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View Full Version : '73 Celica --->89 supra


Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 02:50 PM
After about 5 yrs of planning its finally started....

'73 Celica body (well pieces of it:P)
'89 Toyota supra front and rear suspension/ steering
2 litre 18rg (Japan Only) dual overhead cam, dual side draft Dellorto 40mm's
should have 180hp and redlines at 7500 RPM

here's the body..

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/body.jpg

and the chassis.. i know my camera sucks.. I dropped it :(
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/chassis.jpg
[

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 02:51 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/chassis2.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/chassis3.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/chassis4.jpg

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 02:51 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/chassis5.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/chassis6.jpg

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 02:52 PM
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/body2.jpg

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 02:53 PM
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/mating.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/mating2.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/mating3.jpg

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 02:53 PM
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/mating4.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/mating5.jpg

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 02:54 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/mating6.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/engine.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/engine2.jpg

Fluid Power
11-11-2005, 03:05 PM
I love it! My God that is a lot of work!

Darren

RussMS
11-11-2005, 03:48 PM
I think you are the first here with a non-domestic project. Gotta agree with Darren, looks like a ton of work.

Any thoughts on Ride height? Brakes? Wheel / Tire combo?

Looks forward to seeing it progress.

Payton King
11-11-2005, 04:07 PM
It looks like one big project you have going there!

Please don't take this the wrong way because I am not bashing here....but it appears from the photos that you are using 2x2 box to build the frame. I am no designer or fabricator and hopefully some that is will chime in, but I believe that will not be strong enough to accomplish your goals from a performance and safety standpoint.

Again this is just my guess and just offering this observation from a safety standpoint. Obviosly I do not know what you are planing as far as reinforcement or roll cages.

good luck in a huge undertaking.

Payton

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 04:08 PM
Thanks guys!

yes it will be a ton of work!

The ride height will be where it sits right now. as you can see the fenders will have to be completly reworked.

For now I am just going to build the car around those wheels and tires, and I am going to leave the stock supra brakes intact untill it is a running machine. then I can get into upgrades and the sorts.

I am going to build the inner structure and floor, get it all strong and sound then cut the rear quarters off and build all new stuff. Im thinking a one piece nose. but I have a lot of time to think about all that.

I am assuming the whole project will probably take a couple years at least.
but it has its own spot in my shop, so as im slaving away on everyone elses projects I can dream away :D and pick away at it as my spare time allows

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 04:14 PM
It looks like one big project you have going there!

Please don't take this the wrong way because I am not bashing here....but it appears from the photos that you are using 2x2 box to build the frame. I am no designer or fabricator and hopefully some that is will chime in, but I believe that will not be strong enough to accomplish your goals from a performance and safety standpoint.

Again this is just my guess and just offering this observation from a safety standpoint. Obviosly I do not know what you are planing as far as reinforcement or roll cages.

good luck in a huge undertaking.

Payton


Actually it is 1.5"x1.5"x.100" wall tubing (nice and light) ;)

That is the basis of a whole lot of frame work, its basicly just a straight frame to work from.. I have about 1500 feet of 1.5" x .058" round tube in stock, a hydraulic tube bender, and a tig welder to make it all real.

I am sure most of you will think the wall thickness is a little thin, but this is to keep it light and to be able to go nutz with the tube to make it strong.. it will basicly be a space frame when its done.

I am a self employed welder/fabricator and have alot of experience doing so.

So I assure you it will be rigid ;)

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 04:19 PM
Also it's not going to be meant as a race car, just a sweet ride to cruise in when its done

race-rodz
11-11-2005, 06:31 PM
wow!! thats cool, when finished i bet it will be like a medium sized go cart :D

i think the 1.5 tube frame might be a lil light duty, but with a full cage and floor tieing it all together i bet it will be just fine. you gotta keep the pics coming as you make progress... thats gonna be a killer ride. :thumbsup:

Travis Rankin
11-11-2005, 09:52 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/mating7.jpg

race-rodz
11-11-2005, 10:23 PM
i retract my last stament about being light duty... the pic does a great job of showing how the rockers and structure of the car are tied in...in essence...the 1.5 tube will act like welded subframe connectors when the floor is in place....... and the whole time keepin the car light

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

lil427z
11-11-2005, 10:47 PM
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: good work :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
rick kirkindall

Travis Rankin
11-12-2005, 01:19 AM
Thanks!!

