1ggte in ra28

[brett_ra28]

swap celicas? my 77 ra28 already has been converted for a 1ggze. you can have the car plus motor, supercharger + 5spd gearbox for your car without motor

I want a 76 for a conversion, just to get around a few things specific to qld.

If your interested let me know via pm.

[craigs stang]

Hi,

Yep, not cheap to do a good engine conversion.

Mine was about $17k all up. That included a fully rebuilt (from the ground up) 18R-G with some mods, fuel system and surge tank and pumps, FMIC and GT25R, custom turbo manifold (to avoid the air con compressor), new radiator, thermo fan, SARD 700cc injectors, Autronics SM4 installed and tuned (with idle control and low oil pressure cut off), exhaust system (with high flow cat), all installed and running.

Then there's the necessary auxilliary things. A couple of grand for new lowered suspension and larger sway bars for front and rear. Nice dish wheels with good rubber adds a couple more grand. Add over a grand to get a front brake upgrade with slotted discs.

Add more coin for a tougher gearbox and better clutch. Throw some more dollars for a stronger diff and have it fitted.

At the end of the day you will realise it is a non-trivial exercise to upgrade the engine, and it takes a lot of money when you include the other items to support the extra power.

I've seen sub $10k jobs, and to be blunt, they look like it and perform like it, and not sure how many have been properly engineered (if engineered at all) for roadwaorthy certification.

For me the money was worth it to ensure I got a top package that perfoms as expected, and reliably. Furthermore it is upgradeable. All I need to do is upgrade the turbo, as the rest of the system and the engine build is to take a lot more power. But, I'm loving the current package. While more power would see higher dyno numbers, it comes with lag and other issues associated with more power (from the current package). I'm happy with my fast little bitch just how she is.

Also it was done with an engineer checking the build progress, so when I get my emissions test done the car will be signed off and approved. So, money for peace of mind is also beneficial to me.

seeyuzz
river

Just thought Id comment on the $17k, and sub $10k.
Not all modified cars with good rwhp need to cost a bloody fortune. Yes you can spend big $$$ with some shops to do conversions( half of them are just rip offs) or just do it yourself if you know how, have the gear or a friend that does, research, research, research and allways get the opinion of a engineer first before you do or buy anything.
Eg:River has spent $17k on a engine setup that sounds cool to me but why spend so much.
I have a ra28 with a full sr20det motor/ gearbox($2,300), ecu,custom tail shaft( $450) standard turbo for now, front mount( in the engine bay. not out the front, yuck!), alum race radiator( cooler and rad/thermo $400new), adjustable thermo fan with alum surround to suit rad and fan, plumb back bov($70), boost controller and 3 inch exhaust($500).
I admit I have done all the work on the car myself but have had things made for me and now have about 250rwhp, with weight only about 20kg difference, with the entire engine package setting me back about $5k.
I have looked at and played with alot of other engine conversions into different cars and fount for ease of parts at cheap prices to just bolt on, the sr20det is one of the best.Plus its only about 15yrs old, not 25 or 30yo like the 1gg, 18r.
LOOK, dont take me the wrong way, ALL modified cars can be good and bad and I respect everyones opinion, this is just MY opinion and experience with my car, and other cars I know.
My lasty comment to all car owners is, "know who's working on your car, not just that the shop is doing the job" and "ALLWAYS" turn up un announced and check on your car. Believe me, I had a car that ended up costing me $4,500 to rebuild a motor that still had a cracked piston skirt when i got it back and ended up loosing me about $11k. THIS WAS ALSO MEANT TO BE A GOOD MECHANIC!!!!!

Good luck with you build
Craig

[Kedderz]

The cost is in the labour.

[river]

Hi,

River has spent $17k on a engine setup that sounds cool to me but why spend so much.

I spent that much for the following reasons:-

1) I wanted the best
2) I wanted it with the period Toyota engine
3) I wanted it upgradeable
3) I wanted it reliable
4) I cannot do all the work myself
5) I do not have the tools
6) I do not have the space
7) I do not have the time
8) I wanted the entire build to look like it was factory built
9) I can afford it

The fact the 18R (and 1G) engines are old is immaterial. The cost was mostly labour, but the engine was stripped down and fully rebuilt. It was a zero time engine after it was completed. I never use a second hand engine on anything serious, so all my engines get rebuilt from scratch.

