williamw1987's 1996 JDM Toyota Celica GTFour ST205

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williamw1987

williamw1987

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Hey folks,

Just found these forums, so thought I'd put up a post about my car. It's a 1996 JDM Import Celica GTFour ST205 in Storm Grey (rare colour only produced between 96/97).

From buying the car I had the aim to get the car up to a good standard again by restoring and replacing parts to get the car driving as good as I can.

If anyone knows anything about these ST205's, you'll know that the superstrut suspension is a weak point on these cars and generally needs to be changed around the 70k - 80k mark. When I bought mine it was around 72k and about 80k I needed to replace the major parts, as the existing ones were squeaking/creaking/clonking like mad!I've replaced all SS suspension parts apart from the banana arms and it feel perfect up the front now. Replaced all drop links and ARB bushes (poly bushed). Now I've got the taste for new bushes, I'm itching to poly bush the rear arms etc!

I've also replaced the rear diff mount, given the car a full fluids changes (coolant, gearbox oil etc).

Mod's wise the car came with:

TRD replica front and rear spats
17 chrome lip alloys
Blitz Nur Spec S exhaust
Apexi intake

I wasn't keen on the alloys so have replaced them some Rota Forces in Bronze (17x8 ET35) and have added some TRD skirts to complete the TRD kit (bar spolier).

Here are some before pictures:

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After's before the TRD skirts:

DSCF1006.jpg

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Not had a chance to clean the car since adding the skirts, but here is a pic anyhoo of the TRD skirts:

IMAG0476.jpg


I'm continuing to sort bits on the car, so hopefully I'll update this post with some new parts soon :)
 
Very cool car, I’ve always liked the pumped-up looks of the AWD version. Nice change of wheels too, the Brotas suit it a lot better than the things it has previously. Some lowering is in order?
 
Cool, another GT-Four owner! Looks really clean man! Future plans?

If you haven't got one already, you will see significant gains by replacing the downpipe, fitting a high flow cat and running a boost controller. That'll get it moving quite well. You can set the boost pressure to around 16-17 psi on the factory turbo, boost cut on the Gen 3 is 17 psi I believe.
 
^Thanks folks :)

Cano
Very cool car, I’ve always liked the pumped-up looks of the AWD version. Nice change of wheels too, the Brotas suit it a lot better than the things it has previously. Some lowering is in order?
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Thanks dude! I'd like to lower it at some stage, possible on some BC Coilovers or KYB shocks with TRD/Tein springs. The roads around my area aren't in great condition, so the harsher ride of coilovers might not be best.

Punknoodle
Cool, another GT-Four owner! Looks really clean man! Future plans?

If you haven't got one already, you will see significant gains by replacing the downpipe, fitting a high flow cat and running a boost controller. That'll get it moving quite well. You can set the boost pressure to around 16-17 psi on the factory turbo, boost cut on the Gen 3 is 17 psi I believe.
Click to expand...

Just been having a gander at your thread. Looks good dude!

Thanks! Future plans are maybe BC coilovers as I''d love to get the whole suspension refreshed. As mentioned above, the roads aren't great around here, so might just stick with standard shocks (still undecided). No plans to modify the engine just yet though. Just getting everything looking and feeling great is priority.

I'd like to start fiddling with power, but that's when it gets crazy money wise! Maybe a downpipe etc like you said at sometime though as that extra bit of power will always go down nicely :D.

My next thing to sort out is painting the calipers. Not keen on the current blue, so was thinking black with white Celica text on them. The ST205 calipers have Celica embossed on them as standard, so that would look nice imo 👍
 
Nice car.

Go rather for the MeisterR than the BC coils, been there a few weeks ago, same price region, better product with the Meister. They are assembled in the UK, so you have a good place for maintenance.

But yes do something either with your ride hight or bigger rims, it will look way better (not that it isn't looking good now ;))
 
That color fits the body and looks of that car so well. I've never seen that particular color on a Celica either. Have you thought about getting clear signals?
 
*ibo* S3 Racer
Nice car.

Go rather for the MeisterR than the BC coils, been there a few weeks ago, same price region, better product with the Meister. They are assembled in the UK, so you have a good place for maintenance.

But yes do something either with your ride hight or bigger rims, it will look way better (not that it isn't looking good now ;))
Click to expand...

Don't think Meister do ST205 ones unfortunately, otherwise I'd probably do this :(. Lol ta dude! I plan to eventually, but no rush as it's so expensive. 18's do look good, but ruin the handling and ride comfort, so lowering would be the best option imo!

oopssorryy
That color fits the body and looks of that car so well. I've never seen that particular color on a Celica either. Have you thought about getting clear signals?
Click to expand...

Thanks dude! I had thought about it... it's on my list of "to-do's". I'd love to get some projector lights for it too, but they're also so expensive.
 
Very tidy Celica! Nice colour too!

Am I the only person who likes the black and silver wheels too? :p Still, the Rotas look sweet on it.

I think the caliper idea is good. I used to want to paint our calipers blue, until I realised they look ridiculous when they get dusty.

Keep us posted! 👍
 
^^ Thanks dude :)

Went to a dyno day at Surrey Rolling Road in the UK... only engine mod is an Apexi intake. 269bhp and 250ish lbs torque :) To say I'm pleased is an understatement! Got a great healthy engine, too tempting to try for 300bhp... must... resist lol.

Will post a picture of the dyno print out later if anyone wants to see it.
 
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Go on, post it :) I was at a dyno day recently with a few people running their GT-Fours (one had the same Gen 3 as yours, another had a Gen 4 from a Caldina in his). The guy with the Gen 4 had a cold air intake, front mount intercooler and full exhaust on it and made 215awhp, the guy with the Gen 3 was running the stock ST205 charge cooler and higher boost and made 216awhp - I presume your output was engine hp rather than wheel horsepower, but still it's not bad for stock boost etc.
 

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