Potential Project Ideas Options

[senick]

I recently bought an e46 328i, which is now my daily, and decided to store my 95 ST. I did maintenance and suspension work to the 328, and was struck by how much more expensive (needlessly I believe) BMW parts are than Toyota. And I have to say, for as much love as the e46 chassis gets, I honestly feel like the AT200 is the better car to drive.

Anyway, since storing the Celi, I've been constantly thinking about a project for it (and missing its excellent fuel economy), and I was looking for some input. I should say, though, that I wouldn't likely get started on any such project for at least a year from now, likely longer.

So the philosophy of the build would be to maintain the reliability and fuel economy of the 7a, while increasing long distance driving comfort and maximizing engine power delivery through driveline and suspension improvements. Basically, in the same vein that the BRZ/FRS was designed to make the most out of a relatively low powered engine through intelligent overall car design. The emphasis is on a comfortable, fuel efficient and reliable car for driving long distances, while always having the potential to be a 'driver's' car.

I have a few ideas currently, such as:

-Lightweight driveline components, wherever possible. Are these available for the 7a? I see flywheels for the GT, but so far nothing for ST.
-Underdrive pulleys
-Lightweight wheels/ sticky tires.
-Weight reduction where possible, but not in compromising comfort or increasing road noise. Feasible?
-Lightweight exhaust
-4 wheel disc brake conversion
-Suspension upgrades. Would certainly welcome suggestions on this.
-Cooling system upgrades (better efficiency)

And more, but I'll leave it at that for now. Other than additional comments, I'd also like to know if anyone has suggestions on where to look for parts? I've done a fair bit of searching and referenced a few sticky's, but it's still hard to find parts for an ST. For 7a specific parts, I suppose I can look at Corolla sources, but for suspension and other parts I'm at a loss.

Finally, I've been wondering if it would be possible to swap a 7a into a GT body? I assume yes. I feel like the GT is more amenable to performance suspension and braking mods.

Any input is very welcome, thank you for reading!

This post has been edited by senick: Feb 23, 2017 - 9:25 AM

[senick]

I suggested a 4age 20v because if I were in your situation that is what I would do. I just think it is cool that a 1.6L engine can produce 165 hp, so what if I would have to rev the piss out of it, Hondas have be doing that for while now. I hope your build goes well not matter which direction you chose to go.

Yeah, I understand completely. That's what's cool about swaps; you take a car that you already like and make it better in a way that best suits your own preferences. I agree that the black top is awesome in it's power/displacement, and if it were more readily available I'd consider it.


In the end, this will be my daily, and therefore be driven at an average speed of 25mph in all reality considering slowing down for stops, traffic, etc. I never got the appeal of high output engines (be they high displacement or turbo) in an environment were you constantly feel limited. I'm sure it's different in other parts of the country (and certainly world), but I would much rather have a less powerful engine and able to use all or most of its potential most of the time than have a more powerful engine and have to use a minimum of it's potential most of the time.
Even in highway driving, once up to speed it's all fairly static. At that point I'm much more concerned with MPG and smoothness.

Which you can always do all the handling and braking mods first then take it from there as to what you want to do drivetrain wise, really handling was the most fun thing about the Celica personally.

Exactly, and this is the most important as far as I'm concerned. Getting the most out of a modest engine by means of good suspension, brake and dynamics certainly has its own appeal.

This post has been edited by senick: Feb 27, 2017 - 9:06 AM