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6G Celicas Forums _ My Project _ Mkernz22's Progress Thread V2

Posted by: mkernz22 Feb 2, 2015 - 10:14 PM

Sadly, the time has come and soon I'll be decommissioning my 1995 Celica GT. She's had rot that I wanted to fix, but I know it's going to be too much to handle.
Old thread here: http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=75896

So I'll be starting on a new slate with a 1994 GT hatch. The car only has 127,000 miles on it and is in really good condition.
There are some flaws such as the rear struts being blown, the high beam being cracked, the radiator pretty much on it's way out, the cracked intake hose, small ding in the drivers side fender, and the door cloth insert piece falling off....
But it's not like those aren't easy things to fix.

Starting off, this car is not intended to be a project car. I made that mistake with my 95 and I hate having a project / dd. It gets annoying.
Most of the things I intend to do will be done this coming spring, but some of the other minor things will still be in the works.


So to start off with what will happen.

Obviously swapping over the JDM tail lights. That's just a given. Sex appeal = +150%
Putting my winter tires on until the spring comes.
Swapping out the cracked high beam, cracked intake hose, and swapping over the radiator.
Pulling out that little dent.
Swap out the muffler for one that I've had in my shed.
KYB struts all around and lowered on I think sportline springs? I forget the brand.

Here comes the fun stuff smile.gif
Poly bushings all around as well as the suspension bits and under body being undercoated.
Putting in all new hard brake and fuel lines because I already have them, so why not? (at some point)
SSIII lip kit will be painted and installed, except for the fronts until I get a post face bumper. The little black euro splitters should look fine in the meantime.

And I'm sick of typing so here are some pictures.















Posted by: njccmd2002 Feb 2, 2015 - 11:03 PM

Mmmh. Soundsike a project to me, lol. But awesome to start all over.

Posted by: enderswift Feb 2, 2015 - 11:07 PM

Clean frame

Posted by: Smaay Feb 2, 2015 - 11:45 PM

oohh all the rust on the bottom. can that be cleaned up? the interior looks pretty good.


Posted by: mkernz22 Feb 3, 2015 - 12:57 AM

QUOTE (njccmd2002 @ Feb 2, 2015 - 11:03 PM) *
Mmmh. Soundsike a project to me, lol. But awesome to start all over.


Just freshening her up and pretty much leaving it after that.

QUOTE (Smaay @ Feb 2, 2015 - 11:45 PM) *
oohh all the rust on the bottom. can that be cleaned up? the interior looks pretty good.


That rust is nothing. It's only surface stuff on the suspension, the body is clean.
I'll be cleaning up all the parts and putting bushings in the subframe from my 95 so I can quickly swap it in.

Posted by: igpx12 Feb 3, 2015 - 4:40 AM

That is a clean looking celi, nothing like starting fresh especially knowing what you want to do with the new shell. Looking forward to seeing some progress thumbsup.gif

Posted by: Edser Feb 3, 2015 - 4:12 PM

Looks nice, yeh a SSIII kit will freshen it up greatly, and the Kouki rear lights make a huge difference too.
I did it, and it is awesome. I love it.
Check out mine:
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=84745&st=0&start=0

Posted by: mkernz22 Feb 4, 2015 - 9:16 PM

Well she's home now...and that makes it three Celica's in the driveway again hahaha

Posted by: Smaay Feb 4, 2015 - 11:06 PM

only 3? i have like 9 right now

Posted by: cheela Feb 4, 2015 - 11:40 PM

license plate is crooked.... it bothers me. hahahah looks like a clean celi though.

Posted by: mkernz22 Feb 26, 2015 - 4:19 PM

The car will be going on the road in less than 2 weeks, which will be during my "Spring" vacation...

Will be swapping the alternator back into this car and using the non-A/C belt for the time being because I think the bearings are going in the compressor. But I won't be using A/C for a while so it's alright.
Once I get it on the road, I'll just be focusing on fixing up the Alltrac so that she's driveable for when I do the swap on this one.

Still gathering parts for the engine. Need to get some more seals and gaskets, timing belt tensioner, time it, fix the studs for the exhaust manifold, clean up the wiring harness, and some other odds and ends.
Just got a Tial BOV for it. I'll be using a gen1 W2A cooler on it. Just have to make some brackets to secure it in place.

