Learn Me A60 Celica

I can't figure out why they're dirt cheap. They're RWD, kinda cool looking and are Toyotas. Do they somehow suck or did I happen upon a cool car that hasn't really been "discovered" yet?

I know that the stock engines aren't exactly the most sporty (Of course, that's why engine swaps exist) and that there is something janky with the suspension, I think. Not speaking from experience, just what I heard when I was looking at them. But, yeah, the styling on these is the dopeness.

I love this particular one.

In reply to NickD:

I concur! That thing is gorgeous!!

I think most of it is that they are the wrong combination of heavy and underpowered (2500-2700lbs with 117hp), there is virtually no aftermarket, and there's also no truly bolt-in swap that solves most of the issues like there are for many other Toyotas/Celicas. The 22R-E isn't much of a performance motor and there isn't anything better that will go in its place without a lot of custom work. I agree that they are cool, but I'm not a fabricator so I gave up on the idea of building one. There is potential there if you are.

M030 wrote: I can't figure out why they're dirt cheap.

They are??

I'd love to get one and make a Group B lookalike but they too expensive.

A localish guy has a 2RZ powered one and most things bolted in. Even the P/S attached with all Toyota bits.

Knurled wrote:

M030 wrote: I can't figure out why they're dirt cheap.

They are?? I'd love to get one and make a Group B lookalike but they too expensive. A localish guy has a 2RZ powered one and most things bolted in. Even the P/S attached with all Toyota bits.

Yeah, they are ludicrously cheap. I found one here in NY for $1400. 144K miles, no rust, ran and drove, it was a GT trim.

Love these and the previous gen Celica/Supra... Always seemed like it was a V8 swap away from glory. As a Euro kid I have to approve of any sporting shoe box like these...

Holy crap didnt realize how good these could look...

Time to search craigslist and sigh deeply

Knurled wrote:

M030 wrote: I can't figure out why they're dirt cheap.

They are?? I'd love to get one and make a Group B lookalike but they too expensive. A localish guy has a 2RZ powered one and most things bolted in. Even the P/S attached with all Toyota bits.

Pretty cheap here too. You can't just drop in a 20v 4A-GE or SR20 or whatever and go, which is why I think the "tuner" crowd largely ignored them.

I looked up the 2RZ swap, seems easier than something like a 3S-GE, but you still have to fab custom mounts. Probably easy for some of you folks, but too much for me, especially since all the work is for like 20-30hp: http://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?topic=23224.0

Put an 18RG in it. Or add BOOST. The 22R bottom end is good for 300 HP per the old-school tooner crowd. Maybe 350, but that is pushing it.

In reply to Dr. Hess:

That would be my take. Get a notchback with solid axle, add a K27 turbo and remove a bunch of compression, and go have fun.

Paging fast_eddie_72 . . .

I was disappointed at how uncommon they seem to be around here. But the top of my project list right now is freeing up parking, so I should probably not waste angst...

1UZ swaps make them very fun.

Very. Fun.

pointofdeparture wrote: I think most of it is that they are the wrong combination of heavy and underpowered (2500-2700lbs with 117hp), there is virtually no aftermarket, and there's also no truly bolt-in swap that solves most of the issues like there are for many other Toyotas/Celicas. The 22R-E isn't much of a performance motor and there isn't anything better that will go in its place without a lot of custom work. I agree that they are cool, but I'm not a fabricator so I gave up on the idea of building one. There is potential there if you are.

Nnnnnnngggggggg. Wrong on so many levels. Take it from a current ra64 owner (soon to 1uz swapped) that the GT model weighs 2400lbs. The ST model weighs 2300lbs. And the pig IRS GT-s model weighs a boat load. Wikipedia is wrong and has been even though our forum has changed it. The 22re can make good power. If you want a bulletproof, low maintenance autocross motor, then get it. Everything on the gt/st models share running gear with the ae86. They are cheap because underdog. W58 tranny- bulletproof. 22re- bulletproof. 6.7axle- meh. Chassis needs bracing. Makes an amazing rally car.

Also, I'm swapping an explorer 8.8 into mine. Fits perfect when the diff is centered.

In reply to Trackmouse:

Honest question here, what running gear do they share with the AE86? AFAIK the 4A/T50 drivetrain is pretty different than the 22R/W58 drivetrain. And I know the 22R-E can make good power, but it sure doesn't come cheap...

They share suspension front and back and the 6.7 axle. Yes the trans and engine are different. Ironically, the ae86 guys swap to a w58 and 22re for the torque and power capability of the tranny.

I have a ra64 with 190k on the clock. All original. Everything. Even the motor. I beat the piss out of the engine and axle. The axle is loud and open but nothing has given up. I LOVE my Toyota.

There is a R-something Celi with no motor for sale here in NWA for five bills, if I recall. It was on CL for a while but I think the ad expired. The car is still for sale, as I drive by it daily. He pulled the motor and was planning on putting a 302 in, but, you know, life and E36 M3 got in the way. The body is pretty clean. One or two minor dents, if I recall. I think it is a early 80's.

You guys are not helping my fascination with boxy jap goodness. I hold that the oldschool beasts like this will be on the Barret Jackson Hemmings circuit in some years to come.

In reply to 84FSP:

And why I am holding onto mine.

I would say an rz swap is the way to go. Boost that if you want big power. The only problem I see with building one is that you can put a bunch of money and effort into a project that is worth exactly jack e36m3 when finished. Like em but financially a build of this sort is akin to burning the money. I am a huge toyota fanboy and I wouldn't build one of these, an aw11 or sw20 is going to be cheaper, easier to source parts for, way more rewarding to get to know and worth more when done.

In reply to sesto elemento:

Not true. I see these go for 6k with a 1uz swap. Rz swap is a waste of time. They are expensive to acquire. Expensive to mod. Expensive to adapt into the car. End result? 140hp. Pass. The 2rz fits. The 3rz does not, it's too tall. Look up teranfirbt's build on celicagts.com. Honestly, its JZ or UZ. You can do 3sgte, but that's wildly expensive. I'll be into my UZ swap about 1200$ once everything is done and old motor sold. Paid 1200$ for the car. Put 500$ into suspension for coilovers and adjustable shocks and bushings. I'll get 6k from it. Not that I'll sell it.

I'm not trying to get into a pissin contest here, but I disagree, and maybe I'm wrong here so school me if I am. Let's go through a checklist here:

A 2rz with a little boost makes more power than any n/a uz is ever going to, right?

Rz weighs less, right?

Rzs bolt to a w series tranny right, no adapter needed, right?

Rzs can be had for the same money as a uz from what I've seen.

Don't get me wrong, I personally like the 1uz better because of cool factor and sound, but that doesn't make it faster, cheaper or have better weight distribution than a boosted 2rz. At the end of the day, $6k is peanuts after restoring a car doing an engine swap and modding a car. I love this platform, I deeply regret selling my ra29 (a lot of the same issues, needs a swap to be fast, abysmal parts availability, worth very little when awesome, small market of buyers, etc.), but at the same time I think in this case, m030 is better off buying an w20 or aw11 that has a couple things that need to get sorted out than resto-modding an ra60.

P.S. M030, if you are going to go nuts and build a vintage toyota, build that corona we keep seeing.

Powar wrote: 1UZ swaps make them very fun. Very. Fun.

This. I'd do it for the sound alone!