3SGE Beams powered Celica, Her replacement has arrived Options

[S8S8]

I've had my Celica since 2005. It's a ZR model which was released in Australia with the 5SFE engine. The ZR came with a few nice little extras like the leather wheel and gear knob, airbag, ABS, cruise control etc. I wish it had the sunroof, but unfortunately the original owner was too tight to tick the option box!

My current plans are to build a car that I can enjoy on the weekends and take out to the occasional track day. I used to have an AE86 JDM Levin that I took to the track, so I'd really love to get back into that.

I toyed with the idea of selling it and buying a later model WRX or EVO, but I reckon for less than $10,000 I can build a car that might not be a rocket ship, but will definitely be good fun.

I'm not really into the visual side of things, so most of the work will be around making the car more fun and enjoyable to drive.

Current mods:

• 18" wheels
• Lowered springs

Planned mods:

• 3SGE Beams conversion (done)
• SS-II twin piston brakes (done)
• SS-II instrument cluster (done)
• SS-II leather steering wheel (done)
• JDM auto climate control (done)
• GT4 front end (done - but needs paint)
• GT4 rear strut brace (done)
• JDM tails (done)
• JDM projectors (done)
• Bigger exhaust to suit the Beams (done)
• BC Racing coilovers (done)
• Sportier front seats

Here's a couple of pics back when the wheels were new:









Looking forward to starting the Beams conversion and I'll probably be asking plenty of questions on here!

Cheers
Shane.

This post has been edited by S8S8: Jan 19, 2017 - 6:46 PM

[THE20V]

hey, good looking Celica, looks clean.
Its good to see more Aussie cars on here. Do you mind me asking how much you picked up the Beams for? Do you even need a Engineers Certificate? I wouldn't think so, cause you're actually downsizing the motor and its still NA. Keep us posted with your progress.

[S8S8]

I purchased my engine today, woo! It arrives on Monday and then the fun begins. It cost me $2,750 plus $200 for shipping from the Gold Coast to Brisbane.

Unfortunately it's the earlier non-LSD model, which is a shame, but at least I could use that fact to bargain them down a extra couple of hundred! I had found an LSD model elsewhere, but they wanted $1,000 more and it was just the engine + box + loom.

The bigger brakes (I think they're bigger?) look to be in good condition and the instrument cluster is also perfect, so there are a few extra goodies I should be able to swap over.

Here's a couple of pics:

[njccmd2002]

sweet find......

[Batman722]

what year do you think it is ?
I think it's atleat a 97, which should have helical LSD. Take a post a pic of the name plate on the firewall (it's in the 2nd pic) and the brakes.

This post has been edited by Batman722: Mar 16, 2011 - 10:30 PM

[BonzaiCelica]

oo very nice!!

[S8S8]

what year do you think it is ?
I think it's atleat a 97, which should have helical LSD. Take a post a pic of the name plate on the firewall (it's in the 2nd pic) and the brakes.

Not sure what year it is, but the trans code is S54-06A which is non-LSD right? The model code is E-ST202-BLMVF.

The clip is still at their warehouse, but I'll take a pic of the plate and brakes when it arrives on Monday.

Cheers

[Rusty]

Yes, SS-II with BEAMS

SS-II is (E-ST202-BLMVF)
5 speed manual non lsd (S54-06A) the difference is the A & the D, the D refer to the LSD model of transmission.

anyway...... Welcome to 6GC.net ....... and to the 3S-GE family , hope you have fun with your build, quite a few members have swapped a beams if you run into any problems or need help, (although you should find it easier being RHD compared to LHD)

[Batman722]

Rusty beat me to it, SS-II w/o lsd

Clip looks clean

[CelicaZR]

Nice mate
Will be keeping an eye on this one

[PL-41-ER]

Very nice ride. It is good to see more Aussies on here
Good luck with your project. I hope it all goes well.

[S8S8]

Thanks guys.

Just finished reading the great thread on the 7th gen short shift, so I've ordered an ebay kit which should arrive next week.

Also decided that I'm going to try and swap the climate control from the clip into my car. Reading a few of the threads on the forums it seems to be quite an involved job, but at least I know I'll have all the right parts.

Really looking forward to starting on the conversion.

[S8S8]

The cut (or clip as you guys in the US call them) was supposed to arrive today, but now won't arrive until tomorrow. Doesn't really matter since I won't be starting work until next week anyway.

I thought I might have dramas getting a replacement timing belt, but I called my local Toyota dealer, quoted part number 13568-80015 and he said he'd have one available tomorrow! Not bad considering the Beams was never sold here in Australia.

Looking at steering wheel options now...

[Cuts_the_Pilot]

Good job mate, look forward to the results

[S8S8]

Thanks man. I love your GT4, very nice!

I finally succumbed and bought a set of JDM tails. They will be the only visual mod to my car other than the wheels which I've had for ages.

[S8S8]

The cut arrived today!

First of all I have to thank the towie who delivered it. He went out of his way to get the cut inside my garage without the use of a forklift or anything else besides his truck and our muscle! Thanks champ.

Nothing much to share at this stage besides some pics, as the real work doesn't start until this weekend.

Here's Mr Beams checking out his new home for the first time...



And little red eyeing off Mr Beams...



Do the carpets match the drapes? They will soon!



I'll be swapping over the cluster and probably the silver panels, I have a new centre for the leather wheel ordered, and I'm going to have a crack at transfering the climate control over too.



Fun times ahead.

This post has been edited by S8S8: Mar 22, 2011 - 2:19 AM

[Cuts_the_Pilot]

shame the airbag has gone off, they are a cool looking OE wheel

[S8S8]

shame the airbag has gone off, they are a cool looking OE wheel

I picked up a new centre piece and airbag for $80, so the wheel will be good as new in it's new home.

[SwissFerdi]

LAL @ carpet matching the drapes. Nicely done. That's a great steering wheel indeed, perforated leather and red stitching is madly tasty.

Best of luck with the swap, I'm eager for more progress.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Mar 23, 2011 - 11:32 AM

[S8S8]

Some slow progress is happening...

I ordered a bunch of engine parts from Toyota, just the usual things like water pump, thermostat, timing belt etc. Also managed to score a new Beams badge which will probably make its way onto the back of the car.

After trying to track down an engine crane I found that the cost to buy one was about the same as hiring one for two weeks! So I just bought one.

I also realised that the front calipers are twin piston, so they will be getting swapped over as well.

Most of the cut is stripped out now, so I just need to pull the engine out and get started on the maintenance.