Operation: DARKSPYRO, AWD Conversion, Completed. Driven. Sold. Options

[Malek]

Mission: Do it right the first time

Phase 1:
-Gen 3 3sgte swap

Phase 2:
-Complete AWD conversion
-Clean


28 JAN 13
Purchased 1999 Toyota Celica from a private seller in Boulder, CO.
Apparent timing issue and suspected head gasket issue.
Drove it 30 minutes back to Golden, CO with coolant spewing. And when I got back, I beat on it some more.
Back at the shop, wasted no time tearing into it

Had to stop once to let it cool down a little


Ripping into it that night



29 JAN 13
Engine and transmission pulled

Signature Tweak pose


31 JAN 13
Ordered ST205 front clip
-coming with bumper, fenders, hood, lights and a set of projectors
-rear subframe
-rear diff, axles, brakes, drive shaft
-Ton of extra stuff I don't need






1-9 FEB 13
Ordered:
-Berk gen 3 downpipe ceramic coated with wideband bung
-Clutchmasters FX300 assembly for swap
-Triple gauge A pillar (for boost, oil press, wideband)
-Hose for remote oil pressure sender location
-Walbro gss342 + 400-765 kit
Cut a hole in the fire wall for wiring harness

9-15 FEB 13
-Have been collecting parts for the swap
-Installed new Walbro fuel pump

17 FEB 13
-Final decision has been made
FULL AWD Conversion
-I plan on using the GT suspension and GT4 brakes
-Have not decided yet to cut floor pan and weld or make custom brackets


ETA for clip 11 MARCH 13
Until then, I will be researching boost controllers and wheels.

11-18 March 13
PHASE 1: COMPLETE
see page 2
-3rd Gen 3SGTE
-FWD
-OZ Crono

30 April 13
PHASE 2: BEGINS
see page 3 and 4
-Fuel Cell
-AWD
-GT4 Brakes

This post has been edited by Malek: Jan 28, 2018 - 3:53 PM

[mkernz22]

Why are the rear wheels so off-centered? They look like they're set too far forward..

[Malek]

Why are the rear wheels so off-centered? They look like they're set too far forward..

It's because they are. The ST205 forward arms are about a half an inch shorter than the GT.

[mkernz22]

Why are the rear wheels so off-centered? They look like they're set too far forward..

It's because they are. The ST205 forward arms are about a half an inch shorter than the GT.

ohh, learned something new today haha

[Malek]

After much debate, I've decided it has come time to sell..

I'll be writing a proper FS ad here soon but wanted to throw it out there.

[4-eyed-freek]

BUT..BUT..BUT..

[njccmd2002]

Lol. It is always the same

[Malek]

Unfortunately, yes..it is haha

As a military member, I don't exactly have a choice of duty stations. Where I'm going next, it just doesn't make sense to keep it. I won't be able to drive it and I don't want to store it for the next, potentially, 4 years.

Gotta do whatya gotta do. Loved building it though haha

And as always..I am sure to be back

[njccmd2002]

bump

[Malek]

I guess I never did close the loop here lol

A high HP MR2 guy ended up buying it. If anyone is around Canon City, CO they might have seen it rolling around. I haven't heard from him the day he drove it away though.

I still have the GT-Four though!

[richee3]

Now I need to make a day trip down to Cañon City.

[slavie]

Thanks for the update. Reading through the thread revived my aspirations for an AWD conversion, so I'll bombard you with a bunch of questions if you will

On the GT4 vs GT rear wheel placement: did you end up moving just the wheels 1/2" forward due to reuse of GT arms, or was the diff moved forward as well? Could you have proper placement if you used GT4 control arms, or is there a bigger issue at play? I thought that that chassis were the same dimensions only having different floor plan.
On the GT4 rear mounting SolidWorks files or bending CAM profile - are any of these still around the 6GC community, or have they all been lost?

Also, why didn't you use the SS front suspension?

Finally, if you don't mind me asking, how much did your current actual GT4 set you back? Just trying to get an idea. (feel free to PM me about this one if you'd prefer).

Thanks!

[Malek]

Now I need to make a day trip down to Cañon City.

I'm trying to get back to Denver or the Springs for my next assignment. I miss Colorado a lot.

Thanks for the update. Reading through the thread revived my aspirations for an AWD conversion, so I'll bombard you with a bunch of questions if you will

On the GT4 vs GT rear wheel placement: did you end up moving just the wheels 1/2" forward due to reuse of GT arms, or was the diff moved forward as well? Could you have proper placement if you used GT4 control arms, or is there a bigger issue at play? I thought that that chassis were the same dimensions only having different floor plan.
On the GT4 rear mounting SolidWorks files or bending CAM profile - are any of these still around the 6GC community, or have they all been lost?

Also, why didn't you use the SS front suspension?

Finally, if you don't mind me asking, how much did your current actual GT4 set you back? Just trying to get an idea. (feel free to PM me about this one if you'd prefer).

Thanks!

Hey brother, glad it sparked some mechanical drive for ya!

As for the rear wheel placement, I used the GT4 arms. The GT4 arms are the ones that are 1/2" shorter so it pulls the wheels (and entire subframe/diff assembly) more forward. The front 2/3rds or so are the same but the rear is fairly different. Frame rails, floor pan, wheel well location on the body (i think...it's been a few years lol). This thread goes into some details on page 3 and 4. Just Another GT-4 Build Had to do with better subframe mounting locations and driveshaft lengths.

I know for sure I no longer have my SolidWorks files They honestly probably wouldn't have helped anyways. The measurements were rough and i never measured the real mounts to correct them. Hanksville might still have the CAM profile..? Like I said, it's been a few years...which makes me sad because it means I'm getting older and I'd really like to stop doing that.....anyways!

No SS front suspension because adds too much complexity. I'm crazy...but not a psychopath lol In fact, my biggest gripe with my ST205 is that suspension. I've gone back and forth ripping it all out to put McP style coilovers and reminding myself I need to keep it OG. But seriously, I don't like that suspension.

Cost of my real one...well, it cost the sale price of this converted Celica plus the price of a non-running 01 Ducati 748 Honestly, being so close to 25 years, I think it'd be worth it to hold out on the conversion and spring for a real one. But then again, you won't have the pleasure of driving around in a LHD GT4 lol