76 Celica St Liftback (v8 Conversion)

January 29, 2004

Hello all celica fans,

My name is Asad and i currently have a 76' RA28 celica with a Rover V8 sitting under the bonnet. The bodywork is in need of attention now as the car has just been sitting in the back of my garden for sooooo many years.

The body of the car is solid and the car body shape still looks beautiful. The last time it was actually driven was when my father started and completed work on it in 1990. It was driven for six months and has less than 2000 MILES on the clock. Sadly once the car was stored again the Slave cylinder (part of clutch) siezed up, and the car wasnt able to move. The clutch is gne.

My father annoyed, jus left the car after spending so much time on it he jus couldn't bothered working on it and left it to rot. Ive loved this car since my dad has had it and i wana complete and hav it rollin again.

I dont knw any contacts on how to get these cars goin again but i know of what works been done to it. All i need is some great help and advice on where i can locate body panels, im in need of a boot, boonet and front left wing.

If anyone has information that can help whether they are metal, fibre glass, whether they can be made agian or has any for sale in good condition without any rot or rust then please contact me. Im currently in UK and my number is 07977437708 my email is original_sid4u@hotmail.com.

If anyone has anything do contact me plz.....u can help finish a dream project.

Thanx for reading people....

January 29, 2004

oooohh sounds lovely. There are some numbers i can get u.

Got any pics of the engine? Is it 3.5 or bigger?

January 29, 2004

R u sure u want to spend time & money doing the celica up,when you could sell it to me for £100. The car sounds awesome,my dream car,so good luck,& make a top job of it.

January 30, 2004

don't worry ill be spending my time and money on this baby its priceless to me. Anyway has anyone got any details for me or news.

Cheers

February 2, 2004

The car is a 3.5 Rover V8 (P6) with twin su carbs, the engine was slightly modified so it can harbour the Sd1 twin carbs .Its got the V8 5 speed close ratio transmission. The sump was redesigned as were the manifolds and exhaust system. The car's accelaration is astounding it can take off in any gear no problem. Hence cluth gone!!!!

I hav pics of the engine Scott but currently cant get the scanner workin its packed up. But im gettin mre pics of it neway and should hav em up soon so u can view.

February 7, 2004

Wow a V8 celica! How did you manage to shoehorn that beast into the celica :eek: !

Did you change the diff (crown & pinion)?

Im in process of putting a SD1 V8 into a TR7 and Im having nothing but problems with the SUs .Ive just got some Strombergs and fit them to see what happens.

Does your V8 run ok?I have a spare P6 V8 sitting in my garden I opted for the SD1 engine as as its known to be more robust.I also have a ra40 celica the thought did cross my mind about giving it v8 power but I weasled out of that!

Love to see a few piccys ;)

good luck!

February 8, 2004

Yeh the diff was changed a Jag axle was modified and stuck on the beast.. The car hasnt been fired up yet because of the clutch problem so it needs about a days work to get it started... running it will be okay then..

Im thinkin of gettin a cosworth diff and bangin that on instead...

Sorry guys still workin on the pics...you'll hav pics of the car very soon

February 24, 2004

Yeh the diff was changed a Jag axle was modified and stuck on the beast.. The car hasnt been fired up yet because of the clutch problem so it needs about a days work to get it started... running it will be okay then..
Im thinkin of gettin a cosworth diff and bangin that on instead...
Sorry guys still workin on the pics...you'll hav pics of the car very soon

hi there ive noticed 3 celicas just come up on eBay,might be ok for parts if cheep enough!!!!

February 24, 2004

like to see so pictures when you finish it !!!!!

December 25, 2004

Im currently thinking about several ideas on uprating the brake and suspension on my car. Iv had thoughts possibly on using the brakes and suspension system from later celica or supra models but to be honest i havnt got a clue. Anyone out there who knows anything about which would be the best and cheapest way to uprate both suspension and brakes on these first generation celicas.

I hear that getting some gas shocks for these cars is not impossible from factory (but i dont know for sure) i am open to suggestion and ideas.

If anyone has any ideas however on modding and uprating these two particular areas please leave some suggestions......i.e shocks, springs, discs etc Thanx

P.S pics of the car will be up soon includin body and v8 conversion, sorry i havnt posted any replies in a while as i have been busy!!!

March 4, 2005

Im currently thinking about several ideas on uprating the brake and suspension on my car. Iv had thoughts possibly on using the brakes and suspension system from later celica or supra models but to be honest i havnt got a clue. Anyone out there who knows anything about which would be the best and cheapest way to uprate both suspension and brakes on these first generation celicas.
I hear that getting some gas shocks for these cars is not impossible from factory (but i dont know for sure) i am open to suggestion and ideas.
If anyone has any ideas however on modding and uprating these two particular areas please leave some suggestions......i.e shocks, springs, discs etc Thanx
P.S pics of the car will be up soon includin body and v8 conversion, sorry i havnt posted any replies in a while as i have been busy!!!
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Hi there - great to read about the V8 powered RA you've got! I owned a couple back in the mid 80's - a V8 powered TA22 and a RA28 which i was putting a Rover V8 in too 'til some scumbag had it away with just a few minor jobs to do to it! Never saw it again either! Anyway, hope you get the pics sorted out as I'd love to see it when it's finished! Re the brakes and suspension - I used a GT rear axle complete as they were more than strong enough for the Rover and had the added benefit of lsd - guess getting one now would be hard though. Also if you get rid of some of the heavier rover bits ie. cast manifolds and SU setup etc., you probably won't need to change the front suspension as the rover is so light being an ally lump. If I can remember any other tricks i used I'll let you know! Cheers, Glenn.