Which To Do? Options

[GuYun14]

What’s up fellow 6gc Celica enthusiast,

I just need some advice, tips, opinions, ideas, on what I want to do this next summer before I head out to school. I have a 1998 Celica GT which is unfortunately an auto. I only have next summer to work on my car so here’s what I have in mind at the moment:

•Suspension - since I do want try autocross this summer. I have Eibach springs with KYB struts, TRD front strut brace, OEM rear strut brace right now.
•Cams upgrade - since I do want a little power increase but don’t know how hard the install is.
•Body work - because the car does have a few ding and scratches here and there. And either new paint or plastdip
•Auto to manual swap – because manual.
•Engine swap – more powah! But maybe not in my price range.

Now know that I have no experience with any of these except suspension work. So, in the timeframe I have, what’s the most viable project to get done? Your opinions will very much be appreciated.

[Tigawoods]

swap trans.

get RE71Rs.

get seat time at autox.


If the body isnt in terrible condition I would leave that alone.


Putting cams in is a great little learning mod. Its simple but challenging enough and will help you learn basic engine tweaking. You will need an SAFC to street tune the motor. Its a nice little power boost for the motor and can be done for well under $1k when all is said and done.

As Chee mentioned. If a swap is not far beyond the realm of possibility...you might just wait for that. I did cams in my 5S and had them in there for about 4 years before I swapped my motor.
I figure for you it will take a good bit of the summer to get the swap done. It took me 3 months of just weekend work. Summer time is the best time to be out driving and racing so I wouldnt jump into something that might keep the car inside all summer.