To properly start a new progress thread, the new vehicle must be shown. So here we go.



Now that is complete, we move on to this weekends fun.



Majority of items needed to accomplish the clutch change.



Prepped work area.

Should be an eventful weekend.

Plans for this weekend: (Let see how many I actully complete)

Clutch
swap over riser blocks
swap over rear ssIII splitters
swap over highs and projectors ( Remove OEM casing from light, and apply to projector broken casing) Covert connectors.
install headunit with proper facekit
wire in amp, and subs.
remove rear seats

Thats a hefty list, but I think I can do it. I'll damn well try. Hoping the locals have their earplugs ready.

Any of you Floridians want to come to Gainesville? I'll supply beer, pizza, and California type headache relief

Only if i lived in fl

I look forward to this thread

Nice pickup Rave and I'm with ender - I look forward to this thread's progress.

PS: Welcome to Club 3L2!

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Thanks guys!

I'm going to do the best I can to take a bunch of pics during. I tend to forget as I get consumed at the job(s) at hand.

Going to start tearing her down tomorrow afternoon, today was just prep, and getting everything to get the job started. The box with all the ordered items should arrive Saturday. So with luck, I should be able to start putting on new parts Saturday, and button her up Sunday.

Good luck on the new project! I think you could finish it all this weekend, at least the major stuff, will be a nice bonding time for you and the new car.

If i was in florida all 3 of those sound nice, id be down to help.

Seeing as you're actually not very far from me, I may take up you up on that. You had me at Cali relief.

I won't have time this weekend, but if you're still wrenching next week I won't mind popping over to help out.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Jan 13, 2012 - 5:17 PM

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Hah sounds good! Clutch is the major this weekend, but I have plenty of suspension to do next weekend!

Oh yes. I'm down. Tuesdays and thursdays are reserved for school, but otherwise my schedule is open.

So a day of progress, but per usual I can't get to the final step because the rear mount is being a pain in my ass. Can't get the engine to rotate the direction I need, not sure why, nor can I find my deepwell 14mm to remove the trannie mount. Doesn't appear you can remove the mount from the block as simple with the ST. So, after a good 10 hours today...I'm done til tomorrow.

I did manage to pick up some goodies. All for 115 bucks. Was a gent that had children and had to rid of his Celica. Go Go craigslist for an amazing deal.

WOW, that's like the price of ONE of those items you have there. very nice deal!

glad to see you back in the game too.

>


Yea I was surprised when he took my offer. I originally thought he was just giving me the 2 front inserts, but when he pulled out all four I quickly handed him the funds =)

Glad to be back!

I'll giveya 120 and a six pack and 2 pizza and call it a deal?

Aw man has it been a busy day.



All right, I need to say something here to. There are million ways I've read to get that rear mount, most circulate around "rotate the engine." I'd like the give the trophy to if I recall correctly to TRDproven for coming up with the idea to just lower the suspension crossmember. Simply loosen up the 8 or so large bolts that hold the frame, and bam you can unbolt the mount from the member, as well the bolt through the mount itself, lift it up. take member out, then simply turn the mount right out. I had a epic battle with this thing til I quit yesterday. 20 mins of "rotating" , I tried that and it was out in 5 mins.

I'm even guilty in a recent thread informing someone to remove the bracket from the block whoops.

As another thing I've learned today. DO NOT TENSION THE AXLE if you are trying to pop it out. See that dust shield, thats from me getting frustrated using the "tension" method I read as well. I even tried from the other side to tap the shaft, stupid I know. Didn't do it but a few and said to myself bad idea.

In the end, I just tied the axle up with some metal wire, got a proper pry bar after a trip to the store, and one simple push with the prybar and my foot, with no tension. Was out so easy. 3 hours today on that...what a waste, but its out now! Now I have to determine if I can find a replacement dustshield, the axle itself is fine.



Took me some time to find all the hidden bolts and angles to remove, but she is finally out.



Cheapie to get me to the 3sgte.



Old vs. new - Studs didn't grind into the flywheel, just a slight sand, and clean up. Another "it'll do" til the swap.

The didn't grind the flywheel mainly because the clutch fluid was horribly low, and air in the line when I got her. So it might have been a small blessing.



The hole! - Just a tip for any concerned, don't skip anything. Nor think this is a quick easy job because you've seen a howto with 8 steps....like my dumbass.

Remove everything in the way! Its alot, i've taken alot of pictures and may use them to create a howto later on, in some detail.


Oh yea, broke my slave cylinder rubber line. Was old and cracked when I zipped tied it to the harness...lol it was meant to save it from harm, not destroy it!.

Well now i'm sore as hell, but semi-content on progress, put it all back together tomorrow, and wait on further parts.

