Return of the Samurai, *UPDATE* 03/13/14 A WHOLE MESS LOAD OF PICS!!!!!& Options

[Lil-Joe101]

Aight so I got my st202 back yesterday night around 10pm. When my Dad and I got home. I will post pics tomorrow but here is the list of wrongful doings to it so far. Will post more as the findings increase.

Body:

multiple crack in the front bumper
Multiple cracks in the rear bumber
Carcked and worn side skirts
Dings on the roof
Ding in the L/s door and rear quarter panel
Ding on the r/s door
Cracked L/s fender(bondo)
torn tint on the hatch
scuffed tint on the r/s rear window
surface rust in the lug housing of all four rims
Dents and drag wear on the muffler
The outside!!!! Smelled like cat piss, took care of that problem real quick!!!!!!
Inside smells old if thats even possible

Engine:

Water mixed with oil
rusted flywheel n clutch
extremly greasy
nipple on on pressure valve of the intake broken
Almost every nut n blot is rusted on the whole frickin car.

This list seems like alot but after looking at the car and reviewing the list its not as bad as it seems. All lil TLC, and time, and she be back to my standards (808 type ) in no time. Stay tuned.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 13, 2014 - 7:06 PM

[malpaso]

... Stay tuned.

Definitely staying

[96stgreendemon]

Subscribed

[richee3]

All minor prices to pay to have your baby here. What wasn't a minor price to pay was the actual price of getting the car here. Personally, I'd want someone's head on a stick if this happened to my car. It just shows that you're a better man than I. I don't understand how all of this happened though... I guess the car has sat unused for quite a long time. It's too bad that we aren't closer together. I'd love to get some wrench time in and help you out restoring this car back to former glory.

[Lil-Joe101]

All minor prices to pay to have your baby here. What wasn't a minor price to pay was the actual price of getting the car here. Personally, I'd want someone's head on a stick if this happened to my car. It just shows that you're a better man than I. I don't understand how all of this happened though... I guess the car has sat unused for quite a long time. It's too bad that we aren't closer together. I'd love to get some wrench time in and help you out restoring this car back to former glory.

Kind words from a noble man, thanx bro.

Well as promised here are a few updates, not alot what so ever, lol.

Here as she sits waiting to be buckle to her chariot of safety and rescue.


Dad getting ready


Got on the gurney head to the hospital, lol



At a rest stop in Tennesse


Finally, after 2 two years she makes it to my back yard. Note the white spot on the rear bumber is not bird poo, its a missing piece of my back bumber.


Closer look


Got work, cleaning her, first order of bidness, was srip the carpert and scrub her down good.




The rear seats were cleaned as well.



Started getting her back together after almost a whole day of scrubbing and shampooing





Final result






Sorry for the glare






Last but not least some eyes Candy for Pressure2 and Dr. Tweak. Oh the possibilities!!!!!





808 Im sure ur reading this and Im sure this pic will make u cry, cuz I now how important paint is to u, as is to me. You can only imagine how I felt when I saw this.


This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Feb 23, 2011 - 1:42 AM

[MaskedMan]

The paint saddens me. But with a little work, it will be as good as new .
It must feel great to be reunited with your Celica .

[malpaso]

amazing work... view to the RHD interior recalled a lot of nice memories I have

[delusionz]

So are you going to register that and drive it in the states as RHD?

Does it have to do with it being your personal possession in Japan that makes it possible to do this?

[3WayStunna]

You know Joe, its all fun in games having a rhd car in america. Until you hit that drive thru, lol....But your car did get nicked up pretty bad in the back. Looks to be easily repaired though. Also, who took the engine out? I think i missed that memo?!?!?

[malpaso]

I drove 8000miles with my car as RHD in LHD countries so I know how it feels... and I can tell if I could register it as is I would keep it RHD and not converting at all . It is completely different view on the world from other side of the car .

