Patrick's 1982 GT-Sport Mod/Build Thread

[patwhac]

Hello all! I created this thread to document the modification and general "build" of my 1982 Celica GT-S. I hesitate to call it build thread since I will most likely be doing pretty simple stuff, no crazy drivetrain swaps or anything planned.

For those who don't know (or remember), 1982 is a unique year in that the GT-S had a solid rear end (or axle). 1983 and on GTS models have IRS. I specifically sought out an SRA car because my goal is to use this machine to learn how to drift. Yes I know that sounds silly 

Here's my plan so far:

Wheels and tires
Refresh steering
Change all suspension bushings to poly
Working Radio/new speakers
Short shifter with new bushings
Gauges in center console (for now untll . . .)
Custom dash panel
Hydro E-Brake (Do I really need it yet, or at all?)
Short stroke/coilover mod to front
Some form of coilover for rear.
Fancy T3 suspension stuff.
Ford 8.8 Rear Swap with some form of LSD
Repaint (someday . . . should I even bother adding it to my list?)

That's the plan, we'll see what happens . . .

Here's the car as purchased from my intro thread:

https://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?topic=30897.0

[patwhac]

So far I have done the following:

-Changed the oil
-Replace all the belts
-Replaced the temp sender unit (gauge still acting stupid though)
-Replaced pass rear fender flare because the old one was made of mostly bondo 
-Welded the driver side seat track back onto the seat, it had come apart at the rear and made the seat angle totally effed and unsafe

I just got these today:

Going to have them mounted on some wheels that I had left over from another car but I think will look great on this one. Somehow the wheels and tires all fit in the hatch. I love having a liftback now!

[RedCar]

You've been busy!
I had to do the same with my seat track... with the seat always in full aft position it kind of cantilevers the track and is more susceptible to damage.
Gotta love all that space in the hatch!
You actually found a flare at the junkyard?

[twotone_ra64]

Busy indeed! A few notes on your plans there Patrick...

1. Rear coilovers. Are you going to beef up the upper shock mounts somehow? They are not load bearing.
2. Hydro e-brake. Yes, they are helpful, but you can go without it on a basic drift setup. Wait until you are more skilled and run it with super high angle steering knuckles.
3. Repaint. Well, if you saw my build thread, I'm looking at getting a spray booth setup going in my garage and opening for business for friends.

Liftbacks are great! That pic is what my trunk looked like when I was getting my Direzzas mounted on the Konigs.

[danf]

You might want to consider replacing the vacuum lines too. Who knows if those have ever been changed. Mine were so severely cracked they must've been leaking.

[patwhac]

You've been busy!
I had to do the same with my seat track... with the seat always in full aft position it kind of cantilevers the track and is more susceptible to damage.
Gotta love all that space in the hatch!
You actually found a flare at the junkyard?

Actually I got the flare from a guy on CL, he charged me $80 for it which seems kinds pricey but it looks so much better than the grey bondo one that was on there, even if the white is not as yellowish as the rest of my car. I'm actually contemplating buying the driver side rear flare from him too, it feels weird to have no mud guard on one side. I was really trying to find a flare that had no mud guard (pre-1985 I think) but wasn't able to.

Busy indeed! A few notes on your plans there Patrick...

1. Rear coilovers. Are you going to beef up the upper shock mounts somehow? They are not load bearing.
2. Hydro e-brake. Yes, they are helpful, but you can go without it on a basic drift setup. Wait until you are more skilled and run it with super high angle steering knuckles.
3. Repaint. Well, if you saw my build thread, I'm looking at getting a spray booth setup going in my garage and opening for business for friends.

Liftbacks are great! That pic is what my trunk looked like when I was getting my Direzzas mounted on the Konigs.

1. Rear coilovers: I'm not super familiar with the SRA setup on Celicas yet, but if it's anything close to how my Skylark is setup, I was hoping to run something similar in style to the pic below, which does use shock mounts. If reinforcing the mounts is necessary that shouldn't be a problem, a few welded gussets here an there? I figured since I'll hopefully be changing to the Ford 8.8 it would give me chance to mess with the lower shock mounting points to make up for the lenght of whatever coilovers I end up with.

2. Got it!

3. I would be so down, I could help out with body work too! I'm actually not bad with an HVLP gun, I used to paint at one of my old fab jobs. Still got some guns and what not left . . .

You might want to consider replacing the vacuum lines too. Who knows if those have ever been changed. Mine were so severely cracked they must've been leaking.

Yes, good idea! I didn't really include any engine maintenence in my list, I just kinda expect that to be a part of any project. Hopefully this 278,000 mile 22R lasts for a while!

[patwhac]

Tires mounted! 

[patwhac]

Wheels mounted on car! It's nighttime so I was only able to snap these crappy cell phone pics, but will get better ones tomorrow!

[patwhac]

Better pics! I'm really happy with these rims on the car. You never know exactly what it's going to look like before ya put 'em on, but I really think they go with the 80s look. They are Centerline Auto Drags in 15" x 7" with +0 Offset. I do wish they had less offset to give more dish and push the rims out towards the flares a bit more. Maybe I'll try some spacers. I still need to buy some new center caps!

The 195/50/15 Yokohama S.Drives tires are soooooooo much better than the dry rotted Copper Cobras that were on there. My steering feels way safer and the car grips excellently on the street. The ride is much improved, stiffer but it doesn't seem to jerk to the left when I hit bumps anymore, though I'm still going to move forward with my steering/bushing refresh.

Whatdyaguys think?

[Lone.mincer_]

Looks nice! Definitely a 80s feel. Those always remind me of truck rims for a reason.
 
I would wait untill you find some with more negative offset or get x8 with the same 0 offset. If your going to learn how to drift i am really not a fan of drifting with spacers! They will hold up i guess but i have seen too many occasions when the spacer breakes or you have wear in the wheels lug pattern or hub lugs because of the play or the load the spacer causes. Plus wheel bearings tend to wear out faster. Just my opinion tho. I have heard of alot of people using spacers and they hold up. Make sure theyre good ones and not ebay ones!

[twotone_ra64]

I dig the current look! No need for spacers IMO.

[patwhac]

You guys are right! After spending a weekend driving and looking at my car, I'm perfectly happy with how the rim/tire combo looks, except that I really want to get center caps. I think it looks a little silly having my dust caps and drum brakes poking through the middle of my nice wheels.

I got to drive the car near Point Reyes/Mt. Tam this weekend and it is so fun on the curves now! I didn't really get to push it because my girlfriend was in the car, but damn do those tires make a difference.

Now on to other things. Stay tuned for the steering refresh! Here's a sneak peak:

[twotone_ra64]

Nice!! Do they even still make center caps for your wheels?

[patwhac]

I don't believe they make them anymore, but there's a few sets on eBay for around $80 for all 4. Going to hop on it soon! Otherwise any push through center cap that is 3.17" diameter would work. Not sure how standard that size is or isn't . . .

[sirdan]

There used to be a guy on ebay making repoductions.

measure yours but these might be the ones

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-ALUMINUM-CAPS-4-LUG-CONVO-PRO-AUTO-DRAG-CENTER-LINE-WHEELS-2-75-OD-VINTAGE-DEC/253956437948?hash=item3b20fbb7bc:g:r1EAAOSw9z1b19hB:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true