Duke Racing Celica GT-Four Time Attack Racecar

[Punknoodle]

So, a couple of things. I'm very excited because my fiancee and I bought our first home! Its currently getting the finishing touches put on it (its brand new) but we take ownership on the 12th and move in on the 16th. It has an internal double garage so I'll be buying some Epoxy flooring paint and painting the concrete floor of the garage before we move in because working on a bare concrete floor sucks, and because I'm finally going to have my car in a decent garage again I intend on working on it a bit.

So, to the car, I bought a head this afternoon for it. Its a Gen 1 3SGE head, but that will be fine for my engine, Ill just use my manifolds, valve cover etc. I decided to go with the direct swap option simply because its less stuffing around - I won't have to change manifolds, redo piping, change fuel rails etc. I just want to get this engine reliable and running well so I can go out and drive it at the track. If I were to get a Gen 3 it would have meant a lot of rework and changing things around and it makes sense if going that route to build a whole new race engine and start again from scratch - not financially viable.

This way its a relatively quick fix and I won't have spent too much and it should hopefully cop abuse at hill climbs and circuit sprints. I am still unsure of whether I will keep upgrading this car or buy something else which is another reason I didn't go for the complicated option. It wouldn't have been that much of an increase anyway - running the CT20B turbo is the limiting factor, really.

So I'm going to drop the head off to a specialist and get them to give it a check over and a clean / prep before I install it, get some other parts I need to fit the head plus the new sensors for the ECU (just so I can keep an eye on oil temps etc to help avoid any problems with this set up). Then a quick tuning adjustment for the new head on the dyno and an increase of boost pressure (I can safely nudge up a couple of PSI) and mapping of the sensors and I should be good to go, again..

Just really want to go out and thrash it as much as I can next year.

 

[Paulie]

So, a couple of things. I'm very excited because my fiancee and I bought our first home!

Pfft, money bags.

So, to the car, I bought a head this afternoon for it. Its a Gen 1 3SGE head, but that will be fine for my engine, Ill just use my manifolds, valve cover etc. I decided to go with the direct swap option simply because its less stuffing around - I won't have to change manifolds, redo piping, change fuel rails etc. I just want to get this engine reliable and running well so I can go out and drive it at the track. If I were to get a Gen 3 it would have meant a lot of rework and changing things around and it makes sense if going that route to build a whole new race engine and start again from scratch - not financially viable.

This way its a relatively quick fix and I won't have spent too much and it should hopefully cop abuse at hill climbs and circuit sprints. I am still unsure of whether I will keep upgrading this car or buy something else which is another reason I didn't go for the complicated option. It wouldn't have been that much of an increase anyway - running the CT20B turbo is the limiting factor, really.

So I'm going to drop the head off to a specialist and get them to give it a check over and a clean / prep before I install it, get some other parts I need to fit the head plus the new sensors for the ECU (just so I can keep an eye on oil temps etc to help avoid any problems with this set up). Then a quick tuning adjustment for the new head on the dyno and an increase of boost pressure (I can safely nudge up a couple of PSI) and mapping of the sensors and I should be good to go, again..

Just really want to go out and thrash it as much as I can next year.

Just make sure it's done by the middle of March!

 

[Paulie]

If anyone has wondered what Nick's car sounds like, this is video from back in April of his Celica racing my stock VF SV6 Ute, it's not perfect but you can hear his car.

 

[Punknoodle]

Thanks for posting this man it's cool to hear how it sounds under load from outside the car.

 

[Punknoodle]

It's so good having a garage again! Get to do the stuff I've been wanting to do for ages, like tidy up the wiring around the alternator. Then head replacement and at the same time I'll do the rear diff mounts etc. I'm looking forward to my next track day.

Behind my GT-Four lives my racing set up. Still waiting on the CSWv2 base and triple screens but you get the idea. The house may be filled up with kids toys and wifey's stuff but at least I get my garage to hang out and do man stuff in lol.

 

[Paulie]

Nice work on the garage 👍, but is that a Volvo poster I spy?