Fitting an engine, even an 18R-G, into a car that had an 18R-C requires some work, and more so if the replacement engine is turbo. There is the fuel system, throttle linkages, room to fit the FMIC (and in my case, along with the air con), so it all fits and still looks original. Throw in an expensive EMC, loom, connections and tuning. Battery relocated to the rear to fit the CAI.

I'm sure if I had the skills to do all of the above, plus the tools, time and space, then I'd save half of the money. But I don't and kudos to you if you can do it all yourself.

The engine rebuild and fitting of the engine into the car (and all associated plumbing) was done by people who I know and have a good reputation, and also are forum/Club members. Trini is a well known car in these forums and their reputation depends upon doing a good job, which they have done.

The SR20 is a nice engine, but as Pretty Boy says... putting an non-Toyota engine into a classic celica is like butt sex in gaol... we know why it happens but that doesn't mean it's right.

Finally, for me, it's not all about getting the most hp. It's about the quality of the build and workmanship, and that the build/installation suits the vision I have for my car. I have achieved that.

seeyuzz
river

[craigs stang]

Hi,



I spent that much for the following reasons:-

1) I wanted the best
2) I wanted it with the period Toyota engine
3) I wanted it upgradeable
3) I wanted it reliable
4) I cannot do all the work myself
5) I do not have the tools
6) I do not have the space
7) I do not have the time
8) I wanted the entire build to look like it was factory built
9) I can afford it

The fact the 18R (and 1G) engines are old is immaterial. The cost was mostly labour, but the engine was stripped down and fully rebuilt. It was a zero time engine after it was completed. I never use a second hand engine on anything serious, so all my engines get rebuilt from scratch.

Fitting an engine, even an 18R-G, into a car that had an 18R-C requires some work, and more so if the replacement engine is turbo. There is the fuel system, throttle linkages, room to fit the FMIC (and in my case, along with the air con), so it all fits and still looks original. Throw in an expensive EMC, loom, connections and tuning. Battery relocated to the rear to fit the CAI.

I'm sure if I had the skills to do all of the above, plus the tools, time and space, then I'd save half of the money. But I don't and kudos to you if you can do it all yourself.

The engine rebuild and fitting of the engine into the car (and all associated plumbing) was done by people who I know and have a good reputation, and also are forum/Club members. Trini is a well known car in these forums and their reputation depends upon doing a good job, which they have done.

The SR20 is a nice engine, but as Pretty Boy says... putting an non-Toyota engine into a classic celica is like butt sex in gaol... we know why it happens but that doesn't mean it's right.

Finally, for me, it's not all about getting the most hp. It's about the quality of the build and workmanship, and that the build/installation suits the vision I have for my car. I have achieved that.

seeyuzz
river

Hey River, your last statement is very true for me to, apart from the hp, I want to have reliable 300hp+, aswell as my vision also has been maintained.
Lets start on the sr20. People can call it what they like,and like it matters a sh*t what engine goes in a car if its what you want. At the end of the day, if you want a solid, cheaper than most, easy to get parts for, high avaliable hp from stock, 4cylinder engine that are north/south in design, they are hard to go past.
But yes i would have gone a Toyoa motor if I wanted to spend heaps more $$$,because I tended to find that after research for the setup in Toyota I wanted was going to cost about $10k+, like you said Kudos to you if this is the way you like to go, but for me its putting the car together myself and knowing every nut, bolt, gasket, and seal. And not having to rely on other people to do the job I want done. Not what they tell me needs to be done after I research it for a long time before planing.And the fact that I have a Wife And Child that come first.
Also, I wasnt implying the age of the motor( didnt say it very well the first time)has anything to do with if its a good motor or not, but the avalabillity of part at reasonable prices, as the sr is a younger motor. Sorry.
http://4ccustomclassiccelicaclub.web...com/index.html
If your interested, this is my Club, on the Gold coast. My car is in the members ride. It has taken me 3yrs to build my car from the ground up, it even had all the ususal rust of a 33yo car, just like the 35yo owner, hahaha! Its the fifth one Ive owned.
Anyway this is getting wwwaaaayyyy of topic, sorry for that Andrecf.