all trac tranny, how does it work??? Options

[Elevindie]

i got a 94 st and i am planning on making it a 3s car. i have been researching and it comes down to the mr2 turbo (which i hear, comes with alot of headaces), or the all trac. this may seem dumb, but isnt the all trac all wheel drive...and if i were to put it into my celica....uhh front wheel drive...how does that work??? i dont really understand the all wheel tranny on that car, so if someone could enlighten me, with usefull knowledge, or point me in the right directing so i can read for myself. thanks

[Kwanza26]

you don't use the alltrac tranny. If you have a GT... you can use the GT tranny. The other option is using the Camry/Solara V6 5 speed tranny or the MR2 turbo tranny (requires modifications).

[Elevindie]

what kind of modification does the mr2 tranny need???

[phattyduck]

what kind of modification does the mr2 tranny need???

Shift levers need to be moved to the opposite side of the tranny (using parts from the all-trac tranny).

Alternatively, you can rebuild the all-trac tranny to be FWD only using MR2 turbo (E153) parts from a busted tranny. I did this since I was planning on putting in an aftermarket LSD on my tranny. Worked out fine that way too...

-Charlie

[Punisher]

The alltrac tranny is typically a bad idea.. because any 5th generation alltrac transmission is going to have bad synchro's and that will mean it will have muffed up gears. In the event of FINDING a very low mileage alltrac tranny.. then I STILL wouldn't go with it.

The best route to go would be with a 99+ Camry/Solara V6 (1MZFE) transmission.

The shift linkage is already in the correct place.. the transmission itself weighs about 20lb's or so lighter than the alltrac tranny (this is when the transfer case is off).. and the synchro's are better.

Then you need to source yourself an MR2 Turbo LSD (limited slip differential).

After you have the transmission and the LSD, take them both to a good transmission shop and have them install the LSD. This cost me 320 dollars and it was well worth it since I DIDN'T screw the job up doing it myself.

Once this is all done the next step is to make the GT (S54) rear transmission mount work on the camry/solara (e153) transmission. It is very doable, I did it myself with little modification. I can take pics. Also, use the ST185 (5th generation alltrac) rear mount insulator.

So now you have the transmission in your car and all 3 mounts in place and everything is good, you will hook the GT shifter cables up and notice that they are TO LONG. The cables are not able to extend full way and so you won't be able to move the shifter at all or very little.

So then the next thing you have to do is take the shifter bracket off of the trans and hack it up.. then re-drill holes in it. I used the ST185 shifter bracket, since I had the tranmission laying in pieces anyway.. and the bracket is thinner so it was just easier to work with. I can also take pics of this part as well.

So great.. now your shifter cables are in properly and you can hit all gears like the transmission was ment to be there.. Oh crap, you still have another problem!

You now notice that the clips that hold the shifter cables into the brackets are loose and just fall around and don't hold the cables tight.

Well there is only really one good solution to this... weld small pieces of 1/4" steel onto the bracket where the clips go.. 1/4" will probably by slightly to much.. so just take a grinder to it and slightly smooth away until it's just right. I can also take pictures of this setup.

So.. 3 issues with putting the transmission in.. however they are 3 very small issues really. Took me a day to remedy everything... well took more than a day to figure out the rear mount.. but it works like it was ment to be there and you don't have to order ST205 **** from japan and wait until Godzilla delivers it to you.

My cost break down

99 Camry V6 trans = 400 tax included
95 MR2 LSD shipped from japan = 430 shipping including (130 for shipping)
LSD Installed = 320 tax included

Everything else I had on hand but I think the st185 rear mount goes for around 50 dollars at an auto store?

My total price is right around what one would pay for an MR2 LSD trans.. except my transmission weighs less.

Oh the other thing you will need is MR2 Turbo LSD inner axles both passenger side and driver side stub. My total cost for those was 400 dollars including the passenger side carrier bearing which was already installed. You will need these axles regardless if you go with an MR2 trans.. or anything that uses an MR2 LSD.

IF you don't go with an LSD and just use the differential that is in the transmission (open) or you use an aftermarket LSD (Kaaz..) then you can use V6 camry axles I believe. I'd probably advise using the aftermarket LSD anyway. I got a fricken steal on my MR2 LSD.

Don't forget to grab an MR2 Turbo LSD carrier bearing bracket too.. which goes for around 55 dollars from a dealership like www.1sttoyotaparts.com or www.partznet.com

Let me know if you need any further help or part numbers.

[Elevindie]

Hey thanks everyone! punisher...i would really like to see thoes pics that you said you would take for me. Send me a personal message and i will give ya my e-mail address.

[phattyduck]

Hey thanks everyone! punisher...i would really like to see thoes pics that you said you would take for me. Send me a personal message and i will give ya my e-mail address.

I have an extra MR2 stock VLSD available... PM if you want it.

Good luck!

-Charlie