I just flew in to Vancouver today and picked up a 1995 GT-Four that I imported myself. So now that I have a celica again, I decided I should have a progress thread since I never made one for my previous car.
It is a 1995 Celica in baltic blue (code 752) with the optional sunroof. That's about the only feature it came with from the factory.
Upon arrival, I was disappointed that the exporter did not show pictures of the worn and damaged areas of the car. The only damage noted was a dented rear hatch door and was in excellent mechanical condition.

First, I'll start with the pictures that the exporter had posted of the car.















optional factory seats. but obviously i went with the recaro's.
















here are some pics after i picked up the car and gave it a wash.












this is the mileage when i first picked up the car and drove to the nearest gas station a couple of kilometers away since the gas tanks are emptied when the car boards the ship.
i spent exactly $100 to fill! damn vancouver gas prices are high!








no idea why this is in the car. looks like a turbo timer diy that went bad...





driver-seat.. side bolster is beat to ****! i'm so disappoint!




but the passenger-side looks very good




it has LED map light installed





a couple of adhesive pads were left on the dash. not sure what it was for but i sure hope it can come off easily




this is the head-unit that the exporter agreed in installing.




i found this inside the shifter surround plastic. seems like a turbo-timer DIY install that went bad.





there's also this blitz boost controller which i think is a dummy since it doesn't light up or anything..





black spoiler... seriously?




here's that dented hatch door i mentioned.. hope it can be easily repaired.




small nick on the spoiler blocks




severely faded hood and vents





headlamp rubber seals are about to come off... typical 6gc problem.





and the rest are just random stickers and insignia











some goodies found in the glove compartment












I've spent most of the day driving around the city getting used to the RHD. it feels like learning how to drive all over again. shifting with the left takes some time to get used to. the turn signals are on the opposite side now and out of habit i'm turning the wipers on instead. after a few hours i've gotten used to most of it but downshifting in traffic while using the turn signals & changing lanes simultaneously is nearly impossible to do at first.

mechanically, the turbo spools up like it should but i'm really concerned about how much life it has left. nearly half of the foam in the hks mushroom air filter has already disintegrated, so there's literally no filtering at all! seems like the previous owner didn't care for it. also, when i picked up the car, it was on a gravel lot and the car was dusty. i really hope no sand was sucked in to the compressor and engine to cause long-term damage. i won't be driving through any gravel roads from here on out until i get back to winnipeg in 3 days.

you can really tell the difference between the gear ratios of the e154f & s54. i need to shift at a higher rpm so that the engine doesn't bog down on the next gear.. like the engine is begging to be revved! i'm still a softie when it comes to pushing the engine, looks like things are gonna be different from now on!
the shifter itself is notchy when downshifting to 3rd and 2nd or when trying to shift at higher than normal rpms so i'm guessing the synchros are starting to go?
i still haven't made any hard pulls since i'm still trying to get the hang of driving a RHD but I'll likely do a few once i get on the highway tomorrow. the drive through the mountains is gonna be fun.

This post has been edited by azian_advanced: May 16, 2012 - 1:24 AM

Looks like a good base to start on
Cant wait to see where you go with her

i'll be heading out tomorrow morning to drive through the mountains and staying in Revelstoke, BC. should be a fun drive!

btw, to make this day even better, i got a call for a job offer today. i'll have to start making arrangements with moving to calgary once i'm back from this short vacation.

This post has been edited by azian_advanced: May 16, 2012 - 1:29 AM

Nice car man im sure its going to be super clean like ur old celi.

a bit rough round the edges, but doesn't look too bad, glad to see you back in a 6GC

any chance of posting some scans of the features in that owners manual? (in a new thread)

nice pick up.

can't wait to see what you got planned.

Best possible situation. Wrecks 6gC, replaces with ST205. Best of luck with it.

As for the notchy shifting, drain the fluid and try something like Synchromesh? I've heard it cure odd shifter feelings before. And maybe an excellent upholsterer could redo both side cushions on that seat for you? They're effing beautiful, after all.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: May 16, 2012 - 8:24 AM

Congrats Gerald !

>

This; I like - Congrats! How soon are you looking to move Gerald?

On your way back home you should stop through Calgary and meet some of the group.

This post has been edited by KAOS: May 16, 2012 - 10:21 AM

Sick!

My favorite part is all the Japanese stickers lmao. I'd leave most on, just because it's cool to see. Too bad about the condition though.

Also, when you say it needs higher RPM's, the 5S-FE feels better at high ones too. I usually don't shift any lower than 4k RPM and when I'm really pushing it, it's almost redline lol. 164K miles and no issues with doing so.

I'm currently parked at a mall in Kamloops. The 4 hour drive here from Vancouver got me 27.82 mpg including several hours of driving in the city. There is a slight issue with the car.. The engine tends to bog upon boost. Although it's intermittent and happens about 1/10 times. It bogs until I release the throttle a little. It's like there is a problem with the TPS or like it's running an AFM. Not really sure right now and I don't have the tools and time to diagnose it til I get home.

