Super N00b question save us all the bumps

[CountPrinky]

I have an 09 matrix s and i just found out they make an AWD version, how much would a conversion cost approximately? how many parts min and max would approximately be needed?

[fishexpo101]

Be cheaper to trade your current one in for the AWD Matrix. The conversion and fabrication needed is non-trivial. If you had the Matrix XRS - you'd be part way there, due to the IRS setup vs the beam setup in the Matrix S - but still require quite a bit of fabrication. Parts availability would also be another sticky point - as production needs take precedent over non-production sale of parts.

Just to give you an order of magnitude - a shop in the UK took a 9th gen Corolla and dropped in an AWD setup from a Celica GT4 - they indicated that was about $40K for that conversion. Even assuming that you are not making that drastic of a change - you can still expect to shell out $10K-$20K easy, assuming you can even get the parts.

[tarsun]

but the awd only comes in automatic... if you wanted to keep the 5spd you can not trade it in for the awd model.

[fishexpo101]

Correct - and to make it worse, the AWD only comes as a 4-speed automatic, not the 5-speeds auto like the other models. Like the 1st gen - no standard shift option on the AWD models. Too bad, would have taken some sales away from Audi and Subaru if Toyota allowed for standard shift - I guess this market couldn't justify the manual transaxles.

[CountPrinky]

Ok now building from this info... there is no such thing as a stock version of a matrix rally car, so the 5spd tranny's gunna have to be custom done to work with the (bare with me... on this part) rear differential and the transfer case (right? lol as far as i can tell those are the key parts to the awd system)

Now follow up question is top sites for Toyota, or matrix exclusive parts.
(e.g. Black forest industries for VW's.... they cant be the only cultist groupies)

i have the 1.8L unfortunately and it seems to be imposable to find any upgrade parts for anything other than the 2.4

and as you guys said even the RXS isn't a standard so i wont even touch it.

if its gonna be a FWD street eater than so be it, but the whp's not goin anywhere without some help.

[fishexpo101]

Are you thinking of attaching the AWD to the 1.8L engine? That case, I'd stop right there - the 1.8L doesn't have quite enough power to pull all that stuff along - especially if you are thinking along the lines of a "stock" rally car. Those days died with the AWD Celica years ago and unlikely to come back any time soon. If you are thinking along the lines of pulling the entire drivetrain out of a AWD and dropping that into your own car - that is more doable. But again, at that point - just trade in the car for the AWD and them work to mod that ride.

Correct - major parts are the transaxle, transfer case, drive shaft, and rear diff - but that only gets you the skeleton for AWD. Electronics and wiring alone will be a nightmare - unless this is a true project car - that case, just rip all the electronics out and run a standalone EMS.

Not sure what you meant that the XRS was not a standard - they are available as a 5-speed standard shift or 5-speed automatic. The XRS is closer to the AWD, as they both have an independent rear suspension instead of the beam-type rear suspension.

As for power adders - since the 2.4L engine in the S and XRS is also shared with the Scion tC - there are lots of aftermarket options for power. Granted FWD will limit how much you can put to the ground - even so, there are several mega-power tC running various events with good showings. So there is some "help" out there - just a matter of time and money.

[silver04rollas]

Would be a lot cheaper to just trade in.

I traded my 2004 Corolla S with 6000 miles for a brand new 2005 Corolla XRS. After hectic negotiations, I was able to reduce the trade-in pay-out to only $1500.

If you negotiate well, you can get decent value for your trade-in.

[fishexpo101]

Originally Posted by silver04rollas

Would be a lot cheaper to just trade in.

I traded my 2004 Corolla S with 6000 miles for a brand new 2005 Corolla XRS. After hectic negotiations, I was able to reduce the trade-in pay-out to only $1500.

If you negotiate well, you can get decent value for your trade-in.

Wow. That is a hella great deal - must be a master negotiator to get it to within that amount of money - as the invoice difference in pricing of the XRS vs the S is more like $1750.