where are all the creative minds?
Kinda reminds me of the 1 and 2-LS's. We're in a similar position as far as limited parts goodies. If you are willing to play and experiment, the results are more unique. The true enthusiast will show through. 
Driver
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: tx
Mabey y'all should have researched a lil more and bought a diff car if it's not "easy enough" to mod. It's not a Honda and that's what most of the long time 1st gen. Owners like about the car and this forum. Your not making it any better people, remember what your momma said about not having anything positive to say....??
I think a lot of it has to do with the times that we are in. Like USMC just said, this isn't a Honda and it costs money to get a lot of the parts and projects completed. Right now I'm happy with my car having a drop, tint, and rims before I start going into the big stuff. Until I get the money I'm going to be doing all the 'free' mods, clearing the headlights and tail lights etc...
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Yes, that is very nice. Stuff like that gives you motivation to keep working hard on the ride..
I'll be honest there have been times where I have gone back and forth on fixing up the ride, just due to the shear cost of things.
Repairs are 2-3 times more than the standard vehicle, replacement parts can be 3-5 times more than the standard vehicle, either you swap in a $2,800-$3,500 2jzte/1jzgte+5 speed to have a decent baseline for performance/power or go for a 4,000 custom ls1 swap on a vehicle whose Kelley blue book value is around 3,000$ at best.
That's not to mention the 1,000$ suspension upgrades, plus $800-$2000 to re-do the interior and the supporting instrument mods(gauges, standalone,etc)
The $2,000+ rims and tires for grip and to give the car an aggressive stance.
That's about almost $8,000-$10,000+ in mods on a car that is worth $3,000, and this is just to start to get into the performance arena on a 3,600 lb car.
In the area of performance, the old school corollas, datsuns, 240's, SE-R's, '86's, EP82/91's can achieve much more at a fraction of a cost and still get 24-30mpg while doing it(4efte tercels get 40 mpg, and are still a blast to drive), while full coverage insurance is 2.5-3.5 times less. Granted luxury is lacking, and you don't see to many of our 1st gen gs300's on the street let alone really nice and "trimmed up" but still this can be a tad frustrating.
"Sigh"
just my thoughts, irritations, frustrations, and venting on the subject.
In these hard times it can be tough and discouraging.
I'll be honest there have been times where I have gone back and forth on fixing up the ride, just due to the shear cost of things.
Repairs are 2-3 times more than the standard vehicle, replacement parts can be 3-5 times more than the standard vehicle, either you swap in a $2,800-$3,500 2jzte/1jzgte+5 speed to have a decent baseline for performance/power or go for a 4,000 custom ls1 swap on a vehicle whose Kelley blue book value is around 3,000$ at best.
That's not to mention the 1,000$ suspension upgrades, plus $800-$2000 to re-do the interior and the supporting instrument mods(gauges, standalone,etc)
The $2,000+ rims and tires for grip and to give the car an aggressive stance.
That's about almost $8,000-$10,000+ in mods on a car that is worth $3,000, and this is just to start to get into the performance arena on a 3,600 lb car.
In the area of performance, the old school corollas, datsuns, 240's, SE-R's, '86's, EP82/91's can achieve much more at a fraction of a cost and still get 24-30mpg while doing it(4efte tercels get 40 mpg, and are still a blast to drive), while full coverage insurance is 2.5-3.5 times less. Granted luxury is lacking, and you don't see to many of our 1st gen gs300's on the street let alone really nice and "trimmed up" but still this can be a tad frustrating.
"Sigh"
just my thoughts, irritations, frustrations, and venting on the subject.
In these hard times it can be tough and discouraging.
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: uk
This anything like what you had in mind?
That's a 6" thick intercooler rated at 900hp we managed to get behind the standard bumper with a little modification. (The plan is to make use of quite a bit of that capacity as well)
This stage (550-600hp) isn't far off finished next stage is a gearbox that has never been in a 147 before & 750hp.
That's a 6" thick intercooler rated at 900hp we managed to get behind the standard bumper with a little modification. (The plan is to make use of quite a bit of that capacity as well)
This stage (550-600hp) isn't far off finished next stage is a gearbox that has never been in a 147 before & 750hp.