 

[Punknoodle]

Nice work on the garage 👍, but is that a Volvo poster I spy?

Too bloody right it is 👍

 

[Punknoodle]

Nice shot of the GT-Four out the front of my new house

 

[Paulie]

No offence...but suburbia! The Celica looks pretty aggro from that angle though!👍

 

[Punknoodle]

We can't all afford a mansion in the hills or the waterfront buddy!

 

[Paulie]

We can't all afford a mansion in the hills or the waterfront buddy!

Some of us (myself included) can't afford a house of any description. At least yours has a nice wide garage. A lot of houses being built these days seem to be built for micro cars, I probably wouldn't be able to open the doors of my behemoth vehicle is most of them.

 

[MMX_Celica]

What does everyone think of this lip? That is the bumper I'm getting, the lip is an aftermarket one I can get from Europe, postage is going to be damn expensive though if I choose to get it.

If I was to get it, stay body colour or maybe go black?

Hi,
i m searching for this lip.
Could you tell me please, where where can i buy this item?
Many thanks for your help
Best regards Daniel

 

[Punknoodle]

It's called an Aeromagic front lip. There is a thread on alltrac.net regarding it. Link

Got any pics of your Celica mate?

 

[Paulie]

It's called an Aeromagic front lip. There is a thread on alltrac.net regarding it. Link

Got any pics of your Celica mate?

As a matter of fact, he does......
https://www.drive.net/r/toyota/52153/

 

[MMX_Celica]

It's called an Aeromagic front lip. There is a thread on alltrac.net regarding it. Link

Got any pics of your Celica mate?

Hi,

I saw this Topic, I asked but I don’t have any answer. I hoped, you know, how to get this item.

If I will not find this item, so I will make a carbon copy.

 

[Punknoodle]

Hi,

I saw this Topic, I asked but I don’t have any answer. I hoped, you know, how to get this item.

If I will not find this item, so I will make a carbon copy.



View attachment 299590 View attachment 299591

Oh no sorry I only know of that thread in regards to that lip. Good luck with finding one, I've gone off it though.

 

[Punknoodle]

It's been a while since updating; nothing much happening, I entered the car in to a Japanese classic car show in the weekend. This shot was taken as I was driving in.

Great turn out with some awesome cars.

I now have it jacked up in the garage ready for a bit of work, just routine stuff like recalibrating the wideband, fitting the new diff and subframe bushes. I haven't had the replacement head looked at yet, just bought a garden shed so that my garage isn't as cluttered anymore and I can build my work bench - the house is taking all of the spare cash right now but I'm happy with that anyway

 

[Punknoodle]

Step one complete - drive shaft is out. I have a question for those in the know. The centre support mounts you can see pictured, they have a cushion which supports the drive shaft, but the cushions appear to have sagged over time..

Or are they supposed to look like that and are an offset cushion? I'm thinking that I'll take the entire drive shaft in to a specialist to get the centre bearings freshened up with a new boot etc.

 

[GDII]

Does that look that same as yours?
http://s606.photobucket.com/user/allwhitealltrac/media/for_sale/IMG_0054_zps58905d46.jpg.html

Could cross check your car with this website http://toyotamarket.ru/jp/252160/018/2/3701/1/37230/

 

[Punknoodle]

Does that look that same as yours?
http://s606.photobucket.com/user/allwhitealltrac/media/for_sale/IMG_0054_zps58905d46.jpg.html

Could cross check your car with this website http://toyotamarket.ru/jp/252160/018/2/3701/1/37230/

That's the part mate, cheers. I've spoken to a drive shaft place here in Brisbane, he seemed to think that it's pretty normal for the age of the car and isn't too concerned about it, so considering the price of getting new ones fitted and knowing how easy it is to actually get the drive shaft out I think I'll leave them at the moment. Unfortunately for the car I just don't have a lot of spare cash to throw on it right now, buying a house has been more expensive than I thought coz there is always something to do on it and it takes priority. Plus it's 4 months to the day that I'm getting married so there's even more expenses.. Need to make a bit on the side lol.

