Operation: DARKSPYRO, AWD Conversion, Completed. Driven. Sold. Options

[Malek]

Mission: Do it right the first time

Phase 1:
-Gen 3 3sgte swap

Phase 2:
-Complete AWD conversion
-Clean


28 JAN 13
Purchased 1999 Toyota Celica from a private seller in Boulder, CO.
Apparent timing issue and suspected head gasket issue.
Drove it 30 minutes back to Golden, CO with coolant spewing. And when I got back, I beat on it some more.
Back at the shop, wasted no time tearing into it

Had to stop once to let it cool down a little


Ripping into it that night



29 JAN 13
Engine and transmission pulled

Signature Tweak pose


31 JAN 13
Ordered ST205 front clip
-coming with bumper, fenders, hood, lights and a set of projectors
-rear subframe
-rear diff, axles, brakes, drive shaft
-Ton of extra stuff I don't need






1-9 FEB 13
Ordered:
-Berk gen 3 downpipe ceramic coated with wideband bung
-Clutchmasters FX300 assembly for swap
-Triple gauge A pillar (for boost, oil press, wideband)
-Hose for remote oil pressure sender location
-Walbro gss342 + 400-765 kit
Cut a hole in the fire wall for wiring harness

9-15 FEB 13
-Have been collecting parts for the swap
-Installed new Walbro fuel pump

17 FEB 13
-Final decision has been made
FULL AWD Conversion
-I plan on using the GT suspension and GT4 brakes
-Have not decided yet to cut floor pan and weld or make custom brackets


ETA for clip 11 MARCH 13
Until then, I will be researching boost controllers and wheels.

11-18 March 13
PHASE 1: COMPLETE
see page 2
-3rd Gen 3SGTE
-FWD
-OZ Crono

30 April 13
PHASE 2: BEGINS
see page 3 and 4
-Fuel Cell
-AWD
-GT4 Brakes

This post has been edited by Malek: Jan 28, 2018 - 3:53 PM

[Malek]

Thanks for the replies guys! I definitely wasted no time last week to get it done!

How did I miss this thread?!

I can't begin to tell you how frustrating cutting spot welds are. I did mine as full rhd so I cut the firewall out. The floor pan would suck. But new-stars is great! Good buy.
You also changed the motor how I did. Drop the subframe out the front.
You would have had to have changed the steering rack though right? Or did I miss something there?
This is my kinda swap though! Quick. Enjoy it and drive it, don't spend 1500 and a years worth of time rebuilding an engine that needs no attention.

Yeah, I don't think I'll be swapping floor pans haha It's easy enough to make the brackets for the rear subframe for the awd conversion! But I'm not doing rhd at all. Nothing needed with the steering rack. Unless I use the GT4 suspension, then I'd just need the tie rod ends I have emissions and visual tests and cops to worry about here so it's staying LHD. (I used to live in Dayton. I really miss their registration process )

I will definitely be driving and enjoying it