There are definitely a few things needs to addressed. The front brakes are squealing intermittently so I think the pads and rotors need to be replaced. I need a new foam insert for the air filter. I want to replace the tranny fluid with synchromesh as mentioned earlier. I want to get the blitz boost controller to work so I can play with it I'm putting in the old double-digit stereo that I kept from my old car. In fact, I'm gonna try to contact the person who bought my car from the salvage auction and get all my parts back including the leather seats, 8 speaker system, cruise control, heated seat elements, seat belts, skirts, rear splitters, springs, and rear end links. Then have the body work all fixed up and new paint. This will span over a few months though and take some time.

After all that, I want to start modding again! summer wheels & tires, slap on new winter tires on the existing Enkeis,
and powdercoat the calipers.

Once I'm in Calgary I can get JDM tails and projectors since non-DOT lighting isn't enforced.
I'll be arriving in Calgary late in the evening tomorrow to stay with close relatives then leavimy early the next day to hhopefully make it back before Saturday. If I had the time, I'd go to see some apartments in person but other than that I won't be able to attend any meets until the next time I'll be in which is probably sometime middle to late June.

One thing I wished the Recaros could do is recline backwards so I can lay down and rest from all this driving.

Congrats Gerald, nice to see u gotta another celi, maybe come meet up and see my ride finally before u leave for calgary lol

Nothing a little elbow grease can't fix! Odds are you can swap the backs of the seats, just move the passenger side to the driver side. Might be able to move the bottom cushion over too. Very nice all in all, jelly is an understatement.

i was wrong, the recaros do recline. there's no lever, but there's a knob to adjust the angle of the back rest. i prefer the lever idea since it's faster & easier to recline.

i took pictures of the engine bay today after topping up the air pressure in the tires. i also took pictures along the way from vancouver to revelstoke.








loose rain guard tray




the air filter... or what's left of it.




after market horns.








timing belt replaced at 81,709 kms





hood stickers





another look at the faded hood




at Tim Horton's in Kamloops.. can't drive without my coffee.




some more pics taken along the way















/end of day 2 pictures

Nice colour on that car. Liking the pics. This enchanted forest sounds interesting...

Congratulations mate! Dunno why I had feeling it should be that red converted WRC you showed in another topic .

Aren't those...Chronos, something like that? They look like very light wheels. You still haven't really given us your impressions on gaining a turbo and two drive wheels, how does it feel in comparison to the GT-S?

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: May 17, 2012 - 9:13 AM

it's difficult to tell the difference between awd and fwd unless i push the car harder (test for oversteer/understeer). the car does feel a bit heavier in 1st gear in the lower revs because of the awd, taller gearing, extra weight but once boost kicks in (even if it's just a little), the extra power shortens the length of time to stay in 1st so the addition of a turbo compensates for the taller gearing. it's also pleasing to hear the bypass valve go off when accelerating from a stop. i don't think i'll ever get sick of that i find high-chirping aftermarket BOV to be really annoying.

i was worried at first about the aftermarket exhaust, as i'm not a fan of loud exhausts (unless it's coming from a ferrari), but the car has a nice low, deep-tone to it which doesn't resonate inside the cabin like some of the other civics i've driven and it also can't be heard when cruising at 3000 rpms which is perfect for the highway.

the car is fitted with lowering springs of some sort. the ride is harsh and i can feel that some of the bushings are shot. the driver side door panel needs to be tightened as it doesn't make that new-car-door-closing noise. it just needs to have the upper clip along the window glass pressed in tighter.

the recaro's fit really snug around the thighs. i'm 5'10" & 220 lbs but i would say the seats are meant for 180 lbs and lower with the same height. the worn thigh bolster on the driver seat has its inner foam shifted around the metal inner-frame of the bolster so i can feel the metal just digging into my leg.

the 4-speakers are garbage. can't wait to change the speakers and head unit.

i'm really looking forward for the winter and see how well the AWD performs.

Hahahah - the enchanted forest is creepy as hell. Definitely some odd goings on in there...

We passed it last year on the way to Vernon and coming from the Calgary side of the enchanted forest there is like some old abandoned shack with boarded up windows, etc and a sign that says, "Enchanted Forest" close to it...

"Come to my version of Enchanted forest kiddies..."



This post has been edited by KAOS: May 17, 2012 - 11:52 AM

Ok something no one has thought or cared to ask
how many times have you caught yourself getting in on the left side instead of the right

Get in set down "hey where did the wheel go.......crap wrong sides"

Damn i want a 205..

Congrats Gerald! Welcome to the club!

Everybody needs a ST205.

