Questions about starting my car project

[z0rz]

Alright I'm going to be starting my first car project and I want to get some advice before I do so. Oh yeah, it's a 00 Celica GT 5speed 4cyl (Are they all 4 cyl?) I plan to do these mods over a period of time 1 year or so, and try to keep it as low budget as possible. When I'm finish I want good perfromance under the hood (possibley FI or Nitrous), nice suspensions/control, good exterior/interior looks, a nice stereo, and an awesome in-car pc. For the car-pc I already have: the pc (including power rig ups), gps, bluetooth (for anywhere internet), wireless g/b card (need to purchase antenna). I need to get an ODB-II adapter and some other misc stuff. Now to my novel:

I heard that if you don't go FI/Nitrous you're not going to see alot of HP increase on the celica's. So I was thinknig maybe I could start out with some suspension mods. I notice when I hit bumps I loose traction pretty bad. I'm a newb when it comes to suspension so what could I do to fix this? I plan on getting sway bars for cornering, will this also help with the lose of traction when I hit bumps? If not then where can I find some price efficient springs/other to fix this?

Shifting gears, I'm a computer nerd. I gotta have me an in-car pc. I have almost everything I want except the touchscreen lcd, which I want to mold into the dash. Only problem is, I've never worked with bondo or anything like it. I have a site with a few good tuts on this but I don't have any of the equipment to so (aside a dremel and the regular mechanic tools). The smallest touchscreen lcd I can buy is a 7" lcd and the largest lcd I could fit in the center cubbyhole is a 6.5". This means I'll have to mod/sand/possibly bondo it. I could do so but I never have before. I really want to put it indash because I think it's tacky if it's mounted somewhere on a stand. Any recommendations/pictures on fitting a 7" LCD screen indash (a lilliput or xenarc)?

I also want full control of power windows/doors/misc other stuff (maybe headlights, cruise control) via my computer. Any recommendations on relays and where to access the signal wires for the listed items would be greatly appreciated.

Could I get a few sites on where to purchase price effecient performance enhancing hardware (C/E/I, suspension, maybe guauges/pods too)?

Thanks for the help and I hope I didn't need to post this in the newb section. The questions there just seemed so newbish (ex: I grinded my gear once - should I loose sleep over this?).

Edit: Oh yeah, I almost for got the main reason I posted. What mods should I do first? Not in order:
1. car pc is ~$400 from being done and I'll be able to track my car [in case it gets stolen or something] chat on msn, listen to every single mp3 file I have at the touch of my fingers, and even adjust my air/fuel ratio all from my touch screen
2. Suspension/Brakes
a) How much will I like new brakes?
b) What about a clutch? Too much work? (probably wrong section to pu this)
c) Sway Bars first? then springs/other?
3. Wheels/Tires (My girlfriend wants me to have rims and I need some new tires [Will this improve traction greatly?]
4. Performance
a) C/E/I
b) FI/Nitrous
5. Asthetics (interior/exterior)

[Green31189]

FI: C2Power Stage 2 Kit = 5990 = 250-280 HP (Go stage 3 for beefy gears and LSD). Also have them throw in one of those new 3" exhausts. There's your header, exhaust, clutch, intercooler, blahdy blah blah.
Suspension: Hotchkis Sways, Tein Springs, APR Struts. 2000.00 if you find the right stuff
Looks: TRD Action Package, Kaminari Kit, or APR Widebody (but expect to drop an extra 3 grand in labor on the latter). DEFINATELY get a hood scoop. With paint you're looking at around 1500.00
Interior: Paint the dash black, Get a leather shift knob (**** you all, those obx sticks are fugly), and pillar gauges are cool but I think when I get mine I'll copy Gas and do mine in the sunglass box bobber. 500 bucks or less
Stereo: If you get JBL's I'll come on your face. It's overkill but get an L7 Solo Baric. Really, all you'll need is one. You can go the fiberglass route but a ported box would be just spiffy too. Mids and highs I'd go Kicker or Alpine all around but hey, whatever floats your boat. Amps....not Kicker...my KX600.2 sucks...I might get an SX1250 but I haven't decided....1500.00-2000.00
Brakes: Well...look at it this way; 2 grand = 15feet = pretty red brakes. I'd say **** it and just paint my calipers. If anything, upgrade the pads and get some drilled/slotted rotors, but BBK's are a whole hell of a lot of money.
Wheels: I'm going with 5Zigen Heidfeld Mesh 17's. Just wrap them in a decent Y or Z-rated tire and make DAMN sure you get at LEAST 7.5 if not 8 inch wides. 1200.00

I/H/E wouldn't need to be done because you'll have F/I.

