1995 geo prizm
Posted by PooterScooter0@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 40 comments
My new project car. 1995 geo prizm. I paid $550 for her. She has 70k miles on her. She sat in the floridl9a sun for a long time so she got pretty beat up. When I bought her she had brand new battery, struts, alternator, starter and power steering pump. I have put distributor, wires, plugs, cv axles, hubs, front and rear brakes, master cylinder and new vacuum lines. I have new braided fuel and brake lines to put in. Rubber pieces don't last long in florida at all. She has AC and heat. She is a 1.6 (4afe) with 3 speed auto. I want to retain reliability so I am keeping the 4a and swapping in a 5 speed. She is no power horse by any means and she isn't really supported by aftermarket. I do plan on basic bolt ons just for some more pep and noise. I do plan on stiffening up the suspension without lowering her. I don't have much to do to her mechanically so I actually have a car I can spend some money on body and interior with. I have built a lot of cars in my day and I am excited for this little turd. You don't see these worked on a lot bc people get scared ofcustom fab which you would need to do a lot to this car. Also bc people would rather have a corolla. Anyways thanks for cmcheching her out and I'll be updating her here I'd that's okay
Nippon-Gakki@reddit
Nice! I’ve got a ‘95 with the 7afe but mine is a 5spd. I also like that it kind of fits in the Chevy family to go with my ‘02 C5Z and ‘84 square body.
They are fun and weird and most people have no idea what it is. I installed a Whiteline rear sway and a Corolla front (there was no front bar at all) along with new struts all around. Handles pretty well now. I’ve been thinking about a 4age swap but not sure which way to go. There are all sorts of different color “tops” and this being my first Toyota, I need to do some more reading.
No_Character8384@reddit
I was just looking on my 1997 prizm like where the fuck is the sway bar. After all this research... I'm seeing that there may not have been one. And my road noise is probably the struts and/or control arms. I thought it would be sway bar links but...doesn't appear I have them. Only rear? That bolt into the center of the frame
Nippon-Gakki@reddit
I did the same thing when I got mine. Definitely no front bar. As far as I know they all did come with a rear. Clunking noise may be lower control arm bushings. I went cheap and got eBay front arms and quick struts all the way around. I’m sure they aren’t the greatest parts but they’ve been fine for over 40k miles now. It definitely handles better with a front sway bar so it’s worth a trip to the junkyard for the bar and mounting hardware if you’re going to be working on the suspension anyway.
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Mine too! There is a lot to cover with these cars. My afvu e is when Google things put in 93-97 corolla instead of prizm and more will pop up. Shit, I wouldn't even mind your setup. At least you are 2 secs 0-60 than I am and about the same in the 1/4 mile. But yes, 4age, 4agze which is factory supercharged or with some fab work you can get a 1zz or 2zz in there from later generations.
Nippon-Gakki@reddit
I’ll definitely have to do some more reading and see which way to go.
I’ll add that there’s a seller on eBay where you can get 4 Geo center caps for like $20. I’m running the black steelies with caps and they look nice. Also, change out the electrolytic capacitors in the ECU. It’s a very common issue with Japanese cars of this era. Mine had just started leaking but if you let them go, they’ll eat up the board and you’ll have to find a replacement. I bought mine from digikey and used high temp automotive grade replacements.
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
The lack steelies like mine?? That would be cool as hell! Thanks for that advice too!
Nippon-Gakki@reddit
Yep, they had silver wheels with center caps on the cheaper cars and wheel covers over black wheels on the fancier models. They are the same wheels so the center caps still fit fine.
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Thank you for that!
pandamago@reddit
Why not a blacktop swap? Most of the ones on ebay come with transmission and ecu
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
That would actually be pretty cool too. Especially bc you see them in corollas and not in prizms. I definitely tossed the idea around
pandamago@reddit
Or 2zz. Definitely would be one off at that point.
I think the reason you don't see many prizms is because of Cash for Clunkers.
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Probably, but like I said 70k and is brand new mechanically. There is no reason for me to give it up. Also there is a Chevy bowtie in the geo logo this generation.
No_Character8384@reddit
Don't give it up. 97 prizwiz currently at 193k going strong. I have my seat belt on, the wires just disconnected under my seat haha. *
pandamago@reddit
Definitely missed it lol
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
I did too until my 6yo daughter noticed it. Her name is Chevy and she spots that logo a million miles away lol
pandamago@reddit
That explains the tattoo lol!
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
The tattoo explains her lol
pandamago@reddit
Oh my
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Lmao bc the tattoo cane first then her name. I realize I worded that wrong, but it's still not wrong. Sorry not sorry. Lol it was an 05 trailblazer.
