18rg conversion

[DQIKST]

hey guys my mate is almost finished putting a 18rg into a ta23.
just a few things i would like to know.

could the original ta23 radiator be used?
and how could the p rnd12 auto console selector thingie be removed?
does any 1 have a nice set of 17s for sale?

and which insurance company would people recommend?

cheers

[brett_celicacoupe]

to get insurance, the conversion will need to be mod plated (whatever its called in nsw) and checked over to ensure workmanship of the conversion is satisfactory. the big, main insurance companies arent to keen on insuring young people with "modifications"
try Just Cars if all else fails.

also expect to be defected and have insurance void if you crash without the conversion being approved.

original TA23 rad. should probly be fine so long as its clean and the radiator outlets match up with the RG. just keep an eye on the temperature for the first run.

[Smokey228]

yeh, just car will ensure u regardless of enginerring papers. most the time anyway. but its gonna bring it right down if u can get it all enginered. deffinetly recommend it either way... i dont really recommend it though if u can get away wif another company. if u do go with them, just remember to tell them about EVERY single mod u have. from new engine, to stickers in the rear window...

ive got a reco'd radiator if ur one doesnt work out for u. but id say it should manage.

[rt104]

does this mean i will need a mod plate if i put a 18rg into my rt104

[Smokey228]

i cant help ya with qld. but my geuss is yes. if its not the standard motor, u usualy have to have it approved for ur car...

[brett_celicacoupe]

does this mean i will need a mod plate if i put a 18rg into my rt104

you probly will seeing none of the rt104's came out with a 18rg. although there might be a slim chance that an import type RT104 was fitted one.

the rule is that if the car was ever fitted with that engine in any spec (ie. GT/ST), then you can legally have it in your car.

thats why alot of the RA23/28/40 celicas have them in without drammas, the GT version of all the said cars had the 18rg

[Smokey228]

yehhhhh.. anyone know if that is the same for syd?

[bnicho]

The RT104 Corona and RA23/RA28 etc in GT form came out with an 18RG factory! There is at least one of each in Oz.

You have not increased the capacity (18R tyo 18RG and it is a bolt-in fitment. So unless the laws changed very recently, there's no need for an engineer's certificate in NSW or VIC. Just make sure the engine is an 18RGU or 18RGEU and you retain any emissions equipment if it is a post June-76 car. Otherwise you may have probelms at RWC/Pink Slip time.

[o_man_ra23]

could the original ta23 radiator be used?
and how could the p rnd12 auto console selector thingie be removed?

Radiator - If you dont feel like arseing about with modding your radiator, an RA23/RA40 radiator is a bolt in fitment with everything in the right spot for the 18RG. For the top radiator hose, use an 18RC item, and turn it around backwards, works a treat (may need to slightly shorten it)

As for your centre console (lucky bastard has a centre console) the T piece from the shifter needs to be removed first (grub screw) then take the console out, unbolt the shifter arm off the trans tunnel(4 bolts, one at each corner) and disconnect all wires going to the centre console. To take the shifter shroud out, i cant remember if its a couple of screws on the underside of the console, or if its some moulded plastic pins. Eitherway, you will either need to unscrew it, or grind off the heads of the plastic pins to remove it, and then it just falls off (or pushes off). The gear boot will stick through there. I havent converted a console out of an early celica for about 5 years, but the ra60 one i did the other week was 4 screws.

Cheers, Owen

[Mr DOHC]

RT104 doesnt need mod plate, the RT104 MGFQ has an 18RG in it

[Norbie]

If that car wasn't officially sold in Australia (which it wasn't) it doesn't mean much, it never got ADR compliance. Having said that, I doubt you'd have any problems - but as with all things consult with an engineer first.

[Mr DOHC]

its legal, i found that a out b4 i did the convo

[rt104]

didnt think so chears

aaron

[Rodger]

DQIKST,

Careful here, how you approach the insurance companies and the regulators.

If I am reading this thread correctly, a couple of things that have not been mentioned.

The TA-23 came out ADR'd with the 1600 2T motor. There would be no problems going with the 2T-G, no increase in capacity.

As you have found. The 18R-G needs some work to fit it. You have changed (correct me if I am wrong), the motor to a 2lt, changed the front cross member, changed the gearbox, changed the gearbox cross member at least.

The capacity increase alone will need checking against the regulations and would need approval.

I also believe the TA-23 came with the smaller TA-22 sized front brakes, so these would need to be up'd to the later RA-23/28/40 size at least, so this maybe another area for concern with authorities/insurance.

Regards

Rodger

[o_man_ra23]

If all the conversion parts are taken from an RA23, including front brakes and suspension, then there should not be any dramas, as the RA23 can easily been regod with the 18RG in it. Do consult an engineer and get it certified, but there should be no major work to check, and it should all go ahead without a drama. Also, if you feel like muckin about, you can put all the 18RG gear into an 18RC block(will need a complete 18RG) and then legally the motor is an 18RC with minor(no cert needed) mods.

Cheers, Owen