This post has been edited by malpaso: Feb 23, 2011 - 7:00 AM

[Lil-Joe101]

Started sanding on the rear bumper today, just to remove the clear coat and getting ready for fiberglass and bondo.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Feb 23, 2011 - 6:46 PM

[richee3]

What happened to the motor? I guess that's why you had to tow it back?

[95celgt]

Probably had to remove it to ship the car and not cause so much headache at customs...thats how most RHD cars came in back in the day...

So did you order 3rd gen 3s yet joe?

[Lil-Joe101]

Probably had to remove it to ship the car and not cause so much headache at customs...thats how most RHD cars came in back in the day...

So did you order 3rd gen 3s yet joe?

Not yet, actually Im goin back in the military, so I will use that money to order it. Im actually gonna be working three jobs here pretty soon, plus Im just takin my time with her. Im going to rebuild her, change some things, n go back and redo alot of other stuff with her. She should be ready next summer. So Im in no rush.

[rave2n]

Looking good, she'll be back in business in no time.

[Lil-Joe101]

RETURN OF THE SAMURAI

This is what is in store for here in the near future.

Exterior
repair all body damage
repaint the same color, but with a hint of red pearl
Chrome 17'' rims with 235 width(not sure wut the rim with is) with 225 tire streched
TRD spoiler
Carbonfiber hatch(painted)
H.I.D. Kit

Interior
Reupholster the headliner in black fleece
retint all three rear windows-5%x2(two flims of 5% tint on each window)
D/s n P/s winows tinted 25%

Engine
3sgte w/s54 tranny
lightweight flywheel
clutch/pressure plate
current filter n intake pipe
aftermarket downpipe
remove all colored loom and silcone hose-Back to stock black

Suspension
tanabe f/r sway bars
trd strut bar

Granted this is just a shopping list, so items are subject to change, stay tuned as the work moves on.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 7, 2011 - 12:45 AM

[njccmd2002]

so the unanswered question of the day is

Dude, where is my car engine?

[Lil-Joe101]

Its in Texas, lol

What happened to the motor? I guess that's why you had to tow it back?

Motor is securely wrapped waiting to get traded or junked for a 3sgte

[Lil-Joe101]

Latest update: Painted my alternator and pulley today.




More to come, stay tuned,

[Lil-Joe101]

Figured since the motor was out, now would be a great oppurtunity to clean it up, so Today I tackled the intake manifold.

Notice how dirty the fourth pipe is compared to the first three.



After 3 hours with a wire brush and bath towel the results are obvious.




Amazing what patience and a wire brush can accomplish

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 7, 2011 - 8:34 PM

[NOVAKx17]

Damn bro. looking fresh and clean!

keep up the sweet work. it'll look like a brand new engine when you get to put it back in!

[Batman722]

the intake mani looks nice but I'd be more worried about how it looks on the inside.
Make sure you use a new OEM gasket when reinstalling.

[95celgt]

so im assuming you're throwing the 3sfe back in to get her running, thats good.

[Lil-Joe101]

Yup, just temporary, til I can save up enough for the a new one, lol.

Came to a good stopping point today, got the manifold all cleaned along with the fuel rail, block and head. Also "chipped away all the powder coating on my valve cover since it was all bubbled and cracked. Repainted it red and cleared it. Next thing is to get my intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket, replace the clutch, vaccume lines and and wire loom, then drop her in.

[blackthunder]

lookin good man! How are you going to register it to drive in the states? AFAIK JP cars don't have a VIN plate...

[Lil-Joe101]

lookin good man! How are you going to register it to drive in the states? AFAIK JP cars don't have a VIN plate...

Actually they do, every car in the world as a VIN. On JDM celica's there is a plate on the fire wall, which tells you the vin, engine number, and model number. The model number/vin(ST202-123456) is also stamped in the fire wall next to the strut mounting points. This VIN can be used to register the vehicle state-side, though the VIN is different in stature to a USDM vehicle the principle remains the same. Plus most states excluding CA. will take your J-title and and re-issue you a state title in return, atleast Missouri will.


