Celica T-Sport 190

[MG cup]

Im starting to really like these,

Now wheres the a/t link :smile:

In good time squire, just put away 2.5k and this one could be yours :wink:.

Ohh and I forgot, I have a very nearly new set of Continental Sport Contact 5's coming thanks to @baysthebest. I'm also contemplating getting the buckled wheel straightened instead of having the buckled wheel and the spare straightened, was offered a fair price to do them on a homer.

 

[MG cup]

I had this set sat at home for me today, I will get around to them very soon.

I decided to compression test the engine given the known problems with these engines where the pistons turn oval and the oil control rings was of a bad design that affected many Toyota's of that time. The general rule of thumb is if the engine is using more than 1 litre of oil per 1000 miles it's rebuild time. I was going to wait until 1000 and keep an eye on levels but I'm at 350 miles so far and haven't noticed a change in the levels, the curiosity had got the better of me and I had to do it.

Removed the plugs and signs were good with a nice copper colour on the plugs.

Worked from 1-4 with the injectors un-plugged to stop falsifying the readings. Book figures say above 203 psi is acceptable and a difference of below 18 psi between any cylinder. For reference a good Clio cylinder is circa 190 psi and goes some way to show where the extra power comes from on the Celica over the Clios. 11.5:1 comp ratio for the Celica and 11.2:1 on the Clio's.

Circa 248 psi

Circa 234 psi

Circa 235 psi

Circa 236 psi

Chuffed with the figures I checked the plugs were gapped to 1.1 mm as spec and cleaned, they were replaced a couple of years ago as the service history says but have done very little miles since so they didn't need adjustment.

Comp testing these things brings up a misfire code which I deleted, you can do the same by removing the battery positive for 10 minutes.

Lastly to remove the only remaining Halfords mod which was removing the paint from the front badge.

Far too long spent scrapping the paint off but the crime was past it best so I had to paint it again after a quick sand. I'll get another if I come across one for cheap.

Done it Ford Startos silver until I found a darker shade of steel wheel paint, finished with afew coats of laquer and it was 'done' for just now.

 

[MG cup]

Refitted the badge, looks too Halfords so I have a new one coming.

The brake pad anti-vibration pads can do one, they have slipped again making a loud grinding noise akin to a fallen out pad so they're coming out. Don't like the things anyway, nothing but bother.

The wrong RARB link I have will be going back and I have a full new set on order now.

 

[MG cup]

Well I had the car out for a good run last night cross country, I'm impressed, it's a brilliant B road blaster and I can't wait to get the new tyres on.

I was having so much fun I missed the photo op by 7 miles.

Before I went out I worked through a list of common rattles and knocks these things can have and found that the spoiler was loose amongst a few other covers and trims, I still have to remedy most of these which I'll document. These spoilers can touch the car when on the license loosing size of 100mph too so it's a good tell of a thrashed car.

The sticky calliper had caused my fresh paint job to boil off and unsurprisingly had cured itself the day after I ordered the rebuild kit but I'll still refurb them anyway and the disc bell again.

All anti vibe pads are off, they're more bother than they're worth tbh. Note the groove they have made in both discs now where they have slid.

So I had the calipers off and stripped down.

Cleaned up the pistons and housings.

Greased the pistons and slid them back in to cover important areas while they were cleaned and painted again.

When I get a chance I'll have them built back up and fresh Dot4 flushed through both the brakes and clutch as they share the same fluid bottle.

 

[dann2707]

My kind of thread this, concise yet informational stuff

Keep it up car looks awesome I'd love one.

 

[MG cup]

My kind of thread this, concise yet informational stuff :smile:

Keep it up car looks awesome I'd love one.

Cheers, I try to keep them simple as I reference them myself come sale time.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Enjoying this thread! Keep the updates coming! :up:

 

[Al_G]

Great Work!

 

[MG cup]

Enjoying this thread! Keep the updates coming! :up:

Will do.

The brakes are to be re-built tomorrow and the exhaust sorted completely I'm hoping. I bought some felt pads today to stop some rattles from the bout area too.

It won't be long until I paint, clean and polish the thing.

 

[MG cup]

Great Work!

Cheers

 

[MG cup]

Today I set about rebuilding the calipers and a few other jobs.

Started by fitting the piston seal's and then testing fitting the dust boot.

And also the springclip.

Removed both of those as they were fine and fitted the pistons.

I then refitted the dust boot and spring clip with the piston in. Pushed out the piston through the brake fluid entry and fitted the boot around the piston.