I'll get more more pictures at some point in the next week or two.

Posted by: HaysoosKreesto Feb 26, 2015 - 7:02 PM

I remember when I had an oem radiator lol

Posted by: mkernz22 Apr 9, 2015 - 9:50 PM

I've changed out the radiator, swapped over the JDM tails, and replaced the high beam; which is a huge PITA to do when you leave the crash bar on and only remove half of the bumper, but got the job done.

Seeing how things always change, looks like I won't be doing the gen2 swap into the car. There's a high probability that I might be traveling a lot this summer and I feel like I would get better gas mileage out of the 5s than the 3s and wouldn't have to worry about as much going wrong. I still have a lot of work to do on the 3s and I definitely wouldn't have it done as soon as I'd like.

So when I swap all the suspension over with the new fuel and brake lines, I'll be doing the timing belt and gaskets on the engine, maybe get a lightweight flywheel and going to do the 5th gear swap as well. Hoping to get more MPG on the highway with that and hoping it doesn't bog too much.

I've realized that I need to stop doing stupid sh!t or have some big plans and just make this into a nice daily driver. That's all I need, a nice clean looking daily driver that gets good gas mileage.

The all-trac is the new project car and I just have to keep reminding myself of that.

Posted by: Keiri Apr 10, 2015 - 7:30 AM

QUOTE (mkernz22 @ Apr 9, 2015 - 10:50 PM) *
I've changed out the radiator, swapped over the JDM tails, and replaced the high beam; which is a huge PITA to do when you leave the crash bar on and only remove half of the bumper, but got the job done.

Seeing how things always change, looks like I won't be doing the gen2 swap into the car. There's a high probability that I might be traveling a lot this summer and I feel like I would get better gas mileage out of the 5s than the 3s and wouldn't have to worry about as much going wrong. I still have a lot of work to do on the 3s and I definitely wouldn't have it done as soon as I'd like.

So when I swap all the suspension over with the new fuel and brake lines, I'll be doing the timing belt and gaskets on the engine, maybe get a lightweight flywheel and going to do the 5th gear swap as well. Hoping to get more MPG on the highway with that and hoping it doesn't bog too much.

I've realized that I need to stop doing stupid sh!t or have some big plans and just make this into a nice daily driver. That's all I need, a nice clean looking daily driver that gets good gas mileage.

The all-trac is the new project car and I just have to keep reminding myself of that.


Mike, I think it's admirable (and a big sign of growth) that you have chosen to make the car good looking and reliable for daily duty rather than press on with a quick swapped car that may not be as dependable as you need; spending money to ensure you have a competent daily doesn't sound as fun as money into a faster street monster but it's the smart choice.

I'm looking forward to seeing you make this car exactly what you want while pursuing your other life goals/experiences!

Posted by: mkernz22 Apr 29, 2015 - 11:44 PM

QUOTE (Keiri @ Apr 10, 2015 - 8:30 AM) *
QUOTE (mkernz22 @ Apr 9, 2015 - 10:50 PM) *
I've changed out the radiator, swapped over the JDM tails, and replaced the high beam; which is a huge PITA to do when you leave the crash bar on and only remove half of the bumper, but got the job done.

Seeing how things always change, looks like I won't be doing the gen2 swap into the car. There's a high probability that I might be traveling a lot this summer and I feel like I would get better gas mileage out of the 5s than the 3s and wouldn't have to worry about as much going wrong. I still have a lot of work to do on the 3s and I definitely wouldn't have it done as soon as I'd like.

So when I swap all the suspension over with the new fuel and brake lines, I'll be doing the timing belt and gaskets on the engine, maybe get a lightweight flywheel and going to do the 5th gear swap as well. Hoping to get more MPG on the highway with that and hoping it doesn't bog too much.

I've realized that I need to stop doing stupid sh!t or have some big plans and just make this into a nice daily driver. That's all I need, a nice clean looking daily driver that gets good gas mileage.

The all-trac is the new project car and I just have to keep reminding myself of that.


