Given that MMA didn't go ahead with a AWD 380 as it should have I have decided that I will try and do the next best thing:

1) 380 Motor transplant into my AWD KJ Verarda

2) Ralliart LSD into the front diff of the AWD

I realise this will probably cost a heap but the car is in good condition and I like driving it. Just wondering if people may have already done this conversion? If so what technical issues might I encounter on the way.

The 3.8l has been dropped in on a couple of AWD's so far. As for the ralliart LSD, I don't know if it's been done or if it can be done.

The 3.8l has been dropped in on a couple of AWD's so far. As for the ralliart LSD, I don't know if it's been done or if it can be done.

The front diff on the AWD is huuuge, so wont be a direct swap. The upper range of outlanders come with a front LSD though...

This is great news and thanks to those that PMd me. I'll keep a photo diary and post from time to time.

I have done one complete fit and also preparred other engines for other AWD owners as well, they are not a difficult fit

Not saying will not be worth it but I struggle to see why you need a LSD in an AWD as there are no real traction issues with the way they are set up

The AWD already has an LSD centre and rear diff - I guess a front LSD would help if the back wheels were hanging off the edge of a cliff and only one front wheel had traction.

Is there any risk of drive train wind up with 3 LSDs ? I don't think there would be but thought I'd throw out the idea.

Sounds like you're going to have some fun. I'm envious :)

I've got a complete AWD drivetrain sitting in front of me, and have fitted a LSD to a 380 transmission which is essentially the same except for the diff....the diff is way different...the driveshafts are complex where they mate to the transfer assembly.


My opinion is that it is:-

(a) way too expensive for no gain
(b) very time consuming
(c) the crown wheel centre is huge, I can't see any LSD fitting it....I can see a 380 and std Quaife don't fit and cannot ever fit.
(d) your speedometer gear may end up being inoperative due to gear mate up issues

The driveshaft splines will take a massive amount of engineering as they are nested whithin each other and have an intermediate spline.

Still want to do it? Allow $10-15K I reckon.

You'd be doing really well (or badly, depending on how you look at it) if you ever got yourself into a situation where a front LSD would be beneficial at all. The 380 motor however is a brilliant idea, gives you quite a lot more kick.

guys FRONT diff is in the transfer case in the awd.. the diff that is housed in the tranny is the centre diff....

i havent cracked open a awd magna transfer case but you might find an evo front lsd will drop straight in...

like everyone else has said there is no real need for it though

Having more than a passing interest in rallying I spend a lot of time on dirt and can vouch for a front LSD even on a AWD especially on the tight stuff. I thought the transmission transfer case and front diff on the AWD magna was based on the EVO 3 drivetrain, as such I would have thought a front LSD out of EVO 3 would work.

Have access to a couple of EVO 3's so I'll do some fishing around and get back to you. Some have the LSD others don't.

Having more than a passing interest in rallying I spend a lot of time on dirt and can vouch for a front LSD even on a AWD especially on the tight stuff. I thought the transmission transfer case and front diff on the AWD magna was based on the EVO 3 drivetrain, as such I would have thought a front LSD out of EVO 3 would work.

Have access to a couple of EVO 3's so I'll do some fishing around and get back to you. Some have the LSD others don't.

yeh dont get me wrong.. my evo8 had front lsd, my evo6 doesnt and its very noticeable.. infact its going to be something im going to sort out very soon...

but in a magna with a small power upgrade that its probably going to spend all its life on the street probably not so important

i was under impression the magna awd was based on the e7 driveline? why would mitsu base it off such an old car rather than the current evo at the time the magna awd was designed? ..also, there was no auto evo3 yet there was an auto evo7 (gta) so tranny is nothing to do with a evo3..

Front lsd would come in handy on tight wet roundabouts.
Edit: the transfer case is common with the Evo VI Lancer, while the front differential is an open unit, the same as for Evo VI RS and Evo VII. The centre differential, which gives the full-time all wheel drive, uses a viscous coupling unit which is shared with the Evo VI. The rear LSD is a mechanical plate type, the same as the Evo VI RS (motorsport version).

evo6 front lsd could be the go then.. if you find two let me know, i need one aswell :)

for some reason the lsd that fits into a TME evo6 does NOT fit a GSR evo6.. so be aware there are alteast two types around that arent compatible for some reason (i cant remember why)

evo6 front lsd could be the go then.. if you find two let me know, i need one aswell :)

for some reason the lsd that fits into a TME evo6 does NOT fit a GSR evo6.. so be aware there are alteast two types around that arent compatible for some reason (i cant remember why)

We need more than two mate! LOL~~~ All the AWD owners would be interested I guess!

I tried to do a 540 around a tiny roundabout once and just couldn't do it quickly as the front understeered too much. And thanks to the centre & rear LSD, the handbrake did NOTHING.

Do you think a front LSD would help in this situation, or would it take lowering and rear sway bar to fix that sort of handling issue ???

(hehe, looks like the engine swap is a no brainer, but the front LSD has sparked interest and debate)

Is using the handbrake bad for the AWDs?

I'm reluctant to try as I think the locked wheels would get all the torque and stress the transfer case.

Is using the handbrake bad for the AWDs?

I'm reluctant to try as I think the locked wheels would get all the torque and stress the transfer case.
... and cook the centre diff.

I tried to do a 540 around a tiny roundabout once and just couldn't do it quickly as the front understeered too much. And thanks to the centre & rear LSD, the handbrake did NOTHING.

Do you think a front LSD would help in this situation, or would it take lowering and rear sway bar to fix that sort of handling issue ???

(hehe, looks like the engine swap is a no brainer, but the front LSD has sparked interest and debate)

AWDs already have a rear sway bar and quiet a rigid firewall which sees no benefit in front strut tower braces (according to some on here). Mine corners quiet good generally in the dry and wet. Its just those small round-abouts in the wet that gets the fronts spinning.

if it's anything like the FWD, the tower brace tightens the thing up nicely and makes a good difference to steering feel.

if it's anything like the FWD, the tower brace tightens the thing up nicely and makes a good difference to steering feel.

The AWD firewall was stiffened a lot and some people on here found there to be no difference/benefit with fitting front tower braces to the AWDs.

Is using the handbrake bad for the AWDs?

I'm reluctant to try as I think the locked wheels would get all the torque and stress the transfer case.

No problems with using the handbrake other than it is woefully inadequate in terms of numerous hand brake turns (infact totally worn out in 3 hour rally disks handbrake shoes and several brackets all stuffed), the open front diff just won't pull the car away in a handbrake turn as it will spin the inside wheel and tends to understeer.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g122/ernysp76/13771.jpgthis is at a rally I did in the old KJ.

fair enough, i am guessing the stiffer firewall helps to brace the two towers together better...

LSD in my magna is great.. completely stock power but you can feel it all the time if pushing it into corners and stuff.. lots of fun. no idea how it would behave in an AWD situation though.

edit: Frelling double post bug strikes again. I definitely only pressed the submit button once. In fact, I used the space bar on it so definitely only one press. ("tab tab space")

My turn and a half around the roundabout in the AWD didn't have any front wheel spinning, just pushing a little.

Firewall stiffness too good for a strut brace? NOT in my opinion :)
I put a strut brace on the front of mine and handling improved markedly. I described it all in my Members Ride thread (see sig) with descriptions on the experience.
It may have been more noticeable to me because I was on stock rims & tyres and at times my car is driven at 10/10ths and beyond.
Or just because my car had 135,000kms on it at the time!