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x2percentmilk
02-08-2011, 10:54 PM
Anyone know the exact differences between the FWD and AWD struts and springs? particularly with aftermarket coilovers. I remember reading the spring rates were different because of the weight difference, and the difference in where on the body they are actually mounted. But as far as the unit themselves are there any differences related to clearance and mounting?

About to buy some FWD megans and I forsee an AWD conversion sometime next year, so im just wondering.
IPD
02-08-2011, 11:57 PM
since i've done the conversion, i'll chime in.

afaik, the fronts are IDENTICAL regardless of fwd or awd. if memory serves, what i was told by evan (shooter83) is that i'd need the rear AWD struts to do my conversion and that the FWD rears would not work.

paul could probably verify this, or hans/em. i don't recall any work needing to be done to the perches for the rears.

keep in mind that there is VERY little clearnance between the rear axle flange and a set of coilovers on an awd conversion. mine touch when the car is in the air. on the ground, there's clearance...but not as much as stock. it's only been a couple months that i've actually driven mine with the coilovers installed, so i can't say for certain if it stays clear even with spirited driving.

i think the cause of this is mostly due to the increase rake of the coilovers vs. stock.

hope that helps!
RL7
02-09-2011, 01:47 PM
I think an AWD set fits on a FWD car. I think I have a set of AWD tein coilovers on my FWD. Someone else should confirm that though.
IPD
02-09-2011, 04:40 PM
*edit*

NOT possible. see below for details.
x2percentmilk
02-09-2011, 06:44 PM
Anyone happen to have those parts laying around and can grab a quick picture? :)

Im interested in the clearance issues, I wonder why? Then again if its not causing any issues I guess it shouldnt be a problem.
Emilie@GZP
02-09-2011, 07:00 PM
The rears don't mount the same.

If you do an AWD conversion, you'll just need to buy AWD rears.
x2percentmilk
02-09-2011, 07:05 PM
I dont mind the purchase, if anything I'll just sell these and buy an AWD set. I was just curious as its something that will eventually come up and I didnt happen to see a definitive answer on it.

Thank you emilie for clearing that up.
IPD
02-09-2011, 07:17 PM
the clearance is, i believe, only a problem for those with a conversion.

p.s.

the FWD vs. AWD is one of the reasons i did my conversion BEFORE doing suspension. i didn't want to have to reinvent the wheel.
x2percentmilk
02-09-2011, 07:46 PM
Yeah, im just a little impatient and want to lower the car this year and start autocrossing. Ill be buying a vr4 as a dedicated race car eventually, and will be keeping this for the street. Vr4 conversion will just come when I get bored with it.
Emilie@GZP
02-09-2011, 10:44 PM
the clearance is, i believe, only a problem for those with a conversion.

p.s.

the FWD vs. AWD is one of the reasons i did my conversion BEFORE doing suspension. i didn't want to have to reinvent the wheel.

the bottom mounting point is TOTALLY different. it has nothing to do with the angle of the rear shock assembly that you run into with the AWD conversion.
IPD
02-09-2011, 11:16 PM
the bottom mounting point is TOTALLY different. it has nothing to do with the angle of the rear shock assembly that you run into with the AWD conversion.

i'm confused. the rear shocks on an awd conversion are at a different angle than on an OEM awd car. it's VISIBLY different. this is the only reason i can think of for why my coilovers actually rub the rear axle flange when the car is in the air (the stock shocks cleared). it doesn't appear to be a brand issue either, as every brand i've seen has the same "larger diameter" screw-on base for the shocks (larger diameter than OEM). the rake isn't quite as steep on an OEM awd car, and that's the only reason i can think of for why they would clearance better.
Emilie@GZP
02-09-2011, 11:18 PM
i'm confused. the rear shocks on an awd conversion are at a different angle than on an OEM awd car. it's VISIBLY different. this is the only reason i can think of for why my coilovers actually rub the rear axle flange when the car is in the air (the stock shocks cleared). it doesn't appear to be a brand issue either, as every brand i've seen has the same "larger diameter" screw-on base for the shocks (larger diameter than OEM). the rake isn't quite as steep on an OEM awd car, and that's the only reason i can think of for why they would clearance better.

you're missing the point.

the FWD rear suspension is COMPLETELY different than the AWD. The bottom of the struts bolt up differently. It has nothing to do with whether it's an AWD conversion or a legit AWD.

The angle of an AWD converted car has absolutely nothing to do with anything regarding fitment... but yes, it is different than a factory AWD... we pointed this out 4 years ago when we did my beige one.
Hans@GZP
02-09-2011, 11:26 PM
AWD

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/images/product_images/images/kyb/KY341185.jpg

FWD

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/images/product_images/images/WORLDPAC/W01331610431KYB.JPG
IPD
02-09-2011, 11:32 PM
you're missing the point.

the FWD rear suspension is COMPLETELY different than the AWD. The bottom of the struts bolt up differently. It has nothing to do with whether it's an AWD conversion or a legit AWD.

The angle of an AWD converted car has absolutely nothing to do with anything regarding fitment... but yes, it is different than a factory AWD... we pointed this out 4 years ago when we did my beige one.

i apologize if i wasn't being clear.

i totally agree that the awd & fwd REAR struts/shocks are different & and that they are not interchangeable, due to differences in the lower mount.

what i was trying to point out to the OP was my personal experience in OEM vs. coilover fitment on an AWD converted car. this has nothing to do with FWD whatsoever. it's purely an "oem z15/16" vs. "converted z15/16" fitment issue. z11 rear shocks/struts WILL NOT WORK FOR AWD. period. (as you can tell by the pictures hans posted; demonstrating the different lower mount).
x2percentmilk
02-10-2011, 12:05 AM
Couldnt have asked for more information from more qualified people. I knew I liked this site better for a reason.
Now no fighting you two :P
Emilie@GZP
02-10-2011, 09:57 AM
Couldnt have asked for more information from more qualified people. I knew I liked this site better for a reason.
Now no fighting you two :P
:bitch:
jannoke
05-14-2019, 11:07 AM
For me it seems AWD and FWD rear struts have only small difference. OD is different. So awd can be used on FWD if metal inset is made (like i did). FWD struts can be used on AWD if whole bushing is swapped out. Thats it.

So if you are making a conversion then you should get AWD struts and you can have temporarily metal or poly bushing put in and on swap you can remove them.