Mike, I think it's admirable (and a big sign of growth) that you have chosen to make the car good looking and reliable for daily duty rather than press on with a quick swapped car that may not be as dependable as you need; spending money to ensure you have a competent daily doesn't sound as fun as money into a faster street monster but it's the smart choice.

I'm looking forward to seeing you make this car exactly what you want while pursuing your other life goals/experiences!


Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!
Dustin is trying to talk me out of just keeping the 5s since I have the gen2 that is already PNP.... -_- Maybe next year it'll go it? But the focus this year is taking care of everything else first.
Plus I'll be doing the 5th gear swap and can document the results with the 5s.

Speaking of which.
I went to Dustin and Steph's the other day to fix my timing, found out it was off by 10 degrees. Was set at 0, which explained why the distributor was turned all the way down, but now it's good and runs a lot better! Makes me happy smile.gif

I'm averaging about 27.5 mpg mixed, but still need an alignment so that should help it out some more.
Hoping that the clutch will last another month or two, but it's starting to slip more and more.
Sometimes if I try to get on it while on the highway in 5th, it'll begin to rev up a bit without going anywhere kindasad.gif

I'll update this again in a few months once I start the suspension makeover.

Posted by: cheela Apr 30, 2015 - 9:40 AM

wait.... you visited Dustin and Stef and you didn't walk away with a 3sgte in your engine bay??? hahahhaha.

it's all good. take it slow. the only time to go fast is on the tracks. thumbsup.gif

Posted by: mkernz22 May 11, 2015 - 11:48 PM

QUOTE (cheela @ Apr 30, 2015 - 10:40 AM) *
wait.... you visited Dustin and Stef and you didn't walk away with a 3sgte in your engine bay??? hahahhaha.

it's all good. take it slow. the only time to go fast is on the tracks. thumbsup.gif


Well it seems like everything over there is converting to Beams so I wasn't sure what to expect laugh.gif
(Other than Frank's 2GR deuce swap that's in progress)

So ordered the last of my fuel lines, so that should be in within a week.
Now that classes are over, I'll be tearing into my old car to get it out of here.

By the end of the weekend, I'll hopefully have all the suspension pulled off my old car. Have to get everything apart and the old bushings pressed out, get the paint off the majority of it, and then undedercoat it all and put the new bushings in. Repaint the rear KYB's and the front TRD coilovers (hopefully get sleeves for them). Undercoat all the fuel and brake lines. Seam seal and undercoat the gas tank. Seam seal the rear wheel wells and undercoat.

AAAAANNNNDDDDDDD

To top it all off, swap out the clutch because this current one is almost toast.
It's going to be a fun filled week. Hopefully I'll have most of the prep work done by the time I get my time off.
Then I can go full force at it.

In the end the car will have:
Newerish clutch & new TOB
Refurbished subframes and control arms with polybushings
Upgraded endlinks, staying with stock sway bars.
New ball joints and tie rod ends
Extended studs all around with spacers 10mm/F & 15mm/R
Debating on lowering about 2inches or staying stock height. I'm putting coilovers in the front either way soo...I just don't know if I want the stiffness of them. (get stiffer as you lowering them)

And yeah, that's that. I'll update when I get a move on things.

Posted by: mkernz22 May 23, 2015 - 9:52 PM

I dids a thing....for once.
& lowered it on ST springs wink.gif
More pictures to come once I'm done with swapping out the front stuff.



Brake and fuel lines didn't happen cause this took way longer than I had expected. Just going to put some undercoating on the ones on the car for the time being.
Clutch also didn't happen because I somehow managed to f^ck up the disc... So I just need a new disc, and a TOB while I'm at it. Will change later in the summer.

Posted by: mkernz22 May 26, 2015 - 8:18 PM

Alright so I'll give my opinion on putting in the poly bushings.
1) It f^cking sucks if you don't have all the tools.
2) If you have non rusted parts it's probably a bit easier, however, mine were rusted to sh!t so I had to cut some bolts and use a lot of heat.
3) Takes a bit of time if you want to do it right.
4) Besides the fact that it may or may not suck, in the end it is completely worth it.

