VISIT TO BROTHERS' GARAGE
Took a drive to visit a local shop a co-worker of mine recommended, as it's a performance-oriented shop that understands JDM platforms and enthusiast needs. When I rolled up there was a rhd Mazda RX-7 sitting out front, so I knew I was in the right place. I got to chatting with one of the owners, and I proposed a simple project to start: The installation of an AutoMeter dual temperature gauge to provide accurate oil and coolant temperatures, and an AEM Air-Fuel Ratio gauge atop an AutoExtrude gauge mount I got a couple of weeks ago, that sits atop the steering column like this:
It's a little more on the nose than I'd like, but there's limited cockpit space in the Celica. This--while right in front of me and impinging on the gauge cluster a bit--at least doesn't clutter up the dashboard or screw with sight lines on the A-pillar.
The guy there told me that all I need to see this done is to get a oil filter sandwich plate adapter, set up an appointment, and it would be a couple of hour job.
In the end, I'm ambivalent. I mean, shit. I'm not autocrossing or tracking this car. It's just a touring car.
STUFF I ALREADY KNEW
In the course of him poking around looking at The Lorelei I did get some confirmation of what I'd already figured out:
1. The Blitz Twin boost controller I have is fine, if now ancient and rock simple equipment.
2. The Apexi Super Air Flow Converter is deprecated, oldthink equipment that never really worked and which caused problems--best to just let it sit there unused.
3. The AFMs (MAFs) can be hard to find. Best to maybe have one on hand. But, then, by that time, maybe best to consider an engine swap...see below...
MUSING ON A GEN4 ENGINE SWAP
That aforementioned co-worker of mine who has a Civic GT-R and is jazzed AF to find out he has a fellow car guy at work had also pointed me toward TCS Motorsports. He suggested I ask about engine swaps--the new hotness these days for MR2s is to throw a naturally aspirated 2GR-FE Sienna minivan V6 into it. While a fully modern, naturally aspirated Toyota plant that gives 300hp would be cool and all, that won't work for us. I mean, shit, the extra 45 lbs alone--never mind the space and wiring harness and transmission mating questions. Even with the 3S-GTE, the GT-Four is already nose heavy at 63:37, even
without my fat ass sitting forward of centerline. What we have is the 4th Gen 3S-GTE.
TCS Motorsports recommended I not spend a lot of money on the 2Gen 3S-GTE currently in The Lorelei and quoted me $6999 for a Gen4 3S-GTE swap, which they claim will make 315 catless ( :| ) hp at 17psi. The cost includes:
Gen4 3SGTE engine/wiring/ECU
Wiring harness conversion with functional OBDII port
TCS 3" Downpipe
TCS 3" Air intake kit
TCS Gen4/5 fuel line kit
Powder coated valve cover (color of your choice)
New valve cover gaskets
New PCV Valve
New PCV grommet
New Exedy OEM Spec Clutch Kit
New throw out bearing
Resurfaced Flywheel
Conventional Oil change components (oil/filter)
Redline Transmission fluid
Coolant flush and Coolant
Engine bay cleaning and crossmember cleaning
Additional options include:
-$100 manual boost controller installed
-$540 Turbosmart Eboost Electronic Boost Controller Installed
-$225 Walbro fuel pump installed (mandatory on cars with NA fuel pump)
-$140 Powder coat Intake manifold
-$335 Fidanza Aluminum Lightweight Flywheel kit
-$575 Seal Package (includes timing belt, water pump, cam seals, oil pump o ring, front and rear main seals, thermostat and gasket, CV axle seals)
-$1,500 Custom Front mounted intercooler installed with custom brackets and custom intercooler piping w/ clamps and couplers (otherwise we will retain the factory Gen4 top mounted intercooler)
Given that the clutch replacement alone is like 15 shop hours--by the book--that doesn't sound all that bad. But the engine availability is a big variable these days.
In the end this fell into the category of "Nice to Know." I decided that I'll just extract the remaining miles from The Lorelei's existing low-mileage plant and then consider it.
The dripping from the radiator drain cock didn't appear today. Dry as a bone underneath The Lorelei.
I got a Chemical Guys foam cannon. The Lorelei has some paint damage, that's for sure, but I might as well stop making it worse.