Tyler's 6GC Project Options

[lilguy]

Hey all, Ever since i got my ST204 I've always wanted to do it up nicely. Since then i have been doing this and that so figured i would put up what I have done so far.

The day i got my car...




First and most important to me is Sound! So getting started on the boot install...






Found a nice cheap donor car to source some parts off of. Pic of my Celica and the new Donor one...


The new hole for the sunroof...




Thanks for taking the time to look
More updates to come

[BonzaiCelica]

nice work. ha i've never seen a member actually install a sunroof on the celica that never came with the sunroof.

[lilguy]

Small update on the Boot install...




and the sunroof installed and working like a charm




Also some small flushing of the body, Removing all unwanted things...








Had my new Viper Remote Start alarm arrive so that will be getting installed soon along with some door solenoids and one for the boot to pop them via remote.

[jordisonjr]

You installed your own sunroof?!
Pretty impressive.

[celica74]

Impressive job with the sunroof. Dont think many would even think about taking a saw to the roof of there car.

[Ted95]

shaved door handles like a hot rod, nice touch.. I guess that's why you installed the sunroof right lol jk

[lilguy]

You installed your own sunroof?!
Pretty impressive.

Thanks

Impressive job with the sunroof. Dont think many would even think about taking a saw to the roof of there car.

Thanks also. Yeah when i started and had about 1 foot of cut roof i was like ohhhh ****.... then i had the whole hole in the roof and worry or **** not working kicked in lol.

Of course when i got the sunroof in and done i wired it up for testing and it just made a horrid sound and would move about 3mm lol. I had like a nervous breakdown as i was too keen to do it i didn't even check the working condition of the sunroof *facepalm* Ended up tearing it all down and cleaning all the moving parts and re greased them, put back in still no go....

Took the motor assembly apart and one of the cogs had about 25% of its teeth worn right down so it was stuffed, got some quotes to get one machined up and was looking at $100-$250 mark... So i went on a hunt in my shed and managed to find a perfect fit out of an old remote control car i jsut cut it up a little and retro fitted it.

Works like a charm now

shaved door handles like a hot rod, nice touch.. I guess that's why you installed the sunroof right lol jk

ahahahaha yeah

nah boot will have auto pop and still have key just in case xD

This post has been edited by lilguy: Mar 4, 2013 - 9:56 PM

[kloudkicka]

wow, impressive, i always wanted to put a sunroof in my own ride, but way too scared to cut the roof, and i still am hahaha, props for having the guts to take on that project

[lilguy]

wow, impressive, i always wanted to put a sunroof in my own ride, but way too scared to cut the roof, and i still am hahaha, props for having the guts to take on that project

Too be honest once you start you do realize actually how easy it is to do... Like if you have a fully working sunroof the install will only take a few hours give or take some time depending on how much sanding you have to do to make it fit the hole snugly.

[JoshuaM]

Australian member - woot!

OEM sunroof mod - that's gotta be one of the best value mods going. Nice to see you going out and trying something different You need to post vids when you have that alarm system with door solenoids going too!

So obviously you have some painting to do now... Are you keeping with the same colour?

[lilguy]

Yeah man will get a video up once its all in.

I plan to be going with a green color basically the same as the audio brand "Fusion" as i will be running all Fusion sound gear apart from a carPC that im setting up myself. (It's almost the same as the newer Ford green that you see on the XR6/8 and Focus)

[bLaCkFoXsA]

Ohhhhh no love for the welder/fabricator/panelbeater/motivational speaker in this job
Glory hog.

[lilguy]

never any for you....

*bLaCkFoXsA is my go to know it all to get sh!t done

This post has been edited by lilguy: Mar 6, 2013 - 10:24 AM

[bLaCkFoXsA]

Better

[Smaay]

shaving door handles is a very bad idea, IMO

[njccmd2002]

shaving door handles is a very bad idea, IMO

[JoshuaM]

shaving door handles is a very bad idea, IMO

Might look a little weird... But I think it would be awesome (although maybe a little tiring if it is a DD)

On that note, is this going to be a show car or just a pimped out daily?

