Gen 6 Newbie...a Few Questions ?

[newwy]

Hi

Just bought a Jap import 1994 Gen 6 Celica Auto (125,000 kms) and wanted to know a few things. If anyone can help it would be appreciated.

Is it speed restricted in any way ? I have read a few things on here and someone spoke about the automatic being restricted to a certain speed ??

Is it the same as a UK model in regard to parts. I need to get a few minor bits of trim for the boot (the plasitc lining etc), would bits off a UK car fit ??

It also needs a CV joint I think...terrible knocking sound when turning.

Drove it home from Barnsley to Liverpool yesterday (80 miles) and it drove nice (in a straight line!). Its got no tax or MOT, so I was crapping myself whenever I saw a police car. lol

It has steel wheels with what look like the original Toyota plastic trims on, so they will have to go and be replaced with alloys. also they are 14 inch wheels...is it ok to put 15 inch on ?

It has no history but appears to be a straight genuine car, just needs a little TLC and a good clean and valet. Engine was nice and dry and clean, no apparant leaks etc. Shocks seem fine and no rust whatsoever.

Thanks

Dave

[niallhoran2]

ya all jap imports are limited.120 or 125 mph i think.i had an automatic ss2 a few yrs back it has 167bhp 10 less than a manual.there fairly bulletproof get ur cv joint done and a gud service.mite need a timing belt done too.i think the trim is the same.uk equivellant is the gt.standard wheels are 15inch

[GT4 BOOSTER]

112 mph limit . buy a convertor kmh to mph and the restriction is gone.

most parts are the same , the boot wont be any problem.

[newwy]

Hi again

Thanks for the replies. I thought it was restricted, seem to remember something about that in another post. Anyway, is it a complicated/expensive job to un-restrict it. I ain't too bothered about it being in miles or Kms and to be honest I probably don't even need it to go more than 112 mph. Just the fact that it is restricted bugs me a bit. I'm no boy racer...lol.

I would need to take it somewhere as I am not too clever with doing things to cars, especially messing about with electrics.

I have seen a couple of cars being broken on eBay that are quite close so I will get the boot and other bits of trim there.

Thanks again for the replies

regards

Dave

[GT4 BOOSTER]

used to be about £ 40 quids , 4 wires to solder onto back of clocks, kit came with instructions. the place i used to go to online isnt there anymore . you could search eBay though .

there are 2 kinds , 1 derestricts only

the other converts kmh to read in mph , so you keep the jap speedo clocks, it also derestricted at the same time.

here you go --- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPEEDO-CONVERTER-DEL...1QQcmdZViewItem

[newwy]

hi GT4

Many thanks for that. I will look into it. I'm not sure about doing it myself but I have a wonderful next door neighbour who is a quality car mechanic...nice little job for him, after he has done the cv joint...lol. He doesn't know yet.

I read someones posting about this and he had a bit of trouble with the running of the auto box after he done it. Can't remember the detail but he had to reset the ECU or something... could anyone enlighten further ??

Thanks again for the help. I have made note of the people selling the de-restricter kit on eBay....good stuff...ta

Dave

[craigomatic]

Hi Newwy

Just to add my two pennys worth.

A few years back I dived in and bought my Celica with next to no research. Turned out I had bought an SS1, not the GT equivalent I expected.

Knowing your model is useful for parts. Externally you can't tell, but if you check your rev counter the red line on a SS1 starts earlier just after 6000 revs, the SS2 (GT equivalent) starts nearer 7000. - I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Its all very nice and came with some GT4 alloys etc, but the I quickly found that Toyota like to make tiny alterations to some parts for different models.

Actually your question about wheel size could be answered there. The GT4 wheels are larger 16" and wider, tyre size from memory is 215/55/R16. Doesn't seem to have been a problem

The good news is that it hasn't resulted in hideous parts bills (a set of wheel bearings were far less that a set for a Vauxhall Astra), but the downside is that often they are JDM only and take just that little bit longer to turn up.

Also double check any pattern parts. I recently went about getting hold of a replacement cat as my garage wanted nearly £400 for a Mr T part. The list part while much cheaper was a completely different size. After sending the guy off with a tape measure I finally got the right one. There was a similar issue with brakes too. But like I say its not he price that's a pain but the faffing for parts sometimes.

One last thing. If your speedo's not been converted, have you got a rear fog light? I don't think they're standard in Japan.

[newwy]

Hi Craigomatic

I got the car pretty cheap and I did rather 'jump in' as you say. It hasn't been tarted up to look like anything other than it is. It still has the original steel wheels and plastic trims....they will be going for sure. The body work is good and it appears to be mechanically in good shape (apart from the cv joint).

It didn't have an MOT with it and it doesn't have a fog lamp, at least not that I can see, so I know I will need one for the MOT. The wheels are only 14inch, would it be ok to put 15 inch wheels on it ?

Thanks for your input. Any opinion and advice is always useful.

Regards

Dave

[craigomatic]

It didn't have an MOT with it and it doesn't have a fog lamp, at least not that I can see?

The fog light if it has one may not be obvious. Mine is intergral to one of the rear light clusters. I didn't spot it at first until I started wondering what the random switch with the green led was cunningly placed down by knees.

Whoever installed it must've been having a common sense bypass that day.

The wheels are only 14inch, would it be ok to put 15 inch wheels on it ?

Regarding your wheels, I've got 16 inch ones on and I'm sure there would be no problem with bigger ones.

[newwy]

Hi Craigomatic

Thanks for the info. I will check in the morning to see if it might have the fog lamp. I don't suppose it would cost that much to get one fitted. I just don't like the way they hang down under the bumper as you see on import cars. I have seen some that are embedded into the bumper....looks so much neater.

How long have you had your SS1 ?? Have you had any major headaches with it ?? What about insurance ? I would only be looking for limited mileage insurance as I have a company runabout during the week and my own Avensis for the weekend.

regards

Dave

[craigomatic]

I've had mine four years.

When I got it it was fitted with a gas conversion. Great I thought. Unfortunately the car didn't agree. Gas strips the engine of all the carbon build up or something on the valve seats. This resulted in a head off job and some new valves. The gas system is now gone.

Since then though its been bullet proof. Outside of tyres and wipers no major problems. After doing 60,000 miles I've just replaced the brakes, and the first bit of exhaust which of course the cat.

I've had to have the air conditioning ragassed, and I broke the parcel shelf hingey bits. And a fly has died behind the speedo glass. That's a bit annoying.

The aerial stopped working which is a common problem, but not too difficult to rectify.

I'd actually say that maintenance wise its easily been the most trouble free motor I've. Mind you some of the others were real shockers.

Insurance has not been a problem. I use Lifesure. Last year it came in at £270 fully comp. Its gone up this year to a bit over £300. That's with some points and a wife as second driver.

Somewhere on this forum there's a whole bunch of stuff on insurance.