Here are my latest mods in chronological order:
Tires:
Spring 2009: Bought and installed some Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport in the 225/50R16 size. They provide good grip without draging excessively. They are confidence inspiring in any weather, as the Alltrac does...
Brakes
Spring 2009: I changed the brake pads all around for PBR ult ceramic pads. They are also very good in daily driven duty. I already had tried them on my Tercel, for daily drive and loved them, since they don't make tons of dust for the braking force that they offer. I also replaced a caliper in the back since it was seized.
Transmission:
Summer 2009: I had to take the engine and transmission out of the car to change the clutch, as it broke on a trip 500 kilometers from home. I could manage to get at my father's place (who has a lift in his garage). I decided to buy a whole ST205 swap since the transmission was not shifting so good: bad synchros on 2nd and 4th gears. So I installed the ST205 clutch, tranny and shifter cables. Since then, it is a dream to drive this car around as it shifts so smooth.
Wheel Spacers:
Spring 2010: I was tired of seeing the big gap between the rear fenders and the wheels. I bought myself the 20mm wheel spacers with longer wheel studs from H&R. This fixed the esthetic problem.
Catback
Summer 2010: I changed my catback for the HKS Silent Hi-Power. I love the sound it has at the tip, at the moment but I find the tip oversized (4''). Maybe one day, I will change the muffler part to get back to a double 2.5 inches tips (a little like stock but bigger). For the midpipe section, I am waiting for Greg to get this midpipe done so I can install that one and then the exhaust will be complete.
http://www.alltrac.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=38431
RC bumper
Fall 2010: I installed a RC bumper coming from a JDM RC ST185. I always loved the look that they had, so I had no choice to do this... I will get this painted in 2011. I will also remove the license plate section to make the central horizontal bar look like it wasn't made to get a license plate.
rear Sway Bar
Fall 2010: I installed a Whiteline rear adjustable sway bar that I had laying around since a while. I didn't know that this part alone would have that much effect on the Celica's behavior on the road. I started adjusting it to the stiffest to see if really it has an effect on the car. Answer was YES. The only way that I could tell someone about it is: The car didn't want to turn, but now, it does! I just tried it on Monday, drifting in snow. The car is so controlable and stable, it is a total difference with before. I thought that it would be too much for winter, but no, it's just perfect.
Now the Alltrac is waiting to receive a new heart, a ST205 one. I am getting ready for the transplant. I have changed many things on the ST205 engine before I put it in the car: Timing Belt and tensioner, Front and rear crankshaft seals, Spark plug (NGK BRK7EIX), Ignition leads (Magnecor 8.5mm), Dristributor cap and rotor. I also gutted the stock downpipe and welded in a bung for a Wideband O2 sensor for a gauge and ECU control (via a Lamba emulator) Innovate G3 kit. I greased the timing belt idlers as the bearing roll like new, I didn't think it was time to change them. I will be using the whole water-to-air system from a ST205. I will also use the ST205 Fuse Box as my ST185 one has many bad connections in it... It will not be as easy as keeping the ST185 one, but it will be trouble free afterwards. The wiring harness from the ST205 is already ready to be joined to the ST185 part, but the car runs right now. As soon as I start taking off the powertrain, I will do the same with the ST185 wiring harness.
The ST205 wiring harness: identified and lightened:
What a nice project. As long I me and my girlfriend will love this car, I will be the happiest man on earth!
Martin V.