[lilguy]

Idea is to get it to show car standard... And what would make Shaved doors with door poppers tiring for a DD, it basically the same as remote locking...

[JoshuaM]

Idea is to get it to show car standard... And what would make Shaved doors with door poppers tiring for a DD, it basically the same as remote locking...

Idk, I've never actually seen them before I think it will be cool though

[kurt95gt]

Idea is to get it to show car standard... And what would make Shaved doors with door poppers tiring for a DD, it basically the same as remote locking...

There cool till the first time your battery dies lol
Then you find yourself crawling through your trunk to be able to pop your hood so you can jump start your car then debate weather there worth keeping on your way home from work an then spend your Saturday moving your battery into the trunk so that never happens again
True story

[Ted95]

Then you find yourself crawling through your trunk to be able to pop your hood

don't forget up and over the massive bass box lol

I think its a cool looking mod seeing a grew up around old hot rods which is a common thing for them. but I can see where it could get your car into trouble. . our cars are easy enough to break into even with the door handles let alone a little hidden button to pop the doors open.

I think it will look pretty clean once done though!

[bLaCkFoXsA]

He's running a boot mounted battery for the sub installation

[lilguy]

dual battery and looking at a viper backup battery for the alarm if its needed, also the door poppers can have an external mounted button for backup if the remote is to faill

[kurt95gt]

Make sure you put at least one of those poppers on then lol
My buddy didn't on his 97 accord 4 door (shave all four handles lol) an had to do just what I said lol

[lilguy]

haha yeah i will have to. but worst comes to worst at least its a hatch with easy cabin access from the back not like a proper boot, id be truly stuffed then

[lilguy]

So a minor parts update, Not much more progress made that is picture worthy yet....

Got the Viper alarm about 25% installed (Just the remote start atm) Remote Start Demo
The wiring was such a head f**k to get right and how i wanted it. Basically it wanted me to do some stupid sequence of foot on break, handbreak and some other **** that has to be done perfectly to enable the remote start and it had to be done each time i planned to remote start it....
So I've overridden that so I can remote start it whenever i feel. (Little risky if left in gear, But I figured I never park it and leave it in gear anyway)

Other than that a bunch of parts have been slowly arriving....

CarPC Power Supply designed for car use (Auto on/off with ignition)

7" Touch screen for CarPC. (Required a bit of work to get suitable for Dual din fitting: Pics

Dual Battery Isolator Kit

Another Monoblock Amp (Only got 1 more Monoblock and 1 more 12" sub, Then all my audio gear has been collected *bighappyface* )

and 5 Pin Relays



Hopefully i will get some s#*t done and get some more pics up soon

[Malek]

CarPC

I had one in my old Subie..It's amazing how fast you become a Computer Engineer when you're trying to figure out everything about it haha

[rave2n]

It's amazing how fast you become a Computer Engineer when you're trying to figure out everything about it haha

No...just no.

[lilguy]

CarPC

I had one in my old Subie..It's amazing how fast you become a Computer Engineer when you're trying to figure out everything about it haha

Yeah I'm quiet handy when it comes to computers so for me its mostly basic

It's amazing how fast you become a Computer Engineer when you're trying to figure out everything about it haha

No...just no.

Why not

[rave2n]

CarPC

I had one in my old Subie..It's amazing how fast you become a Computer Engineer when you're trying to figure out everything about it haha

Yeah I'm quiet handy when it comes to computers so for me its mostly basic

It's amazing how fast you become a Computer Engineer when you're trying to figure out everything about it haha

No...just no.

Why not

Because a CarPc is just the tip of the iceberg in the responsibilities and education of a Computer Engineer.

It would be better suited to say you become a Car Audio Technician, then an computer engineer, or anything IT related from figuring out a simple CarPc. I know I'm being a prick about it, its just an annoyance I have.