Nitrous....eh...overkill...completely uneccessary, and really only good if you wanna fry your motor a bit sooner.

All in all, there's about 10 grand. Maybe get a HID kit, definately a 350z or s2k antenna, some JDM clears for the side blinkers...

That's bout it. If It's not hot where you live maybe spend the dinero on CF hood, but I'm starting to think CF is up there with Altezzas and fart can exhausts.

Oh, and if you're skinny, **** the flaming that'll come from this statement: get lambos. They're ****in' sweet.

[Kuz]

Oh, and if you're skinny, **** the flaming that'll come from this statement: get lambos. They're ****in' sweet.

:wtf:

[gains238]

You think a CF hood is rice but you "roll with the lambos"? I think both would be cool, I just have not heard that CF is rice...

Someone send this to Kenny :chuckles:

[Green31189]

His is tasteful!!

Here's rice: There's a kid rolling around town with a bright orange 4-door civic. The bodykit is on but it's primer white. He's got dual fart cans, CF hood, and 3 best buy JBL's.

He came to the pool that I work at talking **** one day, so first we rolled from 25 and I had him by 3 lengths by the time we hit 85. Next we went to the interstate and rolled from 65. I think he just got scared because by the time I hit 115 he was at least 100 yards back.

He then proceeds to tell me that 1. he's got a t66 at home he "just hasn't put it on yet", 2. he coulda hit nitrous but he didn't, and 3. Civics aren't ricey.

He then also tries telling me since he's got 3 JBL's he can out-bump me.

I let him crank his **** up. He turns his 600 watt amp all the way up and has his stereo blaring so loud his factory speakers are getting crunchy.

I've got a KX1200 hooked into the factory headunit (I know...I know...but I'm not buying a new head unit until I get my new Celica). I turn the gain up to about half power and set the Bass on 3.

It completely drowns out whatever the hell he was playing.

I hate ricers. I can't get the New Celica and the c2 stage 2 fast enough just so I can walk all over this little prick.

You think a CF hood is rice but you "roll with the lambos"? I think both would be cool, I just have not heard that CF is rice...

Someone send this to Kenny :chuckles:

[z0rz]

FI: C2Power Stage 2 Kit = 5990 = 250-280 HP (Go stage 3 for beefy gears and LSD).
Where would I get this and what about installing? Take it to a mechanic or is there a good install guide? I'd be up to it if there's some good instructions. I got a buddy or two that could help too.

Suspension: Hotchkis Sways, Tein Springs, APR Struts. 2000.00 if you find the right stuff
Hotchkis Sways: Good Price? (http://www.titanmotorsports.com/hotsporswayb.html)
Tein Springs: Good Price? (http://www.titanmotorsports.com/teinsupstree.html)
APR Struts: Just the Tower Bars (http://www.sportcompactonly.com/product.aspx?p=2060&c=30&st=40&l=2&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=shop) or what?

Looks: TRD Action Package, Kaminari Kit, or APR Widebody (but expect to drop an extra 3 grand in labor on the latter). DEFINATELY get a hood scoop. With paint you're looking at around 1500.00
The overall exterior appearance of my celica is satisfactory for me. I might replace the side blinks for JDM clears, upgrade the headlights/taillights, spoiler, and tint. That's the extent of my exterior mods for now.

Any recommendations for nice headlights (bright blue/purple) and where to get them?

Interior: Paint the dash black, Get a leather shift knob (**** you all, those obx sticks are fugly), and pillar gauges are cool but I think when I get mine I'll copy Gas and do mine in the sunglass box bobber. 500 bucks or less

The dash would look cool black, but isn't that vinyl (I guess I could go check). I might change the shift knob to be like a stainles steal look or something. I like that look. Where can I see some pillar gauges and how much are they? I was thinking about making my own indiglo gauges and changing out the LEDs on my gas/temp gauage. I have the photoshop skills and a nice printer to do the work. I'm aslo quite skilled with a soldering iron (I've modded xboxes for a couple of years) so those type of projects shoudln't be hard. I might change my mind if I see the pillar gauages, and for the last part of the sentence, I didn't catch much of it. Rephrase it or link me to some pictures if it's worth the while.

