1994 Celica's Reconstruction, Beams Swaped as of 3/5/16 Options

[1994Celica]

I decided that it was about time that I did a build thread to show my progress. My father surprised me with the car about 4 years ago. It was a very happy surprise as I've always loved 6th gen Celica's. It had 235k miles on the clock, and only cost $850. It needed a bit of interior work and a trans rebuild but besides that it was in pretty good shape. This is what it looked like when I got it.





Not long after I got it I decided I wanted leather seats so I bought some 7GC seats and put them in.

Sorry the pics aren't the best but all I had was a cellphone camera. The seats were the last thing I did for awhile as I had little money and interest. My interest was revived earlier this year and I decided to reconstruct my Celica to be better than it ever was. The first thing I did to start this was buy a GT-4 body.

After that I graduated from high school and got some nice JDM tails as a present.


With my car looking better and better by the day I decided it was time for some better looking wheels, and a decent set of tires.

Not long after that I scored a nice deal on some projectors, and retrofitted them with HID's. After that I decided it was time to plastidip the whole car white so it would all match.


Update on my future plans
I know have my plans set out for the car. My plans are
Acquire and install cool and rare JDM parts
Manual transmission swap.
A decently built 5s
Upgraded brakes with Avalon calipers in the front.
Complete suspension rebuild including sway bars.

This post has been edited by 1994Celica: Mar 6, 2016 - 11:36 PM

[1994Celica]

Time to update with some pictures not taken from my cellphone.















This post has been edited by 1994Celica: Oct 22, 2015 - 7:16 PM

[Box]

Now you just need to upgrade the engine and transmission. Looks pretty good to be Plasti-Dip'd.

[1994Celica]

Now you just need to upgrade the engine and transmission. Looks pretty good to be Plasti-Dip'd.

I'm defiantly going to do something to the engine, just not sure what yet. I'm leaning more towards the BEAMS than anything right now, but still considering other options such as 1m and turbo 5s as well.

[Box]

If you're wanting to stay auto the 1MZ would be a great choice.

[1994Celica]

If you're wanting to stay auto the 1MZ would be a great choice.

No auto, my car will be a manual no matter what choice I go with.

[Box]

Ahh, well that's good to hear then. In that case any should be good, just depends on what you're wanting from your car.

[zoocsijr]

Nice car man! I just wondering about 7gen seats...would them bolt right up to the 6th gen seat rails with no fabrication needed? Or how tricky to install them?

[1994Celica]

Nice car man! I just wondering about 7gen seats...would them bolt right up to the 6th gen seat rails with no fabrication needed? Or how tricky to install them?

Thanks! I had to swap the rails and seat pan from the 6gc seats to the 7gc seats. It took a bit of time but it wasn't too terribly hard.

This post has been edited by 1994Celica: Nov 30, 2013 - 1:41 PM

[JasonTX]

looks pretty cool. wanna do the same seats, how comfortabe do you find them compaired to the stock ones? also where in TX are you , i've been having to drive to SA for work a lot recently. maybe i can take the celica for a drive out next time i go.

[1994Celica]

looks pretty cool. wanna do the same seats, how comfortabe do you find them compaired to the stock ones? also where in TX are you , i've been having to drive to SA for work a lot recently. maybe i can take the celica for a drive out next time i go.

I didn't have stock seats for long so I don't really remember how they feel. The 7gc seats are good though, comfortable and supportive.Also I love in Lubbock. I don't think there are many 6gc members in my area if any at all.

[JasonTX]

your a bit farther than i usually travel, but if i head up that way we should meet up maybe do a photo shoot


This post has been edited by JasonTX: Dec 19, 2013 - 7:25 PM

[1994Celica]

I have some small updates. I've installed some hood struts, some cool JDM parts, S2000 antenna and got my fogs to work.

[1994Celica]

Some more small updates, will have more pics up later. My car now has
LED interior lights
Clear indicators
JDM rubber trunk mat
Used a rear fog switch as a switch for my regular fogs.

I know these updates are small but the big stuff will start soon.







This post has been edited by 1994Celica: Feb 24, 2014 - 10:33 PM

[JoshuaM]

Small but cool... Keep it up

[1994Celica]

Small but cool... Keep it up

Thanks! I promise bigger stuff is coming soon. I already have most of my suspension and brake parts, and I have a manual transmission coming. I just need to find a low mile 5s and put it all in.

[1994Celica]

Some more small things.

