Finally more mods taking place on the GTS racecar!

Here are a few mods I've made since I moved the Celica into the new shop, with lots more in my crazy mind.......

These are of the air deflector templates, when finished they will help to force more cool air directly through the oil cooler and radiator (Koyo) when installed.




This is a pic of the new steering staft which eliminates the tilt/telescope feature and also has a quick release steering adapter......



racerb :science

 

Took the template out and made an actual right side end-plate for the deflector along with making braces to support front grill. I want be running the original headlight buckets, so I'm having to support the grill and headlight covers.





racerb :eng101

 

While working on the rear hub assemblies I made an interesting discovery, the 87 hubs are really quite different than the 88 pieces.
The hub on the left is the 88, see how much thicker it is than the 87 on the right, not sure what else might be different!



racerb :?

 

I bought everything I needed from Summit Racing, a 24" piece of 3/4" double D steering shaft and a 3/4" male hiem joint. Oh yeah and a weld-on support bracket, that will before long be attached to the dash bar of the roll cage.

 

Got some more items taken care of over the last few evenings after work. Have been trying to re-build the nose of the car while trying to trim weight, which meant ditching the headlight and their buckets and adding the '88 grill! Here is what I've come up with so far.........



In the first picture you can barely see where I drilled a series of holes under the left front headlight cover, this is where the K&N cone style air filter will live. And as you move around the nose of the car, both headlight covers are removeable, right side for oil-cooler lines, left for air filter access. Also removed almost all the original sub-structure, so grill is supported by aluminum L-brackets. Not seen but coming soon additional fender support, since the headlight buckets used to do that job.

Oh and one other thing, started working on setting up the adjustable rear control arms from a '95 Celica to fit the '87 by installing the early model bushings...

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racerb :driving

 

More mods tonight, gotta order more bushings to finish the right side, but here is the left side control arm with Super Pro bushings from the old arms. Original '95 adjustable control at the top and the control with the urethane bushings installed.....


Also in the picture is the adapter set up I put together to take the place of the old cam bolt system so the pivot point is now solid. The next pictures are of the control arm in place and how the adapter set up fits into the old cam support,,,,,












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Took a trip to the local Pick-N-Pull today and picked up a few item for the GTS. I've been looking for a good set of side mirrors from a 90-93 Celica, today was my lucky day and found a really nice set for $28 for the pair. Also picked up a set of coil-overs off an Acura Integra the sleeves are too small for the Celica, but the springs are a perfect fit and much higher rate the what on my car now. Plus I can probebly use the sleeves on the Yaris when I start modifying it for Street Touring F auto-xing.




racerb :driving

 

The mods have slowed down for now, got more parts to order before more work can happen. I do have a lot of cleaning, prepping, and painting under the hood, but that is just busy work, want more parts to install!

racerb :hammertime

 

Not required in my class, but not to say one want be installed! After my buddy Jim's crash at the NASA Championships at Mid-Ohio, a fuel cell is higher on my list of safety gear!! Check out video it's actually listed under Championship Wrap Up....

http://www.youtube.com/user/NASAPRORACINGTV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shg92VqoSYY

racerb hnoes

 

Started tearing the car back down for more mods and some paint work. Ordered new hub bearings and seals which are coming in now and about to order longer wheek studs from ARP. Took the front struts apart and installed slightly taller higher rate springs and decided to remove the brake-line holders, since I can just sprap them to the strut housings. Here is what I've done so far, strut on the left is the final set-up with bracket removed, taller springs, and shortened bumpstop.....

 

Well while re-assembling the front struts I discovered what I had feared for some time, the left side Koni insert was completely dead!! We are talking nearly zero compression and rebound damping no matter where you set the top adjuster, so Tire Rack sold me a single insert to the tune of $177. Needless to say, theres nearly $180 not going for extra pieces but just a replacement part, oh well!!

racerb

 

If I owned a Shock Dyno like most Proffesional race teams, I could test them throughout all their ranges and maybe not need to buy just one insert. But since this is not my daily driver one replacement strut will do just fine and yes I would strongly suggest replacing both on your DD. I guess the best part of this whole deal, is knowing that folks like the Tire Rack will sell you just one shock or strut when you need it, ie: wreck, slamming a curb, or just plain worn out!!

racerb

 

Well my one replacement Koni insert arrived today and guess what, they've changed the design completely! It's not so it want fit anymore, it's a good change, one that goes from being sealed to one that rebuildable. They even changed the retainer nut design to a more low profile better fitting design, makes installing coil-over much easier and no corners sticking out. I'll post picks of the new retainers, can't post one of the insert, cause I got so happy I slapped her right in the strut!!


racerb :science2

 

More progress of late, finished under-hood repainting and blanking off holes that want be used......


Started tearing down JDM engine that came from a drowned '88 GTS, looks good so far as cylinders are in good shape, but rings are toast!! Also a few of the valve lifters are damaged and will require replacement......




Repainted old burgandy dash and center stack which will be re-installed after cage is complete......


Lots more to come, so stay tuned.

racerb :driving