ST205 RHD TO LHD, Conversion Options

[domyz]

I already have a 1994 rev 3 3sgte celica

But I would like to know if
it would be pain in the arshe to
- buy a cheap (9K$) st205 RHD
-buy a junkyard celica gt (1K$) LHD
and convert it to lhd with an used LHD celica (not mine ) ??

I think it would be an easy way to have a LHD AWD 6gen at a moderate price!

This question is because I don't know much about the LHD conversion of a car and looks like no member has done it before.
Is there any reason?

This post has been edited by domyz: May 5, 2009 - 3:58 PM

[azian_advanced]

doGGy did it on a 98 GT4.. all i remember him saying was that it was a pain in the @$$.

[domyz]

its sure that you have to be good in electronics, but the dash framing would likely to be bolt-on inside... correct me if im wrong

[reko]

faudrait tu swap la crémailliere et tout le kit a cause que le volant et pu du meme coté... donc de ta colone a ta crémailliere ca fit pu a meme place du devrais prendre celle de la GT et a cause de ca tu devrais changer tout les tabs, crossmember etc pcq cest pas le meme design et rendu la, est-ce que ca va fitter?

ca doit etre une crisse de chiar!! et meme a ca, le char reste jdm donc pas plus plaquable

[domyz]

toute facon une direction cest bolt-on sur le frame, je parlais avec une jdm deja plaquée... mais en fin de conte jme suis faite dire que c'est illegal de percer le firewall et d'y amener des modifs

[Iceman22]

Could someone answer in English please?
I also wonder if it will be possible. I want to take out a GT4 engine that is RHD and put the engine to my LHD Celica. The engine itself will not be a problem as I can see, but the electronics etc.. will be a problem because it's on the wrong side?
Could someone please explain if it is possible, and will it be VERY much work to get it done?

[azian_advanced]

si vous achetez un st205, vous pourriez faire la suivante:
apres avoir changer le firewall et toutes les autres pieces necessaires en LHD, vous pourriez garder le numero de VIN. la plaque VIN est la seule chose que les agents des compagnies d'assurances vont examiner, et non pas le code sur le firewall de la voiture (seulement si ils pensent que la voiture est JDM). en meme temps le numero de VIN que vous utiliseriez doit etre actif, ou au moins en etat "salvageable"... pardon my french. malheureusement le celica qui etait LHD ne pourrait jamais etre enregistrer sans une VIN valide. notez que cet procedure est quand meme illegal.

[azian_advanced]

Could someone answer in English please?
I also wonder if it will be possible. I want to take out a GT4 engine that is RHD and put the engine to my LHD Celica. The engine itself will not be a problem as I can see, but the electronics etc.. will be a problem because it's on the wrong side?
Could someone please explain if it is possible, and will it be VERY much work to get it done?

what you're looking at is basically a 3rd gen 3sgte swap. however this thread focuses on converting a RHD st205 to lhd.
but to answer your question, the electronics won't be a problem. despite the few things that may need to be rewired, you would just have to extend the engine harness so it goes through the factory grommet on your firewall. otherwise just make a new hole through your firewall and you won't need to extend the engine harness. being rhd or lhd has no impact to your 3sgte swap besides that.

[Iceman22]

Could someone answer in English please?
I also wonder if it will be possible. I want to take out a GT4 engine that is RHD and put the engine to my LHD Celica. The engine itself will not be a problem as I can see, but the electronics etc.. will be a problem because it's on the wrong side?
Could someone please explain if it is possible, and will it be VERY much work to get it done?

what you're looking at is basically a 3rd gen 3sgte swap. however this thread focuses on converting a RHD st205 to lhd.
but to answer your question, the electronics won't be a problem. despite the few things that may need to be rewired, you would just have to extend the engine harness so it goes through the factory grommet on your firewall. otherwise just make a new hole through your firewall and you won't need to extend the engine harness. being rhd or lhd has no impact to your 3sgte swap besides that.

