6G Celicas Forums

Hello 6GC'ers,

So here it is, my project thread, or more like a details thread because I don't think it will be evolving very quickly

Getting my Celica:

I decided about 2 years ago that I wanted to get a Celica for my first car (I am 17 now). I was originally looking at '93 model 5th Gen Celica manual Liftback (All lift back 5th and 6th gen Celicas in Aus have the 5S-FE), but once I started saving up a but more I decided to go for a 6GC. I liked the exterior styling of a nice clean 5th gen (has to be the update model though), but I was drawn to the 6th gens for the increased safety features, tighter turning circle, and their much nicer interior. It was also much easier to find them in good condition with low mileage. And I am now completely hooked on 6GC's

So I was on the hunt for a '96-99 model ZR Celica (This is the top-spec model in Australia, equiv. to the GT/GT-S) manual with less than 180,000kms. My preference was red, and i wanted a sunroof, but I wasn't ruling anything out.

After searching regularly for a number of months, I came to the conclusion that it was going to be very difficult to find what I wanted in my budget near me. The ONLY car that I found in my state that suited my requirements was from a dealer and felt very untidy when I test drove it, lots of rattles etc. it felt like it had been thrashed... A theory supported when I found a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell and receipts for heavy duty shocks and coils. Very disappointingly, this was not the car for me.

I kept searching and eventually found 'the one'. A Completely stock standard Silver 1997 model Toyota Celica ZR Manual, in excellent condition, with only 140,000kms (about 87,000 miles). Optional features included being the Factory Sunroof, Air con, Tinting and an Aftermarket Alarm upgrade (update: which I have now found out doesn't work ).

It was initially too expensive for me. I kept looking at it every day, wishing that I could afford it... And 'if only' it was $1000 cheaper.... But then one day they dropped the price by $800, and I was on the phone immediately.

The problem was, it was in a dealership in Melbourne, AUS, just under 2000kms away from me. Because of the demand for cars out of Melbourne, it was too expensive to ship, so I had to organize to fly down and drive it back myself (an entire 2 weeks after I got my license).

After a very long process of organisation and the minor inconvenience of them selling the car to somebody else when I was organizing a mechanic inspection, it was mine XD

Here it is:
















The Future:

I have always been very much a fan of the stock look on Celicas (with all of the factory goodies installed of course!), so I do not have any extravagant plans..... And since purchasing my car I am now a broke uni student

But I am planning a few small things:

Aftermarket head unit for iPod integration.
JDM Clear Side Indicators
Spree LED dash kit + possibly everything else as well

I also have a few different ideas about less common mods to do, but they will require a lot of thought and probably some forum threads

But you never know, if I keep reading all of you guys project builds I might eventually get a proper mod bug

I will keep updating this thread when I do anything, but I don't imagine I will be moving terribly quickly.

This post has been edited by JoshuaM: Sep 6, 2015 - 11:20 AM

Most likely the negative camber that he got from running low. That's what caused my rubbing issues. Upgraded to Megan Racing for skinnier struts and installed my camber bolts to put some positive into the wheel.

Nah, this was on the back where I have the 25mm spacers anyway - there is heaps of clearance in all directions, just over bumps and turns the outside tread was getting chopped up by the sharp inside edge of the guard. I took my old wheels out of the boot and that greatly helped, but it still just scrubs when going around corners quickly.

Roll the fender ?

Yeah, that will probably be the best option for now - I just need to find where to take it and how much they will charge

If you live in CenCal. I could direct you to one of the best fender roller in CenCal. He does it for $80 for all four. People be hitting him up all the way from NYC just to roll fenders. Lol. Fender rolls usually go around $80-$120 for all four.

I had rubbing issues when I had 225/45/17's with no spacers on 7J rims, +45. I can only imagine how bad you are rubbing now. Definitely get your fenders rolled. It's either that or get some super stiff suspension.

Lol not so rare rims no more

I am a little far away for that atm And when I am in Cali I won't be in a Celica



Well I didn't really want to pay for either I will probably get them rolled very slightly, but I do have a cunning scheme for free coilovers in planning....



I see how it is.... as soon as I spend 8 months tracking a set down they aren't special any more

You can buy a guard roller off eBay for $90.
I'll go you halves if you send it out when your done

I was going to say that its not worth it, but the local shop just quoted me $60 per guard! (And that was since it was an easy job, and I didn't want them rolled much).

Damn! $60 per fender? Eff that. You're better off buying your own roller and heat gun. Then start rolling local cars for cheaper prices. That's what the guy I was talking about did. He be making 300-400 in one day. Lol.

Just use a sledgehammer tactfully.

So I have been a bit slack and never posted up the pics of my new wheels on my thread..... so here they are

October COTM Entry:


Other shots on the same day;











With +25mm bolt on spacers (Which are making the wheels rub..... still

Well now you HAVE to lower it.

That's looking sweet Josh nice effort

:DDDD

All you need to is to close that wheel gap and your car will be super smexy! I'd say save up and get the Megan's!

Richee3's car is awesome... and he has Caldina wheels... and he isn't lowered.... so there!



Thank you



Unless I can get a really good deal, lowering won't be happening until I get back from overseas next year (which could be in July, or maybe December if I go to do some work experience in Europe, and then I'll probably be going on a mining vacation program through to the following January...... ) And even then I will probably be on the hunt for a st205 - and since coilovers aren't interchangeable it would be silly to buy them when I was planning to sell it. That or just BEAMS swap it.

And it is a different market down here - it would cost $200 to have the Megan's shipped, so I would be better off just buying the BC BR Gold series to begin with (Like $1100).

I maybe miles off here but if you get coilovers is the actual spring itself that's different or just the spring rates?

This post has been edited by sr666: Oct 3, 2013 - 9:45 AM

There are a few things that are different I think, but the one that closes the conversation is that I'm pretty sure all the AUS delivered st205's came with SuperStrut instead of MacPherson