Along with the poly bushings, I upgraded the F&R sway bar bushings to poly as well as all of the end links. New ball joints and tie rod ends went in as well as Suspension Technique lowering springs in the rear and my TRD coilovers in the front, which may or may not get swapped out for struts with the ST lowering springs. Just have to buy the struts. In all, it was worth it because the handling is so god damn tight and I absolutely love it. Once my tires wear out from the alignment being off, I'll be getting new tires and an alignment. I can't wait for that because it's going to feel soooooo good.

Picture of the front:


Then today I went and detailed my car because I actually have really nice paint instead of some sh!tty $400 Maaco paint job.

How it originally looked:


After clay barring and polishing:


Once the wax was done:




So she's looking really, really nice now and I'm really happy.
**And yes, I ****ed up on the wax. Started to rush it since it was getting dark and didn't shake the bottle which is why you see the streaks in the picture of the front of the car. Hopefully cleaning that up tomorrow.

Posted by: mkernz22 Jun 24, 2015 - 8:00 AM

Finally got struts and springs in the front and sits a little bit higher. So sick of those TRD coilovers, they were just way too harsh and I was starting to get annoyed. The ride definitely feels a lot better now for it being a daily driver.
New tires are going on as I type as well as getting an alignment. I wore them down pretty far... hahaha

After this, there's not much else to be done.
Probably just give the wheels a quick refurb with aluminum putty and some new paint, do the clutch sometime in August, and eventually swap in the Gen2 (thinking next summer)

Really just trying to cut down on the things I want to do with this car, mainly just make it nice and reliable, and then start focusing on the alltrac more.

Posted by: mkernz22 Oct 1, 2015 - 9:39 PM

lol, make it nice and reliable...

little bit of an update, bought some new seats and some gear thingies for the transmission.
Will be replacing the clutch and gear thingies in the next week or two before it gets too cold.
After that, it's just getting the 3s together by the spring and hope to swap it in at point. Just a matter of money than anything else.

Posted by: mkernz22 Oct 12, 2015 - 11:30 AM

Update.

Clutch is changed. I'll get a picture of my old disk. I'm surprised it even grabbed anymore..


And the 5th gear swap is done.


I have to get used to the different speeds at certain exhaust sounds cause 80mph sounds like what it used to be at when at 65mph and I'm going to be accidently speeding more often than not until I get used to it. 90-95mph sounds like what 80mph used to be...yeah..

Posted by: JoshuaM Oct 12, 2015 - 12:09 PM


New shell is looking good (y) smile.gif

Posted by: mkernz22 Oct 19, 2015 - 8:41 PM

QUOTE (JoshuaM @ Oct 12, 2015 - 1:09 PM) *
New shell is looking good (y) smile.gif


Thanks! I appreciate it smile.gif

Hopefully the seat covers will be shipped out soon, guy has been taking forever.. mad.gif
Sold some other parts to buy a gen2 RC w2a top mount for the 3s cause the gen3 one doesn't fit and the gen1 looks a bit tacky with how I'd have to rig it mounting wise. Just want a nice OEM look once it's in the car.

Posted by: BonzaiCelica Oct 20, 2015 - 3:25 AM

Wish I had something constructive to say but cool stuff

Posted by: mkernz22 Oct 23, 2015 - 8:01 AM

Got this for a steal. $35 shipped, costs $150 brand new. biggrin.gif
It's an ATS Racing gen2 TVIS delete spacer.


Posted by: njccmd2002 Oct 28, 2015 - 7:11 AM

Sorry what is ti for? Never seen one

Posted by: mkernz22 Oct 28, 2015 - 8:41 AM

QUOTE (njccmd2002 @ Oct 28, 2015 - 8:11 AM) *
Sorry what is ti for? Never seen one


It just deletes the TVIS flaps on the gen1 and gen2 3s engines. You lose a little low end torque, but gain top end by having a little bit better airflow since you don't have any drag from the flaps when air is going to the head from the runners.

Posted by: mkernz22 Apr 19, 2016 - 9:24 PM

Wow yeah, haven't touched this thread in a while.