Well, a total of 30 hours and it pulls good. The clutch pedal feels really weak though, I don't know if that is an issue, being the clutch works fine, though I didn't drop it or anything being brand new. Not sure if I'm used to how the ST was, which my leg get tired in traffic, but this one just slams down. I might need to bleed the line some more maybe. I patched the crack in the line with some tegflex, or whatever its called. Rubber wrap, great stuff! New line on order. Thinking of stealing the STs

Either or, I didn't get half my list done, but I'm happy with the progress. No power tools, had to assemble a hoist, and first time with running solo, like someone with some mechanical skills =P

Still got alot to do. Idles bad when cold, and has a vacuum leak I need to find out. Alot of hoses look bad, and cracked. Got some grinding, sounds like dust shields hitting the rotors, or just horrible breaks...hopefully not my ghetto rigged dust shield, but thats a easy fix nowadays! Those to be done next weekend with the suspension overhaul of Eibach Sportlines transferred and the new GR2's to slap on..so it'll be some tinkering time soon enough. Hopefully get some of the other list items done during the week. Cosmetics, and getting her registered and insured for the road.

Ibprohen time!

good job dude. Glad to see members sticking with celi's instead of moving on.

Its amazing how the smallest stuff will consume all your time right? I basically double my time estimates these days because everything always takes longer than planned haha

What are you plans for this car?

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Lol, I'm sticking with the Celica until I can't get simple parts for it at an auto store. Hopefully by that point my wrecking days will be over, and I finally got one completed to my standard and can garage it.

Definately, I swore the clutch wouldn't take me that long, but it sure did! - i'll have to start doing that with my time frames as well =P

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Already have 3sgte for it, once I get it stable in driving sense..breaks, suspension, tires etc etc. My focus will shift back to the 3s and getting all the seals and such done. Cleaning up the whole bay and dropping her in.

Exterior going to stick with the ssIII splitters front and back, as well the gt-four raiser blocks. Still looking for skirts, but funds are not in the right place right now to pick some up. Projectors will also be swapped over from the wrecked ST.

I got a lot of work ahead, and hit one hell of a bump in the road. Thanks to the wonderful state of Florida. Went to get everything legal today, and I had no idea, but because I don't have an existing FL plate, there are some extra fees in the excess of 300 dollars. On top of the already insured 550 premium insurance that was paid, and DL fees rounding up to 150. Lets throw the clutch and others items this past week, excluding the car price, I've spent 1200+ and they still want more.

Basically as it looks right now, I won't be driving her til the next 15th paycheck...which really sucks some ass considering everything I went through to get her road ready today. So...now i just nit pick at items, and transfer what I can from the old one while I stick my middle finger in the air to responsiblity, but humbly wait until its all legal.

Edit: Funding solution solved for the time being, hope to have her legal tomorrow.

This post has been edited by rave2n: Jan 19, 2012 - 3:58 PM

Little progress today, but it surely needed it.

New front pads, old ones were shot and making some mean noise. Still have to do backs, but all in good time.

Some bad connections to be fixed, and replaced.




And of course, removal of such ugly decals, and apply the proper one.





Replaced the slave cynlinder as well, just waiting on the lady to get home to help me bleed it.

Possibly take her for a spin this evening, suspension tomorrow if time permits.

glad to see someone loving to work on the car

Well she did fine on her first day to work. Though only a short drive, it gives me plenty of insight on what needs attention.

After the new struts and springs, going to need a good front end alignment. Came apparent after the steering wheel being way off.

Got a grind in 3rd at high RPMs, so granny shifting for right now. Not sure of the cause, be it trans or just the fluid I used. I did not go all out with the synchromesh being I wasn't sure if the tranny itself would be leaking from my tamperings. Its not leaking, but now I'm not sure if the 90w-140 or whatever it was generic jazz is causing that grind. Don't really like the feel of the s54 either, when you shift into the gear it doesn't feel solid like the ST's trannie did. When you hit the gas, the shifter moves back about 1 inch aggressivly, almost like its going to pop out of gear, but doesn't . Stays in just fine. Possibly streched cables?

Tried to repair the clutch rubber line from the firewall to the trannie hardline. Couldn't get the wallside connection off. felt like I was going to break the hard like. So I applied further patch to the rubber line, but that was no dice. Still leaking, but the cluch is working still. So I'm pondering on that one.

AC compressor is sqeaking like crazy, going to be in the market for one of those soon. Some good work done this weekend, much more to go, but I'm determined to get her up to par.

Edit: Oh yea, new brakes all round =P damn did it need'em.

This post has been edited by rave2n: Jan 23, 2012 - 8:23 AM

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glad to see em on. cars comming along good congrats on getting it on the road

peace

-jec

Day 3 on the road has yielded some insight on further issues. Thankfully I never got to hooking up my audio system, so I get to hear all the little noises this car is making.

The sqeeking for one is making it difficult to hear other things, but that I'm even questioning if it is the AC compressor, but being that is not working a replacement is otw. I'm thinking it is more the power steering pump, or something in that area. Hopefully not anything under the timing cover. Would not like to pull the engine so soon after a clutch job, but must be done will be done.

