6G Celicas Forums

is there a 3000k bulb for the fogs? would be more practical than tinting the fogs.

There is; but I do also like the yellow tint in general. I might do all of them; but we'll see. Going to try half the lights and see if I like it.

Lighting update! I finally got around to re-lighting the gauge cluster. At first the idea was to do LED strips for the main display so it's brighter.
However upon swapping out the three 194's w/ the LED variants I have I might conclude that it's bright enough. I may still try out the LED strip on my spare cluster to see how it looks.

Note there are ~ 12 type-74 bulbs (9 standard, +1 for CRUISE, +1 for ABS, +1 for O/D aka overdrive for AT cars). And so I noticed that my gauge cluster is from an A/T.
Don't recall if this is the original cluster or not though, I do have a spare one that doesn't have the cut outs for CRUISE, ABS, and O/D.

Also noticed that I don't have the bulb for the CHECK ENGINE light. That scared me for a bit but going back to the original thread I think I know why they removed it.
IIRC this is b/c the car currently has CEL codes due to the swap. I may add it in just in case; but we'll see as I hate seeing the check-engine light on all the time.
Plus that light won't tell me much anyways if it's on all the time. Better just to check w/ the hidden OBDII stuff.

Since I had the DCW cluster as well I went ahead with re-sanding and fixing the crack on the cluster.
But I still need to primer and paint the cluster (high gloss black). For now enjoy some of the "rough draft" photos of test fitment.




Last thing is to remove the hue color so the outline is white instead of tan/green. Also I remember someone having red needles... Hmmm that would be nice to have he he he...

This post has been edited by TimeslideZ: Jun 3, 2020 - 12:15 PM

i may have the red oem needles if you want me to look. lucky you. the beams gauge clusters doesnt illuminate very bright because its orange backdrop color.

Dude if you do I wouldn't mind man. Lmk the cost and I'll pay you lol

i have the rpm n speedo cluster needles. don't know wtf happened to the water n gas needles. im actually needing to buy a st202 beams gauge cluster. cause i only need the rpm assembly from it. but don't want to pay a ridiculous amount for it.

i'll see if i misplaced the needles somewhere

Lol it's all good if you cannot find it. Given the amount of time and w/ a spare cluster I may end up trying to paint them myself. Plus ended up getting some aftermarket cluster faces so need to wait on that anyhow.

Got the glow gauge faces since I liked the daytime look. Not so fond of the nighttime as I originally wanted white lightning; but I wasn't going to pay like $430 for that when these were only $30.
I left the three 194 bulbs in the back white cause I couldn't find a greenish/blue color like the gauges and the RGB led's were too long. Last but not least the needles were painted fluorescent orange ON TOP of the original white paint.





I didn't remove the original; but instead double sided tape the new one's over the old one. Didn't want to glue it nor remove the needles cause it would mess up the e153 calibration so left it.
Also routed it wires by cutting a small hole in the back protector film (open space). Here's how it gauges look close up.




It was so hard to take a daytime photo due to the reflection so I did the best I could at the time. Overall there's a few things I will re-do (bezel paint/filler, new clear plastic, needle repaint) in the future but it's good enough for now.
However my fuel tank light won't go off (after filing) so going to drive the car until empty and try again. Also my airbag light is on for some reason so I need to check out why (it was on/off long before; but now it slightly glows even when the car is off).




Last but not least, QUAIFE BABY. I was lucky to find someone selling a blue gear ring in good condition (at a hefty price) so I went ahead and ordered the LSD. This probably won't go on for a while though as the shop I want to take it to is busy.
It'll be the best time to also cut my passenger spacer down so I can run negative camber (it was binding before), swap to MT-90 transmission fluid, and setup for the 986 caliper work (and maybe the GT4 rear) before getting another alignment.


Other things in the work: getting the 2.5" LCE pipe and going to have it cut down to 12.5" to match the OEM CAT length. Will also have the bung installed there for the AFR plug (yes it's further back but I didn't want to take out the whole custom y-pipe).
Once that gets done then I'll be installing the AFR w/ the Oil Temp + Pressure. Will probably change out the VDO volt gauge to an AEM one to match the rest of the gauges as well (digital + VDO green is off from instrument cluster).

