Celica - 1st love of car

[DANZZT231]

Hello all, it has been a very long time since I'm active in this forum.

For those who doesn't know me I used to drive a 2003 Corolla Levin; my first car. A lot of passions were pour onto that car, a car I called Hamster due to its striking resemblance. As time moves on it was time to let go the Hamster because now I am able to grab hold of what is my first love of car.

The Celica.

Back in the days I used to be a gamer, a freak of a gamer that is. And back in the days I spent hours mastering every corner of any shape in a game called Sega Rally. What made play that game is because of the Celica GT-4. The sexy shape, curvy and all really impresses me and I must say if it wasn't because of that car I probably wouldn't be the car enthusiast I am today.

The year was 1999 and the new Celica code ZZT231 was released to the market. This time the shape is even sexier, sharper and lower. Instant love. Even though at that time I knew nothing about car I dream about having one night and day.

As some of you may know Celica was not the car I wish to have when I was selling the Hamster. I was after the fabulous Alfa Romeo 147 GTA. But fate deter the course and the right 2nd hand Celica show up at the right time. Right away I remember this is the car I've been dreaming of since 1999.

So here it is, my Celica:

Edited June 17, 2009 by DANZZT231

[DANZZT231]

Thanks to members in this forum I get to learn about the engine; 2ZZ-GE. This engines needs no introduction in this forum.

The Celica engine being the earlier version of 2ZZ-GE is known for its lift-bolt failure, and the first thing I did to the car was to change it to the newer one. I am happy to report the original bolts were still in good shape although it shows wear on the bolt. By now the lift bolt enter its third version. While thats being changed I took the liberty to paint the engine cover in Red Hot colour.

Experiences from the Hamster suggested me to buy AEM Cold Air Intake as my very first modification. I found one on Ebay for bargain price so without delay I purchased it off e-bay and bought it right away. I have no doubt about its gain and sure enough it is now more drivable, and my guess is there is newfound tourqe below lift zone and beyond.

This comes to no surprise as the standard air-box do not really have air coming in into its opening as it sits directly behind the bonnet. I have no clue how on earth fresh oxygen enters the air box. I think the Corolla Sportivo airbox is a better airbox than the Celica one.

[kolourhero]

I love the new shape celica.. so sleek and sexy!

Glad to hear you've now got your dream car!

Let the mods begin....

Edited January 30, 2008 by kolourhero

[DANZZT231]

The Celica handling is quite charming in its standard tune. Yes there is a lot of body-roll but rest assured the chassis is still in control as you blast through the corner. However I do not find this to be nice at all, especially coming from a car that was equipped with coilover shock absorber.

With the Celica already charming handling I must now look for something that won't upset the chassis. There are many choices from Japan and German made shock absorber, but in the end it comes down to how the car is intended to be driven. This time around I am not going to drop the car 'Ghetto Low' style, and I would still want the comfort.

Having tasted the beauty of Bilstein on Mistsubishi Evolution 8 MR I now find the kind of handling and comfort I wanted. Fortunately Bilstein offer PSS coilover for Celica. It is height adjustable only, and that is perfect for me because I would want the shock and the spring to be perfectly matched by the engineer up there in German. I trust their work.

It was not long until I found an Internet seller www.shox.com from USA and I got it for approximately $1750 landed inc tax and shipping.

I am pleased to see its giant strut at the front shock and solid construction. The spring rate is unknown, but the front spring is linear and the rear is progressive. Both front and rear shock are equipped with helper spring also.

During its first week I lowered the coilover to its lowest recommended height and carry nothing at the boot. This is becasue the rear spring is very soft when I placed my spare tyre and subwoofer the rear drops too much. Nonetheless, with empty boot the rear have about 1.5cm gap while the front have about 3cm gap; this is both front and rear with its lowest setting. Yet the car still leans forward.

The handling in this setting is absolutely amazing. Body roll is kept to minimum, in fact I can't feel any at all. The steering is very responsive and it grips without fail in any bend. Now the limit is raised higher but the tyre lets the coilover down. Best of all, its very comfortable, hell I think its more comfortable than standard. Going over those flat bed speed hump feels like the road is flat - its that good.

However I cannot lived without my sound system so I raised the rear to its highest setting; raised by 15mm. That's right, it only allows 15mm range between highest and lowest height. But its highest setting is already 1 inch lower than standard anyway. In this setting the body roll appears again but not as much as standard. Sadly this is the trade I must take to have my subwoofer at the boot.

The photo shown below is the car in its current setting with spare and subwoofer fitted.

