Looking to buy this project car.
Posted by Right-Flounder5076@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 65 comments
This is a Toyota Celica: $700, 270k miles, no radio, manual, transmission is slipping but I plan to swap engine and transmission anyways, a few dents but I plan to turn this into a street legal racing car. My first project car and I am aware this is an expensive and very long project but I like doing cool stuff so I’m gonna do it anyway. Regardless, what do you guys think? I am looking to see if it has a title.
deadupnorth@reddit
Have you done any research on it? What swap options for motors and transmission? What motors did these come with stock a 3gse or whatever?
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
A little research, a FWD “1ZZ-FE” engine. I’m considering making it RWD but I don’t know if that’s even in my skill level yet so not sure, and probably do a built k20/k24 series swap
piggymoo66@reddit
Do you know what that entails? You not only are you choosing an engine from a different manufacturer, but you're fitting it in there the wrong way from intended, there is no transmission that fits it that way with an adapter plate, and there is no transmission tunnel or room for a driveshaft to go to the back, or any provisions for mounting a rear diff, let alone selecting one, and the rear hubs don't have any way to accept driveshafts.
And that's just the major parts. I'm not sure if this is a satire post, but there is absolutely no way you have the skill or know-how to do this if you are asking these questions.
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
That’s the reason I am perfectly fine with doing this swap. Not satire, just a project so I can learn, and thank you for that information I’ll do more research later but I also like to go straight to the source prior to starting any project regardless of how knowledgeable I am. This is more of a learning project if anything
piggymoo66@reddit
If you have money, you'd be much better off K-swapping a car that is already well researched. You have never done this before, and you'll still be learning a lot following in someone else's footsteps. Or, stick with this car and do the common things that other people have already done. No need to reinvent the wheel.
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
What fun is the at though lol
funkyfried_taters@reddit
Look, obviously you’re young and a lot of us have been around this block before. So listen to us internet strangers if you try to dive in too deep with some crazy project that will take tons of custom work without the knowledge to do so, either A) you have so much money to burn you’ll just pay a shop to do the work for you which “what fun is that” or more than likely B) get the car halfway torn apart and figure out you’re way in over your head and every step becomes a massive hurdle to overcome and you loose interest and then find that nobody wants to buy your half assed project car and it goes to the scrap yard.
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
Or C, finish the project regardless because I truly do not care what you think I could do. I have still yet to establish what exactly I’m going to do yet, and with what I have said may be my intentions I could fully do, wether you believe or trust me at all doesn’t make me any difference.
funkyfried_taters@reddit
Look we are just trying to help. Get the car it’s cheap but learn and do small modifications as you go don’t just go out and buy all this stuff for a swap that is very difficult even for someone with the experience of custom fabrication and installing. You’ll end up biting yourself in the ass. I’m sure most of the people in this thread have gone through this phase when they were younger.
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
Fair, I likely won’t even try to do a rwd swap, like many have said. Also probably won’t be able to buy that specific Celica as he won’t respond but I did find another. Sorry I came off so rash in my message.
That_Swim@reddit
Comments like this tell me your skill level is at a beginner level.
ThunderDoom1001@reddit
"Yeah man, I might just make it RWD"... LOL, yeah buddy sure.
NopeNeg@reddit
That's a comment from someone who learned everything they know about cars from Forza
That_Swim@reddit
This is the thought process I had as a high schooler who never turned a wrench before
SuperReleasio64@reddit
Rwd conversion on this will take a lot of time and money. I've researched it. These cars are close enough to the Rav4 that the cradles will almost bolt up... almost. There is some fabricating but it's super expensive if you don't know how to weld. For engine swaps I recommend the 2ZZ-FE it came in the Celica GTS. They rev to the moon and they're tuned by Yamaha. The 1ZZ handles boost better though due to lower compression ratio.
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
Someone has never dealt with a 2zz...
SuperReleasio64@reddit
I've heard that they can be problematic but I've never dealt with them in person. I had a 1zz.
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
Why would you recommend one?
SuperReleasio64@reddit
It's a lot easier of a swap than a K series. And if you fix the oil starvation issue then I heard that they're not bad motors. I'm just giving them options.
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
You have absolutely no idea about what you're talking about.
SuperReleasio64@reddit
👍
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
Do a valve job on a 2zz and get back to me.
SuperReleasio64@reddit
Yea no thanks. Valve jobs are a pita.
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
Why are they a PITA, with a 2ZZ specifically?
SuperReleasio64@reddit
I've never had a 2zz so idk.
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
So why would you suggest a 2zz swap?
SuperReleasio64@reddit
Because it is a Toyota engine that would be going in a Toyota car. It's a lot cheaper than buying a Honda engine and all of the shit associated with making it run in another car that's not designed for it. What specifically is so bad about the 2zz that he should never touch it?
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
Cam journal wear, crank journal specs, shim cap lash adjustment, rarity of OEM parts, failure of aftermarket parts, lack of support, lack of general knowledge (COUGH!), lack of tuning knowledge, unless you have all data, the information on torque and pattern is just wrong on the internet.
KdF-wagen@reddit
Ppl RED these!!?? Thats how they should have come.
SuperReleasio64@reddit
It's been done but it certainly isn't common. A lot has to be custom fabricated. It's almost easier to buy a miata lol. From what I understand you have to fabricate all new transmission mounts, suspension mounts, engine mounts, cut transmission tunnel, and misc cutting and welding. You're basically trying to jam the rav4 cradles into the celica body and finding shit that will bolt up to it.
deadupnorth@reddit
Yeah that's pretty gnarly. And the Yamaha thing is badass, I didn't know that. My brand when it comes to bikes!
