6G Celicas Forums

I used GL-5 rated Valvoline synthetic when I did mine this summer. My understanding is that the reason noone uses GL-3 anymore is that the modern GL-5's are soft metal safe. Buy some GL-5 and be happy, or if it is going to bug you go to the Toyota parts counter locally and buy whatever they use in the service department.

I've had the superbrightleds.com 5 way white 194 in my gauge cluster for a month now. They are bright but not shocking, and they do dim fine so far.

Did the upper strut mount tonight, old one was almost completely broken, you could twist the two halves about half an inch apart. 50$ at NAPA

Plugs and wires are on their way, going to pick up the cap and rotor from Toyota.

Have 3 quarts of Valvoline Synthetic 75w90 GL5 ready for the transaxle, maybe tomorrow. 20$

Bought a couple jugs of Supertech conventional 10w30 to use for my AutoRX clean and rinse cycles, Purolator filters. Will switch to Mobil 1 HM and Purolator PureOne afterward.

Also picked up a microfiber cloth and some Meguiars interior detail spray, will try to get her all cleaned up inside and out before I drive to Montana this weekend. Will take pics then.

You are probably fine, rotors are incredibly tough. Put the wheels on and drive it, if the brakes make noise or shake, it's time for new rotors.

If you are doing the rear suspension, I have learned that doing the struts and strut mounts is fairly simple, and does not appear to involve any alignment change. I should've done all of that myself and just had the dealer do the control arms. Would've saved me 300$. Long term I dream of painting the car a different color, but I am already way over budget. One thing at a time.

I need to get some good pics, but before that I should really wash it. It's red, with scratches. Also it has the optional faded to pink door handles, those are very nice.

I'll actually be in Tri-Cities tonight 97lestyousay, but running around busily. Cool to see I am not the only Columbia Basin person here

So I decided recently to get a commuter that would be a bit more fun than my old 4WD. I looked at a few cars in the FWD hatchback/wagon category (Integra that was too rusted/nasty, Civic that was too wrecked, Escort that was too sedate), and finally decided to take a look at this Celica I saw on Craigslist.

I fell in love once I saw it, I have always liked Celicas, and my first car was a red two door 1972 Toyota Mark II that I remember fondly.

So, 2400 bones later I drive home a well used and abused '94 GT liftback with 145,380 miles. Following is what has happened since and what it cost.

Gauge lights are dead, 18$ at superbrightleds.com and they look great.

Timing belt has never been changed, so I have a local mechanic do the belt, idler, tensioner, water pump and accessory belts. 520$

Front end shakes like a drunk stripper under braking, did rotors and ceramic pads myself. 118$

Clunking noise in the rear, take to dealer for control arms and swaybar frame bushings, end up getting struts as well. 1235$ Some light noise back there still. I have an upper strut mount on the way, will do myself.

Using a slight amount of oil, replaced the (original) PCV valve, it was completely plugged, and after cleaning it out with solvent the spring had no tension. 5$ (Seems to be idling and running smoother now)

Picked up 25th anniversary seats from AMCmoe, waiting to install until I get the side stitching reinforced. 200$

Still needed: shift boot is trashed, e-brake boot missing, body plug missing in the back, and some trim clips. I seem to be missing a turbocharger as well ; )
Small dent in the drivers front fender, going to try one of those dent doctor guys, a few scratches and chips in the paint to touch up. Might look into a new throttle cable as I adjusted it all the way and still have a little play, and maybe new cables/bushings for the shifter as it is sloppy. Going to switch the tranny to synthetic fluid, may treat it and the engine with AutoRX to see how well that stuff works. Have NGK plugs and wires on the way as well.

First full tank through it returned 28.6 MPG, happy about that.

Anyway, not sure anyone here will find this interesting in the least, but it makes a handy spot for me to keep track of it. I have been scouring the forum here since the night I brought the car home, and I have already learned a great deal, so thank you to all those that posted up great info and pics.

Got the seats, look great. Probably be a bit before I get them in, going to clean, Scotchgard and reinforce the stitching so I only have to do it once. Thanks much for square dealing and fast shipping bro.

I just noticed that my post here had poofed. I am still interested in the seats, let me know if you can still do it for 200 and I'll get some cash in my paypal account. PM me with your email maybe? Thanks.