Some things to come for the spring:
Get my SSIII covers cleaned and installed. Will most likely have to get a fabric paint for the rears since the tops have bad sun fade.
Replacing more suspension parts that I neglected to do in the first place such as new top hats and spring insulators.
Need to get new rear calipers, mainly the brackets, but you can't find just the brackets so I'll just get a fully loaded setup.
BRAND NEW rear adjustable control arms...or if I can find really good condition used ones on the low low cause I don't want to pay out the a$$ from the dealer (~$270/pair shipped to my door)

Also having my summer tires rebalanced with stick on weights so I can wrap the faces in a similar color silver. Tried to match it as best as I could.

Other than all that, I installed a bazooka subwoofer behind the rear seats. Small and compact so I can take it out when I need the space.
The gen2 3s hasn't seen any love since the alltrac has been taking up all the space in the garage. Looking to piece it together a little more over the summer. Might have it together for the fall, but I'm not 100% planning on it.

Posted by: Box Apr 19, 2016 - 11:07 PM

If the covers are faded you could try applying dye with a sponge, that way you can get the areas you need to and not touch the areas you don't.

Something like Rit dye perhaps, could do a small test spot and take it from there.

Posted by: mkernz22 Jun 26, 2016 - 9:07 PM

Got some better looking rear control arms from Manny so I'll be swapping back to the OEM spherical bushings.

The poly's are nice, but I really don't need them, and I will need money for some other stuff. I think both of my axles are starting to go, as well as one of my wheel bearings. I know one of the wheel bearings has to be because when I was changing new parts out on the front knuckle, the hub started to slide out from the bearing, but it wouldn't come all the way out. Also need new top hats all around, spring insulators, and possibly a rear caliper rebuild kit.

I had plans for this car, but I'm really coming to terms with it being just a clean daily driver for the next few years. Only have some minor suspension issues, it puffing blue smoke at startup (which is the valve seals), a leaking VCG, and a bad rubber intake hose. Looking to get most of those addressed sooner than later, but the valve seals will probably be the last thing on my list since I can just keep adding oil laugh.gif

Once I'm out of college and have a decent job, then I'll start pouring money into this car (or buy / import a GT4 by that point), as for the time being I'm just going to be focusing on fixing up the alltrac little by little.

Posted by: mkernz22 Aug 8, 2016 - 10:19 PM

Well my valve cover gasket is leaking really badly out of the front and the back and the oil burning on startup is getting worse and worse...
I might just bite the bullet and buy everything I need to finish up my gen2 swap and get it in there... sigh.

Posted by: mkernz22 Sep 4, 2016 - 7:53 PM

Ayyyy, blew the water pump at my first track day smile.gif so I'll be replacing that in the next couple days

Posted by: Batman722 Sep 5, 2016 - 3:01 PM

How's it going ?

Posted by: mkernz22 Sep 5, 2016 - 9:23 PM

QUOTE (Batman722 @ Sep 5, 2016 - 4:01 PM) *
How's it going ?


Finished it up a few hours ago. I could've gotten it done in 4 or 5 hours, but I didn't want to rush it. Was actually a lot easier to do than I was expecting.

Posted by: mkernz22 Dec 8, 2016 - 4:42 PM

Stupid small updates.

Window chipped from a rock or piece of salt last week. Luckily I was able to fix it a bit with a 3M repair kit.
Body on the passenger side where the subframe bolts to is rotting through, it's right next to the big through bolt for the control arm. Hopefully I'll be able to patch it for the winter...

Thought I had a better chassis this time around, but it's proving me wrong.
Still need to take out all the poly bushings and put the stock ones back in.

Just keeping her as a daily now, no project plans nor swapping to the gen2 3s I have in the garage.

Posted by: mkernz22 Mar 18, 2017 - 12:01 PM

Finally installed the parking brake and have a fully functional one (other than when I first bought the car) after 4 or 5 years laugh.gif My old car didn't have one for the longest time either..
***note to self: NEVER BUY AFTERMARKET PARKING SHOES. They don't fit properly and you have to shave a ton of the pad down for the rotor to fit and also grind some metal away where the adjuster is on them.
I thought it would be an easy day job, but it turned out to be a little longer than I would have liked. Thankfully everything went together fine in the end biggrin.gif



Posted by: richee3 Mar 18, 2017 - 12:39 PM

I just went through the same thing on mine. Had to grind the shoes down where the adjuster is and buy new cables.