Pushed the pistons back in that's them complete.

Next was fitting the calipers slide boots, old vs new. Just shows how much rubber can swell.

Fitted them into the carriers.

Refitted the calipers, fitted new bleed nipples in the rear and bleed all four corners.

Old

New

The wheel nuts had been painted or had overspray from the past so I cleaned them quickly.

I cleaned the boiled paint while I was at it.

These turned up today while I was working so I threw them on too, it's quietened down the low speed road noise quite a bit.

Typical fight put up by these b******s of things.

The hubs were painted and wheels re-fitted.

I moved onto a few rattles I am getting from the boot. I fitted some felt pads for just now, I'll maybe get some grommets drilled into the parcel shelf.

I set about finding why the spoiler was loose and found it, a broken stud.

Removed the stud, unfortunately with the spoiler vibrating it has rubbed through the paint and started to bubble a little, I cleaned and polished everything and treated it with some Kurust.

I'm loving the car without the spoiler, if I cared much for The looks I would get another boot leid without the spoiler holes and run it.

I picked out some better/stronger fixings and refitted the spoiler after putting on some new and thicker sticky back foam to the spoiler.

Refitted the spoiler and the rain came on and stopped proceedings.

I have been trying to find some new centre caps for the wheels but they are worse than rocking horse shite to find having been discontinued years ago. I started to sand one down to see what was possible, I'll probably just buy T-sport stickers, stick them on top and laquer over them.

Quick tip for you.... if you have a squeling fan/alternator belt that is in otherwise good condition but has went a little hard from sitting around. Start the engine up and give it a spray of this stuff for a few days in a row and it will bring some life back into the belt and save you some dolla.

The VVTl-i lift bolts arrived today too, I'm just waiting on the rocker cover gasket and I can get them fitted along with painting the rocker cover. Such a simple thing that can go wrong and have a massive affect on performance.

 

[MG cup]

I missed the pic for the aux belt fix.just any old silicone spray works a treat.

 

[Philip.]

Great work so far, hammering through it mate!

 

[MG cup]

Great work so far, hammering through it mate!

Cheers, no uodates today, still waiting on parts to arrive.

 

[Darren S]

The most comfy cars ever! Great choice.

Definitely agree. Had the lower spec one (130bhp?) for a couple of months before my 182 arrived. Although underpowered, the cabin was a good place to be. The seating position made you feel like you were driving something a bit more special too.

Good purchase! :up:

 

[Addicted]

Damn good effort, only read it a few days back, come back in and there's some peoples whole project threads worth of pics in a few posts!

 

[MG cup]

The best description is a picture.

To update.... the tyres, rocker gasket and mat set have arrived, the wrong mat set have been sent out as far as materials and edging's, that's to be sorted out.

The common manifold heatshield rattle, clutch fork and gear change squeak have reared their head after 500 miles now so I'll take a look at them. The mani is a nightmare for access but an easy fix and the other two are just a case of greasing the moving parts.

 

[MG cup]

I haven't had the chance to do much on this the last week but the lift bolts, cam cover paint and the exhaust extension will happen on Tuesday if Prague doesn't kill me this weekend, hopefully I'll resolve the clutch/gear shift squeak and the mani heatshield rattle too. I also insured it for the year at £280, less than half what any of my Clio's ever cost me. Anyway I had an hour today to do some bits.....

I replaced the only MOT failure on the car.

Old

New

Excuse the mess, the car still has to be hoovered or washed yet.

Old

New

The rear parcel shelf had a clip missing so I sourced a new one.

While re-securing the spoiler I dropped a screw and washer into the boot lid that had been rattling around. No problem....

I hadn't used the CD changer so was unsure it worked, as many often don't on older cars. I threw 6 CD's in and it fired into action.

My £6 set of genuine Toyota locking wheel nuts have arrived too, they just need wire wheeled back to life.

The set of nearly new tyres I got off of here are sitting waiting to go on for when I get a chance to have one of the wheels straightened. I went for a 50 profile over the 45 that's on there just now, more for comfort reasons and the fact the wheels are like toffee... With the roads around here I thought it was best.

 

[MG cup]

I finally got a chance to give the inside a good going over.

What I started with.

I only used a 50/50 mix of G101 for everything. The leather and plastics were quite grubby.

I pulled out a few things to make cleaning easier.

I used that opportunity to go and get my tyres fitted. I went for contisport contact 5's and what a difference it has made to the car. It's night and day, the road noise has reduced, the grip all around is probably 3 times better and the ride is improved as I went for a 50 profile which isn't the best on the eye IMO but I'll live with it for the comfort.