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: uk
Current spec list should anyone be interested
Engine:
Stock for now
Head:
Brian Crower 264 cams
HKS vernier pulleys
Denso Iridium IK24's
K&N RD1410 located in place of the old SMIC
ARP head studs
Brand new Toyota head gasket
Brand new Toyota valve stem seals
Custom breather oil catch tank
Turbo & Exhaust:
XS Power T70 turbo
44mm Wynton M wastegate with adapter
Cast log manifold modified by G2U
GFB WRX Hybrid BOV
Fully decatted with one off G2U pipes
3" Fujitsubo exhaust
Electronics:
AEM Tru-Boost boost controller with scramble boost
AEM FIC
HKS SLD
Bosch AFR Sensor
PLX devices AFR module
PLX devices EGT sensor & module
PLX devices engine oil temperature & gearbox temperature sensors with module
PLX devices oil pressure sensor & module
Battery relocated to the boot
Relocated Igniter with wire tuck
Cooling:
Fluidyne 18"x9" 81 row Gearbox oil cooler
Trust style race intercooler 900hp
Alloy Supra race spec Radiator & twin 12" electric fans
Supra water pump
Fuel:
G2U Fuel pump
Aeromotive FPR with gauge
650cc Siemens Deka injectors
Brakes:
Lexus LS400 4 pot fronts
UK spec Supra 2 pot rears
Suspension & Chassis:
BK Racing coilovers
Night pager camber kit
Exterior:
Ultralite Nurbergring 18" x 8.5" Front
Ultralite Nurbergring 18" x 9.5" Rear
235/40x18 Toyo T1R's front
265/35x18 Falken FK452's rear
Lexus front & rear badges
Modified front bumper
Headlights modified with ultabrite led strip lights in side lights
Yellow insert removed from fog lights
Interior:
Grey leather interior
AEM Tru-boost boost gauge/controller
PLX DM-100
Modified Instrument Bezel to mount the above gauges
Boot has twin neon 12" tubes linked to the boot light
Modified Mk3 MR2 Steering wheel
LS400 Shifter
GS300 Phone pod
White LED kit in dash cluster
ICE:
7" Motorised touch screen TV, DVD player,Hands free blue tooth, Sat Nav, iPod control & SD card reader
Engine dress:
Polished cam covers with breathers
Polished Intake manifold
Polished Strut brace
Polished Turbo Compressor housing
Painted spark plug cover
Polished radiator top tank
Painted throttle body
Aluminium boxes in both wings to hide pipework & protect electronics
Trying to keep the body looking as stock looking as the mods will allow Hence the Project Stealth title
Engine:
Stock for now
Head:
Brian Crower 264 cams
HKS vernier pulleys
Denso Iridium IK24's
K&N RD1410 located in place of the old SMIC
ARP head studs
Brand new Toyota head gasket
Brand new Toyota valve stem seals
Custom breather oil catch tank
Turbo & Exhaust:
XS Power T70 turbo
44mm Wynton M wastegate with adapter
Cast log manifold modified by G2U
GFB WRX Hybrid BOV
Fully decatted with one off G2U pipes
3" Fujitsubo exhaust
Electronics:
AEM Tru-Boost boost controller with scramble boost
AEM FIC
HKS SLD
Bosch AFR Sensor
PLX devices AFR module
PLX devices EGT sensor & module
PLX devices engine oil temperature & gearbox temperature sensors with module
PLX devices oil pressure sensor & module
Battery relocated to the boot
Relocated Igniter with wire tuck
Cooling:
Fluidyne 18"x9" 81 row Gearbox oil cooler
Trust style race intercooler 900hp
Alloy Supra race spec Radiator & twin 12" electric fans
Supra water pump
Fuel:
G2U Fuel pump
Aeromotive FPR with gauge
650cc Siemens Deka injectors
Brakes:
Lexus LS400 4 pot fronts
UK spec Supra 2 pot rears
Suspension & Chassis:
BK Racing coilovers
Night pager camber kit
Exterior:
Ultralite Nurbergring 18" x 8.5" Front
Ultralite Nurbergring 18" x 9.5" Rear
235/40x18 Toyo T1R's front
265/35x18 Falken FK452's rear
Lexus front & rear badges
Modified front bumper
Headlights modified with ultabrite led strip lights in side lights
Yellow insert removed from fog lights
Interior:
Grey leather interior
AEM Tru-boost boost gauge/controller
PLX DM-100
Modified Instrument Bezel to mount the above gauges
Boot has twin neon 12" tubes linked to the boot light
Modified Mk3 MR2 Steering wheel
LS400 Shifter
GS300 Phone pod
White LED kit in dash cluster
ICE:
7" Motorised touch screen TV, DVD player,Hands free blue tooth, Sat Nav, iPod control & SD card reader
Engine dress:
Polished cam covers with breathers
Polished Intake manifold
Polished Strut brace
Polished Turbo Compressor housing
Painted spark plug cover
Polished radiator top tank
Painted throttle body
Aluminium boxes in both wings to hide pipework & protect electronics
Trying to keep the body looking as stock looking as the mods will allow Hence the Project Stealth title
Yes, that is very nice. Stuff like that gives you motivation to keep working hard on the ride..
