Scaxx

Your taste in cars is wonderful and I'm jealous of them

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Any updates on your two sexy rally machines?

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

Had a longish trip to NZ, and lots of little things on the GTX. It's getting the bodywork done.
The GT4 is driven a lot, and has some detail work done.

I'll post an update here shortly.

Teaser:

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Man, digging those wheels. Stoked for more updates.

So.. when are you doing the toyota E352 gearbox swap on the GTX?

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

So I decided to get back into business seriously, and it's taking some time. I am finishing up my grad degree, and have reactivated my Tire Rack, Turn 14, Worldpac, etc... accounts. Anyone in Salem need anything, let me know. I am moving my shop next door, for three times the space.

So here is the GTX. It is currently off getting the small rust repaired and paint fixed. I discovered that the IAC has not ever been driven correctly, and the signal has been wacky. Now it doesn't seem to have a signal at all. I literally have no idea what is going on with it, and haven't taken the time to really check, since it idles brilliantly with the IAC disconnected. I will eventually fix this, as I'd like it a little more consistent under load, but it is better than it's ever been.

I am thinking about a Cusco Type RS rear diff. Silly me.

I also finally installed the Cusco strut bars, removed the rear speakers, and put on longer lug studs (RX7) and the sweet Racing Hart/Dunlop Formula CP-R wheels. 15x6.5 and weigh right at 10lbs.

I also got a lot of original sales literature, for Japan, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and the US.

Wheels:




Longer lug studs:




Cusco strut bars. Apparently by using them outside Japan I risk the world imploding.





All the interior is put back together and it is very low profile. Nice stuff. The rear speaker housings are the flimsiest sheet metal ever, and are attached with double sided tape and screws:




Sales literature:

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

I'm also trying to decide what to do with the other completely rust free car. I have a hankering to Swap in a Subaru suspension, ST185 trans and diff, and a built BP. Of course maybe someone will beg for the shell...

Edit:
Also probably going to sell the GT4. It's fast, very competent, but like most Toyotas I just am not bonding with it. Great in gravel.

I think I want an FC or GVR4.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

The ST185 (or physically narrower and shorter geared Rav4) drivetrain swap is something I dream about. An indestructible drivetrain with built BP power behind it would be absurd in a GTX. Seems like the way to go, should snag one of those adapter plates while they are available, there's a groupbuy going on.

I just want to thank you again for sharing all of this content. I am nearly as obsessed with these things as you are and spend much of my time looking for hard to find parts and literature. Those wheels are so damn awesome, where did you find them?

I almost bought a GVR4 a while back but the deal fell through. Always thought they were pretty sweet. I still drool over TII FC's as well, though my dream car has always been the FD.

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

Apparently it ate my post...


So the GTFour is for sale. It's very good, but very Toyota.

I decided to fulfill an itch I had since I drove one back in 93 and get a C4 Audi S4. Because rare, weird, awesome.

Bodywork on the GTX progresses. The shop move to triple the space is going well.

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

Shop space:

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Just stopping by.. jonesing for an update!

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

So, after 51 weeks and 2 days, the ca has returned from the body shop.

It ended up being much more involved than expected, partly because I said "take your time" and partly because we did a few things differently.

First, the entire car was repainted, and all rust replaced with metal. All door dings were removed, including some odd dents in the roof from elbows. The body side rub strips/moldings were removed and holes filled. The white and grey were replicated with single stage paint, and it looks amazing.

After I got it back Iowered the rear, re did the alignment, and did general cleanup including some rattle chasing.

But basically, I just am driving the car as much as possible. It is fantastic, and pretty much what I wanted.

In the meantime I bought the wife an NA8, sold my BP turbo swapped NA6, and bought an FC3S and an MS3. Apparently I haver too much time on my hands...
Also a trip to Japan, with some fun car spotting.

I think I'll start updating on those cars as well. And I am contemplating building my other GTX into a One Lap car.

The GTX:







The FC3S as purchased from a salvage auction:






A fun car at the shop:





The new NA8, with gauges installed as demanded:





The FC3s evolves:







Such a happy family:

HarryB

I approve of your choices of cars, wheels and gauges.

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

And made some wood spare tire covers to replace the particle board in the GTX.

I am about to post a WTB for a bunch of things. After I post an UrS4 for sale.

djcommie

Wow, its great to see another GTX owner on here! I actually joined MT years ago when setting up an original Megasquirt V3 board, after I purchased a GTX off the Sturtevant page for $1000, then actually bought the 323 GTX that had sat Road Race Engineering's parking lot for years, still have it. I have tons of spares, and another GTX I don't think I'll ever get to putting back together. I'm on the Central Coast of California, if you want anything.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Damn your cars are beautiful. Thanks for the updates!

What are the plans for the FC? It's beautiful, and asking for a tII conversion!

The GTX is really fantastic looking. Love the offset on those wheels, and just the entire package, it's all awesome.

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

It's funny, but I bought the FC from a salvage auction to grab the engine/trans and ancillaries for the wife's Triumph. It was running and driving car, and I ended up paying $2800, with just some grainy photos to go by.

And then it got here and it was a total survivor, with 145k and absolutely stock, down to the original radio.
So I replaced the headlight motor and the FTP lens, and just cleaned it up, doing all the little things older cars need. Compression was great, and I fixed a ton of leaks. The air pump had been removed, which keeps the 5/6 ports from actuating, so I sourced another pump, pulled the valves and cleaned them, and generally got everything going right.Oh, and ditched the ugly 17" wheels for the three-piece forged 16x7 and 16x8 wheels that popped up on eBay that the guy was willing to deeply discount for cash. Now it has AGXs and Racing Beat springs, a bunch of bushings replaced, and it drives brilliantly. It was just too nice to cut up.
I had thought about a T2 conversion, but I really like the way NA rotaries drive, so I'm leaving it fairly stock for now: just a RB downpipes and presilencer into a cheapie eBay fart can catback. I'll probably modify that with a bigger muffler or save my sheckels for the RB cat back.
The body shop that did the GTX still owes me some favors so I think the FC will get some love. Eventually maybe some boost. Lots of projects right now.

e1_griego

So rad.

I know you're busy but I'd love to swing by and catch up at some point when you have time.

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

You're always welcome.

Toiyabe

iTrader: (2)

Ok, so in between stupidity with Toyota and VW, I tinkered with the FC. I am waiting on a bunch of parts for it, but it is a real joy with a good alignment and new springs/shocks/bushings.

The wife demanded her Miata get the paint worked on first, so I decided to wet sand and bluff the very dead paint and see what happened. The result is a great 10' car, especially in the rain:







I had also forgotten how much "fun" it is to sell weird cars that are cheap. My UrS4 is getting lots of attention, and causing me some frustration. Some one buy it!