83 celica gt swap Options

[83gt]

Hey guys, Im a new member and I will be picking up a 83 celica gt in the next couple weeks, and id like to build it into a drift car, similar to a hachiroku. I want to swap in a 1jzgte or 7mgte. I know the main problem with these swaps is that the engine bay for the celica is 4 inches shorter than the old celica supras, but i have a friend that can do the modifications to the firewall so the engine will fit.

I have a couple other questions though.

1. Will the shifter sit farther back than the current one because the engine is longer? If so, will other modifications to the body need to be made because the shifter will sit farther back?

2. I know the chassis for the celica was not built to hold the larger I6 engine, how much fabrication will be needed to mount the engine?

3. I have heard that these engines may throw off the balance of the car, will suspension and strut bars add enough balance and rigidity?

4. I have never dealt with an engine swap before, so what does this mean as far as speedo gauges and such?

5. Has anyone heard of any other reasonable swaps for this car? (sr20? )

6. Lets say i wanted to do a rhd conversion also. Would both of these conversions need to be done at the same time?

Keep in mind that i have another car for my DD. This will be an ongoing project for me and some buddies. Also because this wont be my DD, i will be gutting the interior to make any necessary modifications. Im going to start from scratch basically. Once i get the car im gonna strip it down and clean it up and start from there. Should make for a fun project.

[Random_Stranger]

If you want a unique car to drift with, then sure why not. I don't know much about and honestly have no experience drifting. However, I have noticed I have a good eye for things when I am interested in it, and although may not know the best, can see the weak points of things (or so I would like to believe, as later I find out the ones I favor are actually better if not the best *but not with all things*). Anyways, I would imagine those are pretty hard to drift in like the MR2.

For some reason, I have considered this as well, although all the videos I have seen, it seems the drivers have a hard time turning the car sideways. 240sx, novice or not advance drifters, tend to be able to turn the car sideways when they drift. For this older celica, I see it drift, but doesn't turn sideways so great. Kind of like the Supra (at least the last model chassis), I don't think they make good drift cars because even when they do drift, they are either too powerful or too heavy and can't turn sideways for a more beautiful drift.

That's just me. I would do it with a 240sx for the fact it is more available, more sites to join like this for experience and knowledge handed down, and worst case scenario, you decide later to get another car to do this with, you can easily sell it as someone would like to buy it (even as common as these cars are).

For the rest of the questions and such, I am ignorant on this subject. Just wanted to add that for whatever it is worth.