My new/old car

[oopssorryy]

Well long story short I lost my other ride quite suddenly, no accidents, just super long and stupid story. So I had today and yesterday, and 1K to find a car. At one point I was going to go to West Virgina to get an MR2 for 600, but that fell threw due to poor timing of work schedules. So today at 4pm I was running out of hope, searching on our local CL and a 91 Toyota Corolla popped up for 800, and it was two miles away. Down on my luck and running out of money I jumped on it.

Only later did I learn it was a stick. But I bought it anyways, they guy was selling it due to a bad alternator, which turned out not to be bad, just loose. So a new belt later and I was on the road. So far in 3 drives I've killed it 10 times, but it's always at the beginning of a trip, in a parking lot. I never thought driving a 5 speed was this much fun. Even though it's a rolla it feels better than the V6 auto I was driving.

It does have some issues, only has rear speakers (but I have a Cd player). The truck is busted, it's shut, but you can't open it from the outside because someone tried to pop the lock. It has the pull handle but the cord is disconnected. It was tented badly, it's moon roof doesn't want to shut (wish I knew that before I opened it.) and has one good size rust spot. It also grinds a bit when going into third, but my dad (a mechanic) sad it's not a bad grind, and it's expected for an older car with a 5 speed and miles. 230xxx.

I'll have some pics up a little later, it's 2 ish in the morning and dark outside. I know it's nothing special but it's my first manual, and I'm never going back to slushbox.

 

[oopssorryy]

Some quick pics from my phone:

[/url] IMAG0067 by oopssorry, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url] IMAG0070 by oopssorry, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url] IMAG0068 by oopssorry, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Ven0m]

Gonna mod it at all?

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Why bother? It's a beater. All he should do at first is to fix the issues he mentioned.

 

[whiteboy4hire]

Why bother? It's a beater. All he should do at first is to fix the issues he mentioned.

Agreed.

 

[oopssorryy]

I've thought about modding but it all comes after fixing the issues that the car already has. I at least want a good base to start on. And the mods I've thought of are retro fitting the bigger front brakes from the new 'rollas, rear disks from the GTS models and a better suspension. Every bump I hit I bonce all over the place. The struts are ok, it's the fact I have 13 inch tires with a 70 side wall. No reason to go for power, I just want it to handle and brake well. If I want a super fast car I'll have to buy another car....

 

[194GVan]

fix teh issues, then rallycross? lol

not a corolla but you get the idea.

 

[oopssorryy]

That would be tons of fun! Once college is said and done I've been thinking about getting/ building a small port 4age to replace the old 4afe I have. Just a simple NA build, it won't make a ton of power but the 'rolla is light, so I'm going to attempt to play to the cars strengths.

But for now I have to get used to driving a stick. The night I bought the car was the first time I drove one so I'm still learning how to drive on properly. Thays why I don't want any power mods until I can drive the car well.

 

[oopssorryy]

(pics will be coming eventually


Hmmm, it's been a long time. Well I had upgraded the brakes and gotten a roll bar for the car, and then someone rear ended me. I father, being and body man, told me if I were to take it to a shop it would be considered totaled. The damage isn't horrible, but the car is worth so little.... It was my only car, so some cheap repair with my dad, and we were back on the road.

After all of this I lost interest in the 'rolla. Instead of trying to drive it hard, I drove it like it was designed to be driven, slowly and economically. I actually got 42 mpg out of her on one trip, and averaged around 37. I was happy about this,but I'm young and want something a little more fun. So the hunt began. I was looking for MX5s, SW20s, Firebirds, Supras, 240sxs, you name it. If it was considered a sports car it was in my search. Finally I had rounded up a decent fund and pulled the trigger on a 86 Fiero, which I got for 900. Sadly it's a 4 banger, but it has a 5 speed.