This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 9, 2011 - 11:15 AM

[Lil-Joe101]

Got quite a bit done today, pretty good day.

engine and tranny seperated. One thing about Okinawa, too much salt. Broke open my transmission today and found salt inside. I swear a wire brush is gonna be my best friend by the time I get this car runnin again.

clutch and pressure plate removed
Engine bolt up to the engine stand, found out not all the oil was drained, dont know how it made it through customs like that, but oh well


Will post pics as soon as I can.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 9, 2011 - 9:39 PM

[808celica]

that sucks..........i did care about my paint. after i met the mountain and gaurd rail a few times i got over it

[Lil-Joe101]

Lol, I waiting for you to say somthin about that.

[blackthunder]

lookin good man! How are you going to register it to drive in the states? AFAIK JP cars don't have a VIN plate...

Actually they do, every car in the world as a VIN. On JDM celica's there is a plate on the fire wall, which tells you the vin, engine number, and model number. The model number/vin(ST202-123456) is also stamped in the fire wall next to the strut mounting points. This VIN can be used to register the vehicle state-side, though the VIN is different in stature to a USDM vehicle the principle remains the same. Plus most states excluding CA. will take your J-title and and re-issue you a state title in return, atleast Missouri will.

ahh, my bad, forgot about that. thats cool though, keep us posted on the registering thing, I'll ahve to check with Oregon to see if they will do the same. You need to change anything to make it EPA/DOT compliant? Sorry for picking your brain but I'm going the same route as you. I just can't leave my baby here in Oki, lol!

yeah I used to worry about paint until the acid rain ate each wax job and the idiots parking around here gave me plenty of door dings >.<

[Lil-Joe101]

Alright, alright latest updated pics, for everyone.

Powdercoating was bubbling pretty bad in OKi so I took it upon myself to fix the issue and just repaint the valve cover.






Just wanted to get an indea of what she will look like, so I mounted everything for visual purposes




Broke up my tranny yesturday, and to my surprise it was covered in sea salt




And here is the power plant, getting closer and closer to home everday.






Great news, should be dropping her back in next week some time. Im getting pretty excited, lol

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 10, 2011 - 4:04 PM

[95CelicaST]

Your Brides - Are the real or replicas?

I was thinking of getting a set for my MR2, but they run stupid skinny... and while I am not a BIG person (size 33 pants), I do have decently wide shoulders (44ish?).

How do you like them, in terms of comfort?

[Lil-Joe101]

Brides are real bro, odered straight from the factory when I was in Japan @ $1200 a seat. But the price is way worth the money in terms of comfort, clean up, and over all best choice!!!!!!

[Lil-Joe101]

Redid the headliner today, came out good.



Droppin the engine tomorrow, Pretty excited

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 12, 2011 - 10:17 PM

[yungazzdriver]

Hey Joe I was wondering if you could possibly take a photo of the label on the bride seats so I can compare them to fake ones......

[Lil-Joe101]

SUUURRREEEE, I post it up tomorrow tho, why u think u got fake ones, lol?

[richee3]

That headliner looks great

[Lil-Joe101]

Appreciate it man, Its so much darker in my car now, I love it!!!!!

[yungazzdriver]

I have recaro toplines and loooooove them Im just wondering about bride seats.....there are wayyyy to many fake brides to tell anymore...

[Lil-Joe101]

Oh Trust me dude, Mine are real, I ordered straight from the factory in Tokyo when I was in Okinawa Japan, cost me 1200 at seat.

[yungazzdriver]

I didnt mean yours are fake I mean so whenever I see some fake ones I can ward people away. See I own a car audio and custom shop and started selling sparco evos and recaro spg seats which are non reclinable but people want to recline so sportlines are nice but no one wants to pay the money for them so brides are a cheaper option but there are soooooo many fake ones that no one can even tell anymore......people even question the seats I sell......which are FIA certified of course...