Stereo: If you get JBL's I'll come on your face. It's overkill but get an L7 Solo Baric. Really, all you'll need is one. You can go the fiberglass route but a ported box would be just spiffy too. Mids and highs I'd go Kicker or Alpine all around but hey, whatever floats your boat. Amps....not Kicker...my KX600.2 sucks...I might get an SX1250 but I haven't decided....1500.00-2000.00

For now my stereo is good. I may spend ~$400 or so upgrade the mid-range/high end but that even sounds good. I have a 12" Infiniti running around 300 Watts RMS at 4Ohm. I may buy a v-tech box cause it'll make it sound about two times better. I don't plan on buying a HU because my computer will be my HU. I'll just run wires to my amps for a 4.1 surrond sound system (w00t!).

Brakes: Well...look at it this way; 2 grand = 15feet = pretty red brakes. I'd say **** it and just paint my calipers. If anything, upgrade the pads and get some drilled/slotted rotors, but BBK's are a whole hell of a lot of money.

$2k = 15 feet? What do you mean? I'm a Brake/Suspension newb.

Wheels: I'm going with 5Zigen Heidfeld Mesh 17's. Just wrap them in a decent Y or Z-rated tire and make DAMN sure you get at LEAST 7.5 if not 8 inch wides. 1200.00

I think I'll be going with 17's and maybe 8 inch wides. How about some links to a good wheel/tire place? I found discounttiredirect and tirerack but they don't have the wheels you mentioned.

All in all, there's about 10 grand. Maybe get a HID kit, definately a 350z or s2k antenna, some JDM clears for the side blinkers...
What's a good HID kit that's not too expensive? I'm looking for the cheapest that'll still look good. Link me to the atenneas and the JDM clears

That's bout it. If It's not hot where you live maybe spend the dinero on CF hood, but I'm starting to think CF is up there with Altezzas and fart can exhausts.
Yeah I don't really like the CF hoods plus it's pretty hot where I am right now. 90-100s. Plus my car already is all black.

Oh, and if you're skinny, **** the flaming that'll come from this statement: get lambos. They're ****in' sweet.
Lambo doors is a must but it's defiently not first priority. My friend is about || this close to getting lambo doors. When he does I'm sure I'll have to get some. Links and Pics would be cool. Plus should I get the manual lift ones or the hyrdolic shaved ones with keyless opening? That'd be sweet.

A few other questions:
(What) Should I do (anything) under the hood asthetically?
What oil should I use? (Full Synthetic or what?)
When is the best time to shift gears if I don't want to harm the engine?
When is the best time to shift gears for optimal accleration?
Is higher octane fule worth the money? And what's the advantages?
I just got the vehicle, is there anything I need to do or change on it? (Oil, tranny fluid, parts, etc - It's has 104k miles - GT 5spd)
Anyone have any info on mounting a 7" LCD screen in the dash? Anything would be helpful.

Thank you for the informative reply and further information is appreciated. Happy modding.

Edit: I do like the TRD Action Package (http://webpages.csus.edu/~sac72473/mycar2.jpg) I love that car and that is what I want my car to look like after I do my performance mods. I'll take some pics of my car and post it (how it is now), although stock pics probably all look the same on this forum. Maybe I'll make a progress log of it or something.

[TunerSalesJBA]

good luck partner

[dmaxd03]

NW oklahoma?? Enid? Good luck finding places to do work on your car. Im in okc and i can hardly find 93 octane. Also all the stuff you want to to on a budget is asking alot. Rather than get budget things and get alot, get nice parts and do less. It will look and be much nicer. Also do you have a non project car to get around in? If not you will probably want to stay away from turbo kits and big work mods as it is hard to get all your work done with no other transportation. If this is your only car then just stick to simple things first. A nice drop with springs (no need for coilovers if budget is the thing), cai, exhaust, etc etc. Save the big projects till there isnt easy stff left. As for brakes, you might want to change the rears for gts rears but no need for a $$ kit unless its for bling. Let me know if you need any help. My garage is al;most done so I finally have a place to work on cars.

[z0rz]

NW oklahoma?? Enid? Good luck finding places to do work on your car. Im in okc and i can hardly find 93 octane. Also all the stuff you want to to on a budget is asking alot. Rather than get budget things and get alot, get nice parts and do less. It will look and be much nicer. Also do you have a non project car to get around in? If not you will probably want to stay away from turbo kits and big work mods as it is hard to get all your work done with no other transportation. If this is your only car then just stick to simple things first. A nice drop with springs (no need for coilovers if budget is the thing), cai, exhaust, etc etc. Save the big projects till there isnt easy stff left. As for brakes, you might want to change the rears for gts rears but no need for a $$ kit unless its for bling. Let me know if you need any help. My garage is al;most done so I finally have a place to work on cars.
Yeah I'm in Enid almost everyday. I didn't really plan on getting any work done on it. I mostly planned to do all the work myself. The best I have around here is 91 octane. I just filled up and didn't notice a different but will see how the gas mileage does.