Ynwstinkyballz@reddit
How goes it so far I'm buying one soon
disguy2k@reddit
Is this Jimmy McGills car from better call Saul?
Adventurous-Ad3006@reddit
One time I seen a geo like this with nothing but sound system in back seats and trunk. Almost positive it was swapped motor too, just to turn extra alternators.
I don’t understand the hype but I feel the same way about first gen foresters so who I’m to judge lol.
poorboychevelle@reddit
Holy shit. Exact build and color as my first car, a 1994 Geo Prism. Did eventually ditch those same wheels for aluminums.
Given it with 120K on it, sold it 10 years and ~140K later with a popped timing belt.
RobbMeeX@reddit
Rad find. Super jealous.
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Sarcasm? Lol
RobbMeeX@reddit
I got you chief. You don't seem to think a super reliable 95 is super rad. I got $600 on it. (Now that's sarcasm)(serious on the $600 tho)
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Thanks though, bro. This car is rad to me. Apparently it's just not for everyone.
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
No I was asking if you were being sarcastic. I love this car and think it's dope
Majestic-Pen7878@reddit
Welp, today I learned I’m old. Now I know how boomers feel, when those throwaway 6 cylinder Novas starting becoming desirable
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Right? Now it's the bare minimum cars of the 90s
Syscrush@reddit
This looked like a parody of the beginner posts on here until you said you've built a lot of cars and that this is a little turd and a chance to do fab work.
It always makes me happy to see when someone gives love to the unlovable. Have fun with it!
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Idk how to feel about this comment
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
I'm not saying I built '69 camaros or 100k cars or anything. I have had my hands in turbod civics, lifted trucks, stanced VWs, lowriders (air ride and hydraulics). The thing is with most of these builds 85% was stuff you can buy and bolt on. Obviously, you would still need some know how and a little fab work, but it's all pretty much cut and dry. You can buy lift kits for everything from Subarus to Caravans to F650s. You can lower anything in the world. There is a right way and a wrong way, but anything can be lowered. There is a coilover, air ride or hydraulic set for anything out there (including my car). My point is for 75% of the cars and engines out there that exist there is decent aftermarket support.
Unfortunately, with the 93-97 corolla/prizm with the 1.6l 4a-fe there are is not much going on. We can get coilovers, intakes, exhaust, turbo, manifold and headers. But what's the whole point of doing all that to the exhaust and intake but still have to use stock throttle body. Oh a TB from this car will work? Damn, gotta fab up an adapter. Oh this car would look good with a mild body kit! Shit i either have to fab a corolla bumper to work and not look stupid or I have to fab a lip and integrate lights into the stock bumper. My car would be so much lighter with carbon fiber hood, fenders, and trunk lid like they have for the 93-97 corollas? Nope, gotta make your own shit. Which I intend on doing. Aftermarket headlights? Hell no. Time for me to make my own angel eye projectors again.
Maybe "build" and "fab" were strong words for the car. You see a 1995 shit box Geo Prizm. I see a car that is never upgraded (probably for good reasons) and I see it as a challenge. For this car to be anything it is going to take a lot of custom work. Yes there are a lot of cars out there not supported by Aftermarket companies and my car is no diamond in the rough.
In my experience, it doesn't matter what you build or how you build it. A build is a build and should be respected as such. Some people want something nobody else has. It might sound like a first timers post because it is a first timers post. My bad for thinking I was talking to like minded individuals. My bad I didn't have something cool to show off like an '63 impala, '73 c10. C6 corvette or a hellcat. It is something I thought was cool and different and I guess somewhere in this community will agree.
kcgreaser@reddit
Otherwise known as.....a Toyota Corolla. Leave it in your will.
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Except it has a Chevy bowtie on the front that matches my tattoo. Also I'm being buried in it.
pandamago@reddit
That's an interesting Chevy bowtie on the front..
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Even though it could last 3 or 4 more generations lol
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
I can't tell if this was sarcasm? Lol
ComPostOffice@reddit
Awesome! Just picked up a '96 Saturn to work on with my kid. I'm an 80's kid and I have a soft spot for small cars from the late 80's through the mid 90's or so. Made me a proud Dad that he picked something from my time for his first car.
Even better, because it's his car I didn't have to pay for it! Hahaha. I was nervous about parenting a teen, but there are upsides! Dude can pay for (some of) his own parts and I can just turn wrenches and show him the ropes.
And I'll still get to enjoy driving it because I'm Dad. My house, my rules... What kid wouldn't trade his Saturn for the old man's turbo hatch once in a while anyway?
PooterScooter0@reddit (OP)
Edit: spelling and typos. I guess I wasn't doing as good as I thought ibwas writing that