GT4 rain deflector


TRD 3point Strut brace


JDM cupholder armrest

[1994Celica]

So haven't updated in awhile, mainly because I'm still gathering parts,but I finally got my JDM fenders on and dipped. Pics a bit crappy but its all I have. I really need to get some shots done with a good camera.

[Box]

Are the side-markers clear or missing? Either way they look a lot better than the USDM fenders.

[BonzaiCelica]

nice stuff going on here. whats the offset. your tires could use some more meat on them to cover fit the monster truck gaping. those look like some 205/45R17 tires....

[Nial]

Are the side-markers clear or missing? Either way they look a lot better than the USDM fenders.

Its what the rest of the world gets, the side markers are behind the front wheel, only the US got the side markers in front of the wheel for some strange reason, must be something to do with your road laws/regulations???

[Box]

I know, the picture isn't the best in the world and I don't see any orange. You can see something there, but you can't tell if it's a hole or a clear lens. There are lots of cars sold over here that have them in the JDM location, so who knows. Why the Celica has the front side-markers I'll never know anyway since the turn signals wrap around and meet the requirements for side-markers in the way that the tail-lights do.

[1994Celica]

nice stuff going on here. whats the offset. your tires could use some more meat on them to cover fit the monster truck gaping. those look like some 205/45R17 tires....

Thanks! I believe the size is 215/40-17, and the offset is 40mm. Oh and Box I do have sidemarkers, they're just clear. I really need to get some decent pictures of my car.

[Justin73]

I like the JDM rubber mat, do you have the link to the supplier? I have looked on ebay with no success. Just for interest, my tyres are 235/45/17, they fit well with no scrubbing and thats with a 38 offset. so if you want to go a little wider, you can :)

cheers

J

This post has been edited by Justin73: Sep 28, 2014 - 8:25 PM

[1994Celica]

I like the JDM rubber mat, do you have the link to the supplier? I have looked on ebay with no success.
cheers

J

I bought that from a member on here. They're quite rare and I've never seen another for sale. I got lucky finding this one. Just keep looking and I'm sure you'll find one.

[1994Celica]

Bumping this from the dead! Started work on the rear bushings. That s*** effing sucks. Going to have to drop the whole sub frame now. I'm also having trouble getting the bolts that connect the hub off. The good news is I got brakes and strut off the passenger side. Once I can figure out how to remove the hub bolts I can move onto getting the big bolt out from the hub.

[enderswift]

Dropping the subframe is pretty much mandatory. Removing those hub is literally 80 percent of what makes this job suck. Buy a torch, or buy a press, and good luck

[1994Celica]

Dropping the subframe is pretty much mandatory. Removing those hub is literally 80 percent of what makes this job suck. Buy a torch, or buy a press, and good luck

I have all of those so I'm prepared. I'm just hoping I can get those two bolts off the hub.

[Box]

Lots of Liquid Wrench and let it sit for awhile. If you have a bottle torch hit it with that and it'll make life a lot easier. Another thing you might try if you have it on hand is mixing ATF and acetone 50/50 to use as penetrating oil.

[1994Celica]

Progress today! The entire sub frame is off. I couldn't get two of the bolts off the passenger side hub nor could my dad. The long bolts through the hub are also stuck in both sides. Going to see if the shop can get them out and the hub bolts too. I'm also going to have them press out the old bushings and press in the new ones.

[1994Celica]

Preview of what's to come after the suspension rebuild

[Box]

Wooooo go faster bits!

[Batman722]

Wins.

[Box]

Pie.

[1994Celica]

Yep yep. Ready to get my suspension done. I'll take it on one last drive before the beams. After working on the rear suspension I'm more confident in my ability to do an engine swap.

[Box]

Just take your time and double check everything and you'll be fine. Plus all the nice folks here will catch you should you fall, time after time. Ahhh, now that song is playing in my head. *goes to YouTube*

[1994Celica]

Bushings were finished today. Lot of money for some bushings and bolt removal. Oh well..... they're done. This weekend I will reinstall everything to the frame. Hopefully my new bolts will be in by then too.

[njccmd2002]

oh those times.



worth it.

[1994Celica]

I hope it is... I've got a crap ton of money in it now.

[msk59]

I read through your post and that is significant amount of work done to the car. Excellent Job.

[1994Celica]

I read through your post and that is significant amount of work done to the car. Excellent Job.

Thanks! I still have a long way to go though.

[Box]

And a short time to get there, I'm west bound just watch 'ol Bandit run!

[1994Celica]

Progress today! Although nothing huge. New struts and tein springs are on. This weekend hopefully k can get the subframe back on and new sway bar mounted

[Box]

Swap drivetrains already.