I've only had it for a day and I already have had an issue with it. My V belt snapped, I overheated in BFE, and had to makeshift a belt using my shoe strings to get her home. Now I have a belt in hand and two engine mounts on order, waiting for the sun to come back up so I can get to working on it. When it wasn't overheating it was... an interesting car to drive. With the low seating, the car felt very wide, and strangely, heavy. The bits that I touched felt heavy, but not heavily engineered. Everything has a bunch of play and somethings (like the ignition) you have to wiggle to get it to operate correctly. Night and day difference from the Corolla, were everything feels light, yet it all feels like it's sole purpose in life it to operate exactly correctly.

 

[oopssorryy]

 

[Thatman]

Ah yes, another pop up headlight member joins the club. 👍

 

[oopssorryy]

I love 'em! The PO had not said anything about the car eating it's v-belts to me, but I found out today from a co-worker (who just so happens to be dating the guys sister, small world) that it's been an issue. So me and my brother in law jack up the car and engine to get the mounts and and see my front mount is completely gone. I could pull rubber out of it with my bare hands. This along with a failing dog bone allowed the engine to rest on a rubber bump stop that looks like it's only reason to be there is to keep the crank off the cradle. So my belts were rubbing along this causing all of them to snap. Tommorow I should be getting the mounts, I already have the belts back on the car. Fingers crossed for a quick install, as I have work in the afternoon

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

That is pretty darn clean Fiero! Now, find and install one of these bad boys into it. Preferably the W41 variant.

 

[oopssorryy]

I wish! I am researching a 3.1 swap, as it would require little to no wiring work. The car is running now, all new motor mounts and belts. She over heats when at a stop, but is fine when running, so a new colder fan switch and therostat is in the works. I might go ahead and do a coolent flush while I'm in there as well.

 

[savage388]

I wish! I am researching a 3.1 swap, as it would require little to no wiring work. The car is running now, all new motor mounts and belts. She over heats when at a stop, but is fine when running, so a new colder fan switch and therostat is in the works. I might go ahead and do a coolent flush while I'm in there as well.

Have you thought about a 3.4 swap or hybrid swap instead? Same exact swap but more power and more than likely a newer motor.

 

[oopssorryy]

Have you thought about a 3.4 swap or hybrid swap instead? Same exact swap but more power and more than likely a newer motor.

I've thought about it, but there are a few things that need to be relocated in order for everything to work. The 3.4 shouldnt be any harder, but I would like to keep the swap as straight forward as possible.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

3800 swap or go home. 3.1s and 3.4s are still useless lumps.

 

[savage388]

3800 swap or go home. 3.1s and 3.4s are still useless lumps.

If your going that far you may as well do an sbc or ls1 swap

 

[Rotary Junkie]

If your going that far you may as well do an sbc or ls1 swap

Not quite, the 3800 is still a mostly-bolt-in affair and doesn't weigh any more than any of the 60 degree motors, yet will be more efficient, more powerful, and more reliable.

 

[savage388]

Not quite, the 3800 is still a mostly-bolt-in affair and doesn't weigh any more than any of the 60 degree motors, yet will be more efficient, more powerful, and more reliable.

Wow, I thought the 90 degree configuration was different enough to be a bit of a pain to swap in.

 

[oopssorryy]

Wow, I thought the 90 degree configuration was different enough to be a bit of a pain to swap in.

As did I. I'll admit, I didn't look much into them due to wiring. I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to that. This car is my dd, which is why I want this eventual swap done as simply a possible. Right now it's just getting out to fun right before winter hits.

 

[savage388]

As did I. I'll admit, I didn't look much into them due to wiring. I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to that. This car is my dd, which is why I want this eventual swap done as simply a possible. Right now it's just getting out to fun right before winter hits.

If it's your daily I wouldnt even think about swapping an engine at all until you have another vehicle, even a 3.1 swap will get out of hand time wise with how old those cars are.

 

[oopssorryy]

Oh I am aware, I'm saving up pto days and such. I'm lucky that I room with a co worker, and he owes me a few rides. The swap will not happen for at lest a year if not longer. It's more important to learn how the car drives than to start adding power.

 

[oopssorryy]

And the Fiero threw another belt today.... Looks like I'll be keeping the corolla as a winter beater.