Corona Avante questions

[coronafosho]

Hi All,

I am looking at getting an RT142 Corona Avante with the IRS and rear disc brakes in the coming months so I can do a conversion on it. Been doing a bit of research but just wanted to ask a couple of questions just to clarify some queries as Im fairly new to toyotas.

Diff - by the sounds of it the MA61 LSD diff will be the best / easiest option as it should be a straight bolt in. Also how much do these usually go for?

Gearbox - Apparently will be either a w55 or w58. If I end up with a W55 is it worth upgrading to the W58? Im not going for world beating power but I would rather do it right the first time.

Brake upgrade / 5 stud conversion, just wondering what the best way to go would be for this?

Cheers

[Blair]

ma61 will bolt straight in assuming the avante uses an f series diff.
I think they usually sell for around $250, might need rebuilds though.

5 stud/brake upgrade, this is what my ra65 celica has.

Details:

Front:
MS85 Hubs (Hubs machined to accept larger bearings that convert to stock spindals)
MS85 Hubs machined to accept R33 disk over hub
MS85 Hubs machined to accept R33 disk centring ring
New wheel bearings & seals in 2006 (~30000km)
Nice Parts S3400 wheel studs
R33 Front Callipers (Nissan embossing removed)
R33 Front disk (296x30, supplied disks measure at ~29.5mm)
Spacers, bolts and washers for R33 calliper fitment
Braided brake lines
NOTE: One of the hubs utilises a small section of brass shim around the outer bearing cup in the hub due to a machining fluffup. This doesn't effect operation at all, but needs to be disclosed.
NOTE: The hub grease caps are a custom item, and matched to the hubs (due to the above mentioned machining issue). The grease caps are rear lancer (Linished slightly) and front MX83 caps cut and welded together, this was needed due to the OD of the conversion bearings (And hence ID of hub where grease cap goes) not matching up with anything I could find.
NOTE: The front calipers could use some new paint
NOTE: Front pads will need replacing shortly

Rear:
MS123 rear hubs fitted to rear arms
MS123 rear disks (A spare set of MS123 rear disks included that measure ~17.8mm, new is 18mm)
MS123 rear hubs setup professionally with new wheel bearings and seals in 2006 (~30000km)
MA61 rear calliper (Bracket machined to account for MS123 disk offset differences)
MA61 rear callipers (rebuilt in 2006)
Braided lines (two braided lines per swing arm)
Handbrake setup complete
Handbrake cables (with intact little rubber boot bits!)
New Noltec bushes (Not installed)
Ready to bolt up!!! (Depending on what action you take with Bushes )
NOTE: Rear arms currently have Superpro bushes, but I was never happy with them; due to the whole 65/70mm issues. I went back a few times to try and get it sorted and ran out of time to get it properly corrected (This problem got sorted when I did my JZZ12). You could continue to use the Superpro bushes (I have some extra bushes that should / may fix the existing ones, but haven't spent the time to work out if they do, or fit them), personally I'd use the Noltecs...
NOTE: Rear pads will need replacing shortly

[CELICASUPRA7M]

dont worry about the gearbox, unless your after 200rwkw +

[MOOKIE]

What kinda motor ? Chuck an s13 front end in the there some s13 coilovers and some r33 brakes, buy an aftermarket LSD suited for a ma61 as the factory ones are pretty average

[old_school_jap1]

MA61 diffs, are just like most 80s clutch-pack LSDs, fooked. They will single spin even when pushed hard in good nick. Get an F series Truetrac and it will bolt into the standard diff & it will take just about anything you can give it.

Only difference between a W55 & W58 of the same age is the ratios. It is only after '89 that the W58s became stronger.

You don't need all of that stuff that Blair posted for a front 5 stud conversion, that is the hard way of going about it Easiest way to do it is to find some MS65 Crown front hubs, this becomes hard though as they are so thin on the ground now. Second easiest way is to get a Silvia S13 front end like MOOKIE said, but get S14/S15 hubs. Third easiest is an MX83 Cressida front end, this adds a lot of track though by the time you get the camber reasonable.
The rear 5 stud conversion is as Blair has posted, you need MS123 rear hubs.

[Blair]

lol mines just how I bought the kit

Where can the truetrac be purchased? The dollar is going well so probably a good time to buy if its from usa?

[old_school_jap1]

I was about 10 minutes late from buying that kit and Draven? on here I think deals with them

[Blair]

think I pm'd him, still waiting on a response.

[coronafosho]

Cheers for the info guys, sounds like theres a few options.

The motor im looking at putting in is a 4g63t which ive got sitting in a spare galant vr4. Should be something a little different and seems a bit too good to just let sit there. I had an ST141 as my first car and an Avante for my second car so I have a slight soft spot for the Corona

Theres a guy in america who specialises converting the 4g63 to rwd and he does a bell housing which bolts straight up to the W series gearboxes so hopefully that should make life a little easier.

Still in the embryo stages but its something im keen to do so first step will be to get rid of my bunky commonwhore wagon and start the search for a decent Avante.