KdF-wagen@reddit
Thats wiiild
Busterlimes@reddit
Why would you Kswap a reliable engine?
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
Because I’m ok with burning the money for a cool project
kartoffel_engr@reddit
If you’re okay with burning money, start from a better place than this.
deadupnorth@reddit
Okay I'm vaguely familiar with that one. I'm not as up on the mid and newer 00s stuff as well, but they're both a 1.8 with different can l cam setups if I remember it right? Rwd swap would be a monster project. I don't think those cars ever came AWD so there'd be allot of fab but anything is possible. I would say concentrate on the motor, a good manual transmission and maybe see what people have done for boost options. Could probably find some used turbo setup for a good deal. If you amass the tools and have the patience you can make shit happen, but I will say I personally am not a big fan of fwd exclusive platforms. Just very limiting. But that would be a sweet project no matter how you slice it. Good experience regardless just don't turn it into a total money pit, that's not a super ideal street race or race period set up. Good deal tho and probably cheap to fix up and take a serious beating haha
mcstanky@reddit
1zz or 2zz if I remember correctly.
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
Not sure about transmission
deadupnorth@reddit
I think the upper level one is a 6 speed if I'm not mistaken. Also, as far as the k swap stuff of be curious if there's already a kit out there for that for these cars. Interesting idea, would be pretty cool
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
I’m pretty sure it is
dfacedxa@reddit
1zz on a gt. 2zz on a gts. 2zz is awesome
thisislikemyfifthalt@reddit
I’d check for rust but at $700 I’d just send it bro. These cars aren’t really sports cars, they’re basically Corolla coupes. (I have seen someone rip one of these at autocross before though)
TotalmenteMati@reddit
This would already be a decent project just fixing it up and getting it going correctly. Going for a whole drivetrain swap is overkill
N0Tbanned@reddit
I think you’re getting in over your head
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
I think so too but I’m also perfectly fine with learning how to over the course of multiple months and burning money to figure it out
joemike@reddit
I mean for $700 if it ain’t rusted to shit I’d send it
notahyundaimechanic@reddit
That’s the main thing, as long as it’s not rusty everything else can be fixed but rust is a killer on cars like this.
Raynafur@reddit
I had a Celica of this generation. It has a fantastic chassis and can handle corners really well. The engines in these have always been the thing that let them down. But, if you're planning on swapping the drivetrain anyways, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
SD_CA@reddit
What engine transmission are you swapping in?
diocane1214@reddit
For engine try go see if you like the frankestein motorworks they mainly do mr2 but their engines ideas are pretty neat so you will also stay in the toyota engine family
SuperSeriouslessly@reddit
I hope you understand how much engineering and welding is required to rwd swap one of these. Mounts,brackets tunnel, using odd parts from like an opel or something, youd be further ahead saving the money and buying an all trac if your really into celicas. Or get a civic and rwd swap that, at least theirs kits. If your looking to do a secspec car then this would be a good platform but to go rwd youre gonna be elbow deep just to start a project like this.
deadupnorth@reddit
Well shit if you got a garage and money fuckin send it. If you get half of what you wanna do done, this thing will be a very unique ride. Can't say I've seen a k swapped Celica but I've seen pretty much everything else under the sun so why not. People underestimate the willpower of a mf with their mind set on a particular car😂 learn shit break shit fix it, spend money and have fun. You'll hate it at times but when you drive it its worth it. Do you bro. Just be sure to post pics if you really are gonna go thru with it cause I know I'm not the only one interested in seeing something other than an LS swap lmao
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
Alright lol, been getting a lot of doubt comments and while I don’t they’re wrong, I’m ok with fucking up so I’ll probably buy it anyways and do it. I’ll leave this post to either be a forwarning to others or a success story lmao.
deadupnorth@reddit
Ridiculous isn't quite the right word but I'm sure you understand my point, wasn't trying to be condescending or anything lol
deadupnorth@reddit
Yeah I mean ridiculous isn't impossible. Alot of what they say about difficulty and cost is true, but I'm not gonna tell someone how not to spend their time and money. Stuff like this just comes along every once in a while and most people realize it's not worth the effort, but a few do the shit and come up with some wierd, cool builds.
ParticularFar8574@reddit
Ugly, but parts are plentiful and it will drive well. I'd rather have a matrix because at least it's practical and doesn't look like that. You better know what you're doing if you're going to convert it to rear wheel drive.
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
Are you ready to light 5k on fire?
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
Absolutely
NeedMoneyForTires@reddit
DM me. I have racecar parts for you
sladebonge@reddit
"Transmission is slipping"
Do you mean clutch? The clutch is what wears and eventually slips before shitting the bed. You don't need to replace a whole transmission for that, just the clutch. Replace the master and slave cylinders too while you're already in there
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
I’m aware it’s the clutch, however the description that is what was written word for word
dikkiesmalls@reddit
Yeah i was gonna mention this as well. I am not familiar with the stick granny in these though, or how much hp they can put down before grenading.
sladebonge@reddit
It'll handle more than that little motor will ever be capable of making regardless of mods. An upgraded clutch kit would be a good idea at some point, but honestly i'd put an OEM clutch in it and drive the car as-is for a little while to see if it's even something i'd wanna "do a racecar engine and trans swap" in.
Not every cool-looking car is a fun driving experience whether it's modded or not.
Right-Flounder5076@reddit (OP)
Toyota Celica - GT Hatchback 2D to clarify
dfacedxa@reddit
If the body kit on it is real its worth more than $700. Nice find.