My '96 Celi Vert Options

[Nh92784]

Just bought my first Celica, a 1996 GT convertible. I just want to say hi to everyone on the forum here. I've been reading everything on here the last few days and can't believe the amount of information on here. Best car forum I've been on, hands down.

Most everything on the car is in great shape. No dents, a couple small scratches, no rust. The interior needs a little work, there is a large tear on the driver's seat on the outside edge, and the wood trim is in need of some reconditioning. The fog lights had some water in them and were corroded, so I need to get new ones. But other than that it's in great shape.

I bought a few small things to do, red LEDs for the gauges and climate controls. White ones for most of the other lights. Silverstar Ultras high and low. I also bought a Ebay short throw shifter for a 7th gen.

Things I'm planning on doing are:
17" Sport Edition CE wheels, bright satin w/ machined lip
Tanabe GF or TRD springs
TRD sway bars
Custom CAI
Different tail lights
New stereo
Some kind of exhaust, I think a 2.5" catback
Possibly a spoiler
And somewhere way down the line I'd like to swap in a BEAMS







Comments? Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks!

[kurt95gt]

glad to see another ohio member!!!
Clean looking vert
As far as mods
Header exhaust cai short shifter an drop her a couple inchs an shell be hot lol

[richee3]

That's a great looking vert and it sounds like you've got great plans for it can't wait to see the progress!

[fernando8877]

Very nice vert celi. Waiting to get mine soon....

[cheela]

verts are always hot.
for tails. look in the curren tails. sexy as hell.


took this from 96ST206

[Nh92784]

Hey, thanks everyone. Cheela, do those just drop in no moddification? And anyone know where a good place to buy Curren or JDM parts in the US is? Alot of the sites I see links to on here or other forums either don't have parts anymore or don't exist anymore. Any Ideas?

Nick

[cheela]

should be a direct swap. just like the JDM tails for hatches.

I'm sure other coupe/vert owners can chime in n confirm.

[kurt95gt]

Ebay is about the only place ive seen any curren parts
Other than that i havent found anywhere else

[RabidTRD]

should be a direct swap. just like the JDM tails for hatches.

I'm sure other coupe/vert owners can chime in n confirm.

I'm pretty sure there is some modification, but it's like that of the GT4 front end and hood where it's just additional things that "should" bolt on to allow it to work correctly. It's all based off the same chassis. It's like taking a 99 Camry and swapping in the 99 ES300 front end.

[kurt95gt]

They are a direct bolt in from what i read on google
The only diffrence is the lence it has no amber in it like the stock coupe/vert
If im wrong im sorry for lieing i know sometime not everything you read online is true

Oh an we need to have an Ohio meet since it seems like there's a few more now
When it warms up of course

[richee3]

It's not a "should bolt on" thing, it's a will bolt on thing. A Curren is a Celica coupe with a different front end. They will bolt on 100% with no issues.

[Malhar95]

I remember when I was looking for currens for my vert they were direct fit

Not mods at all!

Since I didn't have money, I just smoked the bottom part. Check out y profile I think it came out really good. Just my .02

[Nh92784]

Yeah, I don;t really want to spend the money on the Curren ones, I could do alot of other things for a couple hundred bucks. Especially considering they don't really look too different.

Malhar, i like the blacked out look on yours. What did you use to do it?

Has anyone been able to get the coupe/convertible tails open without damaging them? It looks like if you could you would be able to just pull the amber lens out. I have heated up headlights in an oven before to loosen the glue to take them apart, that might work for these, too.

[kurt95gt]

I've been thinking about baking mine winter a smoked look
Whatever you deside to do remember Ohio law it's illegal to tent your reverse light

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=82045
An just incase you would be interest

[Nh92784]

Updates:
Clear side markers, clear turn signals, new fogs, red gauge, climate control, and key ring lights. new stereo, chrome door sill plates with cursive Celica logo, grill mesh, new wheels and tires. lowering it soon.

[kurt95gt]

That is one clean looking vert cant wait to see that car in person

[Nh92784]

That is one clean looking vert cant wait to see that car in person

Thanks, Kurt. I can't wait to see your 1MZ celi. That thing going to be ready in time for the meet?

[kurt95gt]

Im hoping i can have it done by then
Well atleast to where i can drive her there an back
might not be pretty but shell be fun to drive

[Smaay]

please get rid of that wood trim, its making your car ugly

[njccmd2002]

see my tread. i have beams

[cheela]

see my tread. i have beams

see his thread for epicness.

[Nh92784]

No way am I buying all new trim and getting rid of my classy wood dash.

And yeah, I've seen his thread alot. I really like that spoiler on there. If I put one on it's going to be that one.

[richee3]

It's just a 2 post spoiler from a coupe and goes great on a vert. Do it.

[m2736185]

Wow that vert is super clean for a 96. Mine is a 95 and it has seen better days. How many miles?

This post has been edited by m2736185: Feb 14, 2012 - 11:44 AM

[Nh92784]

Wow that very is super clean for a 96. Mine is a 95 and it has seen better days. How many miles?

Just hit 157k yesterday.

[cheela]

Wow that very is super clean for a 96. Mine is a 95 and it has seen better days. How many miles?

Just hit 157k yesterday.

our cars look better as they get older.

[Nh92784]

New cross drilled goodness all around, not installed yet, also got new rear calipers since one of them was sticking. Going to paint the calipers, and i found a set of Celica logo decals for calipers on Ebay that I think I'm going to throw on there.


Also got these TRD floor mats for free from a friend, they're from a Camry, but they fit pretty well and look good in there.




Finally, I replaced my worn out old gold emblems with some new ones I painted black.



Next up, lowering springs.

[SwissFerdi]

Since nobody ever commented after...nice.

[Nh92784]

Thanks! Got some more pics: Smoked tail lights!


Washed


Taped


Sprayed


Done

[kurt95gt]

Lookin good nic!!

[Nh92784]

Finally got my lowering springs in. ended up going with the Tanabe GF210's. They're not that much lower. but are noticeably stiffer than the stock springs, but the ride quality didn't suffer any.





The fronts are in here, the backs aren't


And then completely installed and after they had been on a few days.




Also, I got some leather dye and redyed my seats.
The one on the right is done the one on the left is not.


Only the front ones for now. When I replace the rear speakers, I'll be taking care of the rear seats.

Speaking of speakers:


Hopefully this weekend.

[kurt95gt]

Looking great
Btw have you sent your boot out yet

[Nh92784]

Looking great
Btw have you sent your boot out yet

Haha no. I keep meaning to do it. It's all packaged up, I just need to go to the post office. I will try to get it out tomorrow cause I really need a new one.

[Box]

Great looking car! That leather dye makes the seat look fantastic!

[kurt95gt]

Looking great
Btw have you sent your boot out yet

Haha no. I keep meaning to do it. It's all packaged up, I just need to go to the post office. I will try to get it out tomorrow cause I really need a new one.

Lol ok just wanted to make sure it didnt get lost in the mail

[Nh92784]

Finally got around to upgrading the speakers. Infinity Reference 6030cs in the rear, 6.5" woofers and separate 1" tweeters with crossovers installed in panels behind the front seats.
Did the 8 speaker conversion and put Infinity Reference 3032cf 3.5" 2-ways in the upper door spots.
I removed the factory 6.5" and will be putting some 8" subs there when I have the money. I'm still deciding which ones to get, and what amp to get as well. Any I will be replacing the front door tweeters too.











I also solved my cup holder problem:





Got it for $5 off eBay, the ring part will open or close to fit whatever size cup, it can be attached with screws, but i used a couple adhesive velcro strips. It works great!