Grand Turismo - Aussie ST185 - track day found the weakness

redGT4

New member
So this is my 1990 Aussie delivered gt4. Blessed from factory with sunroof and adjustable driver’s seat (I’m dreading the day either breaks down) and the 10 speaker stereo (now only six speakers). With 146000 kms on the clock I picked this up for $5200. The engine was sad and smoky and the CV joints were knocking harder than a headboard in a brothel.

So far I’ve had the valve stems replaced along with timing belt and tensioner. The cam journals were buffed and head checked for alignment (still good!). The cv joints / shafts were replaced as was the power steering boot cover which was cracked and leaking. The radiator was full of water and that was flushed and refilled with Toyota red coolant. After the head work I got the gearbox oil (black sludge) and the diff oil replaced. I also replaced the tractor sized steering wheel with a black/ gray Saas wheel and matching gear knob. I’ve changed the oil and went a k&N oil filter with Castrol Magnatec oil.

At the moment though she is rooted: H/G probably. once i get the damn stubborn turbo and manifold off an inspection of the exhaust port might give a clue. Maybe a ring? There was coolant in the oil when drained, a small creamy coloured light frothy bubbles, the same on the underside of the oil cap :( classic h/g symptoms :(

So to the master plan:

To me the GT in GT4 denotes the luxurious sports image of the Grand Touring class of cars. My influences are the great European GT cars by Aston Martin, Maserati, Bentley, Roll Royce and Alfa Romeo et al. Most of my attention will be in building a quiet luxurious interior. Sure I will be adding some power and handling and braking, but I’m determined to build up a personalized cockpit.

Power: A 3” exhaust is a goer. I have my down pipe, from http://www.drivenperformance.co.nz quite happy, features solid flanges and good welds, though the inside seams on the flange are not welded, just the outside. Getting the DP heat coated as well. I priced Blitz and HKS cat backs ($1500 - $1650 aus without shipping), but they just cost too much with exchange rates at the moment, so its local brands for exhaust.

Getting ct26 rebuilt, as replacement chinese crap is not going to cut it + plus all the dramas of fitting aftermarket turbo. Turbosmart boost controller and FCD have been purchased. That’s about it for the engine, maybe run low of 10 and high of 14psi.

Handling / Braking: I’ve got my eye some hot 17 inch rims, they look similar to ones I’ve seen fitted to an Audi TT? or TTS?, probably in gold or shadow (Umbra? Penumbra?Antumbra?) grey colour, or maybe classic mesh, but for now its keep the stock rims. Whiteline strut bars and sway bars will be fitted, maybe a jspeed chassis brace as well. When the time comes to replace the brake discs I’m going DBA slotted rotors all-round as well as Upgraded pads.

Interior: My dash is rooted, dry and lifting from the gauge hump. I’ve tracked down a reskinning place in town, though I have to take the dash out myself, which is going to suck on a scale I haven’t come across yet.

Doors: Line doors with dynamat. Add new component speakers, maybe clarion 6.5” or Polk 6”. Get material section replaced with perforated leather/better material. Get carpet replaced with darker black/red. Restore arm rest. Get new tweeter cover and bracket. Get switch surround and tweeter cover covered in a shiny patterned finish ( a vacuum applied sticker that’s 2 pak clear coated)

Front Seats: Get bolstered and relined. Black leather or Alcantara w/red stitching. Get a pattern similar to Alpha Romeo seats i've seen.

Rear Seats: Get covered in Black cloth / vinyl combo to save $$$

Centre console: Get arm rest re-covered. Get switch surrounds and gear shift surround and stereo fascia pattern finished.

Boot:Get custom cover made for spare wheel and custom carpet cut to fit. Affix fire extinguisher & first aid kit somewhere.

New carpet and headliner to darken the interior and painting of the executive grey panels to midnight mean black will help the look. Was considering an Okuyma carbing foot plate as well for an extra touch. An i-shift light and autometer gauges(carbon face sport comp, bought) will help.

Exterior: Restore chips and scratches and fading areas, paint fuel tank and fuel tank protector, paint rear tow hooks. Change aerial to a short rubber coated one. Change side indicators to clear, upgrade headlight bulbs and fog light bulbs.

Paint: is generally in very good condition. A few chips and scrapes but nothing too major, a good chip repairer and a polish/glaze/wax will bring the car back from new. The black plastic trim sections are weather beaten, but some mothers back to black helped restore them. Inside the engine bay the paint is worn around passengers side strut, so that need s to fixed. Underneath I want to paint the fuel tank body colour and paint the protector black with a stone guard covering. The wheel wells need a good clean and will probably stone guard them as well. A good degrease underneath will no doubt reveal some other areas that need attention. I was thinking of adding a car bra as well for that extra protection when out and about.

So that's pretty much it. Some of the things listed are current goals, others are a year away or more.

I'm still under budget :D and dad said "Take your time and do it once"
 

redGT4

New member
Reserved for pics / links.


The workspace. Blurry i know.
P8140231.jpg



Oh whats this? :shock:
P6110168.jpg


When i could actually drive it.
celica_cropped.jpg


Interior shot of where i will be putting my gauges. I changed this so there is now four gauges, two over two. The switch was for interior lighting, its not the actual switch though, just the only thing i had.
P2200022.jpg


Another shot:
P9040015.jpg


New BBQ grill.
P3180003.jpg


Although the hood liner leaves this mess on it.
P6110163.jpg

Fuck i love this car. :D
 

redGT4

New member
Well I just got the turbo off, pretty easy after all that though freeze spray and a breaker bar help alot :). In hindsight i fucked around for a while doing stuff i didn't have to do. Next time:

  • drain oil & coolant.
    Remove Radiator (to avoid damage).
    Remove alternator.
    Loosen alternator bracket for clearance of manifold
    Free Oil return hose from block, undo oil intake hose from block
    Remove Manifold nuts
    Remove nuts from DP/Cat (stock arrangement) to front exhaust pipe.

as well as the other stuff of course. I did the turbine to elbow bolts and the elbow to cat bolts (except the rear one, little fucker) in car.:doh:

Driven DP fits, though i suspect it may have to be adjusted, the bottom stud may have to be swapped for a bolt and nut arrangement.

