Need a mentor Options

[Topaz95GT]

Hello,

I don't know much about cars. All I know is that I love my Celica and I want to completely restore it to like-new condition. Who can I PM on here to help answer questions because I have spend so many hours digging around on here but to be honest, most of this stuff is extremely technical.

I just made my first purchase of some projectors on the forum. Besides the cheap wheels and a new double din stereo, she is still stock.


1. What does it mean when people say they have 5k/8k projectors? Did they open up the JDM projector and swap it? Do I want to do this?
2. I broke 2 tabs off... No, my WIFE or my DOG did... even worse that I didn't have the satisfaction of breaking them myself. The thread on here suggests bondo fiberglass or an epoxy. Also a soldering iron. But then I found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk1cojemglE
3. Will there be a reason I need to change the RHD projectors to LHD?
4. My mechanic wants 900 bucks to change some leaking seals. Should I grab a 2.2 GT engine and just swap it? (This is my 2nd engine, I've put almost 100k on this one, Car has 170k)
5. Which brand coil-overs do I buy?
6. How do I make her faster? She seems dead inside.
7. Who will hold my hand when I start gutting this thing to put a turbo engine in it?


While I don't know much about cars, I'm not completely useless. If anyone needs website/graphics assistance you just need to ask!

I have a million more questions, seriously.

This post has been edited by Topaz95GT: May 19, 2014 - 12:29 PM

[The_enD]

1. - 5k represent the color of light the HID xenon light outputs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#High...harge_.28HID.29

2. Soldering iron works, but you should also add some glue. Be sure to sand the plastic with some very abrasive sand paper, it's helps the glue as it get's inside the grooves you've made.

3. Yes, it is designed to protect against blinding people, but with a RHD direction. If you drive a LHD Celica, the mod is pretty much a must as it will also provide better light output too!

5. There are quite a few threads on the forum about this. Megan Racing seem to be popular right now, their price is one of the best out there.

6. Swap the engine!

[cheela]

first thing you should do it pick up a hayne's manual. do some of the suggestion repairs and maintenance in there.
start with things like oil change, air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs/wires. etc.

then see if you're up for doing other things.
have questions. read up on here first and if you can't find the answer, post a thread and they'll be someone that will help out.

[richee3]

1. What does it mean when people say they have 5k/8k projectors? Did they open up the JDM projector and swap it? Do I want to do this?

That's just the color of the light, like Teo said. 3K is yellow light, 4,300K is white, 5,000-6,000K is white with blue, 8,000K is blue, and 12,000K is purple. 4,300-5,000K will have the most usable light.

2. I broke 2 tabs off... No, my WIFE or my DOG did... even worse that I didn't have the satisfaction of breaking them myself. The thread on here suggests bondo fiberglass or an epoxy. Also a soldering iron. But then I found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk1cojemglE

A good epoxy will hold the tabs together.

3. Will there be a reason I need to change the RHD projectors to LHD?

Yes. The projectors flick the light up to the left, into oncoming traffic. In Japan, that would have been the side of the road, but in the US, that's where oncoming traffic is, and the focal point of the light is in that part that flicks up. It's hard to bring yourself to open up an expensive set of headlights for fear that you may break them, but it really isn't difficult to do at all.

4. My mechanic wants 900 bucks to change some leaking seals. Should I grab a 2.2 GT engine and just swap it? (This is my 2nd engine, I've put almost 100k on this one, Car has 170k)

That's personal preference. Keep in mind that a replacement 5S will also have old seals, which are prone to leak, and you'll still have to pay your mechanic to drop it in. So you'll be close, if not more than $900 for a replacement 5S. 100K miles is nothing on a 5S so I wouldn't be worried about the mileage.

5. Which brand coil-overs do I buy?

Megan coilovers are good for the money. A lot of people like BC coilovers as well. Again, it comes down to budget and personal preference.

6. How do I make her faster? She seems dead inside.

Unfortunately, with stock engines our Celicas are a bit slow. The 5S makes decent low end torque but has no top end. Ken nailed it perfectly- with intake, header, and exhaust, and a set of cams, you'll really wake your engine up. It won't be super fast or powerful, but it'll be fun. The 5S does take boost well, but that's a different topic for a later thread.

7. Who will hold my hand when I start gutting this thing to put a turbo engine in it?

That's what the whole forum is here for. With some research, you'd be surprised at how easy the 3S-GTE swap is and how you actually wouldn't need anyone holding your hand.

[Box]

Getting the actual Toyota shop manual for more detailed info is always good. Paying $900 for some seals is a rip off, can just get another engine at that point. Hell, you're almost at the point of paying for a BEAMS even... If you have some slight oil leaks try using: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATP-AT-205-Re-Seal...071&vxp=mtr Stopped the transmission output seal leak and rear valve cover leak on my brother's Maxima. Surprised me, from looking around it has high acclaims apparently.

This post has been edited by Box: May 19, 2014 - 5:58 PM

[Topaz95GT]

Awesome, thanks everyone for the responses. I just ordered the gunk you suggested, that might buy me the time I need to find everything for a Beams swap. I just need to buy an engine and my mechanic can find the rest or do I need an axle as well? Anything else?

Good thing I have 3 cars between the wife and I as I have a feeling it might be a while before I can drive it again once I start....

[Box]

There are some good BEAMS swap threads on here, and lots of knowledgeable people like richee3, njccmd2002, Batman722, etc... Mostly you need the engine, harness, and ECU. You can use your S54 transmission, which saves some hassle and money.

[njccmd2002]

the thing is, unless you have a shop that specializes in this kind of swaps ( and even then they can screw you), i would not trust a mom and pop mechanic shop. Been there, done that, they are in the business of making money, and not helping people. I ve realized that with time. As to change a bolt behind the radio, some will quote you tearing down the engine, and cutting the firewall, rather than just simply taking the radio out. Jus remember they get paid by the hour.

I come from having no idea of doing things, to the point im embarking myself in the unknown. Trust me, learn, and buy tools little by little.

A beams swap is easy, period. if you follow cookbook recipe on this site. It takes time sure, and you have to make sure the engine supplier gives you a good engine. I just swapped my beams from a convertible to a hatch, and it was easier the second time, i dont even need the manual, i did it by memory....

good luck