Major UpdateThe engine seems to be running really well now, I took it for a spin around the block. I must admit I was crapping myself the whole way. Nothing fell off, but the idler for the a/c and ps was extremely noisy for some reason. I have changed the pulley, but I have a feeling I am missing a spacer, when I rev the motor I can hear a tapping noise (I am pretty sure the pulley is moving and hitting the bracket). I am trying to find a picture of the idler assembly (which order the spacers go onto the bracket). If anyone had a spare 4age around, if you could grab me some photos.
The TPS seems like it needs to be adjusted, I haven't adjusted it properly since installing it (the motor I got didn't come with a tps). The reason I think it needs adjusting is because under 1/2 throttle to 3/4 throttle the motor feels like it looses power (moreso torque).
I am really happy with how the car is turning out, the smoke seemed to taper off to a point where it looked non existant from the back of the car and I can't see any more moisture on the motor after flushing the oil out.
I got around to finishing off the interior, it took longer than expected. I did 2 trips to the wreckers this weekend, one to pick a part to grab a whole bunch of trims below:
The glovebox bottom screw holes were stripped out (that attach it to the bottom corner brackets) and the B Pillar trims were very worn on my car so it was time to replace these. I found a really neat SR5 wagon which had both B pillar trims and glovebox so I was sure to grab them.
I also grabbed the kick panel trims from the SR5, they have the provision for a flare so I couldn't resist. LOL I will try fit a torch in there so if I get stuck I have some light.
I thought it was time to add a bit of personality to the otherwise stock interior, the T5 bulbs in the cigarette lighter and ash tray were replaced with some nice LEDs. Any love for my "custom" steering wheel? LOL I was given the steering wheel from a mate but all the leather was peeling off so I thought i'd wrap it in electric tape doh. It seems to work alright for now haha I need to get a nicer wheel at some stage. I used to have a nice deep dish wheel but ended up using it on the racing simulator I used to have.
I had to pop out a little plastic clip that tints the light out of the ash tray below, nothing a hammer, screw driver and a vice couldn't do lol
The complete interior all assembled, still a bit dusty though but that can be fixed up once i'm using the car a bit more. You will notice my AE101 gear shifter and knob. I got it because it has a really nice weighty feel to it. Eventually i'll get something a bit more fancy :)
Thought it was a good time to fit the Mazda 626 front lip, there is still a gap in the middle of the lip but it sat better across the whole lip this way. I will make up a little spacer to I am really suprised how close a fit it actually was. Only took about 20 minutes to install and its on there pretty strong. I managed to grab the original Mazda 626 clips from the wreck so that made it easier. I am still missing a grille, I should have one this week lol
Its interesting that this car all up only cost me about $2400 including 12 months rego and roadworthy. I would have struggled to find a clean Corolla SX for the money, let alone a Corolla GT Sedan replica hehe.
From here I will begin the next stage of mods, these would no doubt need to be done in stages:
Stage 2:2.25" Cat Back Exhaust
Extractors with Flex Pipe and Mid pipe section
GZE AE92 Brake Rotors and Discs
EBC Greenstuff Pads all around
New springs possibly, likely to be Whiteline branded
Full Respray
Stage 3:Not all of these may end up happening, but they are definitely something I want to consider
- 256 or 272 degree cams (256 would be more streetable and I can run those on the stock ecu)
- ITB's (wishful thinking lol)