 

[GDII]

That's the part mate, cheers. I've spoken to a drive shaft place here in Brisbane, he seemed to think that it's pretty normal for the age of the car and isn't too concerned about it, so considering the price of getting new ones fitted and knowing how easy it is to actually get the drive shaft out I think I'll leave them at the moment. Unfortunately for the car I just don't have a lot of spare cash to throw on it right now, buying a house has been more expensive than I thought coz there is always something to do on it and it takes priority. Plus it's 4 months to the day that I'm getting married so there's even more expenses.. Need to make a bit on the side lol.

Congratulations mate. I got married 12 days ago in Clyde in Central Otago. Still a bit broke but will soon be doing things to the MR2. It's amazing how much a wedding can cost but it's all worth it to get the families together and have a great time. Best two day party EVER!!!

 

[Punknoodle]

Congratulations mate. I got married 12 days ago in Clyde in Central Otago. Still a bit broke but will soon be doing things to the MR2. It's amazing how much a wedding can cost but it's all worth it to get the families together and have a great time. Best two day party EVER!!!

Hey congratulations dude. I hear ya, I'm really looking forward to all of my family coming over, they all live in New Zealand and I have a couple of old friends from over there coming as well so it's going to be an awesome few days. But yeah, a lot of money goes in to it that's for sure. You know the saying though, "You only do it once so you may as well do it right".

Did you check out Highlands while you were in Central? I called in there last time I was in New Zealand, it's a great track with an awesome collection of cars on display too.

 

[GDII]

Yeah we did a pretty good job of the wedding according to everyone there. But I'll just take that as people being nice.

Yes I did get to highlands. 3 times actually. First was my stag party, I don't drink but I love cars so my father in law took me and the the boys to do Karting. Was so much fun except for him smashing into me 4 times. I got 2nd fastest time overall next to my mate who beats me at everything. This was on the morning of the wedding too.
Second time was to see my family off a few days after. They put me in the 200kph taxi. Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Insanely fast for a brick with 5 people in it.
Third time was to go Karting again with my Wife's Mums family. Got fastest time but only 0.002 faster than last time. Then my Wife's uncle shouted me a lap in the Lamborghini Huracan. This car is absolutely insane and only running Nitto INVO tyres. 230kph down the front straight. Now every car I get in is slow. I don't think I'll ever get in a faster car. I had to sit with my feet way up under the dash because I'm too tall for the car. I thought my MR2 was bad enough.

 

[Punknoodle]

Yeah we did a pretty good job of the wedding according to everyone there. But I'll just take that as people being nice.

Yes I did get to highlands. 3 times actually. First was my stag party, I don't drink but I love cars so my father in law took me and the the boys to do Karting. Was so much fun except for him smashing into me 4 times. I got 2nd fastest time overall next to my mate who beats me at everything. This was on the morning of the wedding too.
Second time was to see my family off a few days after. They put me in the 200kph taxi. Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Insanely fast for a brick with 5 people in it.
Third time was to go Karting again with my Wife's Mums family. Got fastest time but only 0.002 faster than last time. Then my Wife's uncle shouted me a lap in the Lamborghini Huracan. This car is absolutely insane and only running Nitto INVO tyres. 230kph down the front straight. Now every car I get in is slow. I don't think I'll ever get in a faster car. I had to sit with my feet way up under the dash because I'm too tall for the car. I thought my MR2 was bad enough.

That is excellent mate yeah I've been in that Cayanne, it's not bad for a massive whale

 

[Paulie]

Congrats to both of you on the wedding happenings, that's awesome!

 

[Punknoodle]

Would you believe I actually did something on the car today.

It's not lack of interest in the car that is causing me to leave it alone for so long its purely lack of time. I spend at least 1-2 weeks a month away from home for work and when I'm home I still have work, 3 kids and a new house keeping me busy (not to mention my sim racing set up which I use quite often) so I just find it hard to dedicate time to it..

