Where to start? Please help!!!, Keep my ST, buy a GT, or take on project Options

[ROBWOZ1018]

Ok...I have been fighting with myself on what to do with my celica situation...I currently have a invader kit, JDM tails and projectors, a TRD spoiler, a C-one GB hood on the way and numerous other things around my house that I was gonna put on the 94 st I own...I plan to do everything possible to my project including a full 3sgte swap(3rd gen), rear disc swap, suspension, the whole deal...Now the situation I am in right now is that I'm having second thoughts of using my 200k+ mile st as the base car for this whole project...First due to the wear of the frame and the current (fair) condition of the car...Second that Ill need to do alot more than if I had an GT...So I was thinking of buying a nice CHEAP GT to start with instead of mine...But is it really worth it instead of starting with mine...Finally Ive been in contact with abatardi about purchasing his 3rd gen 3sgte project car to finish and do all of the body components to...But it still needs some tuning and believe me I dont work for TRD...But it would save me the trouble of tracking down a majority of the parts Id need...GUYS I'm just at war with myself here and dont know which way will be the best to go all while staying within my budget and being realistic ...So if anyone has any insight on what they would do in my situation it would be appreciated because I would like to make my decision within the month and get this thing started by april...Thanks and I look forward to a good response...Rob

[doGGy]

Getting abatardi's celica - would be the best way to go... you would have the base model, with everything you need. And all that is left on this car is just to tune up the engine. Find good DYNO shop, and let the guys do the job.

[95gtschick]

you have no idea how many people i bet WISH they were you to have that all available for you...

[ROBWOZ1018]

Went to look at the GT today and it is in MINT condition...If I was gonna build a show car this is def the best condition celica i've probably ever seen...They want 3200 for it...abatardi wants 5000...What to do now?

[Consynx]

if you can get abatardis...get it man
it saves you the hassle of a swap, and you can get straight o learning it inside out, and not the wiring...
i know that doesn't make that much sense.

Anyways, if Abatardi was telling the truth, that thing only got the best, jump on it.

[ROBWOZ1018]

Abatardis car is sold...Im sad...Dont know what to do...Maybe I should just keep my ST and totally overhaul it... ...So I basically just need the rear disk setup and new mounts for the 3s...plus axles and tranny...I dunno I wish I was a mechanic...Its so hard taking your car from what it is to what it will be...It took me half a year just to source parts for the exterior...I dont want to get involved in a swap that will take me like 2 years...Maybe Ill just buy a clip

[DamDirtyApes]

200000 miles is alot man. thats wear and tear on the body and the frame. i think ur best bet would be to get a gt with some low mileage and a blown engine, minor crash dmg, and a ****ty interior. that way u can get this car for really cheap. you will be replacing all or almost all those parts any ways. that way you could redo evertything on the car the way you want.

[Hanyo]

how does a frame wear?

[SinisterWhisper]

over time stress is put on it and that weakens it but other then that I dunno either. I wish we could get ahold of gt4 frames cause they are supposed to be somewhat stronger.

[Digndoug]

haha Frame ware.. u kidding me. Thast the last thing to really think about. As long as u know it hasnt been in any wrecks, your fine. The only things u are going to need to think about is, stock wiring, fuel pump, fuel lines break lines, and suspension. But those will all be easy to take care of. I would say stick with ur car. Its a great base to work with, and its at a point where u can strip it down and replace everything needed. Thats what i was plannign but now i just want a bmw sedan.

[Rjb23]

I say get the gt, send it down to xatracing and have them do the swap for you. Then sell your st.

[ROBWOZ1018]

I say get the gt, send it down to xatracing and have them do the swap for you. Then sell your st.

Thats actually what I was thinking of doing but just instead keep the st as my daily driver...The things Im worried about mainly are sourcing enough parts to complete the st to gt conversion...But yeah...I thought about the frame thing too...like all the undercarraige and actual reinforcement bars in the car...Do those wear at all? I know the wheels just wont come rolling off but I was just worried about a 3s in an older st frame...Maybe it has it weak spots and wont perform as well as one of the younger celicas...I could be wrong and proably am GT for say $4000 or swap into the st NOW...and get the gt makeover?