I see, good to hear that. Every auto repair shop I spooke to about that said it will be a very hard job, and couldn't guarantee that the electronics will work for a longer period of time etc..
But I hope you have right, do you have any sources that confirm this? And I forgot to ask, I also consider to change the drive shaft from FWD to 4WD from the GT4, will this be very hard to fix?

This post has been edited by Iceman22: May 7, 2009 - 6:00 PM

[domyz]

ok thanks azian but, if you are asked to go to your province/state inspection for any reason: FM intercooler-illegal exhaust system-car crash, your vehicule wont pass it.
you have lost 10000$

This post has been edited by domyz: May 7, 2009 - 7:56 PM

[azian_advanced]

in MB, we don't have nearly as strict laws.. the only inspection is it has to pass 'safety' so brakes, alignment, body (no rust holes), etc. they could care less about the mods on the cars. the police used to ticket everyone with euro lights, exhaust etc a few years ago but they slowly stopped because of the number of so called tuners. the import scene here is pretty intense.. you come out on a sunday which we refer to as 'cruise night' and you'll see everyone with FM intercoolers, aftermarket exhaust, etc etc.

[playr158]

Its really not rocket science to swap firewalls....

Doggy and I have both done it.

It requires a LOT of drilling out tack welds along certain seams in order to remove it. As well as removing the OEM seam sealant material which is the biggest challenge of it all.

Once all the welds have been drilled you can pull out the firewall (its very stuck in there) and replace it with the new wall. Then weld it into place and seal + paint

99% of the electronics come with the front cut as well as the RHD hardware.

the worst part about my swap was that most the metal had rust on it and had to be sandblasted.

[JDMDWS]

I'm think you come from Québec...(french).

you probably see the news laws... ( AM-2009-05)

for those don't know, the Quebec ban new comming RHD from the road, effective date 29 april 2009 ( the one already on the road keep is right) this thing is for 180 days.... after nobody know...

if you read french go to APVIQ.com or the english Canadien site IVOAC.com

i got the same troubles, my car ( Celica st-205 WRC edition) was on the boat, suppose to be here on july and i don't want them to be cut or modify to be lhd....but if a have no choise..

good luck and keep us inform if you do the conversion....maybe i have to do the same project....

JDMDWS

[Kardboard]

I thought they were just banning any more new imports of RHD vehicles? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm watching that closely as I'm in BC, and we have a LOT of JDM cars now. Lots of Delicas, GT-Rs, you name it. Yet to see an ST205 yet, and I hope to be one of the first this summer!

The conversion seems to be a royal pain...

[KAOS]

I thought they were just banning any more new imports of RHD vehicles? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm watching that closely as I'm in BC, and we have a LOT of JDM cars now. Lots of Delicas, GT-Rs, you name it. Yet to see an ST205 yet, and I hope to be one of the first this summer!

The conversion seems to be a royal pain...

I get to play with 3 ST205's here in Calgary...

[chode]

I'm think you come from Québec...(french).

you probably see the news laws... ( AM-2009-05)

for those don't know, the Quebec ban new comming RHD from the road, effective date 29 april 2009 ( the one already on the road keep is right) this thing is for 180 days.... after nobody know...

if you read french go to APVIQ.com or the english Canadien site IVOAC.com

i got the same troubles, my car ( Celica st-205 WRC edition) was on the boat, suppose to be here on july and i don't want them to be cut or modify to be lhd....but if a have no choise..

good luck and keep us inform if you do the conversion....maybe i have to do the same project....

JDMDWS

im also from mtl (french)
i had the same plan as you,
if you apend to start it, id like to be part of if
to help mysefl when ill be there (the new law is such a pain)
http://www.alertejdm.com/

[Iceman22]

I also consider to swap from rhd to lhd on mine st205, but I spoke to a guy doing this kind of job and he said that if the car was a japan made (like I got) and not European, then it would not be possible to change to lhd? He didn't explain why, has someone heard about that?

