Rebirth after 300K

[takza]

NOW...2 donuts per spring and some sticky all-season tires on light 14" wheels...and you can take on the local MiniCoopers?

[SynthDesign]

NOW...2 donuts per spring and some sticky all-season tires on light 14" wheels...and you can take on the local MiniCoopers?

I'm thinkin a 2" lift down the road with some 235/75/14 BFG mud terrains.

Forget Mini's, I'm thinkin Cherokee killer.

[Petros]

Forget Mini's, I'm thinkin Cherokee killer.

Seems to me Cherokees do a pretty good job of killing themselves.

No easy way you can make a Tercel4wd handle as good a a mini, or a crx, or similar very low CG car. The engine on the Tercel sits on top of the trans, plus we have pretty good ground clearance compared to minis. So it would be a tall order make the Tercel 4wd handle like a mini.

[takza]

Can't say my wagon handles like a Mini...but it does OK..original springs that probably put the car maybe 1/2" below OEM height...and boosted springs. I don't go looking to race...but it will take corners considerably faster than than the occasional fool who tries to follow me thru one...now and then. They always get into the middle of the corner and have to brake and end up over the line. Still take it offroad now and then....no problems.

[SynthDesign]

Seats are in and they are sooo sexy.

IMG_0014.JPG

seat 2.JPG

[Petros]

nice seats. did they cost much? Where did you get them?

[SynthDesign]

Sparco sprint lite for the driver and a Sparco Torino for the passanger. I think retail on the pair was around $1500 new. I picked them up used with sliders for $400. I bought Sparco seat mounts and fab'ed some legs and retouched up the black fabric. They were kinda tyedyed from the sun and faded in weird spots.
It ended up costing me around $550 all said and done with my labor. I'm super happy with the fit and placement of the seats.

I have two pairs of stripped down T4WD seat sliders which I didn't use if anyone wants em'. The Sparcos ended up being 3 inches shorter and gave a bit more headroom with the factory sunroof.

[SynthDesign]

IMG_0022.JPG

[blade]

All i have to say is DAMMMM! that looks hot!

[SynthDesign]

All i have to say is DAMMMM! that looks hot!

Thanks much man. I didn't think I would ever hear that about a tercel. Funny 'cause I heard it three times today from three different people. One who, 6 months ago said it was a stupid project and an ugly car.

[Petros]

One who, 6 months ago said it was a stupid project and an ugly car.

When ever someone tells me that, I tell them I agree, that is why I want to do it. So I have something no one else will have, hah!

Those seats are hot, are they comfortable enough for long road trips? That is what I want in my build for my T4wd, long cross country, go anywhere, off-road/on-road, cross country camping trips. I love road trips.

Seats like that make me want to build an old trashed T4wd into an off-road racer. But there is no chance of being competitive since they would put you in 4x4 class with the heavy metal machines. But I can always dream about it.

[SynthDesign]

Seats like that make me want to build an old trashed T4wd into an off-road racer. But there is no chance of being competitive since they would put you in 4x4 class with the heavy metal machines. But I can always dream about it.

I disagree. The 4age is goin in the silver Tercel. Throw in a roll cage and it's ready for period correct vintage rally. Only competition would be from the Audis and Subi Justys.

Rally America puts on a number of Races in this area.
Speakin' of, I'm goin down to Ocean Shores this weekend to watch the Olympus Rally. There's a 80 Celica and an 87 FX16 competing and I'm curious how they do.

[Petros]

Synth,

I do not know how they rank the cars, or what the rules look like for the vintage cars, but usually they have various limits to the amount of modifications you can do to the car (cam, displacement, suspension, carb, etc.), and swapping out an engine that was never in the car usually puts you in the unlimited category. Unless they just dump you in "vintage" out of ignorance of how these cars were factory equipped, you will be out classed.

[SynthDesign]

I couldn't stand it. I had to know if it was a driver soo..
First trip around the block.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuAXRFRZQ24

Everything all good so far.

[Petros]

so, how does it feel? lots of power with the engine?