ill explore other ideas i have. maybe get bigger ends to accept bigger bushings. this was simply to see if my measurements were correct, which they were.

and I did not know the differences between the 2 diffs, my only issue is the cx7 diff uses 2 mounts to hold the front of the diff up were as the speed 6 uses 1 mount on the front, so idk if it will work with the cx7 subframe. maybe the speed 6 has the bolt holes for the cx7 mounts but I don't have a speed 6 diff to look at to verify this.
I'm ok with an open diff for the moment, id rather get what I have working then worry about addressing those types of issues as it would just be a simple drop and swap at that point.

 

This is looking great, excited to see it on the road already. I am sure you will have a lot of little issues to work through but that is one giant leap.