I do have a budget but I'm defiently putting quality before quantity. Most of the stuff that I was discussing was more about being informed on the subject. For example the breaking, I doubt I'm going to pay $2k for new breaks any time soon. My breaks are starting to squeal so it looks like I'll be replacing those soon. And for the coilovers... haha no way. Not until I have some major fundage. Currently this is my primary vehicle, if need be I could get another vehicle at the incovience of others but if it was totally necessary I could still get to work.

So how old are ya and what part of the city are you from?

Shifting gears, I just installed my GPS mouse, and bluetooth along with a 8ft usb cable to the front. I have my laptop placed temporarily in the front seat with the power cord neatly running to my power invertor and the usb cable to my usb hub hidden from view. On my nice big 15" LCD screen I have GPS and I'm running FrodoPlayer with a nice skin. It's looking pretty good and I think I'll be buying my LCD screen soon. I'll post pics of my whole set up tomorrow (after I wash the black beauty).

Here is a short prioritized list of what I plan on getting:

1. $300 - 7" Lilliput Touchscreen LCD
2. $100 - New Brakes (Nothing Special I just want to stop)
3. $270 - Hotchkis Sway Bars
4. $??? - Exhaust
5. $??? - CAI
6. $??? - Gauges (Indiglo - Oil Pressure, Voltage in Pod)
7. $150 - APR Struts
8. Keyless Entry

I'm really tired so I guess I'll post more later. I think I'm going to order the touch screen Monday. Thanks for any advice.

Edit: Excuse my many mistakes. I'm very tired. Posting while this sleepy should be illegal.

And oh yeah, this is my list of random stuff for my in car pc that I posted on another board:
1. Lilliput LCD
2. Upgrade Speakers/ New Amp
3. OBD-II Adapter -> PC (Is this USB?)
4. Keyless Entry (Yeah I have power locks/windows just no keyless)
5. New Exhaust
6. Rims/Tires
7. Hotchkis Sway Bars
8. CAI
9. Optima Red Top Battery
10. Relay Controller
11. Optima Yellow Top Battery on isolated circuit
12. HO Altenator

[fubarlphie]

1. just because some ricer has a cf hood does not make them ricey. they serve a purpose, to decrease weight. all cars that have a front weight bias can benefit from a cf hood. the more you can make your car have a 50/50 weight balance, the better it will handle. the guys who really car about handling move their batteries to their trunk as well.

2. the celica handles well out of the box. you probaby have sloppy handling becuase your car is getting older and you need new shocks. shocks are much more important in handling than anything else people have listed. the celica has a relatively stiff chasis. i think the front strut bar is a waste of money. the rear one will actually help. get a nice set of front are rear sways designed to work together. i suggest...
a. tokico springs AND strut (shock) package
b. rear strut tower bar
c. hotchkiss street sways

3. you need either FI or nitrous in order to increase the power of your car. there are quite a few kits out there. i think c2power makes the best one.

4. you don't need a new clutch unless your old one is slipping or you get FI

5. you don't need a new brake kit unless you race. big brakes are not to decrease your stopping distance. that has a lot more to do with tire quality and car weight. their purpose is so that your brakes don't fade when you're racing. if your car is not going to see any road courses, then save your money.

6. good tires will help your traction a lot.

7. READ this forum. read as much as you can, and you will learn more than i feel like posting

8. are you sure you want put so much money into a FF car? do you really have the 10K to put into this car? if so, i suggest you buy something else, like a s2000. where is marc when you need him?

[z0rz]

1. just because some ricer has a cf hood does not make them ricey. they serve a purpose, to decrease weight. all cars that have a front weight bias can benefit from a cf hood. the more you can make your car have a 50/50 weight balance, the better it will handle. the guys who really car about handling move their batteries to their trunk as well.
Hmm I may have too It wouldn't be too hard for me to do and it might actually be more convient since I'll be having two amps and a power inverter pulling alot of watts.. I'll have to run 0awg anyways. This will give me a better ground.

