Not mine, posing this up for an old school OCC'er very good challenge potential here and its mostly done just needs some polishing for the concours. Someone go get it, I want to see it in action!
1983 Celica GT-S notch back coupe, IRS RA-65C chassis
Lowered and stiffened with a custom Ground Control suspension system, almost 3 inch drop. Eibach coil over springs with adjustable perches all around. urethane bushings and a custom HUGE from sway bar. Roll center correction blocks for proper geometry with the massive lowering. On Hoosier race tires this car corners at over 1.3 G's
Slotted front brake rotors and rear drums. Stainless steel brake lines.
1993 Lexus LS400 4.0L V8 engine swap running and emissions certified in Illinois. Some clean up work is needed to fully complete it, but it is driveable as it sits now. Motor runs like new mechanically.
The ECU is just laying on the passenger floor and the heater ducting and glove box need some work to re-fit etc. After it passed emissions, one of the ignition systems started acting up, I think it may just be a cap and rotor issue. The idle motor is stuck, so it does not have idle up when cold, it takes a few blips to keep it running til the temp is up. This is a common issue when these motors sit too long. There are a few other odds and ends, but nothing too serious. I am confident I could have it all ironed out If I had a week in decent weather in Chicago, but the garage I am keeping it is, is going up for sale soon, and I have to get it out or it may be scrapped out from under me. It even has current plates and insurance on it.
The car also has a 7.5 inch F series limited slip diff with 3.727 gears. The 1000 pound heavier LS-400 had a 3.62 rear gear and taller tires. That tank did 0-60 in about 7 seconds. By the math, low 5's should be easy. The car is actually a tick lighter with the V8 thanks to it being all aluminum. The car was just 1.5% nose heavy before, it could be even closer now as the center of the engine is further back in the chassis. Front ride height was nearly 1/4 higher than it was with the turbo 22RE. And with 300 lb/in springs, that is a big change. Obviously I have not had it back on balancing scales just yet.
To reduce certification issues, the Lexus auto trans is installed now, but I still have the W-58 manual and it can be bolted up, a conversion kit is available for this engine. I was planning to put it in once I had it re-certified here in Cali, but it does not look like I will ever get it out here.
I love my new job, but I work 50+ hour weeks and have a wife and 2 kids now which I also love. I have not been to an autocross race in 8 years. I am driving a 2004 Camry with the 2.4 and the manual trans. It is not my Celica, but with BFG tires and the SE suspension package, it is fun to drive and really surprizes people when I hang corners at close to 1G. The front is so much lighter than the auto trans cars, and especially the V6's, it is by far the best handling Camry package. And thanks to the manual trans and gearing, I can out run most 4 doors to 50 mph from a stand still. Once I grab 3rd though, the party is pretty much over, the 160 HP pushing 3000 pounds is just not enough to keep the fun up. I already put 165,000 miles on it, and I hit the rev limiter every day. I will always be a Toyota head. Maybe this Summer, I can finally take the Camry out and make a few autocross runs in it. It just might do well in H Stock street tire. I know my rusty race driving will be th! e bigger liiting factor for now.
If anyone is interested in the car, make me an offer. If you want it private from the list, send a message to GSMnow@aol.com Do not worry about insulting me with a low offer, I want to see what people think it is worth as is. I am not looking to make any money on this, I want it to go to someone who will clean it up and drive it, HARD. If I can get what I paid for the V8 engine I would be fine with it. With the current economy and fuel prices it will cost me at least $2000 to get it hauled out here to Cali, and I have no place to keep it right now. Even an outdoor storage place is going to charge a fair chunk too. All the lots near me are full of motor homes and boats. I have had one offer from a guy who wants to part it out and use the engine in a later Supra chassis. I would hate to see that well dialed Celica go to waste.
Gary M.