This post has been edited by Iceman22: Jun 12, 2009 - 7:09 PM

[FORGMANN]

This guy in Netherlands converted his ST205 to LHD. On Netherlands celica forum there is a build thread but most
pictures are gone since thread is older.. see his profile for a few pics.. btw hasn't been active since 02/2008

http://www.6gc.net/members/bacertune

Best way to complete is by having a complete parts car.. can use a st202 for 95% of parts

all st205's can be converted ..easier to do in Europe since have access to some LHD parts.

[azian_advanced]

bacertune's RHD to LHD conversion pics are located here: Project Celica GT4 ST205 WRC.

the hardest part is sourcing a LHD st205 steering rack

[Culpable04]

bacertune's RHD to LHD conversion pics are located here: Project Celica GT4 ST205 WRC.

the hardest part is sourcing a LHD st205 steering rack

as an alternative, a regular GT / ST rack can be used, but that also means using the whole front suspension for a GT / ST

if I was to do this in the US, that's a sacrify I can live with.

[hmong337]

This guy in Netherlands converted his ST205 to LHD. On Netherlands celica forum there is a build thread but most
pictures are gone since thread is older.. see his profile for a few pics.. btw hasn't been active since 02/2008

http://www.6gc.net/members/bacertune

Best way to complete is by having a complete parts car.. can use a st202 for 95% of parts

all st205's can be converted ..easier to do in Europe since have access to some LHD parts.

**** ME! That's soooooo much work to convert! You'd think that Toyota would've made all the chassis'/frames/bodies the same for ease of manufacturing. I guess not.

Damn this really sucks. I'm in Canada and we can get JDM GT4's for fairly cheap (like the OP). I really was thinking just like the OP. Getting a junk Celica for converting a GT4. I HATE RHD! It's not the RHD so much, it's the RHD in a LHD country that I hate. Just too dangerous. You can't see ****. Man, this ruins my aspirations of wanting to get a GT4 and junk Celica for LHD conversion. Just too bad.

[Ruroniarc]

Well, you can always do everything backwards. Take the GT Celica, and use the GT4 as the donor car. Then transfer the engine and AWD tranny to the GT. You will be left with the regular suspension off at GT, and no the super strut, but what the hell, that's not so bad.

That's what I wanna do.

[playr158]

bacertune's RHD to LHD conversion pics are located here: Project Celica GT4 ST205 WRC.

the hardest part is sourcing a LHD st205 steering rack

as an alternative, a regular GT / ST rack can be used, but that also means using the whole front suspension for a GT / ST

if I was to do this in the US, that's a sacrify I can live with.

I'm actually going to try to mix my steering racks.....ST205 RHD rack with LHD ST202/AT200 tie rods and ends to fit the McPherson front suspension.


Also to Ruroniarc...you can't simply take the motor + AWD trans and drop it into the GT as the GT has no rear end for AWD. However you could take the motor and mix it with the GT trans (if MT) and drop that in but then you're stuck with FWD.


(3sgte + AWD trans + McPherson front and SS rear is what i'm hoping to setup )

[Ruroniarc]

Well, correct. I failed to mention the AWD setup for the rear too. You can pull that stuff off of the donor GT4. You would probably have to change out the rear plate under the car too or whatever it's called.

[playr158]

Rear floor pan. you can swap them out from the GT4 (seen it done before)
or you can cut out the rear tire well from the factory USDM

[KAOS]

Didn't somebody just take the firewall from a 204 and put it into the 205 chassis with all the steering stuff to convert to LHD?

IIRC somebody on this forum did that... I think...

[playr158]

^Doggy converted from RHD to LHD.
see post #2

[MR2fanatic]

Are there any other links from people that have done this swap? In the USA specifically? I'd like to ask a few questions of someone who has first hand experience.

