My Saga Continued

[Kevorkian]

Well, as most of you know i'm looking into making a MEAN gt-four. Mostly because people keep telling me it's just not possible. Well that just makes me wanna do it more.

At the moment the car is in bits and pieces. I figured the first thing to do before I start trying to poke all the power I can get outta the engine is to have it recon'd so that it doesn't blow up the second I put my foot down.

So far I've replaced the cam belt, alternator belt, also put on a gasket/seal set from toyota so the whole top half of the engine is nice and purty now, head is getting shaved slightly for just that hint of extra compression. The hydraulic tensioner for the cam belt is replaced now also, new water pump and getting my brakes machined so I can get a few more Km's outta them before I HAVE to get new ones.

So, after all this is done, time to start looking around for a nice set of extractors and exhaust, and a bigger turbo Project schedueled for completion roughly 6mths from now (thats the plan at least)

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

if youre doing some "reconditioning" and upgrading, you better put some decent pistons, rods etc in

[MrOizo]

hmmm just sounds like you're doing routine maaintanence. good basis to start tho so credit to you...

so many people built the house without worrying about the foundations and finding that they have to go back to the foundations and start over again... and yes, i'll admit to that

what is is you're planning to do exactly?

[Kevorkian]

I'm not looking at turning it into a drag car or anything, but I am looking to get some nice performance from the engine. I will be taking the advice of lightening the car because it is indeed quite a heavy piece. I don't really need back seats, and hell, one rear seat belt isnt even working so that doesnt really matter.

it's going to be a very naked little celica those plush leather seats will be coming out eventually and i'll put in some super light seats. I also don't need carpet or air con, I'm not sure if I will keep the stereo in yet, might end up just taking the amp/sub out and the cabling for it. Always needs sounds on long trips It's going to be a long process, but hopefully in 6 months it should all be sweet

[sergei]

I'm doing the same to my ST165, but I plan to go little bit more (roll cage etc..), Removed AC (not really heavy, all crap, like condenser, heat exchanger, all piping some wiring, pump, wieghts about 15-20kg), the back seats aren't heavy either... in my opinion on celica it is the body heavy, so not much you can do about it... if you can, use 205 g/box, much better unit...
But I plan to chuck in 205 engine so there is no point to mod the original engine... although I have removed TVIS and grind/polished ports (not recommend if it is working, mine was buggered), replace 90% of the hoses (rock hard), changed all external seals, new cambelt/idler/tensioner, new water pump, new front CVs, rebushed rear suspension ($$$$)...
It is pain in the butt to chuck the engine in from top, with g/box attached, also pain in the butt to attach g/box to engine.
Still have to do heaps, don't know when it will see road...

[Rob]

I would also strip the guts out of the bumpers as they way a tonne.

There is a light weight crossmember which can replace the heavy east west member aswell

[Malcolm]

hmmm...sounds like one of you should buy my turbo!