[1994Celica]

Swap drivetrains already.

One thing at a time. Rear suspension needs to be done first. After that then I can get into the horrible engine swap.

[1994Celica]

Progress today! Entire subframe is back on with poly bushings. New st swaybar is on as well. Tomorrow I'll put on all my new braking stuff and the rear end is more or less done!

[1994Celica]

Car is on 4 wheels again! It has new calipers, rotors and stop tech stainless steel brake lines. Also poly bushings and an ST sway bar. It took longer than it should off but it's finally done. Here's some pics of it completed.

[Box]

All that work and not going for a test drive?

[1994Celica]

All that work and not going for a test drive?

It was raining today and my brothers Buick is in front of it and currently not where it can move.

[njccmd2002]

ooohh, i love shiny bits. pretty.

[1994Celica]

ooohh, i love shiny bits. pretty.

I do as well! I need to do the front too, but that wont get done till I start my Beams swap.

[njccmd2002]

i remember when i started my beams swap, it was like "nothing", lol.. forgot to connect the grounds to the intake manifold. what a headache that was..

[Box]

Nothing compared to cramming in the 2GR eh?

[njccmd2002]

i meant nothing, cuz the bastard did not start!!! took me 2 days to figure it out...

[1994Celica]

I'm honestly not worried about getting the engine running. I'm more concerned about swapping to a manual

[njccmd2002]

Manual swapping is a breeze if you got all them parts. Plug and playa!

[mkernz22]

Literally the easiest job ever if you have all the parts. I'd rather do a manual swap again than do the rear bushings.

[Box]

Hardest part would be putting in the master cylinder and pedal assembly, the rest is just changing a clutch more or less.

[1994Celica]

Well thats good to hear. The rear bushings weren't really that bad but then again I did have a shop press the new ones in. I think I have everything except the rubber clutch lines. I won't be changing out the clutch on the beams and I'm just going to drop the engine and trans as one unit. Engine only has 55k miles so clutch should be okay.

[BonzaiCelica]

So your not going to even take off transmission to check it?

I believe Mr 2gr swapper guy didn't check either

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Oct 9, 2015 - 11:09 AM

[1994Celica]

Nope. If it comes back to bite me in the ass then so be it.

[njccmd2002]

Yup. I changed it a year or 2 later

[Batman722]

I won't be changing out the clutch on the beams and I'm just going to drop the engine and trans as one unit. Engine only has 55k miles so clutch should be okay.

That is a bad decision.
Don't go through swapping to find out the clutch is toast.
Just change it when it's 100% easier not in the car.

[BonzaiCelica]

Yup buy 99 Celica pressure plate and a stage 2 5sfe disc or just a stage 2 exedy clutch kit

[Box]

I'd just go ahead and do the clutch while everything is easy to get to as well, especially since once it's all quick and stuff you'll never stop driving it.

[1994Celica]

I know it's probably a good idea to swap the clutch but money is super tight for me.

[1994Celica]

So a lot happened today. No more 5s and auto. Next thing to do is clean the engine bay replace various the various hoses and what not while I have access to them. Then replace my control arm bushings and sway bar. Then after that the beams will go in. It's been a long day getting it out but my brother with my help were able to get it out using smaays guide.









This post has been edited by 1994Celica: Jan 30, 2016 - 10:04 PM

[Box]

Wooo, now can sell the drivetrain to your average Toyota consumer=profit.

This post has been edited by Box: Feb 3, 2016 - 6:46 PM

[1994Celica]

Soon.....
Yesterday I cleaned my engine bay up some. Need to do another go around and then it should be good. I had to work but my brother kept on and he got my control arms with poly bushings in and my upgraded sway bar and end links. This Saturday will be installing the clutch pedal and other manual things

[njccmd2002]

Dat fender. gosh....

[Box]

Someone forgot their car apron.

[1994Celica]

Dat fender. gosh....

Yeah plastidip shows dirt and grease badly...

This post has been edited by 1994Celica: Feb 9, 2016 - 10:34 PM

[1994Celica]

My car now has three pedals and a shifter! Wiring is next which is worrying me but I think I'll get through it. After that the beams will go in.

[Box]

Huzzah, appropriate amount of pedals!

[enderswift]

wiring is not a big deal. you literally have to run one one short wire between two fuse boxes near the pedals. I might be able to find my marked up wiring diagram

This post has been edited by enderswift: Feb 14, 2016 - 11:10 AM

[1994Celica]

wiring is not a big deal. you literally have to run one one short wire between two fuse boxes near the pedals. I might be able to find my marked up wiring diagram

If you could that would be most helpful!