I'll be honest there have been times where I have gone back and forth on fixing up the ride, just due to the shear cost of things.
Repairs are 2-3 times more than the standard vehicle, replacement parts can be 3-5 times more than the standard vehicle, either you swap in a $2,800-$3,500 2jzte/1jzgte+5 speed to have a decent baseline for performance/power or go for a 4,000 custom ls1 swap on a vehicle whose Kelley blue book value is around 3,000$ at best.
That's not to mention the 1,000$ suspension upgrades, plus $800-$2000 to re-do the interior and the supporting instrument mods(gauges, standalone,etc)
The $2,000+ rims and tires for grip and to give the car an aggressive stance.
That's about almost $8,000-$10,000+ in mods on a car that is worth $3,000, and this is just to start to get into the performance arena on a 3,600 lb car.
In the area of performance, the old school corollas, datsuns, 240's, SE-R's, '86's, EP82/91's can achieve much more at a fraction of a cost and still get 24-30mpg while doing it(4efte tercels get 40 mpg, and are still a blast to drive), while full coverage insurance is 2.5-3.5 times less. Granted luxury is lacking, and you don't see to many of our 1st gen gs300's on the street let alone really nice and "trimmed up" but still this can be a tad frustrating.
"Sigh"
just my thoughts, irritations, frustrations, and venting on the subject.
In these hard times it can be tough and discouraging.
I'll be honest there have been times where I have gone back and forth on fixing up the ride, just due to the shear cost of things.
Repairs are 2-3 times more than the standard vehicle, replacement parts can be 3-5 times more than the standard vehicle, either you swap in a $2,800-$3,500 2jzte/1jzgte+5 speed to have a decent baseline for performance/power or go for a 4,000 custom ls1 swap on a vehicle whose Kelley blue book value is around 3,000$ at best.
That's not to mention the 1,000$ suspension upgrades, plus $800-$2000 to re-do the interior and the supporting instrument mods(gauges, standalone,etc)
The $2,000+ rims and tires for grip and to give the car an aggressive stance.
That's about almost $8,000-$10,000+ in mods on a car that is worth $3,000, and this is just to start to get into the performance arena on a 3,600 lb car.
In the area of performance, the old school corollas, datsuns, 240's, SE-R's, '86's, EP82/91's can achieve much more at a fraction of a cost and still get 24-30mpg while doing it(4efte tercels get 40 mpg, and are still a blast to drive), while full coverage insurance is 2.5-3.5 times less. Granted luxury is lacking, and you don't see to many of our 1st gen gs300's on the street let alone really nice and "trimmed up" but still this can be a tad frustrating.
"Sigh"
just my thoughts, irritations, frustrations, and venting on the subject.
In these hard times it can be tough and discouraging.
I agree. The only thing that keeps me in the 1GS is a timeless design that isn't seen on the road often in my area. It is frustrating to know that everything is so much more expensive on a car with a low resale value. However I think that is with any platform aside from the muscle cars and exotics. People put thousands of dollars into cars all the time. How many actually get that back when its time to sell?
I plan on keeping the car until I can't anymore. Meaning its not structurally sound or another major cause prompts me to get rid of it. At this point its just an expensive hobby. Cars should never be looked at as investments anyway and I figure that most enthusiasts understand that they will never get back the full amount of money they put into their vehicles.
Last edited by CallmeQ; Jun 11, 2011 at 10:20 PM.