[Lil-Joe101]

Ah ok I got u

[Lil-Joe101]

Alright, Greatest update I have to show. She is almost complete in on the road!!!!!!

[blackthunder]

lookin' good, can't wait to see it on the road again!

[Lil-Joe101]

Alrighty, she is almost done!!!!!!!

Only things left to do now it, wait for my Radfiator drain plug to come in since the garage in Okinawa lost mine, bleed to clutch, repaint the back bumper and left side skirt, and get her registered.


Here are a few updated pics:

As she currently sits with the NISSAN stocks on, lol



This motor should only be in for a short while til I can get my new one. Got rid of all the red wire cover and went bback to stock black. Still need to change the vaccum lines.



As every knows with Vincent Doggy's cooling plate it makes it very difficult to unlatch ur hood with the prop rod in the way. Well I have modified mine so I dont have to deal with that anymore.




And the cockpit:

[kar1]

lovng the rear bumper, although i'd be inclinced to fill the two little vent holes in on the mid section

[Lil-Joe101]

The holes r wut attracted me to the rear bumper, lol

[kar1]

i like the TRD style sides on the bumper and the defuser

[Lil-Joe101]

SHE'S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and boi does she sound GREAT!!!!!

[mkernz22]

you know they do sell struts for the hood on ebay, right?
and that's great to hear that she's finally alive!

[Lil-Joe101]

Struts are to luxury for me, like to keep her sporty lookin, lol. Thanx for the advise tho man. The prop rod idea was more for others how dont care to much for struts as well.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 14, 2014 - 12:21 AM

[njccmd2002]

why is your date in april, i mean nobody has noticed it? we are in march...

[Lil-Joe101]

Lol, good call bro

[richee3]

Now that it runs again, you need to drive it up to Illinois. It's not THAT far away... Lol.

[dudeofchaos]

I like the TRD emblem on the engine head. I thought the glue would've melt and the emblem would come off.
Sick project man!

[Lil-Joe101]

Alright, now that I will have a new job in Oct. Here is the lastest plan and upcoming events for my lil Samurai.

3rd gen 3sgte w/ s54 tranny
Lightweight fly wheel
Performance clucth -havent decided which company to go with yet
3" down pipe
St205 gas tank
Upgraded fuel pump
550-560cc injectors
Tanabe sustec pro f/r sway bars
TRD front strut bar
Repaint (same color)

This should start taking place this winter if all goes right. Stay tuned for all the updates and feel free to
Add any opions or concerns. Help and Ideas are always welcome and appreciated.

[mak5603]

Nice plans, but why the fuel tank and bigger injectors? What are your power goals? I look forward to seeing this car swapped.

[NYp8tBaller07]

how did you do the headliner? new material or special spray paint?

[Lil-Joe101]

Nice plans, but why the fuel tank and bigger injectors? What are your power goals? I look forward to seeing this car swapped.

My power goal is 350-400hp the fuel tank is just more fuel capacity really.

how did you do the headliner? new material or special spray paint?

The headliner was done with black fleece that u can get from either wal-mart or ur local hobby shop and spray adhiesive.

[NYp8tBaller07]

How easy was it, it seems simple enough and cheap =). has it really made a big difference?

[Lil-Joe101]

How easy was it, it seems simple enough and cheap =). has it really made a big difference?

Here u go bro, this is a how-to that I made, I hope it helps out. As far as a difference there really itsnt much except that now my interior matches. Instead of all black panels and a grey headliner (factory) now my whole interior is black excpet the visors which I will do a some time down the road.

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=78430&hl=

[NYp8tBaller07]

ive got the sun roof so thatll be a little different; I've seen the write up before just thought id get a review =)

[Lil-Joe101]

Lol, ok

[Lil-Joe101]

Well I got my boost gauge and fuel pressure gauge installed. One part of the swap process down, lol. Will post pics as soon as I can.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 14, 2014 - 12:23 AM

[Lil-Joe101]

Thought Id post some random pics. As she sitts at the moment.

