Toyota Celica 1983 RA61 - General Questions

[wanton oar]

Couple of things to consider besides that I love this gen of Celica. How much time and money do you want to put into this? This will be a project that will take you years to complete.

You’re asking good questions but start out with a list of what you really want out of the car. A reliable daily, smoked out sleeper, etc. this is important because depending on the engine and trans set up you want, will depend on how you move forward with restoring it.

The R series engines are super dope but it depends on what you want out of the car.

As for the transmission, if you REALLY want to keep it auto, you have options. You can use a TH400, powerglides, etc but these are expensive options. Maybe source something from a newer Toyota that you can fabricate to fit.

Also the “vents” in the front sends me. As an electrician, I recognize that these are used for pathway lighting.

[quaint lodge]

I'm unsure about the tiime and money but why does it take years what reasons? Can it be possibly done in a single year?

A reliable daily is the more preferable goal.. it is currently a carbureted R21 but it's slow as hell when going up.. so I'm not sure if that engine would be able to provide enough power, and if I swap, I prefer to do it correctly.

I don't mind a manual as long as there isnt a clutch pedal lol. Maybe shifters on the steering wheel or am I just being unrealistic

Regarding the exterior body I got it with that bumper and just tightened everything for now. I am trying to remove every red colored thing lol

[quaint lodge]

Does this mean it would lift the car if the engine got fixed? It currently has some oil problem or evaporation.
That's my main struggle it moves 30-20km/h uphill

[wanton oar]

What do you mean life the car,

[quaint lodge]

I just mean it should able to get to 60 in such situation.

[wanton oar]

If you are having an issue with driving it and you want to be able to get it road worthy, take it to a shop. And see what they say!

[manic oyster]

wiring, getting stuff like mounts fabricated, fitment, etc.

have to wire everything to be compatible with new ecu depending on what you want to function. whole dashboard out etc

for reference I do a shit ton of swaps in my tuners shop and I think the shortest turnaround we have is about a month and a half on cars that maintain the original or similar loom

[quaint lodge]

wiring seems like a nightmare in most videos I looked up.. but I guess yeah, fabrication stuff seems gonna be time consuming. thanks btw

[manic oyster]

my first ever swap on a driveway with my mates didnt get finnished until 3 years later

its very hard to stay motivated when shit doesnt go right, and thats often the case with a swap

had to swap whole brake and clutch master system in a few of the builds to because the engine dont sit the same

its all the small stuff you dont think about gets in the way

[quaint lodge]

interesting.. and yeah, everytime the car doesn't run it ruined my day lol.
But do I need a garage in the first place? Or any requirement if I dive into swap..

small issues arising.. I see
And maybe that's why my mechanic told me just drive it and sell it

[manic oyster]

you will almost certainly need a garage, you will end up removing a lot of weather proofing in the firewall leading to mold developing in the car if left outside

[manic oyster]

also one more thing, unless you plan on wiring in a car with an auto trans and what not which is long, a manual with no clutch is a sequential or a lenco. this is like 5-15,000 usd alone depending on what setup lol

[quaint lodge]

Ah gotcha thanks
15k usd is alot for this car works imo.
Gonna stay auto lol

[manic oyster]

as much as its a cool car, you would be mutch better off just buying a better core

I doubt many transmissions would fit in that shells tunnel anyway

[quaint lodge]

looking up stuff, I guess it needs some modifications for the tunnel and maybe firewall or radiator.. so I kinda got confused with what engine to get. 3sgte, 4g63 or 1j or 2j
Maybe I should just measure..?

I don't know if it's even reliable sources

And things I haven't learned like I need to think of the exhaust manifold
I love cars though, just understanding what's going on in this way is new.

[spare hazel]

GG @quaint lodge, you just advanced to level 5! Chat more to level up and earn top roles!

[manic oyster]

have you even removed an engine before?

going straight to an engine swap will just burn you out and the car wil be another half done project on fb marketplace

[quaint lodge]

By hand no, but I saw one getting lifted for changing brackets.
I see I dont wanna have that..

We'll see what happens.

[wanton oar]

You can make/ buy a harness once you know what your going to do

[quaint lodge]

I am seeing more resources of people trying something else like 1UZ
So might go that route for easiness

RA65 but I couldnt find any difference from this one 2.0 XT RA61.

If this project starts I will document it hopefully well and make a project thread

[manic oyster]

dude ima be so fr. dont do this engine swap lmao an engine swap is like final boss type shift for modifying a car. If youve yet to even remove and rebuild an origional engine, pls get more experience before hand

[wanton oar]

Would be dope but be honest with your capabilities

[quaint lodge]

honestly i have decided to just let go based on advice and whatnot. just will fix r21 and call it a day im sorry

[quaint lodge]

ok yep

[wanton oar]

Hell yeah it’s still a dope project!!