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/skirts.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/skirts2.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/skirts3.jpg

Travis Rankin
11-12-2005, 10:25 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/floor.jpg



I just mocked up the side skirts for fun :D
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/skirts4.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/skirts5.jpg

PhaseShift
11-13-2005, 09:47 AM
I totally dig it. I really like that body style you went with. Also like the really early Celica.

I want to see some vids of you putting it on some of the fools out there when you get this thing finished.

Travis Rankin
11-13-2005, 05:17 PM
Thanks!

hopefully I can drive it before I retire :D

Payton King
11-14-2005, 08:46 AM
TRDV,

I really like the Celica platform you chose. I am also glad to hear that you are going to really reinforce your structure. I figured you had the skills and expierence for such a large undertaking, it is just when I saw your base frame all I could think about was the episode of OverHaul'n where someone was building a full frame for Ian's 68 convertible and Chip Foose was jumping up and down on it and it was flexing. Needless to say they did not use it.

Keep us posted as I look forward to seeing this one on the road.

Payton

Travis Rankin
11-14-2005, 10:50 AM
Thanks Payton :thumbsup:

Travis

markss28
11-15-2005, 11:30 AM
I have always loved old school JDM cars mainly because they look a lot like little Novas and they weigh like 50lbs. Any way keep up the project it will look cool.

Have you ever thought about putting in a v8 liek either a chevy or ford engine.
It would be a great torque monster.

Travis Rankin
11-15-2005, 02:56 PM
I haven't gave it any thought for this one actually.

The motor I have is the Origin of the Toyota Twin Cam Family.

So its more of a nastalgia thing than anything.

The car isnt meant to be a race car just a cruiser that handles :D

I do however have another supra for parts so I may build another one with big power, probably a different body and who knows what else.

But I would actually like to build that one for someone else. Maybe just lay it out and sell it, or do a complete contract build

markss28
11-17-2005, 09:32 AM
TRDV,

Are you thinking about turbos for this build?

Our shop is in the process of building a sr20 engine with a big greddy turbo. We plan on making some where between 370 and 400 at the wheel. I personaly like the old JDM bodies but it was a majority rule vote for the 89 240zx.

Travis Rankin
11-17-2005, 01:53 PM
I don't think so, but once its all running, we'll see

Travis Rankin
11-19-2005, 08:10 PM
Slowly showin some skin..

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/stripper.jpg

Diognes56
11-20-2005, 12:59 PM
Cool project and nice work :thumbsup: .

David

Travis Rankin
11-21-2005, 10:49 PM
a little shavin her down...
showing sill in place..
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/shaving.jpg

tacked in gas filler hole
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/shaving2.jpg

Shaved sill, and gas filler
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/shaving3.jpg

Travis Rankin
12-01-2005, 09:27 PM
Little more progress..

got the rear bumper positioned and mounted
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/bumper.jpg

The steering all done, the crossmember notched for oil pan clearance, and the firewall cut and trimmed to be set way back, left side notched out for the side drafts..

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/steering3.jpg

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/steering2.jpg

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/steering.jpg

Travis Rankin
12-02-2005, 02:53 AM
gettin trigger happy :D

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/engine3.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/engine4.jpg

Travis Rankin
12-02-2005, 09:51 PM
Needed more room behind the motor...

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall2.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall3.jpg

Travis Rankin
12-03-2005, 12:07 AM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall4.jpg

Travis Rankin
12-12-2005, 09:14 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/frontend.jpg

markss28
12-13-2005, 08:51 AM
Looks like alot of fun. I hope you finish soon so we can all see your vision in this thing.

Travis Rankin
12-15-2005, 05:07 PM
I wanna know what'll look like too :D

Got the tranny in, and the Transmount/exhaust hole mocked in..

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/trans.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/engine5.jpg

And started the header...

Here I cut the original manifold down to use as a template on my pantagraph, to make an official template.
I cut out the holes in the thin guage material, then shaped the outside and the ports to be used in the pantagraph....

