3SGE Beams powered Celica, Her replacement has arrived Options

[S8S8]

Out of curiousity, have you had the chance to check the VVTI? Is it working correctly?

No, I don't know how to check its operation to be honest! I've searched these forums and the MR2 forums without any luck.

[BonzaiCelica]

Out of curiousity, have you had the chance to check the VVTI? Is it working correctly?

No, I don't know how to check its operation to be honest! I've searched these forums and the MR2 forums without any luck.

solution: go put 98 ron fuel in the tank, go to a shop and get it dynoed!!!! then you can go from there. ask guys with 7th gen celica gt. The 1zz-fe motor is built almost the same as the 3sge beams motor. As far as testing the vvt-i.

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Jun 6, 2011 - 2:00 AM

[S8S8]

solution: go put 98 ron fuel in the tank, go to a shop and get it dynoed!!!! then you can go from there. ask guys with 7th gen celica gt. The 1zz-fe motor is built almost the same as the 3sge beams motor. As far as testing the vvt-i.

Absolutely! I'll definitely be getting her on the dyno some time soon.

It's really a win-win situation. If it is making the right power, then I know everything is running properly. If it's not, then I know there's room for improvement.

[Rusty]

Are there any codes that come up when you put it in diagnostic mode? then it should be working fine

You could put a voltmeter on the VVTi solenoid to see if its getting a signal from the ecu.

[S8S8]

I fitted the GT4 rear strut brace today. I also scored the vinyl sleeve and plastic covers which was a good bonus. The plastic colour looks a bit different thanks to the camera flash, but in person you can't really tell. Not that I care anyway, since no one looks in my boot!

I don't know that it will make too much difference, but for $150 shipped and about five minutes of labour it's worth having, especially since I intend to head back to the track once I get a few other little things sorted.



I intend to keep this car for quite a while, so I figure it's better to grab this type of thing while it's cheap and easy to get, rather than waiting until it becomes rare. It's the same deal with my GT4 bumper and bonnet that are sitting in my shed. I might not have them painted and fitted for another year or more, but at least I have them now.

The car is going pretty well otherwise. After a few tanks of good fuel she seems to be revving much better and feels really strong. It's quite gutless to around 4,500rpm but after that the fun starts. I'll still get it on the dyno eventually to check the power, but for now I'm happy.

[RabidTRD]

The bar made a difference for me. I noticed a definite stiffness that I didn't have while hitting corners at 35+. Rear doesn't squish as much. I'm also used to auto-xing a sedan which was stiff to begin with, so this was a squishy car when I took a corner the first time.

[S8S8]

Cool, that sounds good to me. I haven't cornered the car hard yet, as I still have some noises post-engine conversion that I want to sort out first.

Suspension is next on the list, but I'm torn between the BC Racing coilovers and the KYB GR2 shocks. It's a $900 difference between the two, and I already have suitable lowered springs if i go with the KYBs.

I've started a new thread in the suspension section here.

[delusionz]

Glad to hear its starting to work out for you, Yeah as I suspected, once you get that nasty 91/95 RON out of there in place for some BP Ultimate 98 or Mobil 8000, 98 the Beams will go to work for you in those high revs like it should.

Don't worry about the sub 4500 performance, I noticed when I went from 3S-FE to 3S-GE (SS-I to SS-III) the lower revs were pretty much the same, but on the FE when you got past 4000 it felt like it was about to pick up but then quickly fell flat by 5000, whereas the GE felt much the same down low (little bit more responsive) but once 4500 came around, it pulled all the way into the red without falling flat, it just picks up and keeps going and going and goin, I think your 5S-FE to Beams experience will be much similar.

And if you can afford it, BC's are the way to go. Shouldn't be tooo expensive I paid $1300 for my ST205 set which is less than half the price of a Tein set but not half as bad

[delusionz]

Im all for stiffening the rear on these cars too, understeer is a problem lol

[RabidTRD]

Cool, that sounds good to me. I haven't cornered the car hard yet, as I still have some noises post-engine conversion that I want to sort out first.

Suspension is next on the list, but I'm torn between the BC Racing coilovers and the KYB GR2 shocks. It's a $900 difference between the two, and I already have suitable lowered springs if i go with the KYBs.

I've started a new thread in the suspension section here.

Check Koni's. They're more affordable and you can use your lowering springs. The nice thing about them is that they can be adjustable too... so if you want to race, simply stiffen them. If you want to daily drive, loosen them.

http://www.koni.com/

[S8S8]

I think the BC coilovers will be the go. I thought the KYBs would be more of an upgrade, but having read that they're merely an OEM equivalent I wouldn't bother.

The Konis are an interesting idea, but I think I'll just go coilovers and be done with it. Now I just have to convince my fiance that $1,300 is better spent on suspension rather than going towards our wedding, honeymoon, house renovations... the list goes on!

[Euphoria]

If you're low on money just go the kyb's and a rear sway bar, thats pretty much all I have on my setup and the handling surprises most people when they come in it/drive it.

One thing that I did recently which made the ride better, turn in better and less noise was the strut mounts, seeing as the ones in it were gone it made the thing ride horribly.

[RabidTRD]

I think the BC coilovers will be the go. I thought the KYBs would be more of an upgrade, but having read that they're merely an OEM equivalent I wouldn't bother.

The Konis are an interesting idea, but I think I'll just go coilovers and be done with it. Now I just have to convince my fiance that $1,300 is better spent on suspension rather than going towards our wedding, honeymoon, house renovations... the list goes on!

Koooonnnnnniiii... (shhhh) wife won't even know because they're not $1300 lmao.

[Euphoria]

I must admit, I used koni yellows on the track in another car and they were fkn awsome, the adjustability made a big difference!

[S8S8]

Just ordered the BC coilovers.

Regarding that creaking noise I was complaining of a while back, a mechanic mate of mine drove the car and said it would be sway bar bushes for sure. I haven't had a chance to get under and check, but hopefully that's all it is.

So once the coilovers are in and the bushes are replaced it will be time to hit the track. I've also just landed a decent promotion, so there's a little more play money available for the car.

[S8S8]

I picked these up today:





I've also ordered some nolathane bushes for the front sway bar, so I'll wait for those to arrive before I fit everything.

Really looking forward to getting these in the car and hitting the track again.

[RabidTRD]

The best part is the top camber adjustment. That'll make alignment so easy. Also, if you need rear camber adjustment beyond the strut, I can get you camber bolts with cams at a 12.5 grade

[delusionz]

*Like this*

[S8S8]

I just finished installing my new coilovers.

I've taken the car for a quick drive, but nothing too serious so I can't comment on the handling just yet.

What I'm most happy about is that my annoying creaking sound has gone!

I have some nolathane bushes on order and was going to wait for them, but I got tired of waiting and decided to install the coilovers first. Then I realised that I still had the swaybar bushes from my old setup which seemed to be in good condition, so I gave them some grease and installed.

I don't know if the creaking sound has been fixed thanks to the swapped bushes or the coilovers, but either way I'm happy.

The car sits too high now, but I can lower it back down later.

A couple of pics:



You can also see my twin piston front calipers in this shot:



I'll take a pic of the car once I've adjusted the ride height.

[Rusty]

Congrates with the install and for getting rid of that creaking noise.


So are you going to see how it goes at the track first and then upgrade your brakes, or upgrade the brakes first?