This post has been edited by TimeslideZ: Jun 23, 2020 - 7:22 PM

Finally got the wiring and hardware installed for the DCW pod + gauges.
- LCE testpipe cut down to match 12.5" and bung installed (decent welding by shop, wish it was better). Realized I already had one on the pipe but it was rusted so good thing I made a new one.
- Mishimoto universal sandwich plate. Image looks like it'll leak but I haven't had any issues after running it for a day; but time will tell.
- DCW triple pod. Not sure if it's warped or my dash but it wasn't "perfect" fit, as some parts stick but other locations needed extra layering. But not noticeable from driver/passenger perspective.
- I was originally going to have the wire go through the clock location; but ended up just going on top of the center cover and squeezing it in.
- Ignore the missing buttons, looking for new ones and all most are discontinued so the journey begins to search for new ones. It's going to be a long term search.



Small meet tomorrow, then probably set-up getting my LSD/Axle-work done.
In the meantime wanting to also upgrade my audio w/ a double-din and full speakers/sub upgrade.
Porsche brakes will probably start next year.

Minor update: axles problems again! Had a meet a while back and as I was heading home I suddenly heard a huge clunk before my axle sounded like it was binding.
Thought it was the passenger side (cause I had the most issue w/ that side), turned out it was the driver side. Apparently the bolts came loose.


Bought new washer plates, axles, and 75 mm bolts (standard is like 50). Btw, that is a 15 mm axle spacer. Got that replaced and then literally a week later I was driving when my axle would "lock" up and turn right.
Quite scary when you're on the highway and going 75 mph. Turns out my right axle was bad. Ripped hole and missing 1-2 ball bearings. So getting that replaced and probably going to try w/o the spacer on that side.

Loctite 272 those bolts my man, should help prevent them from backing out in the future.

Yep, just did that. I'm guessing the previous shop who did my axles didn't do that and it eventually loosened over time.

Finally got my axle stuff resolved for now. Had to get a new passenger inner axle stub. Luckily my buddy had one since he obtained a lsd e153 + axles.
Changed out my transmission oil to Mt-90 and finally found the reason why my whole bottom left side was all greased out.

Turns out there was actually a hole in the transmission case (3mm x 2mm) from the axle backing plate scratching upon it when it first broke.
I didn't even see it cause it was so small; but it starts to leak when you get near full filling the transmission oil.
Hopefully the JB Weld Steel Stick stuff lasts (works for now). Just finally glad to get the car back on the road after a month of constant problems.



The shop that's going to do my lsd install is stacked until winter so unfortunately I'll have to wait until end of year/next year to get it installed.
On the other hand since they're taking out the transmission I decided I mind as well "upgrade" the clutch and flywheel.
Clutch is just a Stage 1, reviews seem to show that the combo is a pretty good one.

Hoping the car can last until after Oct 3-4 for a rally that I joined from a local podcast group I listen to. (link)
Probably see if I can get some photos while cruising and stuff.

Anyone know of someone selling the supercharger kit? LOL

This post has been edited by TimeslideZ: Sep 7, 2020 - 6:54 PM

Recently joined a Rally hosted by a local automotive enthusiast podcast (Overcrest Productions). It was amazing! Didn't know the roads we were on existed so close to home in the WI area.
Highly recommend coming next year, as there were some people outside of the states (IL and PA afaik) that joined in as well. Probably 80 cars? Few imports, some non-porsche euros, and the rest were porsche's lol.

I didn't take a photo of my car so I took one from IG.


First day group that I ran with, it was a blast eventually being 3rd and following some old school Porsche through the corners.


Second day group, a stock M3 and 991.2. Unfortunately the second day had higher speed roads so I was last and struggled to keep up with them during acceleration.
The M3 peeled back to MN near the end so I finished at the end point with the 911.2 only. Awesome guy, glad to make a new friend during the rally.