[1994Celica]

Got some minor stuff done today. New Beams cluster is in, manual rear engine mount is in, clutch lines run. Most of the wiring is sorted out as well so hopefully next Saturday the engine can go in.

[Box]

Woo!!!!!!

[1994Celica]

Beams engine is in. Still need to figure out how to get the car to start since it was an auto and now a manual. Need to make a customer bracket for the fuel filter. Need to also figure out why my clutch won't bleed and get the return spring for it.

[mkernz22]

You better hope the clutch and rear main seal are good..

Did you replace the slave cylinder on the trasnmission?

[1994Celica]

The engine only has 55k miles on it so things should be good. If I have to replace the so be it. My main concern is getting the car running again.

[mkernz22]

The engine only has 55k miles on it so things should be good. If I have to replace the so be it. My main concern is getting the car running again.

It's not mileage, it's also age that is a concern. You can have a low mileage engine, but if it sat for years then the seals can dry out.

You're going to have a hell of a time replacing the remain and clutch in the future than if you do it now.



Also, I'll ask my question again, did you replace the slave cylinder on the transmission?

[1994Celica]

If it's hell, then I'll have no one to blame but myself. Right now as I said the thing starting is my main worry. I've ordered a new clutch slave cylinder and replacing it this weekend

[Twaggs]

Question for ya?

How does the plasti dip hold up?

I cant find a for sure answer on this subject lol


Thanks
~Twaggs

[1994Celica]

Question for ya?

How does the plasti dip hold up?

I cant find a for sure answer on this subject lol


Thanks
~Twaggs

Eh it's okay. It's better than my car being two different colors but it's a PITA to keep clean. Mines held up okay. Prep is everything with plastidip.

[1994Celica]

Engine is fully in and runs!!! Need to fix a couple of things like a small fuel leak and make a custom fuel filter bracket, and some small wiring finishes but the engine starts! Hopefully I can take a test drive soon

[Batman722]

Nice. Why a custom fuel filter bracket ?
I assume you're using the stock beams fuel line and a stock fuel filter, right ?
Get an ST filter bracket, it's different than the GT one and sits further out from the frame rail and makes everything fir fine.

[1994Celica]

Hmm didn't know that the st bracket worked. Thought there was an issue with it. Guess I'll order one then.

[Box]

VICTORY BURNOUTS!!!

[1994Celica]

VICTORY BURNOUTS!!!

Not yet. Got to finish everything up and get it aligned.

[richee3]

The ST fuel filter bracket doesn't fit a GT filter. I ended up using longer bolts and some washers as spacers to mount mine.

[1994Celica]

Anyway to modify the st bracket to fit the GT filter?

[1994Celica]

So Sunday my brother and dad got some stuff done while I was at work. car is %90 back together and fuel filter bracket issue is solved. Car also moves forward and backward so now it's officially manual! This Saturday we'll finish the detail work, get my exhaust on, and take it for a spin to see how she feels.

[Box]

Yay moving! I imagine it'll feel like an entirely different car having the BEAMS and a 5-speed over the 5S and slushbox.

[cheela]

congrats! love that everyone is starting their swaps or finishing them up. makes me feel like i need to swap soon too. hahaha.

[1994Celica]

Yay moving! I imagine it'll feel like an entirely different car having the BEAMS and a 5-speed over the 5S and slushbox.

Yep plus my 5s was pretty high mileage so I doubt it was at its full power. Not only is a beams and 5 speed now but both sway bars are upgraded, it's on new struts and lowering spring and I have ss brake lines and poly bushings. It's an entirely new car.

[Box]

I was thinking you did the suspension as well too, should be better than it ever was then.

[1994Celica]

Beams runs well, car is quick. Loving the 5 speed with Trd shifter. Only a couple of issues. It's surging a bit on idle and idling a lil high. Second issue is the radiator fans don't seem to be coming on. Hopefully I can solve those issues.

[richee3]

Check and clean the ISCV for the idle. They are notorious for getting gunked up on the BEAMS. The screws will be a nightmare to remove, so be careful. They're brass or stainless, I can't remember right now, but they're extremely soft and strip easily. Is the engine overheating? My fans seem to never kick on unless it's 100 degrees and the car has been idling for a while. The needle never gets above halfway, but I guess it never gets warm enough to need the fans.

[1994Celica]

No it never showed signs of over heating. Temp gauge stayed below the middle a bit and it never seemed to over heat. I even turned the AC on and the fans still didn't come on. I'll check the ISCV