rolla specs and DD ideas

[tea18]

Hey guys, I'm looking at a project car to become my DD. There are some requirements, Must be light, made to handle and must take a 3sgte. Anybody got any idea where I can find out how much some of these cars weigh? I'm thinking te72, ke70 etc maybe a lil older.

Any ideas? Also open to suggestions if anyone has some.

Cheers all

[stx-16]

not being a dick head or anything but google will help you alot

[tea18]

Yeah took like an hours worth of searching but just found a good site.

Did you know a ke70 weighs 900kg but a ae71 weighs less at 875kg. 25kg is this going to be just in the motor?

[sundee]

the bigger engine would make a difference.
any car will take a 3s.. with mods.. all of what u have mentioned require extensive mods to get a 3s in.. if u cant DIY.. then be prepaired to pay $$$$

y are u so concerned with weight if its a daily? DD i assume means daily driver?

[Javal]

Okay,

Tossing up between putting a 3SGTE in a AE71 or KE70 is stupid. Either way it's a big task to put one in so the minor differences in making it all come together are negligible, almost a moot point if you will.

That 25kg will NOT be just in the motor, and those weights are likely to be wrong. Their equipment levels are almost exactly the same from KE70 to AE71, in Australian Specification at least. They both have Iron block engines with alloy heads, modular gearboxes and identical diffs (for the most part). If anything the KE70 will probably be lighter. I am unsure of the K-series gearbox manufacturing material however.

If it's a Daily Driver, why do you want to know the absolute base weight? If it's built to be a daily driver it's built to a set of compromises anyway, so why not choose a car that weighs 50kg more and is slightly more livable, with a better suspension arrangement or interior?

One would suggest working out what you want from the car before looking for it.

KE70 Panelvan will be the lightest of the bunch, however you did mention in your other thread that 'it must handle'. The Leaf sprung rear end works against this, so once again, we get to compromises.

[tea18]

Maybe I should explain my thoughts more. I currently have a highly modded sw20 which I have a 3sgte left over from and a heap of spares left over from previous corolla projects which I would like to use. I also have a mint as te72 which I'm currently using as a DD but its way too clean for this. I would really like to do a TA or RA celica but, not as many spares as a rolla and weigh heaps more.

I basically want something for the DD duties and the odd midnight flog. I plan to strip as much as possible out of this project as it isn't about comfort. I basically want something that looks boring but will handle on go hard.

Javal what would you suggest?

[Javal]

Well, your goals are very much at odds. Typically, a daily driver is something that is reliable and comfortable to get you to work on back. Generally speaking they are close to standard or lightly 'breathed on' cars.

What I -imagine- you're looking to do is build a car that will not only get you from A to B but get you there reliably but actually be a hoot doing so should you desire. A 'street warrior', but a bit more livable, if you will.

And if this is the case, the shell doesn't really matter, it's all about how you build it.

However, as far as shell choices go, one would want to weigh up the fundamentals of each car first and base their decision on that.

1st Gen Celica (TA2x / RA2x) - Forget about it. These things are collectors cars now, unless you want to put a large amount of money and effort to make it a good car, then it's really not worth it. Standard Macpherson strut and Live axle rear is a good base, but steering box steering is not so hot.

2nd Gen Celica (RA4x) - A better proposition, although parts are becoming hard to find. I have a thing for the coupes, I am weird. Same suspension fundamentals as the 1st gen, and still steering box. Their only advantage over the 1st gen is the cheaper purchase price and cheaper parts. However, you must consider that they are horrendously ugly and prone to massive amounts of rust

3rd Gen Celica (RA60, SA63, RA65)
Once again, an even better proposition than the first two. Still ugly. Still Macpherson strut front, BUT they all get rack and pinion steering.

RA60 keeps the Live axle rear end.
SA63 gets shitty T-series IRS, but also has an S-series engine in it, so it's a slightly better proposition for a 3S conversion, only slightly
RA65 gets Beefy F-series IRS and the best looking front of the lot.

Once again, i have a thing for the coupes. I am weird. Cheapish and not as rust prone they are better options.

One thing to keep in mind, is if you have a left over 3S from a 'highly modded' MR2, the extra weight of a celica shell will make the power easier to live with day to day. Think of it as the difference between a S/C 1UZFE in an MX83 Cressida as opposed to a S/C 1UZFE in Daihatsu Copen, to take it to extremes.

As far as the Corollas go, they are probably a better choice once again. Lighter, cheaper, more spares, plainer and done to death.

Rack and pinion, Macpherson strut front, Live axle rear. Large specialized aftermarket support on this very forum.

KE70 has non-hydraulic clutch, you'll have to convert that anyway

AE71 has hydro clutch but demand a higher purchase price

Panelvans have leaf spring rear end. It's all in the FAQ.

Your car, your choice man.

[biggo]

I had to read that post twice before i took it in.

Javal - you are weird

[Javal]

Thanks, it's why the girls like me.

On that note, you could also find a carina and use that shell

[sundee]

EDIT : all the cars u mention are not made to handle - though u can make them handle.. u can make any car handle - but its a daily what more could u actually utilize? it sounds like u have a track car in mind for a daily.. im not sure but this thread seems to be making an easy decision way to hard