Though, I do like the avenue you are going. Very similar to my goals when I get to doing interior. I just intend to use a ITX motherboard with a mounted screen in the din, instead of a CarPc, mainly because the CarPC will not have the rs232 ports I require for the engine monitoring I plan to create.

[lilguy]

Because a CarPc is just the tip of the iceberg in the responsibilities and education of a Computer Engineer.

It would be better suited to say you become a Car Audio Technician, then an computer engineer, or anything IT related from figuring out a simple CarPc. I know I'm being a prick about it, its just an annoyance I have.

Though, I do like the avenue you are going. Very similar to my goals when I get to doing interior. I just intend to use a ITX motherboard with a mounted screen in the din, instead of a CarPc, mainly because the CarPC will not have the rs232 ports I require for the engine monitoring I plan to create.

Not sure where your going with the ITX mobo instead of a CarPC? and a CarPC not having ports? a CarPC is basically a PC you put in a car.? take mine for instance, A Mini-ITX motherboard with an AMD APU powering it and a 7" touch screen installed in the dual din.... basically a miniature desktop PC.. as for engine monitoring, whats your plans there? You couldn't just use a OBDII to USB to get the readouts onto the PC?

Pic of my CarPC


This post has been edited by lilguy: Mar 29, 2013 - 11:59 AM

[Malek]

Haha I figured someone was going to get butt hurt I go to an all engineering school and we call the CE/CS guys the liberal art majors of the school. And we call gym PA because the Petroleum Engineers get butthurt when it's called PE..

And yes, I've had to take a ton of EE and programming classes. Doing a CarPC isn't nearly as hard. Sorry for shifting you the wrong way Rave. Just havin fun

Edit: and yes, I programmed my pc with code I wrote. It's not my usual area of practice. I'm a Mech E..

This post has been edited by Malek: Mar 29, 2013 - 12:02 PM

[rave2n]

Because a CarPc is just the tip of the iceberg in the responsibilities and education of a Computer Engineer.

It would be better suited to say you become a Car Audio Technician, then an computer engineer, or anything IT related from figuring out a simple CarPc. I know I'm being a prick about it, its just an annoyance I have.

Though, I do like the avenue you are going. Very similar to my goals when I get to doing interior. I just intend to use a ITX motherboard with a mounted screen in the din, instead of a CarPc, mainly because the CarPC will not have the rs232 ports I require for the engine monitoring I plan to create.

Not sure where your going with the ITX mobo instead of a CarPC? and a CarPC not having ports? a CarPC is basically a PC you put in a car.? take mine for instance, A Mini-ITX motherboard with an AMD APU powering it and a 7" touch screen installed in the dual din.... basically a miniature desktop PC.. as for engine monitoring, whats your plans there? You couldn't just use a OBDII to USB to get the readouts onto the PC?

CarPC cannot do everything I intend to accomplish in the small package that it arrives in, I'll never argue its a solid unit. Mainly hardware. I would also like easier access to the unit for future upgrades and ease of wiring. As I intend to install the case under the passenger seat.

End result, I would like to be to pull over, connect my VPN via my cell, and address issues literally from the screen in my dash. Will even have a small pullout keyboard with roller.

Just saw the pic you put up. Yea that is different that want I recall from a CarPc, I thought you were doing the giant Din all in one package. You are going the exact route I want =P

Oh yea, my car isn't OBDII =/ Thus my creation of monitoring.

This post has been edited by rave2n: Mar 29, 2013 - 12:01 PM

[rave2n]

Haha I figured someone was going to get butt hurt I go to an all engineering school and we call the CE/CS guys the liberal art majors of the school. And we call gym PA because the Petroleum Engineers get butthurt when it's called PE..

And yes, I've had to take a ton of EE and programming classes. Doing a CarPC isn't nearly as hard. Sorry for shifting you the wrong way Rave. Just havin fun

Edit: and yes, I programmed my pc with code I wrote. It's not my usual area of practice. I'm a Mech E..

