94-9? 5sfe header Options

[performancewelde...]

I recently bought a stock 94 celica, and I have found that there arent many companies that offer sweet headers for the GT. Well, being that I am a welder/fabricator, I think I will design and prototype one myself. I was wondering if there would be anyone else intersted in a header for this model, because I can build a jig for small scale manufacturing of these things if there is a market for them. I will also be designing a strut tie system, and ladder bar setup for this car, so let me know if anyone is interested in these items as well. I want to gauge if its worth my trouble building jigs for all this stuff. I originally planned on just doing my own custom one off designs, but if there is enough feedback, I will consider manufacturing and selling these items on a small scale.

[BBW 99GT]

How many people need to be interested for you to make a jig? What kind of price range would we be looking at if we had 5 people interested? How bout 10, 15, 20 etc?

[celi_gt_racer]

i might b up for a header - if it's quality and built 2 last.... and by ladder bar do you mean a type of FWD traction kit? cuz that would b pretty sweet to see as well

[Batman722]

http://www.1supertoyota.com/products/rd10.htm

I have that one, I dig it.

[performancewelde...]

Well I would say between 250 to 275 bucks for a bare metal mild steel header, but that depends on much trouble they are to make, and the materials used. Stainless would be more of course. the strut tie and ladder bar systems would eventually come, but I plan on doing the header first. Also, I dont know if anyone is interested in a turbo manifold. I read that most people use the stock 3SGTE mani for thier 5SFTE setups, but im sure I can make log style manis for 200 bucks. and unequal length shorty header types for a little more. These prices arent set in stone, so dont be misled.

[Negative]

These products - though hard to find sometimes - are out there for us. Those of us who want them can find them. I have a 5S MR2 header that I modified to fit the Celica. I and a few others make our own strut tower braces and there are plenty of cheap ebay ones too that don't do much.
Not trying to disuade you - just letting you know you are not the first one to try this.
What would the ladder setup do?

[performancewelde...]

Yes, ladder bars are frame stiffening components. They are like the strut bars, but attatch to points under the car, further stiffening the body. I realize that there are companies on ebay that offer garbage quality parts for cheap. My partner and I recently designed, prototyped and jigged a front strut tower brace for 240sx's with top mount turbo chargers, or oversized plenums, where a standard tie bar runs into clearance issues. I know for a fact that there are cheaper ones out there, but there is a small market of people who appreciate the quality of this custom piece, and we are will be turning out 10 peices in april. I am not running an ebay store, or anything like that. I am a car enthusiast who cant stand to waste my money on mass produced garbage.

[Negative]

I fully agree. That's why I made my own. Just letting you know.
On the topic: I hand make my strut tower braces specific to the car. I have done many for MR2's and no two will fit each other. It's all about the holes fitting the bolts perfectly. 1/16" on each side of oversized hole will cause 1/8" of flex before the brace does it's job. For this reason I have turned down offers on this site to make them for other Celicas. Makes mass production, even small runs like you suggest, difficult unless the buyer has a way to fit it to his car. What may fit your car may not fit mine without slop - you get the idea.

And to answer your question from the title above: '94-'99

[performancewelde...]

I wouldnt suggest anyone who has a car that has been wrecked or stolen and recovered to put a non adjustable strut bar on thier car, if they arent willing, or just dont have the means to do a little finessing of the part. Jacking up the car in one spot to flex the body to fit the part can help some of the time. Its the world of DIY, and the custom stuff is what really makes a difference. I will be making my parts here in the next few months, and I will post pics. People can decide then if they are interested or not.

[performancewelde...]

How about some feedback on the ladder bar system. Is anyone interested? I realize most people like bolt on mods, but for something like these to be completely effective, you would have to weld a couple of brackets to your undercarriage. If these sound like something the 6g owners would like, I will build a jig.

[jdmart]

[quote name='performancewelder' date='Mar 20, 2007 - 9:09 PM' post='538087']
How about some feedback on the ladder bar system. Is anyone interested? I realize most people like bolt on mods, but for something like these to be completely effective, you would have to weld a couple of brackets to your undercarriage. If these sound like something the 6g owners would like, I will build a jig.
[/quotim \

im interested on some headers

[uberschall]

there are a *couple* manifold options already, and while none of them are particularly awesome, they aren't all that expensive, and serve the purpose. not many people build the 5s up that much, the money is better spent elsewhere (suspension, appearance, ice).

i'm not sure how extensive your under-body bracing plans are, but i have been toying with the idea myself.

i encourage you to follow through with any designs you have (particularly chassis parts!) but i will note that there aren't enough people who spend the extra $$ for quality stuff to make a mint in the process.

[GTSOwner]

How about some feedback on the ladder bar system. Is anyone interested? I realize most people like bolt on mods, but for something like these to be completely effective, you would have to weld a couple of brackets to your undercarriage. If these sound like something the 6g owners would like, I will build a jig.

you mean something like this?

http://www.bulletproofautomotive.com/items/cuscost185lab.jpg

[performancewelde...]

Yes, something similar. I would probably make it with weld on brackets, and could probably sell it for half the price. I made similar supports in the past for my AWD talon, and found that welding the brackets on rather than finding places to bolt them, allows for a more versatile placement. Not many guys out there have the means or the marbles to weld onto thier chassis, but I will design something here shortly and post pics. I like the stock look with race feel and performance. I might see if I can do a ladder bar with brackets points to bolt on an anti sway bar of my own design.