This post has been edited by MR2fanatic: Feb 3, 2011 - 11:27 PM

[Smaay]

please keep these threads in english. its rude not to....


keep the build going, id like to see the finished product

[Culpable04]

(3sgte + AWD trans + McPherson front and SS rear is what i'm hoping to setup )

There is no such thing, ST205s use Mcpherson rear suspension, it is just different from ST202s as the bolt holes are spaced differently, but it's Mcpherson, not SS on the rear

[delusionz]

is that true about the steering rack being different? isnt there something u can just flip around or use a mix of parts?

does this mean malpaso didn't keep superstrut?


man... losing superstrut isnt a big problem, though it does help reduce understeer, but just dont use GT struts on a GT4, you would need to get ST202/ST204 front coilovers and ST205 rear coilovers.

[hmong337]

Reviving this idea...

So, the flood of cheap st205 GT4's are here in Canada. Plus, you can find a decent LHD 6gc car for pretty cheap.

If doing the conversion, would everything from the st205 bolt directly to the North American LHD 6gc? I guess what I'm trying to say is if doing the swap, I would essentially use the RHD imported st205 as the donar car. Then, put all those parts onto the clean LHD North American car.

Will everything plug and play?

I'd much rather use the LHD car as the base car for the conversion since the VIN is easier to work with and it will be A LOT easier to insure.

So... RHD ST205 to be completely ripped apart to be used as the donar. Will everything plug and play into the North American 6gc?


THANKS!

[trdproven]

everything that is flipped between a LHD and RHD needs to be reversed. Firewall, wiring needs to go the other way, and rack and corresponding suspension (depends how you want to do it), MAYBE some hardlines even your dash, A/C, a lot of parts and everything inside that needs to be flipped. look at what you have and look at a LHD and see what needs to be reversed. Its a lot of work really.

I'd rather use a LHD too and then convert to a 3sgte. Going the other way around is tedious. its doable but its going to be based on your knowledge or someone else, money, labor, parts.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Aug 22, 2012 - 12:26 AM

[hmong337]

I wouldn't be touching the interior, no? I would want to keep everything LHD and just swap over the powertrain and drivetrain from the RHD GT4 donar. Importantly, does the regular North American spec LHD 6gc have provisions for the rear subframe of the GT4 to fit? How about clearance for the drive shaft?

I guess my previous post was a bit confusing. I want it to be LHD (using the North American car) but bolting all the ST205 goodies to it (awd, 3sgte, etc...)

Not so much a RHD to LHD conversion. But more like using a base North American LHD car, then bolting all the ST205 goodies to it. Will this work? Mainly concerned about the rear subframe though... possibly suspension mounting points.

[a_maniago]

Sorry to bump this topic, but I didn't want to start another one.

I'm thinking about doing this too with a (JP) GT-Four ST205 and a (US) GT ST204

looking at prices, buying the ST205 from japan runs about 3-5 grand and buying the ST204 isn't too hard.
both cars i'm looking at are 1994. Is anyone here from southern california?

I was debating on doing this conversion or buying an old mk3 supra and do a 1JZ swap, but I figured a celica would be less of a headache.

[Smaay]

Sorry to bump this topic, but I didn't want to start another one.

I'm thinking about doing this too with a (JP) GT-Four ST205 and a (US) GT ST204

looking at prices, buying the ST205 from japan runs about 3-5 grand and buying the ST204 isn't too hard.
both cars i'm looking at are 1994. Is anyone here from southern california?

I was debating on doing this conversion or buying an old mk3 supra and do a 1JZ swap, but I figured a celica would be less of a headache.

im in So Cal, so what are you trying to accomplish? a LHD AWD Celica or a RHD GT4? I have a fab shop that can do the swap for you but be prepared to spend $$$ one way or another its going to be expensive. I think the cheaper route is to buy one of those ST205 clips that comes with the rear end and convert a USDM to AWD

[a_maniago]

im in So Cal, so what are you trying to accomplish? a LHD AWD Celica or a RHD GT4? I have a fab shop that can do the swap for you but be prepared to spend $$$ one way or another its going to be expensive. I think the cheaper route is to buy one of those ST205 clips that comes with the rear end and convert a USDM to AWD

LHD AWD Celica by tearing down the ST205 and putting everything into the ST204 effectively keeping the VIN# etc for easier registration, etc

After doing a lot of research after my last post (and not sleeping last night), I've concluded that this is a semi-impossible dream in the US, especially California.

