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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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 Where to start on project car?
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Mon, 22 December 2003 22:58
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Hi all,
I'm about to start really pouring money into my celica project (3SGTE into RA23) and not quite sure where to start,
I was thinking the interior of the car because for the most part I can do all of that myself..
but when it comes to engine / drive train / exterior I'm at a loss...
What's the best way to approach the project so that I don't have to do things two or three times?
I know that I should paint the outside / engine bay before I do the engine swap over but other than that I'm not sure where to begin.
Any thoughts?
Also anyone have any idea what 'running gear' I'm likely to want to replace from my 18rg *guessing trans, dif, rear axle, brakes, clutch...* anything I'm missing?
Cheers all.
Have a great xmas / drunken new year.
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Location:
Northwestern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Mon, 22 December 2003 23:21
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Personally I'd do any engine work first (including wiring) mount all parts that the engine requires (ie. coil, relocated washer bottles etc) then the driveline, brakes etc. then once you're happy with the conversion, pull it all out respray, put it all in again. doing the conversion first will reduce the possibility of scratching/ denting new panel work whilst stuffing around under the bonnet. lastly the interior as if you start with the interior you can pour heaps of money into it and have none left for the engine. Do the big ticket items first. engine, driveline, brakes then paint, rubber, glass, chrome then interior, seats, stereo.
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Mon, 22 December 2003 23:23
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Start at the beginning thats what i did. No start from the ground up do your research into brakes and drive train get them all figured out paint then interior. I would love to put a 3s in my 23 good luck with it i wish you were over this way so i could help
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I supported Toymods
Location:
melbourne.victoria.austra...
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Mon, 22 December 2003 23:25
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write down a list of what u're gunna do, and, then priortise it.
re: your engine bay, nah, get the engine and fittings and all that shit in there first, get it mounted and working and running, and then take it all out and spray it
i sprayed it first, and, putting my 4AGE there are chips and shit all over the shop now (looks ok from a distance, personally i don't give a shit coz its only an engine bay and well it looks 100% better than it did)
well you're gunna need a new drive shaft
so look at a diff/rear brakes before getting a shaft made, coz if you change your diff your rear uni/length of shaft will change.
also forget suspension until u do your diff.
don't forget brakes and master/booster too.
re: interior depends what u wanna do, but, i'd prolly leave that till last. i have.
and by the way be prepared to learn how expensive an engine conversion is. if you reckon you'll get away with it for $2k - think again.
[Updated on: Mon, 22 December 2003 23:26]
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Location:
Northwestern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Tue, 23 December 2003 07:58
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LOL me too man!
i use word, i start a column, and detail everything i need and what it will cost me, who's doing the work, estimated time for completion - everything.
it's the only way to go, nothing gets forgotten that way and you can organise it in order from first to last, so you don't end up backtracking and paying for things twice over.
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Location:
Northwestern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Tue, 23 December 2003 22:08
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I'm on about my fourth page and I'm still under my first heading. 
Oh well, It'll be all good when I win lotto on saturday night. 
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Location:
sunny coast, qld
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Tue, 23 December 2003 23:09
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I wish I had, had a list about 10 months ago! Although i basically new what needed to be done, but as far as I know there are no other 1jz powered XT130 Coronas. So I think I may have done things a harder way than normal.
Also, on that list. After you have finished the list add another grand or so for extra bits that you won't think of eg. (in my case) water pump, headlight stalk, various interior bits
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Location:
Northwestern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Tue, 23 December 2003 23:22
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Yeah, It's the little things that kill you in the end. 
That's the main reason I'm studying other cars. You may pick up on some of those little things. As for my project, It won't officially start for 12 Months while I work on the house but I'll be actively researching and asking stupid questions to clarify problems BEFORE I start from now till then.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Wed, 24 December 2003 01:18
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I half agree and half disagree.
I think a list is a fantastic idea. It's amazing (terrifying) how quickly things add up when you make a detailed list.. but it's the only way that you won't miss anything.
Personally, I say make a complete list... but do everything one-at-a-time.
So, plot a list for brakes, suspension, engine, diff, body, interior etc... note all the things that need doing (eg wiring, exhaust, new battery, etc).
Then, do each category one by one. The number of people that end up with a completely stripped car is scary. Research a brakes conversion - lots of people on these forums have probably done them on your model of car. Get all the parts together, assemble it as best you ca and then get any machining/custom work done. Reassemble it on the car and if it's all good then bolt it together, get someone around to make up new brake hoses if they're required and then bleed the brakes.
Voila... stock car but with good brakes.
If you do everything at once you end up with a car that is years and years from ever driving.... if you do it this way then at least the end is in sight.
Suspension/Brakes should be first on your list.. but it also might pay to checkt he car out and find out if any particular part of the car is goign to fail soon.. and maybe dot hat first. No point spending all your money on suspension when your stock brakes are due for brake pads.. and having to pay $50 for brake pads you're going to replace after barely driving on them.
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Location:
Northwestern Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Wed, 24 December 2003 01:35
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Also a valid point.
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Location:
Auckland NZ
Registered:
December 2003
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Re: Where to start on project car?
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Fri, 26 December 2003 12:47
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i sort of lucked out on my TA23, i bought it completely stripped. i was lost there for a while, but once i got in and started putting it back together parts that i didn't have a clue about started to make sense. i was pretty sweet as well cause i had my RA28 to work off. mines a do it all at once project, and quite often i find i'll get sidetracked from what i'm doing onto something completely different but i guess its all got to be done eventually and i've got something to drive while i'm doing it so i'm not too worried how long it takes
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