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/header.jpg

Then put the template in and cut out the header plate..

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/header2.jpg

Travis Rankin
12-15-2005, 10:31 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/header3.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/header4.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/header5.jpg

Travis Rankin
12-17-2005, 04:37 PM
Build notes:

Engine relocation= To Rear 6 1/2"

Total time to date= 37 days

Actual build time= Approx. 100 hrs

Total cost to date (minus labour)= $1500.00 +/- $50

Actual joy and excitement= PRICELESS!!! :D

Travis Rankin
12-18-2005, 12:12 AM
Header Flanges
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/header7.jpg
And the finished header with the finished muffler i made for it.

http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/header+muffler.jpg

69MyWay
12-18-2005, 05:05 AM
What are the specs on this engine?

The header looks cool.

Travis Rankin
12-18-2005, 02:41 PM
Thanks!

Its a 2 litre displacement, with 9.7 to 1 compression ratio

I will get pics with the cover off soon, the valve clearences are adjusted with buttons of different thicknesses.
It redlines at 7500 rpm , and it should have at least 180 hp.
I ported and polished the head and installed bigger valves.
I am using dual 40mm Dellorto carbs
I had to get the valve buttons from australia, and modified the head to use harley davidson valve seals.

this motor was never offered to north america, and it was what Toyota built there twin cam reputation from.
Here is a pic of the "HEMI" head design

69MyWay
12-19-2005, 04:28 AM
So pushing 200 hp with a car that might weigh...2,300 lbs or so??? That thing is going to feel like a go-kart on steroids!!!!!!!!!!

Any plans for power adders down the road (NOS, etc)?

Have you done any drawings of what you are shooting for? I am having a tough time remembering exactly what the old body looks like, but I do remember seeing some race prepped models when we used to go SCCA Solo II, etc.

It seemed to me that celica body looked like a spin off of the 69 Camaro. The grill and quarters and sail panel always gave me that impression.

Travis Rankin
12-19-2005, 01:10 PM
:D :unibrow:
No "plans" for add ons but we will see!!

how much do first gen camaros, vettes, and others weigh generally??

Im still pretty clueless on how much this one will weigh.

no drawings yet, just a faint idea in my head... maybe i should get on that..


here is some pics of a nice one...

mine will be a fair bit wider, and im thinking the front fenders and hood as a one piece flip up front end

Travis Rankin
12-19-2005, 01:25 PM
i am going to rework the frontend as well... possibly hidden headlights, and the bumper will be lower in reference to the rest of the car.. those marker lights will be gone, and the hood lower at the front too

race-rodz
12-19-2005, 06:11 PM
So pushing 200 hp with a car that might weigh...2,300 lbs or so??? That thing is going to feel like a go-kart on steroids!!!!!!!!!!

.

so your sayin my 2100#, 650hp shop truck might be a bit overkill? :_paranoid

Travis Rankin
12-20-2005, 02:21 PM
woooohooooo! it runs!! the motor has been built for 4 years, and it just fired for the first time!!!! for about 10 seconds :willy: :hail:

Travis Rankin
12-29-2005, 11:46 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/clip.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/clip2.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/clip3.jpg

GvEman
01-03-2006, 12:55 PM
Awesome! :hail: Looks like a very serious project! Are you supose to have oldschool wide fenders? That would look very nice on that car! Keep it up!

Tim Baillie
01-03-2006, 10:04 PM
Is the motor a 4AG ? If so my dad might have some TRD racing parts left over from when the Toyota Dealership he worked for ran some Rallye cars............

Travis Rankin
01-03-2006, 10:09 PM
its a 18RG, but i do need some coil wires and i think they may be the same, if he has them


Thanks
Travis

CSTM-VN
03-12-2006, 09:27 AM
:D :unibrow:
No "plans" for add ons but we will see!!

how much do first gen camaros, vettes, and others weigh generally??