>


it's happened a couple of times already actually.. and i laugh at myself everytime it happens


just another update, when i pulled over at a rest stop earlier today, i was looking and admiring the 3SGTE and checked the oil level. then i found a few wires coming out of the engine harness grommet on the firewall. one was for the boost gauge, another wire connected to the ignition pin on the diagnostics port, but there was another wire connected to some sort of relay.








so i went to look under the passenger-side foot well and followed the wires. as curious as i was, i pulled the carpet back to find a few toys hiding beneath:




score!

turns out the reason the boost controller wasn't working was because the module wasn't wired in and the relay on the firewall is actually some sort of VSV for it (i think).
i'll see if the other two (HKS fuel cut defencer & Greddy speed limiter cut controller) are working when i get back to winnipeg.

also, when i picked up the car, i checked the oil level and the oil on the dipstick was so clean it seems like the previous owner did an oil change before getting rid of it. it was so clear it was hard to tell what the actual oil level was on the dipstick. and after doing 1000 kms, the oil is still just as clean as it was before. i was expecting it to be a little brown or something but nope... still clear. i'm still puzzled why the VSV for the boost controller isn't hooked up and i'm guessing the previous owner blew the old engine and swapped in a newer one.

i also took a few pics today of the scenery.... enjoy.


Rogers Pass, B.C.






Lake Louise, AB




I'm currently in Banff taking a break and heading out shortly.

I really love that second picture. Score on all the cool stuff you're finding.

You wanna swing by tonight and talk shop!?

LMK. I'll hook you up with an addy.

I doubt you will - I bet you're beat from the trip so far. Long trips make me tired.

Need to get that Recaro matching back seat..i have one in both Celicas

I find bolster wear is a problem with Recaros suggest rotating seats.
You can order real Recaro material to fix seat

I am 6'5" , 250 and pushing 40 but my old bum loves the seats.
I know what you mean about tight squeeze. Once get sorted take on
twistes and seats will feel amazing ..

Cruise control will be interesting as ST205 is not set up for it at all.
I dont even see it listed in EPC ...

Congrats on purchase. Welcome back..

nice welcome back, you cant have my mats!!!!

really nice to see so many more GT4s now! i've seen 2 around the GTA... it's been barely 2 weeks after selling my celi and i'm already missing the 6gc... sooo tempted to get a gt4 for a next car... was already looking at jdm importer sites... too bad nobody imports lhd ones from europe. also can't wait for my trip in the summer through the rockies/banff, it looks sweet! first time heading out there and i've been living in ontario all my life hah.

>

i had already planned to see my relatives in Calgary for the night. they will be letting me stay with them when i arrive in calgary for several weeks until i get my first couple of paycheques and find my own apartment. i'd like to try to go to the ogopogo meet but i don't know for sure at this time, but i'll have a better idea once i start the new job.


>


i finished swapping the seats over. it's too bad oem seats aren't setup like the recaros where you can just unbolt the seats from the seat rails and easily swap them. i wanted to do this on my leather seats since the side bolster on the driver seat was worn. while i had the seats out i did a full vacuuming job and found miscellaneous japanese coins, gundam (anime) cards, some receipts from who-knows-where, and an unused, still-wrapped chewing gum (no i wasn't gonna see what japanese gum tasted like )

the seats hug really well, i just wished it wasn't so hard to get in and out of.


>

lol i don't think they'll fit anyway. you'd expect there to be some in japan or something since they usually get all the accessories and we get none. i might have to look for rhd 5gc/7gc rubber mats, or anything from a rhd with similar sub-flooring just to keep the snow and dirt from going on the carpets.


>

if you are going to travel out west in more than 3 months time, you might as well buy a gt-four from japan, or any jdm car if you don't mind the RHD. it's not difficult to do, you just need to know the process. i saved money not having to order from an importer. i only spent about $5.5k on mine all in! not that importers charge a decent coin for their work, but i was also lucky to have the exporter upgrade me to the next available gt-four due to their incompetence. normally you would find this car advertise for $7k if already landed considering the condition, features, and mileage. having the car on the trip made it very convenient to be able to get around and see places as i really hate having to take taxi's and public transportation when i'm travelling. the problem is making the long drive back to the GTA and not have cruise control.

i made the trip out west for the first time in 2009. if you're going to be with at least 8 people you definitely should try going whitewater rafting. they have excursion packages in banff but it takes place in B.C. about 1.5 hrs from Banff. it's not as dangerous as it sounds but you do have to sign a waiver in case of accidental death or whatnot but to put it into perspective, our guide was saying he was able to do most of the 22km ride by himself since he had a raft full of skinny japanese women who really couldn't paddle even if their lives depended on it lol.




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getting back to the car, i checked the wiring on the fuel-cut defencer, speed limiter cut controller, and boost controller. they were all wired for power & ground but it seems the last owner didn't know how to wire the rest. i looked for the online manuals for these devices and figured out how to get fuel-cut defencer and boost controller working but i couldn't find out where the green & white wires connect to for the speed limiter cut controller. i'm not planning to take the car to max it out on the highway (i'm too chicken to do it anyway..), or setting the boost at dangerous levels, but would just like to know that they're set up properly since they're already in the car anyway.

This post has been edited by azian_advanced: May 21, 2012 - 8:08 AM