Fixing up the '89 st165

grottobill

New member
Hello everyone. I've had my st165 for 5 years or so now, has about 165k, and it has been a great car. I purchased a newer car about a year ago, and the st165 has been sitting for awhile now. I want to change that. It has had some maintenance issues (my lazy fault), which I'm going about fixing now, but I'm curious what other peoples' opinions are on how much I should change/repair. I'm looking to get my car back in perfect order, maybe a little more performance, but that isn't my main focus here, I just want my All-Trac back.

I'm looking to keep it pretty stock (mainly for ease of repair), but I would like to get some performance parts in there, as long as cost/time isn't too much. The exhaust manifold/turbo/downpipe are my main issues when I first look at it. The turbo *seems* good, but all the plastics/rubbers around it are not. The intercooler has a faulty pump, and I'm thinking I would like to get a whole new intercooler setup (I was thinking ATA but after reading around maybe I will keep some kind of WTA setup?). The manifold has a crack in it, so I'm going to need a new one of those, and figured I could just get a downpipe with it (I see sets have both). At this point, should I just get a new turbo too? And what internals of the engine should I be checking or replacing if I'm going to do this. I don't want to build up my turbo setup for my motor to go plunk.

Now, the car had it's timing chain/water pump/crank seal maintenance maybe 40k ago, but it has sat a lot since then. I'm not really sure how much I will need to tear down for the exhaust manifold/downpipe/turbo/intercooler, would it been enough I should check my timing, put new gaskets in there and all of that?

Just looking for some direction from my fellow All-Trac fans. Not really sure where to start with this. Also, if you have recommendations on parts, other builds, or anything, I'm open.

Bill
 

UtahSleeper

Active member
If the timing belt is old enough, I would just replace it so you wont have to worry about it for awhile.

If you need to get a new exhaust manifold, it may be woth it to get a new turbo since you can get a modern turbo with better response.

For me, I would just start by doing little things to get her running. Clean the fuel tank, fix any obvious broken rubbers, maybe patch the manifold, do all tune up stuff, replace the fuel filter, etc.

All the little things should get you to a better understanding of her current condition. Have you tried to start her/does she run?

Also, I prefer ATA front mount so it makes tune ups easier and less clutter in the engine bay. Plus less heat soak.

So, where are the pics to go with this build thread :)
 

grottobill

New member
I can't find any pictures of the car at the moment, no idea where they went.. It's at my cousin's shop currently. I think what I'm going to start with is a new radiator and st205 intercooler. I'm not really sure the best way to do the exhaust. I can get a downpipe and a manifold, or I can try one of those fancy headers (do I still need a downpipe on some of those?). I found the intercooler for about $200 and the radiator for $165. The manifold is about $200, and the downpipe I was looking at (KORacing) is $300. Those headers are $150+ on ebay, but I'm not so sure how reliable those would be.
 

88gt4DE

Active member
1st gen engine parts are getting harder and harder to find. Although there was someone on here selling a brand new OEM manifold. First I've seen in years since I got mine. Another discontinued part though Toyota which your going to find alot of in your recondition efforts ... Good luck with the project and post up some pics ! :smokes:
 
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