Im still pretty clueless on how much this one will weigh.

no drawings yet, just a faint idea in my head... maybe i should get on that..


here is some pics of a nice one...

mine will be a fair bit wider, and im thinking the front fenders and hood as a one piece flip up front end

im pretty sure i know this black celica from here in australia... i was thinking of building one at one stage had a few computer renderings on how i wanted it, tried to make a 69 camaro mini mock up of it since i believe the body lines are very similair

Travis Rankin
10-02-2007, 05:25 AM
Finally got a little step in a forward direction.. and damn it feels good!!!:yes:


Got some rims and tires finally and started to widen the little beast..


http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/rims2.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/rims3.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/rims4.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/rims5.jpg

Mr.VENGEANCE
10-02-2007, 06:13 AM
man, i was wondering what happened with this project.. good ish!

GHOSTDANCER
10-02-2007, 01:02 PM
Looking Great :thumbsup:

andrewmp6
10-02-2007, 09:45 PM
dont look bad thats the thinnest frame i ever seen in a car. 2300lbs is heavy for a car that little my 68 mustang was 2600lbs stock.

Travis Rankin
10-03-2007, 12:12 AM
Did I say 2300 lbs? Or is that a educated guess??
I'm not sure what this will weigh when its done.. but it will be as light as possible! Also it's not meant to be a race car, just some nice styling..

I am going for a newstalgia style..
Similar to what GM did for the Camaro. What I feel Toyota would do with the first gen Celica..

Like I said before it will only be a build style of a (stronger than stock) unibody car.

I am thinking now I will do turbo and fuel injection, but thats after it is running and driving.. Then maybe I will do a discrete roll cage if I feel inclined to do a little racing.


I am approaching with a very tight budget, and as small of a time investment as possible. Life is short and I have plans to build many cars before I kick the dirt. Gotta get 'er done and move on!


Travis

stylEmon
10-03-2007, 02:46 PM
looking good. I thought I was going old school import with my 87 mazda :lol:

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=8404

gearheads78
10-03-2007, 10:45 PM
Very cool project. I look forward to seeing it go together.

novanutcase
10-04-2007, 12:00 AM
Hey Travis!

How do you say "Completely Insane" in Canadian?:lol: :thumbsup:

John

Travis Rankin
10-04-2007, 01:43 AM
haha!..

Thanks guys!

I am very excited:D

race-rodz
10-04-2007, 02:26 AM
How do you say "Completely Insane" in Canadian?:lol: :thumbsup:



thats easy.... "completely insane---eh":rofl:

Travis Rankin
10-08-2007, 02:51 AM
Stripping the paint and getting things positioned to get the look I want...

cutting the roof down a bit here...

http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/roof1.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/roof2.jpg

Travis Rankin
10-08-2007, 05:13 AM
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/roof3.jpg
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/roof4.jpg

awr68
10-08-2007, 09:09 AM
Looking good Travis!! :thumbsup:

Mr.VENGEANCE
10-08-2007, 10:42 AM
i see you got the smiley bumpers.. cool!

Travis Rankin
10-08-2007, 07:08 PM
Glass plan:


I am using stock glass.. except I am eliminating the trim and rubber seal.. the edge of the body will be reworked a little bit to bring the finished painted edge to a 3/16" gap to the glass.. and then the glass edge is polished, the first inch of glass will get black matrix paint on the inside so you can't see the glue, and then the glass is urethaned in.. the glass is then flush and smooth with the body.. just like how new cars are done... the one that comes to mind off hand is the back quarter glass on the new mustangs.. if you start looking at new cars you'll see what I mean..

The roof is cut 1/2" down and moved a 1/4" back in the back to give the right distance from top to bottom for the glass... and the front it dropped 1 1/2" roughly in the front and it went back with the arc and the fact that it was moved back as well.. this gives me the lay back and the proper gaps top and bottom for the front glass.. the arc of the glass and the stock opening don't quite stay paralell in the front though, so it will be made to fit with sheet metal. and the sides filled in.. in addition I have to build up a ledge for the glass to get glued to, at the proper height to make it flush.

The back quarter glass will work it just won't have to wind all the way up in order to meet the rubber.. the door glass will have to be ground down to fit... VERY carefully mind you, as it is tempered... I found the best way it with a flap wheel grinding disk on a grinder.. takes a long time but it works without shattering it..

Anyone else have a better method for this?????