I cleaned everything thoroughly and fitted felt pads in key areas.

And finished product. I still want to get some leather die for the drivers side bolster and I'll treat them to a few more coats of Meg's conditioner.

I then quickly snow foamed the car after removing the plate. The car had sat under a pine tree for a year so it's got loads of pines on it, I need to remove the scuttle panel and gutter rails when I get the chance to give the outside a proper doing. That won't happen until I paint the splitter which is well needed and the wheels too.

For what is an 02 plate car it is in very good condition. It's coming together well, after I do the lift bolts and adjust/grease the exhaust, gear change and mani heat shield its going to be a great motor.

 

[Mork of Ork]

Are you getting rid of those barry boy headlight eyebrow things too?

 

[MG cup]

Are you getting rid of those barry boy headlight eyebrow things too?

I don't plan to, I actually like them. They're a factory TRD extra... I'll probably have them off to recondition the headlights though and I might change my mind.

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Quite like these. There was a boosted one at an Oulton Park trackday I did a while back and it was easily the quickest thing there tbf.

 

[MG cup]

Quite like these. There was a boosted one at an Oulton Park trackday I did a while back and it was easily the quickest thing there tbf.

They're very Japanese in the cabin, they would be a much more refined car with some more sound deading but that's the reason they're so light.

Iirc Toyota done a supercharged version standard, much like the Exige engine but they were limited numbers or imports.

 

[Ph1 Tom]

The one at the track was done by Severn Motorsport iirc

 

[Mork of Ork]

I don't plan to, I actually like them. They're a factory TRD extra... I'll probably have them off to recondition the headlights though and I might change my mind.

Fair enough, they're not to my taste but if you like them keep them. I wonder what you'll find when you remove them to refurb the headlamps?

 

[MG cup]

The one at the track was done by Severn Motorsport iirc

Yeah I have seen a few of them, there's a nice purple one going about.

Fair enough, they're not to my taste but if you like them keep them. I wonder what you'll find when you remove them to refurb the headlamps?

I thought the same, I'm pretty sure they are just stuck on with double sided tape as I can't find fixings. I'll probably break them taking them off anyway haha.

 

[MG cup]

This is now up for sale, I have tried to update this thread but it keeps on crashing for some reason so I'll put up pictures later.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/low-mileage-celica-t-sport-vvt-i-190bhp/1162684521

The car has just had a refresh for sale, front splitter painted, rear quarter was painted and wheel bearing replaced from some numpty truck driver tapping the o/s/r, all discs removed, stripped and re-painted, wipers removed and painted, engine covers painted black, interior all scrubbed up again.... It's looking all fresh for its new owner. It just needs a polish and coat of wax when this weather picks up.

Since last update the it's had new front pads, new front grille/badge, full service including pollen and brakes, VVT-i lift bolts and rocker gasket, loads of new trim clips and fasteners and a load of others I can't think of, as with all my cars, it gets what it needs.

It's been trouble free in my ownership other than the brakes needing a strip and clean from time to time.

Get buying folks, gray summer car :smile:

 

[Daniel]

What a lovely looking car. Glwts

 

[Mr Burns]

Yeah that looks great dude.

 

[Mr Plums]

Nice car mate, whats the rev limit on these? Are they like a vtec and come on cam after 6k?

Glwts.

 

[MG cup]

Cheers folks.

Nice car mate, whats the rev limit on these? Are they like a vtec and come on cam after 6k?

Glwts.

They rev out to circa 8300rpm and come on "lift" (Vtec) at 6200rpm, I see it as a Civic Type-r but it's cheaper on tax being a 1.8 litre, it is also more frugal if driven out of lift. They also have essentially a 140bhp engine before you come on cam so they're a lot more useable than a Vtec engine day to day. Just as reliable, if not more as they don't suffer much gearbox failures like the CTR.

 

[Mr Plums]

Cheers folks.



They rev out to circa 8300rpm and come on "lift" (Vtec) at 6200rpm, I see it as a Civic Type-r but it's cheaper on tax being a 1.8 litre, it is also more frugal if driven out of lift. They also have essentially a 140bhp engine before you come on cam so they're a lot more useable than a Vtec engine day to day. Just as reliable, if not more as they don't suffer much gearbox failures like the CTR.

Wow they must be good fun, is it the same engine as an ep3, I know they are around 197hp.

Edit.. Just noticed its a 1.8 so forget my above question.