Its no problem =P

Wasn't doubting your abilities, just saying the title was mis-used

This post has been edited by rave2n: Mar 29, 2013 - 12:07 PM

[lilguy]

CarPC cannot do everything I intend to accomplish in the small package that it arrives in, I'll never argue its a solid unit. Mainly hardware. I would also like easier access to the unit for future upgrades and ease of wiring. As I intend to install the case under the passenger seat.

End result, I would like to be to pull over, connect my VPN via my cell, and address issues literally from the screen in my dash. Will even have a small pullout keyboard with roller.

Just saw the pic you put up. Yea that is different that want I recall from a CarPc, I thought you were doing the giant Din all in one package. You are going the exact route I want =P

Oh yea, my car isn't OBDII =/ Thus my creation of monitoring.

ahh ok makes sense, yeah the CarPC game has changed a lot since them all in one units. now days its way better to make up your own as you said for upgrading and stuff

when you get that engine monitoring gear hand me some so i can get the virtual tacho and stuff on my CarPC (im assuming for the 5s-fe? with no obdII )

This post has been edited by lilguy: Mar 29, 2013 - 12:16 PM

[rave2n]

when you get that engine monitoring gear hand me some so i can get the virtual tacho and stuff on my CarPC (im assuming for the 5s-fe? with no obdII )

Will do, not sure if I'm going with an open source OS, or MS yet. All in good time I'll work it together.

Hmm my monitoring will be for a 3sgte, no obdII. I'm still working on the circuits for the monitoring I want to display, but once completed it should be easy enough to change the values based on engine. I can only assume there is already something out there doing the same, I just want a more personalized touch.

Either or, solid work on that "CarPC" nothing to critique there!

[lilguy]

Thanks man and GL with the monitoring gear. i needs it its that or swap out to an OBD II engine of some sort

[lilguy]

So i got a bit bored and it was a nice night to do a little work so i got a couple things done...

The battery isolator for the Aux battery is installed and ready
Before

After


I also decided to make a start on the door poppers, So far just manual pop not wired to alarm aux channel yet to operate via remote
Popper Test


That's all for now

[lilguy]

Hooked up the relays for the door poppers to the alarm system so I can now remotely pop the doors..

Sample activation

Yay for tiny update

[lilguy]

Little more work on the boot install....

[The_enD]

Nice build log, check out mine.
He have a lot of in common interest when it comes to upgrades. The whole no handles, antena, sprinkler, car PC(tho I am going to put a laptop in mine), loud system.

[lilguy]

Nice build log, check out mine.
He have a lot of in common interest when it comes to upgrades. The whole no handles, antena, sprinkler, car PC(tho I am going to put a laptop in mine), loud system.

Thanks man, And will check yours out

[lilguy]

Finished off the shaved door handles....

[JoshuaM]

Haha, Just a little dusty

[lilguy]

yeah all the bog/fiberglass work in the boot makes it a little crazy with dust

[lilguy]

Another update, did some messing around with the aircon control unit and changed the led lights to blue

[lilguy]

Back with an update. Been flat out busy trying to find stuff to do to avoid working on the celica haha *Slack bugger that I am*

more progress on the Boot install...


Henry (aka bLaCkFoXsA) actually doing some work...


Bit of dust messing up photos -.-


Fill and sand, fill and sand, fill and sand....




Primer coat for a visual tester...






That and some not so pretty wood work that isn't important enough to be shown, Hopefully Henry will head out again to motivate me and get another good chunk of work done.

This post has been edited by lilguy: Jul 11, 2013 - 11:58 AM

[The_enD]

Your hatch will rattle sooo much.

[lilguy]

Your hatch will rattle sooo much.

All the Dynamat!!!!

[Syaoran]

Pfff, you'll need lead, not dynamat hahaha

[lilguy]

Pfff, you'll need lead, not dynamat hahaha

dynamat + removing all the bits and pieces that will rattle will do well I think lol

[JoshuaM]

I was totally looking for this thread last night to give you a bump for updates, lol

[lilguy]

I was totally looking for this thread last night to give you a bump for updates, lol

haha well I read minds, so figured id bump it up

[bLaCkFoXsA]

Hopefully Tyler will buy some spot putty/high build primer to hide Henry's poor filler spreading skills...

