Jesse's 95 ST Project, ST with some JDM and other parts Options

[jesse09]

Little background info..

I bought the car sometime around turning 18 and it was all stock with 185,XXX miles. As strange as it may sound, it was the only car I had been wanting for well over a year. Celica's aren't very common in my area so had to be patient while waiting for one to turn up.

(I had originally ran into a 99' fully loaded celica GT with 55,XXX original miles for $5,000!! .. I wanted it so bad but could not afford it)
So I settled for a 95 ST automatic for half the price. Yes, I know a lot of people don't like autos, but it was my only realistic choice at the time.

Since then, it has been my pride and joy.. literally almost everytime I look at it.

I've been inspired by many cars on this sight and while my car may not be to everyone's taste it is to me.

Here's how it looked when I bought it..



First 2-3 years with the car
After about a year of just enjoying the classic looks I ran into 2 small trees that really damaged the fenders and damaged my bumper beyond repair
So I decided to start chasing my dream of the gt4 look. I bought the gt4 bumper for $450 and had a local body shop "fix" the fenders, fit the new bumper and do a full car (but lower quality) paint job for $600.

During this time I also added
Entry Level Sound system (Dual subs, SPL amp, power acoustic speakers, Pioneer Deck)
Car Alarm
Window Tint
Neon Dials

From this


To This


Installing Indiglo Face Dials with a buddy


Years 3-4
By this time I had become attached to my celica and was sure that I would never want to sell it, so figured might as well just keep adding and modding
These years I added..
17" Katana Wheels
Mud Flaps
GT4 hood
Sun Visor
7th gen steering wheel
Upgraded sound system to (kenwood speakers, Kenwood amp and sub)





Most Recently

Now my car means as much to me as a machine could to a person.. well maybe with the exception of young john conner and the terminator in part 2.
I get complements about my car all the time and turns a lot of heads when I'm driving. Everytime we go somewhere my friends always wanna go in my car and for also take some pride in it cause they have helped me out a lot with repairs. Not gonna lie I feel like I'm driving my dream car. I know its probably the slowest 6gc ever but it is awfully dependable. I may not even bother racing when a new mustang or corvette try to test my car at a light, but i think it's funny that $60,000 cars feel the need to impress my $2500 car. I have been saving up and sometime this year I really want to venture into the v6 swap or even give it a go at the rare 4agze but only time will tell on that..

Things I've done
Upgraded system (infinity kappa speakers, alpine amps, audiobahn to image dynamics sub)
Enkei Rims
Falken Tires
Eibach Springs
KYB shocks struts and mounts
Limited Edition Floor mats
JDM Tails









I have been upgrading parts as my budget allows.. I know some people say if your not gonna do it right don't do it at all but i've been learning mostly through trial and error. I'm a 23 yr old mex-american, still trying to finish up on my bachelors degree and so I can only work part time. I usually only buy the goodies when I get a really good deal.

Deals I've gotten include...

Set of JDM Tails- $80 picked up from local member
GT4 Hood- $145 shipped
Brand new Enkei rims, Falken tires- $575
Limited Edition floor mats- $50
TRD front and rear splitters- $95 shipped
Oem side skirts- $80 picked up

Body Kit is awaiting paint at the moment


Well that's about it for now, super tired from all this typing and uploading
Tomorrow or the next few days I will be posting of some stuff I have lined up to do and seek some advice about some stuff.

Thanks for reading and hope to hear from some of you guys
-Jesse

[jesse09]

yeah I guess I was just blindly hoping they would

[jesse09]

Euro Lip finally arrived. Did a quick spray in black and fitted, it looks nice but not perfect. The whole car needs a repaint.

Overall I absolutely love the look. I've been wanting this piece for a long time. It's getting really close to being where I want it. At least cosmetically









You can't really see but the lip is about 4 inches lower from the tip of the bumper and about 3.5 inches from the ground.

Took it for a spin and haven't scraped on anything so it's better designed against bumps then it looks





Also bought a new set of Cooper RS3-A tires and a set of 25 and 30mm spacers.

I had to get my fenders rolled and there is still the slightest bit of rubbing when I go over hard bumps, so I've been super careful.

I love the tires by the way. They look great, ride great, and you can get them for a great price from discount tire direct on ebay.











I'm starting to debate getting a new car as a daily driver, so I don't have to put more stress on my car and help preserve the celica for as long as possible.

I say this but i'd probably still drive the celica anyway. I love my celica.

[The_enD]

Oh, man, the lip looks great. It sits very nicely on a GT-FOUR.

[njccmd2002]

Im digging the look of that lip

[Red123]

that lip looks very nice

[jesse09]

thanks! i gotta get someone with a DSLR to take better pics. Iphone camera isn't cutting it anymore

[jesse09]

Projectors!



