6G Celicas Forums

So you have a celica that you didn't care for before. It grew on you and your heart swells with love for it. You decide you want to modify it. What's that? Your state frowns on modification to your vehicle? Who gives a $#!t. Let's do this!

I ask your thoughts. You have a stock 95' GT Hatchback Celica. You have $2300 (I realize this isn't a whole lot, but dude, it's free money) ready to dump into it. What do you do first? So many things I plan on doing in the future, but would like to save up more before getting into swaps, just because I do not have the proper tools or the knowledge of doing so at this time. Unless you know people :-D Even still, I doubt $2300 can get it done. So would anyone like to be the best 6gc friend to a stranger and send your thoughts this way?

Thanks,
Faust

well sence not swap, kit and paint, or projectors and tails but that takes half your money lol. well i say kit paint and should be able to squeeze sum rims in their

dude that's some money to dump on your car.

with the high gas prices, i highly would put away the SWAP and turn to your exterior.

jdm tails
jdm headlights
extentions (F & R)
sideskirts

add paint to match then you're good OR:

gt-four front end conversion! yah eh

Depends if you want performance or looks. If looks, ^^^ what illneversellmycelli said. If performance, start with a CAI I guess and then after that exhaust but these parts aren't going to cost even close to $2300 (at least mine didn't and I started where you are right now). It's up to you though Also what yaj said would be a good idea too haha

edit: got my post in a little late..

This post has been edited by Stogbob: Jan 30, 2008 - 4:45 PM

Well, out of curiosity, how much would I be looking at for the engine swap? I know the AWD conversion could be very expensive, but could this be done on the same 3rd gen engine that I would use for my car as a FF the way it is?

Okay never mind on the cost. I have an idea, still the same question regarding the drivetrain. I am going to wait til 2009 so I can smog it one last time before I pay to pass smogs and heavy mods. Maybe cosmetics with some light mods like CAI and exhaust.

This post has been edited by Random_Stranger: Jan 30, 2008 - 5:17 PM

Some say that you can squeeze by with the 2nd gen swap considering that you've done more swap than you sleep, but if you're a noob like me.....then it'll cost you some amount to do it the right way the first time.

FYI suggestions I got was to buy a ST202/ST205 front clip....get all the things you need and sell the rest to make up for what you lost.

if you're gonna swap, don't go cheap. get it done right and save yourself a lot of money and headaches in the long run. so i say save your 2300 till you have enough knowledge and/or money to swap the right way. for now just focus on things you're gonna keep on the car even after you swap. intake, header, exhaust is a waste since you'll be changing those eventually. if it where me, i'd do suspension and wheels and save up the rest. some good springs, shocks, strut/sway bars, rims, and tires will make a big difference in performance. and you can still use them after you swap.

This post has been edited by j0e_p3t: Jan 30, 2008 - 6:56 PM

^^ he speaks the truth. you'll save yourself a ton of trouble & time. take your time and change belts, valve cover gaskets, clutch, and such. it'll be a bitch later on. and yes, don't go cheap! but i still say fix your exterior.

This post has been edited by yaj19: Jan 30, 2008 - 7:00 PM

get a banging sound system

Find every single mechanical thing that's wrong with your car and fix it with the best stuff you can buy. Need shocks? Get it lowered. Cracked exhaust manifold? Exhaust upgrade. Stuff like that... that's what I'd do w/the money. And spend a little on some exterior/appearance stuff. But first I'd want to get my car in tip-top shape.

i agree 100%

if there isn't any thing wrong with the car then i would do sound system, rims, exhaust and intake. before i bought any body kits or anything do a lot of research on what you want the car to look like. don't just buy stuff cuz it sounded good at the time.
when i first started to like the 6gc i wanted to get a vader kit. needless to say my tastes have changed IMMENSELY!!! now i can't even stand the invader (no offense to anyone).
also what do you want to work on first? handling? get some aftermarket sway bars, coilovers/new struts w/ lowering springs, front and rear strut bars.
speed? peice together a turbo kit. my understanding about cali swap laws you can only swap a motor newer than the car it's swapped in and it has to be smog certified (or whatever california law calls it) since you have a 95 the only motor you can swap would be a 95 mr2 3sgte.

