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Posted by: igpx12 Nov 17, 2014 - 4:38 PM

After almost a year of being on this site, thought it was about time to start up a thread.


So here's my celicas story so far.

Purchased in October 2013 and stored to keep out of the elements.
https://imageshack.com/i/pdEWITWMj

After a winter and spring in storage finally started work on her in July with the original plan to do a thorough cleaning and engine swap to a Silvertop 4AGE out of an AE101 out of japan.

Stock 7A was pulled along with its tranny so engine bay could be cleaned and the interior was stripped to help with process of harness work.
https://imageshack.com/i/eyzeIvR1j
https://imageshack.com/i/p13sbmTLj
https://imageshack.com/i/exLIqtiHj

Second part of the project was the 4AGE, so order it however found that I wouldn't be able to use it as NY is OBDII compliant with inspections and it would fail, so put to the side for a later swap into a 94 or 95.
https://imageshack.com/i/id7dzaHMj

When I bought her, the engine had a lot of exhaust noise so ordered in an OBX exhaust for a GT4, however had to have it reworked to go onto an ST chassis as you can see the bends are a lot different.
https://imageshack.com/i/eyVyQMamj
https://imageshack.com/i/p1wbo1Jxj

The main reason for exhaust noise was this
https://imageshack.com/i/ip0t1vMTj

Then I started to piece her back together, first to go back in was the 7A
https://imageshack.com/i/iqAvxXEfj

Then sprayed the carpet from factory beige to black and to help keep an eye on things, bought some X-Tune gauges, not the most accurate things ever but they do the job.
https://imageshack.com/i/kpL25wY9j
https://imageshack.com/i/f0Ut7RrIj

Also upgraded to a key light ring and Lexus ES300 door strikers, very simple installs
https://imageshack.com/i/exhz44Ylj
https://imageshack.com/i/p8sTqGhjj

Then made up some bezel pods for the gauge cluster
https://imageshack.com/i/eyE3Yrrnj

That was it for the interior currently, next was the engine bay and remedying the exhaust issues. Bought an OBX header and front pipe and had it ceramic coated. Also to easily adapt for oil pressure and temp gauges, ordered in an Upgr8 Oil Sandwich plate.
https://imageshack.com/i/ipMcmZbnj

Then made up an air intake for it, simple one bend pipe with a drilled hole for the MAF sensor.
https://imageshack.com/i/ex27syetj

More things to come for sure but for now this is as far as she has gotten for now. Plans are to get it out after winter when I take my DD off the road for good as its basically done for.

Posted by: cheela Nov 17, 2014 - 6:44 PM

awesome. another green one! lol.
you look like you know what you're doing and what you want.
can't wait to see more.

Posted by: Anoroc Nov 19, 2014 - 4:45 AM

I don't envy you gents with such vicious restrictions on what you can/can't do to your cars. Since a silvertop is out of the question, I presume a Gen3 or 4 3S-GE would be too?

Posted by: igpx12 Nov 19, 2014 - 12:20 PM

State restrictions like that do suck, can't use anything from japan cause they aren't setup for OBDII. However the restriction is limited to any 1996 and newer vehicle, so there are ways around it with an older model car.

Posted by: Smaay Nov 19, 2014 - 1:14 PM

install a V6. you wont be disappointed

Posted by: Bourne6Gen Nov 22, 2014 - 5:10 PM

Where or how did you make up the bezell dials . Love the look , looks amzing

Posted by: igpx12 Nov 22, 2014 - 11:56 PM

For the amount of work required for making them, I would say to view buying selling thread by The_enD

here:
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=90053

As far as my process in making them:

4" PVC couplers
12"x12" Plexiglass sheets
Heatgun
Dremel

The rest as you can probably guess was a lot of cutting and heat warping to get the shape of the pods.

Posted by: igpx12 Apr 17, 2015 - 1:28 PM

Decided enough with the stock plain valve cover and intake plenum, hello color. Also tracked down a strut tower brace, gotta clean it up some time soon.
https://imageshack.com/i/exArlI4lj
https://imageshack.com/i/idWcNiREj

Posted by: igpx12 Aug 19, 2015 - 1:14 AM

Hey everyone, been awhile since I've listed anything on my build. Well couple of issues lately it seems, first there is an oil leak coming from one of the seals on the timing side of the motor and second the master cylinder for the clutch is starting to fail and letting the slightest amounts of air into the line. All on the to do list and parts ordered in. Did fix one issue already, my oil pan gasket that was originally a cork aftermarket one that was installed when I bought it, that started to leak out finally. Lets say that I've learned that FIPG is really the only solution that gives you results, tried RTV and allowed it the 24 hours it calls for to cure and gotta say probably would have been better off using window caulk.

In the meantime til things come in and I tear down the motor a little, here's how she looks now under the hood.
https://imageshack.com/i/idzWpPEkj
As you can see, added in a catch can and cleaned up that strut brace.

Also finished my GT front brake conversion, bolts for the calipers were M12 x 1.25, couldn't find em anywhere so went to advance auto and cut down some that they had.
https://imageshack.com/i/f0ybaRpqj
https://imageshack.com/i/ipG4VGkzj
https://imageshack.com/i/p5va9lasj
Gotta love those Avalon Twin Piston Calipers

Posted by: LtSolid Aug 19, 2015 - 3:23 PM

i have a 1.8 too. in red. liking the building so far. whats the purpose to the oil sandwich plate? Also was the obx header listed as the 1.8 corolla? i wanna do a 7age conversion to mine. keep us posted bro.

Posted by: Celica_MKVI Aug 20, 2015 - 3:48 PM

Nice!
Do you still have he 4AGE 20v motor? You could swap back and forth between heads. Which would be a good half days work if you get good at it. Here in Cali we have to get smog and inspection every other year, not sure how it is in NY.

Posted by: jesse09 Aug 21, 2015 - 4:50 PM

That front brake conversion and engine bay in yellow looks damn good. Can't wait to do it myself.

Posted by: igpx12 Aug 21, 2015 - 5:57 PM

The point of the oil sandwich plate is to place sensors for gauges, I have an oil temp and pressure gauge that are set up and run from there. The header is simply that corolla header, the OBX exhaust was mainly catbac but for an ST205 which sadly had to be hacked up and fabricated to work with the AT200s setup.



Sadly I don't have it any longer, was thinking about getting a 94 or 95 celi and putting it in that at one point, but for now just seeing what mods I want to stick with then at a later point maybe do that. NY is now carb compliant so the most we have to do is use carb compliant converters and make sure to have an OBDII motor in an OBDII equipped vehicle.



Let me say that the brake upgrade is worth it, my stopping distance is better and the appearance is better looking with the 17s.

Posted by: jesse09 Aug 23, 2015 - 11:42 PM

Thanks for confirming this, I just picked up a set of the Avalon calipers too. Now I just need the front GT rotors and will be ready for a full front and rear brake upgrade.

Posted by: LtSolid Sep 5, 2015 - 3:04 PM

that wouldnt pass NY inspection either. its such a bummer.

btw, those are the short pods on your cluster right? i was gonna get the long ones but i changed my mind.

Posted by: igpx12 Sep 7, 2015 - 10:14 AM

They are the short pod design, the side pods are 1", the center is 2" top to 1" bottom. One of my more favorite subtle mods that just makes it feel more modernized.

Posted by: LtSolid Sep 9, 2015 - 8:54 PM

yea it def gives the interior a better look. the short pods look so clean in the cluster. id imagine the long pods have to much length to look that good in our interior.