Got them for $400 shipped. Driver side headlight has broken tabs, but they were included so I think I can fix them with glue.

Does anyone know if a USDM housing will fit the JDM housing?

I think I'm gonna go with 6000k HID's, after I modify them for US roads, hopefully thats not too difficult.

[mkernz22]

Projectors!



Got them for $400 shipped. Driver side headlight has broken tabs, but they were included so I think I can fix them with glue.

Does anyone know if a USDM housing will fit the JDM housing?

I think I'm gonna go with 6000k HID's, after I modify them for US roads, hopefully thats not too difficult.

I believe the projector housings are different than the USDM ones

[jesse09]

Haven't been updated in awhile. Not really any big mods done

Added the 98-99 Steering wheel and took out the 7th gen. wheel.
The ENDs cluster pods

Only a few small more details to take care of then I can't wait to for an actual engine swap.

[jesse09]

Picked up some 5zigen FN01RC for cheap the other day but it was more of an impulse by. After thinking about it i'm not really sure how I would like them on the celica. I painted 2 of them in a smoke/bronze metallic color, haven't had time to do the other 2. May sell them, don't know yet..

[The_enD]

I like them.

[Malek]

I'm liking those 5zigens. Damn clean car either way though!

What did you use to paint your risers and splitters? I'll be jumping that hurdle soon.

[jesse09]

I'm liking those 5zigens. Damn clean car either way though!

What did you use to paint your risers and splitters? I'll be jumping that hurdle soon.

Thanks!

I just used a can of black 202 from a local automotive paint shop. Cost me $8 and it did a really good job. It blends in smooth.

[jesse09]

I've had a sudden resurgence to continue rebuilding and improving my Celica.

I have a lot of plans but for now my main goal is to go back and tidy up all the corners that i've cut when dealing with my car over the years.
I've always respected the neat wiring work of njccmd and I'd like to at least convey that theme where possible.

-----------------

Finally got a chance to pick up the splash shields and fender liners i've been missing for years

Cleaned them up, I may spray them with some rubberized under coating before installing but idk yet.




Also finally found a set of decent fenders, they not in the pristine condition i've been holding out for but they're still not bad.
Im debating if I want to attempt to cover the USDM side indicator holes and cut a slot for the JDM style indicators



Also ordered a bunch of stuff. HID's, harnesses, plugs, wiring loom, relays and a fog light kit from amazon. and LEDs from superbrightleds



---------------
Suspension is my next goal. I'll hope to have everything ready by the time my illusive quest for more HP begins.

Bought a Suspension Technique rear sway bar for... $37 shipped. Brand new from amazon.
I was going to wait till it arrived before I spread the word, but when I went back the price went back up



I'm plan to upgrade to rear disc brakes (EBC pads and Centric drilled rotors), polyurethane end links, front ST sway bar, polyurethane front and rear bushing kit, And maybe GT4 rear strut and 3 point front strut.

I'll be updating this thread more often if all goes well.

[jesse09]

Added the fairing to complete the roof rack.



Got a few other things that I'm starting to gather parts for, mainly braking upgrade

[Naxx]

where did you buy Your floor mats ? btw good looking Celica

[jesse09]

where did you buy Your floor mats ? btw good looking Celica

Thanks. I got them on eBay a few years ago, however I haven't seen another set since.

[jesse09]

I almost have all the parts needed to complete my braking overhaul. So far I have

For the rear:
GT backing plate, calipers, centric seals and piston, brackets, new centric rotors, EBC 2000green stuff pads, Stoptech SS brake lines, centric parking brake hardware kit.

For the front
Avalon Dual piston calipers, centric seals and piston, GT caliper bracket, Stoptech SS brake lines, EBC 2000 green stuff pads. I think all I have left to buy is the Stoptech Slotted Rotors and a full front and rear brake upgrade will be installed.












Also..

Got a STEAL on a set of original GT4 3-Spoke alloys with Yokohama A520 Tires with decent tread life. I just need to source some center caps.







Waiting to install GT4 rear strut bar covers and sleeve as well. I have front euro splitters awaiting install after my JDM style fenders get finished this week or the next

[jordisonjr]

How the HECK did you get an ST sway bar for 37 dollars?!
Also, waaaay back in the journal, how did you manage to get the gtfour bumper fit with the stock hood without a gap?

[jesse09]

How the HECK did you get an ST sway bar for 37 dollars?!
Also, waaaay back in the journal, how did you manage to get the gtfour bumper fit with the stock hood without a gap?

I have no clue why it was so cheap. I bought it at $37 on amazon and checked on it the next morning to give 6gc a heads up and it had jumped back up to normal price.

About the bumper. I didn't do the work, a local body shop installed it. But i believe he had to mold/flex the bumper about an inch for it to work. Sorry not much help lol