Customer Project - Matt, GT4 Celica

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

Few pictures from a forged build for a guy called Matt

(note the late generation re-enforced block)

Tim

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

This one has turned into a bit of a nightmare, i don't normally do bodywork but was forced to in this situation. Being a UK spec the suspension arms etc were always a bit rusty but after dropping the fuel tank to do the pump upgrade i uncovered huge amount of rust so the back half of the car has had to be totally overhauled. Nearly all suspension bolts were seized into the rubbers so had to be cut away, bodywork was rusty and falling apart and its taken ages to get replacement parts, But its starting to go back together now. Sorry to everyone waiting for work this is the culprit lol

Even the fuel tank was starting to spot rust, and the fuel lines were totally shot.

Everything has been taken back to bare metal, panels replaced where needed and completely rust treated, Acid etch primered, seam sealed, stone chiped(fuel tank) heavy build stone and insulator (all body) and then painted black.

Tim

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

now onto the subframes

Tim

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

another update, underneath is totally finished now.

The underside has had

2 coats of acid etch primer
3 coats of "maxi-guard" stone chip
2 coats of thinner under-sealer
3 coats of gloss black paint.

All box sections and cavities filled with dex-tex rust prevention wax oil

Metal sections like rear bumper support shot-blasted to bare metal and powder-coated black.

started putting wheel arches back on, guards etc etc.
New intake fuel pump fitted, genuine Walbro 255lt/hr. New stainless steel braided fuel lines and return ran down the length of the car to replace the rotten old units. Spoke to my MOT man about fitting and he said as long as they didn't drag. Went futher and followed the SVA kit car rules where it says flexible fuel line needs to be "P-Clip" every 8 inchs along the car, Because they were still a little loose i went ever 6 inches.

Last Shots Before Refit

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

few more updates, the subframe and suspension are immaculate, the pictures don't do the underside of this thing justice now. shame you'll never see it again lol

New bolts where needed, New driveshaft seals in the diff as they were leaking badly.

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

As many of you know this project has been very slow and has clogged up my workshop terribly been unable to any other work as i can't even get it off the ramp.

Parts have been slowly coming in and at the request of matt been asked to overhaul the front body and suspension as well. I guess i was stupid to think this would be any better once i got into it. lol

Both abs sensor were broken and "glued" into place. passenger side hub the brake caliper was only held on with 1 bolt, the other bolt thread has been striped and again "glued" into place for what is decorative effect lol.

Anyway few pictures from last week, hoping to really be able to push on with it next week as alot of parts have been overhauled and painted ready to go back on. Once subframe goes back on i can fabricate the intercooler pipes and then there will be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Also found the cause of the ABS issue, (well apart from sensors just glued on for effect)
Both left and right front ABS rings broken on the driveshafts, my good friends at TCBparts.co.uk supplied me with some new CV joints to correct the problem (Like they've managed to sort me out with basically everything else thats been replaced on this mamouth job)

 

[matty gt]

awesome build tim man your work really speaks for itself matt your customer must have very deep pockets what kind of power results you hoping for ?

 

[mark1991]

yet more good work tim

 

[starletburkie]

quality work there man

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

thanks guys,

this customer wanted 400-450bhp which this will do with ease, The last time i built an identical setup it made 399bhp at 0.95bar and 445bhp at 1.25bar So it'll do his power figures all day long and reliable without going mad on the boost. full boost was around 4k, or if he wants to push towards the 1.8bar range it should hit 500bhp but this will be pushing the exhaust housing as i kept the .ar small to keep spool low as possible for its size as its a daily drive with occasional track use

 

[matty gt]

Sounds very similar to the engine spec I had tim cost me €18000 it was a st205 was on motec m4 boosting at 1.8 bar boost was never rolling roaded was well over 400bhp but dawn why didn't I no about you cause after a month of break in period with a limiter set to 3750 rpm and 4000 kms of driving then there was an aggressive map put on it she only last 10 days no excuses the best of parts went in to her je pistons carrilo rods 1000 cc blitz injectors garret turbo charger fensport twin plate clutch and that's only some of the parts you no the guy who built it over here t-tech motorsport owner Colin grant was told by Adrian of fensport he was the best of the best carrilo rod came out through the block he blamed them he never done anything for me worst part sold the car back to him as he took it back down to his place €5000 euro anyway taught id share that story with you

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

it never ends mate, so many specialists messing people around. This car was spec'd for a very high bhp level when it came to me, 380bhp but was built apparently for so much more, when i took it apart to find out its poor running (that and a 3bar compression difference across the cylinders) i found out the only thing in the whole car uprated was the pistons, stock everything else. turbo was even a chinese copy gt35 with huge compressor to housing clearances. This was all built by a well known UK tuner, believe they've done a few 3sgte to starlet conversions as well but refuse to say there name. Giving them the benefit of the doubt I didn't say anything until i get a call from the previous customer and then the company on facebook calling me a lier and a conman trying to bump the work price up, luckily I still have all the parts, damaged, and numerous bits broken and glued back together. I'll get some good photographs before it goes away and update the start of the project. I had to keep everything for the customer to see as you wouldn't believe half the stuff i found. Apart from engine and body I've had to rewire the motec as it was a total mess install, and I've made a conversion harness and out of 36 wires i think it is there is over 18 pins either missing or incorrectly wired. Main ecu earth going down lambda -ive wire. knock, AIT and lamdba not even connected etc.

worse thing is this car has been a total loss for me as its been stuck on my ramp in this state in a condition i can't even roll it off my ramp for the past 3 1/2 months and with huge delays on parts from toyotas and sourcing new hubs, panels etc etc my current labour charges are only just covering my workshop bills, so i'm basically breaking even and doing all this for free. And i'm living off my savings until its gone. And can't even do any other jobs as most need the ramp and this is stuck on there. So accusing me of "making all this up for money" is a total joke as if i'm honest 3 1/2 months without the workshop has cost me about 10 grand. But putting that aside i won't let this compromise my work, its just one of those things and need to grin and bare it

That Engine spec you see above to put it into perspective on what you paid is typically about £7000.00 give or take. that's all the engine work, labour, turbo, fuelling, ecu, clutch etc etc.

Tim