Edited January 30, 2008 by DANZZT231

[DANZZT231]

Now that the engine sings more melody and the handling is as smooth as butter, time to pay attention to the sound coming out from the muffler.

Its very hard to determine what kind of muffler suited best for 2zz-ge, and I can only think of TRD. But $1000 is not cheap and money is running short. So a quick check of the muffler and I found there is this small resonator sitting behind the muffler tips.

A resonator after the muffler? I don't need that thanks.

So I ask my mechanic to cut that resonator out and replace it with a pipe and a new tip instead. The length of the pipe is made longer than the length of the resonator to allow the muffler tip to be exposed. On standard the tips was behind the bumper and that is not right.

The result is quite nice. More raspy noise, more humming, and of course more screaming noise during lift.

And it still looks like standard too.

Edited January 31, 2008 by DANZZT231

[DANZZT231]

Well thats it for now. I am very happy with the car at the moment, and depending on how long I keep this car I am sure my hands are itching to upgrade the parts again.

Good night everyone.

[xoom]

nice and clean celi ...... are we going to see a blitz kit on the way Dan ? ;) ;) ;) U knw u want to.

[DANZZT231]

Depends on how long I keep the car really, but power is last on my list at the moment.

[CAP]

Nice Danz, will miss the Hamster but this is better :D

[DANZZT231]

Yeah I must say I do miss the hamster. Its been there throughout my college and university years.

[selyaT]

Great work Danz love your ride.

How much would we be looking at to buy one?

[DANZZT231]

Nowadays Celica is available from $15,000

My example is $21500 with 70,000km on the clock, year 2000, standard and comes with 6 disc player and original sportivo bodykit.

[3zzfe]

Veeeeeeery good celica

good works Danz

[DANZZT231]

Thanks for the kind reception guys.

Here are some more photos.

Shot taken in motion looks very cool: Thank you Tangcla

(Notice how my wiper blade was stuck due to the ribbon)

And some old photos of the hamster: I miss ya gal.

Edited January 31, 2008 by DANZZT231

[Mr Slippy]

I love the look of the celica.

[DANZZT231]

Hello boys,

I recently upgrade few more parts for the Celica.

Set of TRD Swaybars

Cusco Camber plate and Cusco master brake cylinder stopper

Volk Racing GT-N 17x7 +29 wrapped in Bridgestone 215/45/17 <--- too thick, but its 2nd hand so yeah.

The TRD swaybars made huge improvements and with the cusco camber on board I can now dial in more advance wheel alignment. The camber plate don't reduce comfort at all!

Once the tyres are finish, I will then look for a set of Falken FK452 215/40/17. Sporty enough and absolutely brilliant on the wet.

Few more pics:

[TRDYUS]

If I didn't have a Corolla it'd be one of these.

Looking mighty nice there Dan.

Welcome to team White :)

[DANZZT231]

More pics

Edited October 18, 2008 by DANZZT231

[trdsaads]

Thats one slick car! I like your choice of rims too! It works well with the car's stylings.

Keep it going!

[DANZZT231]

Cheers guys :)

I think the styling is done. Maybe TRD wing but I kinda have dilemma because now it looks more slimline and smooth flowing.

Next would be exhaust and drivetrain, but these two can wait for longer period (thank goodness for that).

[RME1]

Nice one Dan! Can't wait to see it in the flesh when i'm back in Melb :D

[DANZZT231]

Hey dude, how u been?

Where are you now anyway?

[RME1]

Hey dude, how u been?

Where are you now anyway?

Been busy these days.

I'm in Newcastle this year for work, but could be coming back to Melb as early as December.

A few months ago a mate in Newy and I did an engine conversion for the Starlet.

Are you going to come to track days now you are 2gg powered?

[DANZZT231]

nice2

track? Probably :)

Edited October 18, 2008 by DANZZT231

[DANZZT231]

Update 2009:

I bought genuine TRD wing for a price can only be described as a steal. I didn't really want to change the wing as I like how it is subtle with the low spoiler, but the price was too good to be missed. Strange how all my parts were purchased at low low price, it must be fate.

Nonetheless the wing is 2nd hand and it is painted in OEM Toyota black. In the beginning I thought I will paint it white but leave the mid-blade black. But I am not interested in spending money to paint it as I don't view the TRD wing as a real necessity to the aesthetic of the car.

Keen to feel what aerodynamic changes to the car, so I thought let's fit it as it is and see how it look like without painting it white:

Not bad, I think it actually looks interesting.