[The_enD]

Can the enclosures be removed or they are permanently fixed?

[lilguy]

Can the enclosures be removed or they are permanently fixed?

At the moment each side will slide out with ease but finished product will likely be fixed in

[bLaCkFoXsA]

bolted in*
removable.
That's what's happening tyler. Deal with it

[lilguy]

bolted in*
removable.
That's what's happening tyler. Deal with it

Removable.... you think? after the sides are fixed together in the middle and the middle amp section put in it will surly not be removable unless cut up again?

[bLaCkFoXsA]

trust me

[The_enD]

Doesn't seem very removable as is right now, especially when they are connected to each other. My concern is how are you going to change your bulbs on your taillights.

And if it is removable, why not take it out of the car to putty and sand outside the car. All that stuff gets inside the interior and it's hard to clean up.
You will have to take it out for paint anyway.

[lilguy]

Doesn't seem very removable as is right now, especially when they are connected to each other. My concern is how are you going to change your bulbs on your taillights.

And if it is removable, why not take it out of the car to putty and sand outside the car. All that stuff gets inside the interior and it's hard to clean up.
You will have to take it out for paint anyway.

The tail lights will be getting changed to led based so they should have a longer lifespan.

The interior of the car is basically non existent the only seat in it is the rear one as its being used as a guide for the install. (and all the interior is getting retrimmed so its not a big worry.

Also its getting done in the car so you can see all the lines/curves that your making as you go and get work towards the final look without having to move it in and out all the time.

*also i think we have worked on a way for it to be removable anytime once done.

[bLaCkFoXsA]

Plus we have been discussing the possibility of vinyl wrapping instead of painting

[The_enD]

If you are novice in the area, both vinyl and paint may end up looking bad.
Paint > if the bondo is not perfect every little bump will stick out.
Vinyl > the shapes are quite complex and may require sewing different pieces, lot's of stretching too.

The tail lights will be getting changed to led based so they should have a longer lifespan.

LED bulbs or LED tails (with an actual LED board)? Either way it won't matter, if you say it can be removed.

[lilguy]

If you are novice in the area, both vinyl and paint may end up looking bad.
Paint > if the bondo is not perfect every little bump will stick out.
Vinyl > the shapes are quite complex and may require sewing different pieces, lot's of stretching too.

The tail lights will be getting changed to led based so they should have a longer lifespan.

LED bulbs or LED tails (with an actual LED board)? Either way it won't matter, if you say it can be removed.

Them shapes are ohhhh so complex xD haha I think Vinyl wrapping will be a breeze on them.


and it would be custom LED boards made up the lights hollowed out and a new light pattern made up

This post has been edited by lilguy: Jul 12, 2013 - 5:13 AM

[The_enD]

Good luck, don't forget to post more progress.
I am not a big fan of fiberglass enclosures as they are not as strong as a properly build box, but non the less it's going to turn out great, I am sure.

[lilguy]

Good luck, don't forget to post more progress.
I am not a big fan of fiberglass enclosures as they are not as strong as a properly build box, but non the less it's going to turn out great, I am sure.

I can tell with your wood enclosures in your doors you don't like fiberglass... You don't think that will get taxing over time on your hinges and start to develop a clunk as you shut it then eventually fall out of line all together. It seems like a lot of weight to me? But then i haven't held it so I'm not sure.

Would have been much lighter as a fiberglass one...

Also a fiberglass box can be just as strong as a "properly" built box

This post has been edited by lilguy: Jul 12, 2013 - 6:00 AM

[The_enD]

A box can be build from all sorts of materials. Glass, plexiglass, steel, cement.
In the end what matters is how strong it is and does it fit your goal. Wood is relatively cheap, easy to work with and strong, that's why it's the most common choice.
When it comes to fiberglass the biggest downfall is, it is thin and has little weight. You have to have multiple layers in order to achieve the same strength. When you have a light material it tents to flex under pressure created from the subwoofers. And that means a weak enclosure that will resonate and sound quieter compared to a wooden box.