Anyway, removed the lower bolts holding on the diff after placing a jack under it to take the weight. Unbolted the rear cushion and then moved the diff forward enough to extract the old diff cushion.

The old one appears fine at first glance but there is actually a split in the rubber that I think has been causing my slight rear end knock.

Anyway, here it is side by side with the new alloy solid mount replacement. Along with the new solid sub frame bushes it will transfer more drivetrain vibration in to the car but it will have the benefit of a more planted rear end.

Still yet to fit and try it out, hopefully the added noise will be negligible, just hope it is nothing like my friend who put in stiffer engine mounts - the vibration from that was terrible. I don't think diff vibration will be anywhere near as bad as that though.

 

[Mike_grpA]

Nice car mate! I thoroughly enjoyed reading up about your build, and hope mine comes along as nicely! Bought my 185 about 10 months or so ago, so haven't started really getting into the big jobs yet, just made sure everything is up to code and all tidied up, so it's pretty much all stock

You should get a group a bonnet with your wta cooler set up, lets a lot more heat out.

You've done most of the mods I have planned for mine lol, I won't dare ask how much it cost, as I know how much of a pain these are to work on, and any work requiring paying someone else means a ton of money in labour alone.

Here's a pic of my baby if you're interested. Grp A Rallye #39/150:

 

[Punknoodle]

Nice car mate! I thoroughly enjoyed reading up about your build, and hope mine comes along as nicely! Bought my 185 about 10 months or so ago, so haven't started really getting into the big jobs yet, just made sure everything is up to code and all tidied up, so it's pretty much all stock

You should get a group a bonnet with your wta cooler set up, lets a lot more heat out.

You've done most of the mods I have planned for mine lol, I won't dare ask how much it cost, as I know how much of a pain these are to work on, and any work requiring paying someone else means a ton of money in labour alone.

Here's a pic of my baby if you're interested. Grp A Rallye #39/150:

Lovely Group A - if it were me I wouldn't mod it mate, a well kept original example is hard to come by.

Cheers for the comments mate. I have looked for a bonnet but they are pretty expensive and hard to come by, especially considering I don't really like them as much as the scoop. I mean I know they are more effective but I've found my intake temps are actually pretty stable now.

Over the time of owning the car I have spent more than I feel comfortable about lol and looking back I would have done things a lot differently but I've learned lots doing the majority of it myself and it's been fun so it's not always about the end result. I still love the car a lot and enjoy driving it, but it's definitely not a good base if you want a regular track car. The upside is whenever I take it it always generates a lot of conversation and praise because of the condition of it and the fact that you hardly ever see these cars at time attack events

 

[Mike_grpA]

Yeah anything I do to it will be things that can be undone if you know what I mean. I will always keep any original parts I replace with upgraded items. I don't intend on turning it into a race car, just making it a little nicer to drive and upping the power a bit

Currently the only non-original parts on it are the steering wheel and stereo, but I've still got the original items in with my spares, as I know how rare it is, so one day it'll be worth significantly more than it owes me, and when that day comes, it'll be worth much much more if it's complete and original. I have a full service history, and all the original books. Even have the original sale receipt from '91.

 

[Punknoodle]

Yeah anything I do to it will be things that can be undone if you know what I mean. I will always keep any original parts I replace with upgraded items. I don't intend on turning it into a race car, just making it a little nicer to drive and upping the power a bit

Currently the only non-original parts on it are the steering wheel and stereo, but I've still got the original items in with my spares, as I know how rare it is, so one day it'll be worth significantly more than it owes me, and when that day comes, it'll be worth much much more if it's complete and original. I have a full service history, and all the original books. Even have the original sale receipt from '91.

Sounds great man, well if you ever need any help or advice just send me a message, I know these things fairly well now One thing I think that changes the look of these cars so much for the better is a pair of wheel spacers at the back, the gap between the body work and the front of the wheel is huge especially with standard rims and it just makes the car look wider from the rear.