In a couple of weeks - fortnightly pay sucks some times - getting the turbo serviced, it does have some shaft play, though it is covered in black carbon deposits.

Dp will be sent off to be ceramic heat coated - the black stuff not chrome.


Shame about the head gasket problem
How long until its back on the road?

I am not sure the head gasket is blown, the exhaust ports all look the same in colour etc, maybe the head bolts need re-torquing? Either way, once the turbo is serviced, the dp goes on - it fits nicely to the front pipe, then when i start her up - we'll see. :shrug:
Once it starts its service time, then i'll fit the MBC and FCD and new exhaust.
I'm aiming for November 1st as i might spend september doing extra shifts :lol: Then i'll wait for next year for interior mods / rims. I got rego or insurance on it either :doh:
 

redGT4

New member
Well i took the exhaust mani for a acid clean and a bead blast today. Get it back tomorrow and see how it looks. Should have took before pics. :doh:
 

redGT4

New member
Got the manifold back today. :D for $30 i thought it came up pretty damn good.

Before:

2b1c799a.jpg


After:
Manifold_Cropped.jpg

P8280250.jpg

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Props to Lonsdale Engine Works.
 

redGT4

New member
^ + 1 on being the second person today to mention that. Haven't measured if it is flat and true, but for the few dollars it costs...
 

redGT4

New member
Took the turbo to be quoted for service today. an hours drive in traffic and roadworks, roadworks, more roadworks... :x .

They'll open her up and let me know how bad it is. Discuss varying options with them such as new comp and a turbine clip and a 1 bar wastegate spring / diaphragm. Not much to say until i hear from them.
http://www.mtqes.com.au/index.php
 

redGT4

New member
Well i got my quote for the turbo today. its always a bad sign when someone says "are you sitting down?" before telling you the price.

The amount of wear and shaft play was extensive though. Heaps of carbon buildup had worn down everything and new shafts aren't cheap when they are a precision instrument.

Pick it up next wednesday. got my gaskets on order as well from toyota, should see them friday. - edit: totally forgot to ask about oxy sensor :doh:

Anyway still under budget. :D
 

redGT4

New member
Well i got my gaskets - turbo and oil cooler - i've paid for hookers that were cheaper :lol:

Get my turbo back tomorrow (fingers crossed), so i'm expecting to get raped! or at least my visa card is...

funny thing is the car would do 180 kph no probs on a stuffed turbo. hmmm.
 

MWP

New member
Make sure you replace the Hose From Hell, and Oil Cooler orings while the manifold & turbo are off.

They are a PITA to change at a later date... as ive just found out :(
 

redGT4

New member
Make sure you replace the Hose From Hell, and Oil Cooler orings while the manifold & turbo are off.

yeah, i got the o-rings for the cooler. HFH looks okay, but there is a massive build up of grease and oily slop behind it so off it comes. Going to change most of the front hoses at the same time and add some better clamps.
 

redGT4

New member
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

got the turbo back today! Looks damn good after a bath and a blast. All new garret internals with a to4 54 trim. Including a new shaft as well. The intake & exhaust have been machined larger. Wastegate was renewed so it'll be solid until hits 10psi. The specialist says it'll do 300hp at 10 psi and should flow to close to 400. All up cost aus$1600 with a 12 month warranty.

Came with gaskets too after i bought fresh toyota gaskets. :doh:

I'll start putting it on next week. Fingers crossed.

For you adelaide owners here - MTQ at regency park the place to go, but you better know what you want from them first.

So now all i have to do is get downpipe coated (quoted $200) and a new oxy sensor. Then i can put it all back together, add my fcd and boost controller and get the exhaust fitted. Thats it for the engine. hopefully.
 

redGT4

New member
:cry: :cry: :cry:

trying to get my oil cooler off for a service, did it budge hell no did my extension bar twist and slip and send my hand into a manifold stud yes. Luckily i was wearing my gloves with knuckle protection because i've only got mad bruising under my little finger knuckle and not penetration. Still i thought i had broken a bone.

1. Taking that bar back for a refund.
2. No working on the car till i can grip properly. :cry:
3. Still have to service the cooler. :doh:

Oh well, shit happens.
 

aus jd 2703

New member
u wear gloves? hmm soft or smart im not real sure lol :D
na man it wont be the last trust me. howd u go with the main turbo bolt? the one under neath and round the back?
that was the bane of my existence and also led to a nice set of sidchrome tools for Christmas lol (broke all dads 14mm spanners so he bought me my own)
 

redGT4

New member
Soft or Smart? about a 50/50 mix i reckon. I work in hospital so with patient contact i have to wash my hands about thirty times a day plus barrier creams and antiseptic gel. After ten years of that i have soft hands :(. I was wearing Sidchrome gloves actually from Sprint Auto, recommended!

All my turbo bolts came off easily, i didn't have many probs, a uni knuckle, breaker bar and freeze spray and some deep sockets (i just bought individualy from Total Tools Industrial (i can't recommend them enough. Great service at lonsdale, adelaide) work wonders. I either put the nuts back on or in sandwich bags and label em.
 

aus jd 2703

New member
love the first aid kit
what gauges did u get?
also what adapters for the oil filter relocation?
ive heard good things bout turbo smart gear so that dual stage boost control should be sweet
 
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