Travis Rankin
11-10-2007, 03:53 AM
Messin aboot

Travis Rankin
11-11-2007, 05:17 AM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/headlights2.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/headlights3.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/headlights4.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/headlights5.jpg
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/headlights6.jpg

Travis Rankin
11-11-2007, 04:55 PM
http://www.trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/taillights.jpg

J2SpeedandCustom
11-11-2007, 07:18 PM
Travis looks AWESOME!!! :thumbsup: I've always wanted to do a 1st gen Celica with a 2JZ/6spd in it. Watching your project gives me lots of motivation. Keep up with the pics. :hail:

two68s
11-11-2007, 07:55 PM
Travis, I just stumbled across this thread...coolest build on the site:thumbsup: I used to own a 300ZX twin turbo and your build makes me want to tear into a vintage 240Z!

tyoneal
11-12-2007, 02:53 AM
Travis:

I just came across this thread.

Your ride looks very nice I am looking forward to some new updates.

You are very talented, and I'm sure you will never be hurting for a job.

Keep the pictures coming.

Take Care,

Ty

BTW: Looks like a "New Style" PT mobile. Damn what a nicely built LSx engine could do for a car like that!

oorange67
11-12-2007, 06:33 AM
Man that car is bad, I've wanted to do one of those for years!!!!

Travis Rankin
08-03-2008, 10:03 PM
Well, I went back a few steps and then ahead again..

I decided to lower the body on the chassis another 3", cut the rear quarters off reshaped them and shortened the back end. and then cut what I had for the firewall apart, moved it all back and smoothed it out..


http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall1.JPG
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall2.JPG
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall3.JPG
http://trdv.ca/offroad/assorted/celica/firewall4.JPG

HWY Nova
08-03-2008, 10:22 PM
You did WHAT???? Were you bored or something???

Just kidding..... It looks great!

Now, about that totally-tubular early-Nova you worked on...... Where is that these days?

Keep up the great work, and keep us posted.


--Eric

brownz
08-04-2008, 06:28 PM
SWEET!!! :thumbsup:

WILWAXU
08-04-2008, 08:18 PM
That thing is crazy!

Basically a tube chassis car now :yes:

Joshstix
09-24-2008, 08:56 PM
I love the work you've done here. I only wish something like this could be registerred in Australia, to legally use that car on the road here it would have to be registerred as a brand new individually constructed vehicle and comply to all current laws for emmissions, lighting, noise etc etc.

I'm not so sure about the 18RG, never really been a fan but it should be easy enough to replace wth a 3SGE and 6 speed ot of an Altezza if you get bored. Personally I'd go for a twin turbo 1UZ 4L V8, I think the rest of the work desserves it.

Has there been any progress on this beast?

Travis Rankin
09-24-2008, 09:58 PM
Thanks!

I agree on the Toyota V8, it only has this as I allready had it for the car.. and by the time this car is built I would hope to have a little bigger of a budget for that kind of power plant.. but as of now I am just working on getting the car shaped out of metal.
I haven't had much time for it lately, unfortunatly. But I hope to get some more shape to her soon.

waynieZ
09-25-2008, 09:43 PM
Sweet build you do some awesome work !

Blue70
09-27-2008, 07:00 PM
Wow,
I've missed this one until now.
What an AWESOME build!!
I love things that are different, and this is different :thumbsup:
Can't wait to see more! :bow:

Travis Rankin
12-10-2010, 02:11 AM
Little progress...

Travis Rankin
12-10-2010, 02:16 AM
one more

Travis Rankin
12-10-2010, 05:01 AM
Twin turbo 1UZFE and Paddle shift A341e soon to be..

Travis Rankin
12-11-2010, 02:01 AM
Managed a little more work today..

Poopy
12-11-2010, 04:59 PM
Hurry up already for f' sakes. :thumbsup:

Travis Rankin
12-12-2010, 12:29 AM
It's only been 9 years :lol:

Travis Rankin
12-15-2010, 03:39 AM
I got the floor all welded up last night..
http://wroughtenart.info/celica/14.jpg
http://wroughtenart.info/celica/12.jpg
http://wroughtenart.info/celica/13.jpg

Travis Rankin
03-07-2011, 08:25 PM
Stoked, started sculpting some of the front end today!!