Honestly, you guys have given some really great advice. Question is, if someone hasn't done a swap before, and you speak on experience, how should I gain engine swap experience then? Just wondering. Or is the 3-s engines too delicate? Anyways, does anyone know about the whole drivetrain issue regarding this AWD conversion? The same engine you are all speaking of or not? I hate having a front wheel drive car. Hell, I would even settle for a RWD celica. As far as laws go, I am not concered with California no longer. If I am going to modify then I am going to go all out and just pay for the pass. California sucks anyways when it comes to modifying cars.


Okay, so generally, how much should this swap cost me? Because I can save up for it, but I want to plan ahead so I can take care of things now. Also, do I do exhaust after I do turbo or can I get a turbo exhaust prior to installing the turbo? Because I seen a turbo kit for under a grand.... if it is still available. I have no idea what they run for, but I did see a supercharger kit for the celica that is a little over $6k. Details guys, details.


Again, thank you all who are posting. I really, really appreciate it and impressed.


---Faust

For a swap, be at least ready to spend 5000$, getting the engine is one thing, then you need all the other parts that comes with it..exhaust, driveshaft, fuel pump, a FWD transmission, a clutch and related item, the airbox and sensors are often not included on an engine. Then you realized you just bought a engine with no history and unknown mileage, it should be really wise to change the timing belt, and all the seals in the cams area, water pump..etc...and then you can call it a day..!

And if you want to consider AWD and you're asking if you can afford it, seriously, try to live with FWD or get something else. This is no picnic and you're looking at months without cars and alot of troubleshooting...not to mention the risk of doing something wrong and hardly reversible

This post has been edited by Rayme: Feb 2, 2008 - 12:31 PM

Very good point. I would like at least a rear wheel drive celica. But even if not, I guess I will have to live with FWD. You are right, is it worth the headache?

rwd is even more trouble than a awd conversion. but yeah... i know dr tweak has been wanting to tackle the 3s awd swap for a while. i think i remember him posting a thread saying he'll do it for like 10 grand? or something like that. i dunno if that's still his going rate though. if i were to get it done, i'd let him do it. i wouldn't mind paying extra to ship my car to him cuz i know it'll be in good hands.

Yeah, I remember that thread as well. It was like $8 - $10k. A kid here was curious and asked someone he knew and they said like $24k. I was like no thanks. Yeah I would ship my car out to him if he could do it for that amount. But since I am horrible at saving money, it might take awhile. Unless I take a few trips to Vegas. I have good luck there, but rarely go. Maybe if I fix my car up a bit it might be an excuse to drive it around.

GO ALL SUSPENSION

get full coilovers and sway bars.....and really good bushings.......rear strut bar and prolly and upgraded front........

guessing this should cost a little more than half.

2300$ eh... let's see... that would not be enough for an swap or an AWD convertion... Is your car running good? If not, follow griffgirl's advise and fix it first. Then invest your money on CAI or SRI, exhaust and headers(if it will pass smog)... approximately 300$. Then on handling just like 808celica said. Get some Teins and KYB's.. approximately 500$. Then get some exterior stuffs like skirts and extensions... approximately 600$. Where we at now? 300+500+600 = 1400$, you are left with 900$... paint? How good do you want the paint job to look? I spent 400$ on mine but its not too fancy... it just happens that I know they guy who owns one of the Maaco shop here in Toronto and he gave me discounts. At least I now have 1 shade of Yellow and my kit has been painted and installed. OR you can invest in some wheels and tires for the remaining 900$ that you have left.
Anyway, whatever you want coz that's you money. Good luck with the mods that you're planning to do.. hope it turns out real good.

heres my ideas, a pick n' mix

Engine
HG
CAI/SMI/CAB
headers/ exhaust system
spark plugs + leads
HC rings
cams
light flywheel
HD clutch
short shifter kit
oil change
belts change
water pump

Interior
BIG STEREO SYSTEM
lights

SSIII cluster gauges

Exterior
kit (spitters side skirts etc...)
tints
projector lights
paint

handling
wheels
springs/ FA suspension
strut braces

things that add 100+HP and more
more stickers!!
cleaning stuff (to make the engine look more powerful)
the usual TRD stuff (caps..and MORE STICKERS)

Sounds very good. So skirts and stuff for $600? Would it be wise to just put those on myself? I think so. I did "SEARCH" (Because I guess I don't use that feature enough) and see there are how to's.