Posted by: Box Mar 18, 2017 - 12:46 PM

Parking brakes are everything though, I use mine every time so I'd feel really off not having one.

Posted by: mkernz22 Mar 18, 2017 - 3:09 PM

QUOTE (richee3 @ Mar 18, 2017 - 1:39 PM) *
I just went through the same thing on mine. Had to grind the shoes down where the adjuster is and buy new cables.


Luckily I had some cables that were good from one of my parts cars. I also drenched the insides of the lines with PB Blaster a few times.
It was such a pain in the a$$ to do this job, more than it should have been.


QUOTE (Box @ Mar 18, 2017 - 1:46 PM) *
Parking brakes are everything though, I use mine every time so I'd feel really off not having one.


I still don't use it, always leave it in gear unless I park on a hill or something.

Posted by: Wild202 Mar 18, 2017 - 11:16 PM

It's strange, everything went well for me and I did not finish anything.

Posted by: mkernz22 Mar 24, 2017 - 2:22 PM

AYYYYYYEEEEEEEEE. It's time to replace everything on the timing side thanks to an oil leak from the pump rolleyes.gif



Hopefully everything will be in by Monday or Tuesday and I can get the show on the road by Thursday. It shouldn't take me more than a few hours since I just replaced my water pump with a spare one over the summer.
What's nice though is RockAuto sells a like OEM Aisin kit, so I bought that with the full water pump assembly, belt, idlers, and some gaskets. Also bought the Timken crank seal, Timken camshaft seal, a seal and gasket for the oil pump as well, and spent more money on some from Toyota... I'll have extra stuff laying around just in case.

Posted by: mkernz22 Apr 12, 2017 - 10:21 PM

Everything timing side of the engine is replace and HOLY SH!T, I DON'T HAVE ANY LEAKS FOR ONCE.
It's a miracle because I've had leaks since first owning my old one laugh.gif

Actually, that is a lie, my exhaust is leaking now so I ordered a new front and mid section :facepalm:
Hopefully this will be the end of having to replace stuff for a little while.

I solved the leak, but it's a temporary fix till the parts come in...



Posted by: Box Apr 13, 2017 - 6:34 AM

Ewwww, that pipe looks like it's been on the ocean floor. I remember the one reason I like living down south all of a sudden.

Posted by: cheela Apr 13, 2017 - 7:56 AM

video revving to 7k or GTFO. laugh.gif

Posted by: Box Apr 13, 2017 - 3:26 PM

QUOTE (cheela @ Apr 13, 2017 - 7:56 AM) *
video revving to 7k or GTFO. laugh.gif

That's just irresponsible, the redline is at 6,200.

tongue.gif

Posted by: mkernz22 Apr 14, 2017 - 12:00 PM

QUOTE (Box @ Apr 13, 2017 - 7:34 AM) *
Ewwww, that pipe looks like it's been on the ocean floor. I remember the one reason I like living down south all of a sudden.


Well the top portion was welded by Lou's so it doesn't really last that long... will be coating everything before it goes back on.

@Cheela, I'll get that video for you soon wink.gif

Posted by: cheela Apr 14, 2017 - 12:58 PM

alright, looking forward to it since I might be going this route soon too. I think mine looks just a bit better than that one. lol

and Box, 6200 is more of a guideline. wink.gif haha

Posted by: mkernz22 Oct 20, 2017 - 8:04 PM

Well it's been a while again, quick update.

Will be getting to removing the poly bushings in the spring once I get new summer tires for the car, would only make sense to get an alignment after doing everything.

Ceramic coated the exhaust that went on, but it all started flaking off rolleyes.gif I don't know what happened. I sanded, primed, base, and clear on it, yes all of which were for ceramic coating. The exhaust is a few inches short so it's all super tight right now, need to make and add a spacer in there on the flex to mid pipes.

Rot in the rockers is starting to get a little bad, and one spot on the floor pan by the front PS subframe mount, cutting and welding in new pieces of metal in the spring.
Filled it all with black RTV sealant for now laugh.gif

And I guess one cool thing in the works that should on the car in a week or so cwm13.gif

Posted by: mkernz22 Oct 21, 2019 - 9:13 PM

Wow, really cannot believe I haven't posted in two years. I used to be on this site daily when I had my first car..