[Mycurse180]

Just my opinion...your car would be really hot without the wing. The wing is just overkill 2fast2furious...But without it would look sleek and clean.

[matts94celica]

Oem ftw. Trd wing or the gt-4 wing would look great. But it still a sexy looking celica

[Needles]

hi


Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

This post has been edited by Needles: Oct 12, 2011 - 11:06 PM

[NYp8tBaller07]

I agree, deff change that wing

[Lil-Joe101]

Ive actually been thinking about going for the Gt4 spoiler with carbonfiber risers. I wanna get the cf raisers to compliment the cf splitter. Especially since its the only cf piece outside the car, lol
Plus after I do the motor swap this winter Im gonna get all the body work fixed n get it repained. Thats when I'll change out the spoilers as well.

Thanks for the opinion and thoughts guys. I will post more pics up as soon as I can. But feel free to give me any kind of advise, opinions, or anything thing else. Postive or negative.

[Lil-Joe101]

Here's the lastest update. Build is going extremly slow due to funds, but still progressing.

I got bored of seeing my center consul without a lighter, felt like something was missing. After installing the fuel pressure and boost gauge last week, I thought Id keep the volt meter gauge for the audio system.







Tomorrow I will have to go back thru and clean up around the gauge and smooth out the wrinkles.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Oct 20, 2011 - 7:14 PM

[808celica]

Solved the drive-thru problem yet??


FORGET ALL YOU GUYS SAYING CHANGE THE WING!!!!

With or without it the car is a step up on what yours is, **** i'd trade my car with ALL my TRD goodies for this car

[Lil-Joe101]

Thanks 808,

The only solution I have found for the drive thru is to park and eat inside, lol.

[Lil-Joe101]

I was looking thru old pics of my car when I first bought her.

Day 1: At the Dealership



Bringing her home



Full body refurbish




Today:




Before:

After:

[Lil-Joe101]

Latest update:

To all my friends here on 6gc that have been with me since the beginning, I can finally give u an update that even I am having trouble coming to terms with.

Its been a years since I left Japan and the Marine Corps. do to this and other factors, the build has slowed down quite a bit. But I can now say with the ut most excitement that this winter will mark the offical starting point of the legendary 3sgte swap in my st202. I have been offered a job as a mechanic for a well known oil rigging company known as Schlumberger in Alice Texas which Im excited to begin working for. It will be this job along with my Army Reserves that wil help me to finally achieve my goal of doing this swap.

I will keep u updated as the project takes flight.

Stay tuned.

[Lil-Joe101]

Update 24/11/2011:
After years of emptiness I finally thought it was time for a small change. Installed new Pilot fogs that I picked up at autozone.




More updates will be coming and at a fast pace so stay tuned.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Nov 24, 2011 - 12:55 PM

[KAOS]

Can't believe I haven't subscribed to this yet...

[SupraKid]

Car looks great joe! I really like the way the wing looks on the car, it flows well and doesnt look ricey and bad like most big wings like that..Keep it up! Idk about blue fogs though, i would get some that match the projectors.

This post has been edited by SupraKid: Nov 24, 2011 - 3:16 PM

[Lil-Joe101]

I was thinking the same thing about the fogs and they started to grow on me, lol

[Needles]

Car looks great joe! I really like the way the wing looks on the car, it flows well and doesnt look ricey and bad like most big wings like that..Keep it up! Idk about blue fogs though, i would get some that match the projectors.

its not matching, but its doesnt look bad, its look clean !!
but matching the colour would have been great

[kurt95gt]

your car looks soon nice
like the fog lights even if they don't match they seen to fit the bumper well enough

[Lil-Joe101]

Thanks bro, I got alot more work that Im going to be doing to her pretty soon (cf hatch, new spoiler, sway bars, new front strut brace, 3sgte, repainting) I cant wait.