So first I looked up importation laws. Since the ST205 specifically was not released in the US in any way, shape, or form I don't think it will be approved.
To keep explanations short and concise, as quoted from AllTrac.net by gt4st205

"One way is VERY expensive, very long, and i wouldn't recomment it. What you'd have to do is provide 4 ST205's to the us government to crash test, they don't have to be running, but the engine blocks and seats(with seat belts) need to be in place. this is not the smartest route because you need to pay for shipment of all the cars, as well as the price for crashing the cars.

"If you have a relative or trusted friend in Canada you can ship it to them, have them register it. It would get a canadian VIN, which then could be transfered to the states.

"The easiest way (and cheapest) is to ship it to the states as a "track car". to do this you need to fit it to certain retrictions that are required with a US registered style of racing, such as roll bar, racing seats, fire surpression, and harnesses. the one downfall to this is that you'd need to wait untill the car is 22 yrs old to be able to drive it on the road."

Another method he didn't mention is transfer the parts I would want for conversion, namely, the engine, tranny, etc. (separately unfortunately, which will be costly)

I could go through Canada since my cousin lives in BC, Canada.

Maybe I'll do this with the All Trac 1992 Celica instead, since it was available in the US market.


But hey if I ever change my mind whats the name of your shop?

[DST94]

Sorry to bump this topic, but I didn't want to start another one.

I'm thinking about doing this too with a (JP) GT-Four ST205 and a (US) GT ST204

looking at prices, buying the ST205 from japan runs about 3-5 grand and buying the ST204 isn't too hard.
both cars i'm looking at are 1994. Is anyone here from southern california?

I was debating on doing this conversion or buying an old mk3 supra and do a 1JZ swap, but I figured a celica would be less of a headache.

im in So Cal, so what are you trying to accomplish? a LHD AWD Celica or a RHD GT4? I have a fab shop that can do the swap for you but be prepared to spend $$$ one way or another its going to be expensive. I think the cheaper route is to buy one of those ST205 clips that comes with the rear end and convert a USDM to AWD

im in So Cal, so what are you trying to accomplish? a LHD AWD Celica or a RHD GT4? I have a fab shop that can do the swap for you but be prepared to spend $$$ one way or another its going to be expensive. I think the cheaper route is to buy one of those ST205 clips that comes with the rear end and convert a USDM to AWD

LHD AWD Celica by tearing down the ST205 and putting everything into the ST204 effectively keeping the VIN# etc for easier registration, etc

After doing a lot of research after my last post (and not sleeping last night), I've concluded that this is a semi-impossible dream in the US, especially California.

So first I looked up importation laws. Since the ST205 specifically was not released in the US in any way, shape, or form I don't think it will be approved.
To keep explanations short and concise, as quoted from AllTrac.net by gt4st205

"One way is VERY expensive, very long, and i wouldn't recomment it. What you'd have to do is provide 4 ST205's to the us government to crash test, they don't have to be running, but the engine blocks and seats(with seat belts) need to be in place. this is not the smartest route because you need to pay for shipment of all the cars, as well as the price for crashing the cars.

"If you have a relative or trusted friend in Canada you can ship it to them, have them register it. It would get a canadian VIN, which then could be transfered to the states.

"The easiest way (and cheapest) is to ship it to the states as a "track car". to do this you need to fit it to certain retrictions that are required with a US registered style of racing, such as roll bar, racing seats, fire surpression, and harnesses. the one downfall to this is that you'd need to wait untill the car is 22 yrs old to be able to drive it on the road."

Another method he didn't mention is transfer the parts I would want for conversion, namely, the engine, tranny, etc. (separately unfortunately, which will be costly)

I could go through Canada since my cousin lives in BC, Canada.

Maybe I'll do this with the All Trac 1992 Celica instead, since it was available in the US market.


But hey if I ever change my mind whats the name of your shop?

Im doing this whole thing right now. PM me if you guys want to come see all the issues and how Im overcoming them.