Some updates:
Projectors have been installed.
Poly bushings have been removed from the rear.
FINALLY swapped in the gen2 3sgte I posted about somewhere in my first "build" thread.
Currently in progress with finishing up the swap as the headgasket decided to leak oil out of the high pressure gallery area of the block. Kind of weird spot for an HG failure and oil leak...

You can see my progress on Instagram with this swap, the work I'm doing on my Rav4, and the still not driveable ST165. My username is thetoyotaenthusiast

I'll get some photos up tomorrow of all the progress!

Posted by: mkernz22 Apr 10, 2020 - 12:57 PM

So the car has been running good.

Installed my PLX system with the swap; boost, EGT, and wideband. Also installed an AutoMeter water temp gauge.
Just put on riser blocks.

Currently getting parts together for st205 front brakes. Have calipers and pads, rotors will be in tomorrow. Have to make a semi custom non-abs line setup since I can't find all the old lines I had laying around. ABS system doesn't work so I want it out for more room and less weight.

Besides that, not a whole lot else going on. Eventually a 3" mid-pipe will be going on and replacing the radiator with an aluminum one, slim fans, and 170F degree thermostat. Slowly turning her into a track car.


Next project is getting the alltrac back on the road.

Posted by: mkernz22 Jan 24, 2024 - 7:35 PM

Damn.. almost 4 years.. I remember when I used to be on here daily and was always so excited to hop on. Facebook took over, photobucket account finally kicked the can. Damn.

Well, sold the alltrac about 2 years ago. Just started turning into a driveway queen with too many issues and parts becoming very hard to source. Bought a gen1 Rav4 back in 2019, then that got totaled in a snowstorm when someone hit me. Bought another one and swapped the new one to stick from the totaled one. Found the stock rear LSD and tossed on some slightly oversized tires. It'll be getting a gen4 swap next year because... I still have the Celica, just with an ST205 front end now, white 17x8 +30 OZ Cronos, and confetti recaro seats. Gen2 swap is still running, but will finally be getting pulled for a build at some point this year. Tossing on a 4th gen head with a ct20b and controlling it with a Link ecu. I think I've amassed three e154f's, like five s54's (one with stupid low mileage), and a camry e153, along with a spare gt-four front end and couple of kouki headlight and tail light sets. Oh, and all the parts to awd swap it.

It's kind of crazy finally getting most of all the things I've always wanted. So surreal that I'm still here with this car and now all of this has faded..

Posted by: enderswift Feb 2, 2024 - 1:21 PM

The last sentence is relatable

Think very long and hard about whether you want to awd swap. In the age of plentiful imports it no longer makes much sense. Only do it if you have a love for custom fabrication and a hatred for money...

also,

sell me one of your e154fs

Posted by: richee3 Feb 2, 2024 - 10:18 PM

Building your car because it’s what you enjoy is so much better than building your car for the internet. I hardly go to car meets or cars and coffee events anymore because it just doesn’t feel the same as it used to. I won’t say the majority or even half of the people there aren’t there for the community anymore, but there is a noticeable percentage who “built” their cars with crappy fender flares and only try to push their Instagrams, which why why I have even more respect for the effort you continue to put into your Celica and your Rav.

Posted by: mkernz22 Feb 18, 2024 - 9:51 PM

QUOTE (enderswift @ Feb 2, 2024 - 1:21 PM) *
The last sentence is relatable

Think very long and hard about whether you want to awd swap. In the age of plentiful imports it no longer makes much sense. Only do it if you have a love for custom fabrication and a hatred for money...

also,

sell me one of your e154fs


I never said I was *going to* I just have all the parts for it. Besides, my Rav4 is going to have the same drive train, just in SUV form. I'm not fully sure which direction I want to go with the Celica on that. Definitely a toss up because I wouldn't mind more power than what the s54 can handle, but at the end of the day, she's just a fun driver that I periodically take out on road courses. But that's where my sim rig also takes over now too, all of the fun and none of the liability.

I might start selling stuff off at some point, but I'll try to remember to give you a heads up when I do.

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