It was unexpected but my co-pilot wanted to shoot some videos so he free-handed recording during the second day.
Got two videos, one with the M3 and 911 going faster than usual and the other w/ just he 911 casually strolling.
Celica, M3, 991.2
Celica, 991.2

NEED MORE POWER!!! At least in those high speed areas to keep up with them other cars that have over 100hp than me.
Nothing else left I think for this year, just waiting for the shop to open up to eventually do my clutch+flywheel+lsd and perhaps some other things.

ah great to hear. that cool putting your car to the test to see its weaknesses. how the engine. being that all the torque n power is down low.

Whoa it's back online! Prayers be answered; miracles be made. Quite a bit has happened since the last update.

TLDR: Car isn't moving, engine is out, transmission also, and it's too cold here to do anything.

Long story: turns out trying to rush many things all at once was not a good idea.
- There was another rally in Utah under the same podcast that I planned to go.
- Also planned to have the following installed in 2 months: Mishimoto radiator, OBX headers, Quaife LSD, SouthBend S1 clutch, Fidanza flywheel.
- Pretty simple right? Until it wasn't lol.


I will preface and say this is the first time I've ever pulled a motor on one of my own cars, so it was cool learning the whole process.





Removal process wasn't terrible; but it was a hassle trying to angle the engine+trans out.
I ended up replacing a lot of the gaskets as well as removing the EGR since it was rusted to the rear piece.
Quick visit to the junkyard to take the block off plate and some 10k ohm resister to trick the system and you're all good.



Problems arose though as I had found out the OBX headers do not fit the car with the current setup that I have.
Currently the gap between the subframe to engine is too low AND the headers sit too low to where it interferes with my steering rack.
During that time I also accidently cut my power-steering lines from the rear mount.



Amongst the prepping I replaced a couple other things: new tie rods (out + inner), higher spec fluids, rubber gaskets, etc etc.
At the end when I got my transmission back it was 2 days before driving to Utah. I had reverted pretty much everything except the EGR mod.
Car started up fine; but couldn't get into gear. Couldn't figure out what it was so we eventually cancelled the Rally trip and called it there.
I was so disheartened; but I told myself it was my mistake to go down this path so late into the game. I was only able to do so since my brother got a new house with room.
However I did end up going to CO (as it was planned to be there a couple days before the Rally) and spent the time there with my co-driver.
After coming back I sent the transmission back to the shop and had them look it over. Essentially I'm paying a little over $1000 to rebuild about 70% or so of the transmission.


In the meantime even though I lost motivation I was partly relieved that I didn't go since it might've been terrible to go in such a rush.
Took my time and replaced my VDO volt gauge for an AEM one just to match the others. Also finally got around to installing the 986 front calipers (w/o the A4 rotors).
Having them on for now to test it out and if nothing is wrong I'll have the calipers painted another day.



So yeah, that's where it sits right now. Car is still over at my brothers as I wait for parts to come in so the shop can replace a bunch of transmission parts.
Oh yeah, I also told myself since the motors out right now, it's probably the best time to stuff to the motor. So I got lucky and bought myself the supercharger for the 1MZ.
Full kit including the EBC controller. I want to try to keep the OEM ECU as long as possible. Also ended up getting 2MZ intake/3MZ exhaust cams too.
Gonna get the brown supra injectors to help out and probably some sort of FPR to help out w/ the fuel and a walbro fuel pump.

Oh... and I sold my FRS and eventually bought another Celica: TSZ Beams
Alright which other celica veteran is selling their car? Gotta get one with a 3SGTE and then a 2GR, then lastly a K-series.
Then I'll have the ultimate celica swap collection.

This post has been edited by TimeslideZ: Jan 22, 2022 - 3:38 PM

I've got a piggyback ECU for sale if you need to help out.

Did you check your flywheel step height before send out the transmission for a rebuild? Should have a .020 step on it

an improperly machined flywheel wont let the clutch disengage and thus, wont go into gear. This is a trap I've seen at least 10 ppl on here fall into

learned all this from very painful experience...

I didn't, I was under the impression that the new Fidanza flywheel matched the stock step height (as indicated on Fidanza's FAQ).