possible AWD on a LZ9 G6?

[Rannin Ravensight]

howdy,

I own a '06 3900 G6 GTP sedan and I would like AWD. I'm pretty certain that the awd transmissions mated to the 3.9's are based on the 4T65E (please correct me if I'm wrong here). So how could I go about doing a trans swap? Is it as simple as bolting in the new trans; or will I need a custom driveshaft, new suspension parts, new tcm or tune, or is there something that I'm missing completely?

This is not a project that I'm going to take on right away (I don't have enough money, lol), but hopefully if it's possible I'll start working on it this upcoming summer. Any help or insights are welcome, thank you in advance.

Nice forums btw.

[Joseph Upson]

howdy,

I own a '06 3900 G6 GTP sedan and I would like AWD. I'm pretty certain that the awd transmissions mated to the 3.9's are based on the 4T65E (please correct me if I'm wrong here). So how could I go about doing a trans swap? Is it as simple as bolting in the new trans; or will I need a custom driveshaft, new suspension parts, new tcm or tune, or is there something that I'm missing completely?

This is not a project that I'm going to take on right away (I don't have enough money, lol), but hopefully if it's possible I'll start working on it this upcoming summer. Any help or insights are welcome, thank you in advance.

Nice forums btw.

You shouldn't have a problem as far as bolting the tranny to the engine since the AWD option on a GM platform that I have seen was in a minivan bolted to a 3500. The new Saab AWD would probably only need a bellhousing swap for a 6 speed manual version given that the F40 found in the 06-07 G6 is the same tranny from the Saab 9-3 and 9-5.

Not something I'd want to tackle on a practically new car given what you will need to do with the wiring/programming.

[WrathOfSocrus]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Uplander

According to the year to year changes, the AWD was dropped at the same time the 3500 was dropped from the Uplander because the AWD system can't handle the torque of the 3900.

[Rannin Ravensight]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Uplander

According to the year to year changes, the AWD was dropped at the same time the 3500 was dropped from the Uplander because the AWD system can't handle the torque of the 3900.

That would be a problem. Do you know if possibly there is an AWD trans for the 3.6? I believe the torrent has an awd option, and maybe it could handle the extra power?

[WrathOfSocrus]

If that saab has an AWD version of the trans available in the G6, I would look into that or the setup in the Torrent. I have had similar thoughts using a junkyard AWD Venture which would probably be much easier and cheaper to source. However with limited overhead for increasing the power without destroying it, I figured it wasn't worth the extra effort for me.

The biggest issue will probably be getting the power to the rear wheels. You need some sort of rear axle to put the power to the wheels, and there might not be anything that simply bolts right under the G6 without some serious fabrication. Don't let that discourage you, if you can find a cheap donor car it would probably make the work more affordable.

[Joseph Upson]

The AWD platform I saw was not in an Uplander, I believe it was a Montana or something with a simular name but definately not an Uplander. One thing to consider about drive train strength is the weight of the vehicle application, since the Uplander weighs upwards of 4000 plus lbs, every 100 lbs of weight you loose can be translated into an increased torque handling capability to bring the total load bearing capacity back up to what it would have been in the original vehicle.

For example, the 6 spd in the G6 is rated for about 290 lb/ft max with a Gross vehicle weight of about 3527 lbs, the 09 AWD Saab using the same tranny except with a taller 1st and final drive gear is rated at 295 lb/ft with a GVW of 5423. The gear ratio change shifted the bulk of the drive train load to the axles and wheels.

Since Force = Mass x Gravity, when you reduce your vehicle weight you reduce the force required to move it so theoretically you should be able to increase engine output to equalize the reduction back to the limits.

Considering GM has the AWD format you shouldn't have to difficult a time mating the rear end parts, even if you have to track down part of the system from the old AWD Pontiac 6000

[Rannin Ravensight]

That's pretty encouraging. As far as the trans handling power: I know there are built 4T65E-HD's that can handle like 500hp, so I'm assuming that a shop could build me a stronger awd version as long as the internals are relatively the same. I'm not trying to make a super car, but 300hp/300tq N/A would be nice. And as for space in the rear, I believe the only main component back there is the gas tank.

[bszopi]

Do a search on ebay for buick awd, and several things come up...

[leong6gtp]

i found this pdf about the 4t65e AWD for the montana and why it may have bee discontinued. mabe hardening the gears in the differential woudl help.

http://www.sonnax.com/tech-articles/TASC-TIP-11-05.pdf