[kurt95gt]

got bord an redone one of your photos with the new app on my phone hope you don't mind

[Lil-Joe101]

Went ahead and decide to scratch the Hiro spoiler idea, and go with the two post spoiler and cf risers. I will be ordering them in two weeks, car should be up, running, and legally on the streets buy this summer before I vacate to Japan. will keep u updated as soon as I can with pics and more.

[Lil-Joe101]

UPDATE 4/3/12

Well he build is on hold for the time being, I figured since she is at a good stopping point Id go ahead and help SexciCelicaChikk with her project as much as I can. Once we get hers to a good stopping point its back to the Samurai.

[BonzaiCelica]

buy vincent doggy's replica trd spoiler. It'll flow much better than the round oem spoiler with riser blocks

[Box]

Read through the topic, looking good. I always thought if I had a rhd car I'd go through the drive-through in reverse. Look forward to the 3S-GTE.

[Lil-Joe101]

Read through the topic, looking good. I always thought if I had a rhd car I'd go through the drive-through in reverse. Look forward to the 3S-GTE.

Still thinkin about tryin that Thanks bro

[zoocsijr]

Nice car man! I love the interior! Those Bride seats are great! I think you should chane the rear wing something simply! What about a duckbill?

[Lil-Joe101]

Im pretty dead set on doing the 205 spoiler and cf raisers.

[Lil-Joe101]

*UPDATE 5-7-12*

Well I just finished moving the Samurai from my dads house in Killeen Tx 5 hrs down to my apartment in Corpus Christi. The build will start picking up the pace now that I have her in my posession again. Stay tuned for more updates.

[SupraKid]

That car looks like its high.

[Lil-Joe101]

Lol, thats wut I told celicachikk, lol

[mak5603]

Cars look nice both of you. First time you guys have driven them together?

Joe, where'd your front wheels go though?! Need a bit of a spacer or something .

[SupraKid]

Haven't you heard? It's the new fad. HellaSucked.

[Lil-Joe101]

Cars look nice both of you. First time you guys have driven them together?

Joe, where'd your front wheels go though?! Need a bit of a spacer or something .

Havent driven them together yet. And The reason behind the sucked look is a doughut. Had to swap the rims with my black car when I moved to Corpus Christi because the black had a blow out before I left.

This is going to be my next purchase probably next week.

TRD Strut Bar


TRD HIRO Spoiler(yes I caved 808 Im sorry bro, lol)


This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: May 7, 2012 - 3:17 PM

[mak5603]

Makes sense. I was going to say, not even OEM wheels are that sunken, haha.

[Lil-Joe101]

*Update 5-16-2012*

After running the car for about an hour and driving it 2 laps around the parking lot, I noticed white smoke with blueish tint pouring out my exhaust. Not just a little bit either, alot. About the same amount you see in the winter time when its cold out. Before I had shipped the car Stetsonaw(older member) told me the same thing when we crused Okinawa. I belive my head gasket might be blown due to the ebay headers and the fact that the head gasket has been changed out at all since Ive had the car in 07' or probably anytime before that, so it might have probably been time for a new one anyway.

[mak5603]

Blue smoke is oil burning in the cylinder. So piston rings are fried or valve guide seals. Or both. Yours sounds like piston rings to me unfortunately.

Blown head gasket would more than likely be white smoke as water and coolant is entering the cylinder.

I guess it could be both though. Either way, good thing you are doing a 3sgte soon. You should compression check it to see what cylinder(s) it is. Then you'll know for sure.

Edit: I dont undrstand why the head gasket would blow due to ebay headers?

This post has been edited by mak5603: May 16, 2012 - 1:03 PM

[SexciCelicaChikk]

I told him i could smell the oil burning ... yes my car looks high compared to his but just wait ... I will get to that level :-)