How much weight does the front end normally have (stock)?
How much weight does the back end normally have (stock)?
How much lighter is a CF compared to a stock hood (weight of each?)?

2. the celica handles well out of the box. you probaby have sloppy handling becuase your car is getting older and you need new shocks. shocks are much more important in handling than anything else people have listed. the celica has a relatively stiff chasis. i think the front strut bar is a waste of money. the rear one will actually help. get a nice set of front are rear sways designed to work together. i suggest...
a. tokico springs AND strut (shock) package
b. rear strut tower bar
c. hotchkiss street sways

I'll look into it hotchkis sways (front & back) are one of the first things I want to get. I look into the price of the tokico springs and sturts and see about maybe just the APR rear strut bar.

3. you need either FI or nitrous in order to increase the power of your car. there are quite a few kits out there. i think c2power makes the best one.
I think I'll do this down the road. How much would this cost for just parts and how hard is it to install? (links/pics would be cool)

4. you don't need a new clutch unless your old one is slipping or you get FI
Probably won't get a new clutch yet... maybe when I get FI.

5. you don't need a new brake kit unless you race. big brakes are not to decrease your stopping distance. that has a lot more to do with tire quality and car weight. their purpose is so that your brakes don't fade when you're racing. if your car is not going to see any road courses, then save your money.
Will save my money.

6. good tires will help your traction a lot.
Any recommendation? New tires are a must, I probably will have new tires/wheels in 1-2 months.

7. READ this forum. read as much as you can, and you will learn more than i feel like posting I will do. I love this forum and I'll use the search feature plenty.

8. are you sure you want put so much money into a FF car? do you really have the 10K to put into this car? if so, i suggest you buy something else, like a s2000. where is marc when you need him?
No I don't have the 10k but I'm a college student with my college paid for full ride (Actually I'll be getting $1000 a semester cash) plus I'm making $1000 a month a just working 3 days a week. My only bills come to about $200 a month so I have $800 for food/gas and a car. Between work/school I still ahve 3 free days in the week to work on my car. I think I have good fundage to start a small car project. It'll be nice by 2006.

Anyone have any recommendations for car alarm systems? What about wiring up myself? Wiring Schematics/whatnot?

[z0rz]

Just thought I'd post some pics.. Pretty Stock... aside the laptop with GPS and anywhere Internet and the subs in the back..... it needs a engine cleaning

http://z0rz.com for the pictures or scroll down..

http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20001.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20002.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20003.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20004.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20005.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20006.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20007.jpg
^That would be Map Monkey (my gps software) created by Frodo from MP3Car.com^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20008.jpg
^Another angle with my Linux Certification book in the seat^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20009.jpg
^My 3 socket cig lighter adapter. It has my phone charger and the inverter going to my laptop plugged into it... it's always on so I can charge my phone with the car off ( I have a switch to turn on/off inverter) That runs to the power wire for my amp^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20010.jpg
^Another shot with my inverter in it.^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20011.jpg
^If you look closely you can see two wires running into the seat. That'd power wire and the 8ft extension I made to my usb hub in my trunk^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20012.jpg
^Far out shot of my trunk, on the right you can see my usb hub with my bluetooth and gps plugged into it^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20013.jpg
^Close up of my USB hub and connected items. You can also see the usb insulation that was striped of of the wires still laying there^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20014.jpg
^Disgusting shot of my sub/amp. I'm going to buy a new sub box so I just threw the carpet over my wooden sub box (that I made)^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20015.jpg
^Amp installed on the seat^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20016.jpg
^It's an Infiniti Reference 300watt RMS @ 4ohm - It sounds good enough for now. too bad it looks like crap^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20017.jpg
^Dirty stock engine - If you look closely you can see my blue power wire that runs to my amp^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20018.jpg
^Another shot - Again look closely and you can see the remote wire (white) that runs to my amp (it's to the left of the red cap that covers the positive terminal^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20019.jpg
^Shot of inverter and the USB cable (black) coming outa the foot guard thing^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20020.jpg
v^Back side of my laptop^v
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20021.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20022.jpg
^Closer shot where you can see my fm transmittor plugged into the cig lighter and my dealer key tag hanging from my key that shows it's freshness^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20023.jpg
v^My GPS Mouse^v
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20024.jpg
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20025.jpg
^GPS mouse and rest of car - Notice it's running^
http://z0rz.com/images/7-8-05%20001-mod1.jpg
^A little photoshop job I did to my car - It's the first picture that I used btw^