Just bought a Celica GT-Four :)

[Punknoodle]

Hi all,

Just bragging really, after owning for a while a few years ago a Toyota Celica GT-R (front wheel drive, non turbo) of the same year, I always wanted a GT-Four model, well the other day I found a really nice example, so I bought it!

The engine has just been rebuilt with ARP head studs, flywheel bolts and rod bolts, AIRIAS forged pistons, knife edge standard crank, shot peened rods, heavily ported and polished head, port matched and shaved pistons, lightened flywheel, EXEDY single plate heavy duty clutch, custom dump pipe, and a PWR radiator, plus a atmosphere venting BOV, which I might bin for a plumb back, so it doesn't sound too wanky lol.

Body and paint are in really good shape, although the wheels are both scuffed up and ugly - they will be going soon.

Already had my first problem though - when test driving it I noticed the shifter was quite sloppy, and I knew I'd have to get it sorted, well after picking it up its difficult to get second gear or reverse - should either just be the selectors or the clutch - hopefully. Anyway its going to a gearbox specialist tomorrow, where I will also order a short shift kit for it. Also getting it dyno tuned within the next week or so before I drive it hard - want to make sure it is in a safe state of tune.

The guy gave me a piggyback computer for it (its running a factory group A computer) but it isn't plugged in, I don't know whether to use it, its an IFT and its old and uncommon, might be easier to disregard it and go for a better brand down the track.

OK, brag over,

Nick

 

[nobuffalo]

Awesome, awesome, awesome, looks to be in great condition.

Congrats.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Hot damn, good pick. Always love GT-Fours, although I prefer the ST205 to the ST185. Looks to be in good nick though so it's all good.

 

[niky]

Looks in good shape!

 

[a112]

Nice list of mods! Looks great.
Best of luck, and have fun with it 👍

 

[CodeRedR51]

I wonder since it has a new clutch if the pedal needs to be adjusted? That could make it hard to get into gear.

 

[Radracing]

Nice! got any pics of the motor and what type of upgrades do you have with the suspension? Oh, how much?

 

[homeforsummer]

Looks great, quite a nice colour on it too, looks quite sophisticated for a pseudo rally-weapon!

I'd be tempted to hunt for an original steering wheel and gearknob for it though, the ones on it are awful. At the very least get a proper rally Sparco/OMP wheel or something!

In fact, here's the interior of a rally one for some inspiration

 

[TheCracker]

I'd be tempted to hunt for an original steering wheel and gearknob for it though, the ones on it are awful. At the very least get a proper rally Sparco/OMP wheel or something!

Why stop at proper rally steering wheels, a GT-Four would look great with proper Speedline Corse rally wheels. They'd probably be cheeper than most after-market wheels too and certainly different to the usual Japanese tuner wheels.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Amazing car, I'm actually pretty jealous (so stop bragging ya jerk!)

One question though, whats up with the positive camber in the back?

 

[Punknoodle]

Yeah, heres a picture I took with my phone, its a bit crap sorry, its dark in the garage

Not the prettiest engine bay, I knew when buying it there are a few tidy up things needed to be done, including the wheel and gear knob, the original is in the glove box but as i said i'm buying a short shift kit, so i'll look for a nice one then.


First priority is getting it to shift properly and tuned, just got back from gearbox place, seems to think the linkage cables are stretched, ordering some new ones today, then will look at adjusting the play once thats done.

The camber, I think its just the engle of the shot, it doesn't look that cambered when you look at it normally. it does have quite soft suspension though, one thing i'll have to sort out when i drop it and put nicer wheels on it.

As for wheels I'm thinking something fat and 5 spoke, with a decent lip on the back to fill out the guards. I'll have a descent look though, can't rush these things. I want something with a light weight racing look, more track oriented than rally.

It cost me 10 grand AUS. Thats a fair amount above the average, but worth it for the condition its in I think.

Its going to be a slow process getting it to a point where I'm 100% happy with it, it all costs money! So I'll be happy when the gearbox is sorted and its tuned so I can go do some serious driving.

 

[SipnDzl]

Wow! Nice find.....
They are such great cars, I have owned 2 ST165's and loved them!

Keep us posted

 

[Punknoodle]

Just a small update - linkage cables were $510 AUS, and 5 weeks ex Japan (!) and he didn't even seem that confident that it was the problem (didn't make a lot of sense to me as logically that would effect the odd numbered gears as well) so I told him not to worry and that I'd find another solution. So today I ordered the short shift kit I was looking at from TWM in the states, and I'm not expecting that to fix the problem alone, but I wanted to do it anyway. I was talking to the previous owner - he said he re-did the bushings at the gear box end with rubber - I'm going to re do them with nolathane.

Anyway, when I pull it all apart to fit the short shifter and re do the bushings, hopefully I will be able to tell if there is anything else that needs sorted - at least everyone who has driven it doesn't think it is the gearbox causing the problem - that could get expensive!

 

[nobuffalo]

Actually the linkage cables are a somewhat common problem and i'm 99% sure is does just like you stated, effects odd numbered gears, or even even! Check www.all-trac.net I've read quite a few people having similar problems and it was due to the cables.

oops. http://www.alltrac.net/phpBB2/

 

[Bram Turismo]

Looks fantastic! 👍

 

[Punknoodle]

Great link, thanks! There is a heap of information in there! Reading up, once I get the throw sorted (I am still hoping I dont need cables - expensive!) there may be a hydraulic problem, judging by what they are saying on the forums.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted - short shift kit will arrive in about a week, hopefully.

 

[Watchman]

 

 

[Punknoodle]

Actually the linkage cables are a somewhat common problem and i'm 99% sure is does just like you stated, effects odd numbered gears, or even even! Check www.all-trac.net I've read quite a few people having similar problems and it was due to the cables.

oops. http://www.alltrac.net/phpBB2/

Mate, just to keep you updated, I have the car n at the gearbox place at the moment, while it was in there the cables flat out just broke HAHA so yeah, thats it. Gonna be expensive though, to do both cables, parts only is $1000. Oh well, price we pay for project cars... They are fitting my TWM short shifter and replacing all the bushings for the shifter and gearbox and diff oils while its in there.

On another note, have been looking for 18s for the car but I'm still undecided - I've found these Enkei GTC01's

, but when I thought more and more about it, I will need to lower the car to suit them, and I have a budget of around 2k at the moment to spend on it for the whole lowering/wheels department, so I'm thinking of delaying the 18s and just buying a Tein Super Street coil over kit for it, as I might as well do it properly - the current shocks are stuffed - to stiffen it up and lower it, and put some camber on the standard rims while I save for some 18s...or just save some more and do it on one hit, so tempting though!

Later

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Lows first.

 

[Eric.]

I don't think 18s are suited for that car anyway. 17" will look good with a nice drop and fat tire.

 

[opladener]

Looks very nice, now paint it in Castrol livery
Seriously though, looks like a good car, especially with all the work that has been done.

 

[YSSMAN]

Very nice! One of my favorite modern classics, outrageously rare here in the US. I've only seen a small handful around here, one most-recently last summer that was only in so-so shape. The guy was happy that I knew what it was though, shared some Celica stories between us for a bit.

A damn shame we didn't get the ST205 version here.

 

[Punknoodle]

Hahaha man I found this thread in a google search. Blast from the past! Man I really had no idea back then.. 10 years has done this:

 

[Hayden]

It’s come a very long way mate. Here’s to finding this thread in another 10 years...