The clutch is still weak as can be, but the fork moves a good 2-3 inches and the clutch engages fine. Even have good slip/grip ratio. Not sure hwo to explain that further....either or, I hear a whurrrring noise when I would let go of the clutch. It would appear to be coming from the master cylinder. IIRC, the ST and GT master are the same, so I'll be looking to swap that out shortly. The line is still not replaced, but its holding enough. Been blasting that connection with PB blaster each day, hopefully by this weekend it'll come off like butter and I can move forward.

Also have a...clunk might be a good way to describe it. Basically whenever the engine moves a good bit, hard shifts and such. It sounds to be more like a loose mount, then something in the trannie, or engine. Another item to investigate. I probally didn't tighten one up all the way...happens.

battery light won't shut off, even after swapping a new battery in, but the wires attached to teh alt are quite damaged. Will have to replace those soon, and test the alt out.

All in all, she is holding power well...some more tinkering and she'll be fine.


Anyone else feel odd in a replacement Celica? Just doesn't feel like the old one...comfort wise. Happy with the purchase, just feels weird

This post has been edited by rave2n: Jan 25, 2012 - 7:45 AM

It is an odd feeling
I felt kinda wierd at first when i got my coupe but i just thought tgat was because i hadnt had a celi 4 years
But i get a really funny feeling being in the hatch i just bought for the swap an it looks just like my first 94 st

>

Lol you got your hands full thats for sure! =)

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Did some more tinkering. Finally got the clutch rubber line replaced. Took 3 days of soaking PB blaster and one really hard crank to get it off, but finally did.

Clutch still feels to weak, but atleast thats one less thing to add to the mix. Just a FYI, the ST clutch cable will work, its just slightly longer. About 1 inch.

Going to replace the master cylinder tomorrow, and see if it'll stiffing up the pedal. I've bled it 8 times now, and new slave, so only the master is left.

Well I decided something was wrong with the s54, no reason for the grind into 3rd or the whurring noise when clutch disengaged. I go back to the auto store and ask the guy to look up the trannie gear oil again. He instantly says "oh man, I think I told you the wrong stuff" - He sold me 90w-140...I said thats high, and he went into a story about his car, and never got around to looking again. Technically I should have known better, but was a waste of dough.

Drained the syhcromesh out the ST and put it in the GT, its only a year old, and looked quite new. No need to waste IMO. No more grind in 3rd, and shifts like butter. So one thing situated, few more to go.

Well, had a little fun today.

Changed out the clutch master cylinder with the from the ST, feels so much better. Feels like control, instead of slamming down. Guess it was leaking inside.

Changed a few hoses out but continue to have a vacuum leak type idle. Starting to think the intake manifold is the culprit. I hear hissing in such direction.

Well to the picture worthy items.

Projector tap repairs





No point throwing them out, with a 5 dollar repair. Aquameld, wonderful fiberglass putty. Last patch lasted until someone hit me again =P







Did a little repair on the alt. connector. previous wires were frayed and casing falling off. Stole the STs, and made a new one.





Didn't have any heat resistant shrink, or anything open on sunday with such. So simple wrapped it up nice.

Took a crack at the audio, but it looks like a 10 year with a liking for electrical tape went to town. Tore the obvious bad out, and will have to clean it all up another time.

Winning!

Got the audio wired up yesterday.

Was quite fun...sarcasim.

This GT has the factory amp, so per normal I had to rip out the blue connector from under the amp, and splice in my connections using the toyota default color code. Yes I'm a cheap ass that won't pay for the connector when I already have wire strippers and crimps.

Had to pull out probally 14 bad connections put together with electrical tap on stripped back wire wrapped. Stupid.....

Rears do not work, but I assume that is because, just like the fronts, someone cut the factory wires and ran home audio speaker wire.

Even if that is not case, no biggie, as they will eventually be mid range subs...I just wanted some noise, instead of engine noise when driving.

Funny enough, the wreck blew one of my subs. Had to rip the center piece off because it was taping like crazy with the bass hitting. Will have to invest in some new ones sometime in the far future. For now, they shake my license plate, and piss off people blasting rap. All I want..for now =)

Rims painted with Plastidip, and new front calipers.



This post has been edited by rave2n: Feb 21, 2012 - 11:20 AM

dude nice work its looking good, i just went through this and am still in the process of swapping parts of my first gts to my second one i have now, the new one was in about the same shape as yours too but right now with the exception of you have projectors and black stock 15s your car and mine are twins cept iv got stock highs and lows and gold stock 15s, mine even has the same pinkish shade faded door handles, keep up the good work im subscribed to this build, you should post picks of your system i wanna see your setup, i hit 144.8DB on my system this summer and it wasn't tunned properly so with some modifications and new pieces iv added this winter im hoping to hit even higher, stooopid frame"less windows leaking like a civ under pressure i should really update my build thread