As for my doors, if you have handled plywood you will know how much it weights. Not much.

[bLaCkFoXsA]

Lay down half an inch of fibreglass and see if you can flex it. Higher density material results in thinner walls having the same strength characteristics. That coupled with the ability to have complex shapes increases the rigidity of the finished product massively. Also, pretty shapes :3

[lilguy]

A box can be build from all sorts of materials. Glass, plexiglass, steel, cement.
In the end what matters is how strong it is and does it fit your goal. Wood is relatively cheap, easy to work with and strong, that's why it's the most common choice.
When it comes to fiberglass the biggest downfall is, it is thin and has little weight. You have to have multiple layers in order to achieve the same strength. When you have a light material it tents to flex under pressure created from the subwoofers. And that means a weak enclosure that will resonate and sound quieter compared to a wooden box.

As for my doors, if you have handled plywood you will know how much it weights. Not much.

ahh yeah makes sense, but for ported you relive most of that pressure.

[lilguy]

So Its been a while since the last update, With good reason.... **** all work as been done

But here is how it stand at the moment:

The boot install



Also Henry moved on to do some work on flushing the rear bumper with the body of the car....












Slow progress but still some progress haha.

This post has been edited by lilguy: Oct 6, 2013 - 10:45 AM

[JoshuaM]

So Its been a while since the last update, With good reason.... **** all work as been done

Slow progress but still some progress haha.

Its taking long enough Do you have a timeline, or just when you have spare time?

So what are the plans so far, I can see;

- Sunroof
- Boot Install
- Lots of Dynamat
- Shaved Handles + Alarm system
- Veilside rear bumper moulded on
- Retrimmed Interior
- LED Tails (stock housings or JDM?)
- Car PC
- Painted Fusion Green

Do you have plans for;

- Lowered (Show cars don't sit stock )
- Dream wheels (The CSA's are OKAY, but will probably look a bit drab why you have the rest of the car in show state)
- Side Skirts
- Front bumper / lip kit
- Projectors etc?

[lilguy]

ohh the amount I have planed for the car :L don't remind me of what work I still have to do hahahaha

Yeah skirts, front end probs going veilside.

wheels going something slightly bigger that are very simple 5 spoke or something then going to be painted white.

adjustable coilovers so it can be very low for a show and raised for a street drive

headlights id love some projectors


the list goes on with heaps of small things, but I try not to think about all that

and its not that I don't have spare time I have heaps of spare time its a motivation thing (I'm kind of lazy) :L

[bLaCkFoXsA]

Plus this guy lives a long way away and has his own project/lack of motivation

[JoshuaM]

Bump for updates (/motivation ) and also for another member asking me about a sunroof install

[Makabra]

As I see this sunroof is an aftermarket thing. I was considering oem parts only

[lilguy]

The sunroof was factory from another celica (factory as far as i know)

Another update incoming very soon....

[lilguy]

A little messing with paint....





Nek minute....





Actual work.....






In the black paint pics you can see the drive side rear cam up nicely where the rear bumper joins....

Also the shed got a clean out for more working space

This post has been edited by lilguy: Dec 3, 2013 - 2:23 PM

[JoshuaM]

Woo, real progress!

But do you actually know what colour you are doing it? Were you planning on the Fusion Green or something?

[lilguy]

So after a couple of years of pure neglecting my baby I got around to slapping her back together and getting a 3 day permit to move her to my new place so I can get it somewhat cleaned up and back in 1 piece. Quitting on the boot install as plans changed and moved on from that.

Got a few little wiring issues to iron out and then its next to good to go.

She is a bit piggish looking.....








But driving her for the 1.5 hour trip to my new place after not being touched for 2 years, And having her drive like I only drove yesterday was an amazing feeling, Oh the memories that it brought back.

Be a shame if I clean it up somewhat and have to let her go