Project Carina Gt

[Muditha420]

So finally got something worth writing about in AL…

So your first car is actually something special, for car crazy fans it would be like Jeremy said ““It’s what non-car people don’t get. They see all cars as just ton-and-a-half, two-tons of wires, glass, metal and rubber. That’s all they see. People like you or I know, we have an unshakable belief that cars are living entities. Not like a Toyota Corolla obviously, but a real… You can develop a relationship with a car. And that’s just what non-car people don’t get.” - Jeremy Clarkson.

Have seen in AL alone people restoring oldies or even bringing newer once a bit of a kick from what they were before.

So what I got is actually a 1996 Toyota Carina GT AT210, 4A-GE Blacktop 20v engine, 5MT. and someone along the way decided to change the lights, shell n bumpers with the 1999-2000 model. For the record when I took hold of it, it had done 135k on the clock and by the time I started this project the clocked just ticked off to 180k (just putting it out for the record).

Due to work sadly had to leave her ideal for about 6 months occasionally being started up by my dad but by the time I returned it was in a fix… the process included an engine rebuild also of a 2^nd option of getting hold of another newer engine. The latter option was going nowhere with some guy quoting the engine, gearbox and suspension as one unit. Finally got hold of one, which was in a pretty good nick. The engine rebuild was closer to buying a new engine so opted to go for a newer one.

After the engine swap, was sent off for paint. Choosing a decent color alone was a bit of a headache but pulled it off thanks to the Honda Catalogue which was “Kaiser Silver” and have to say it was a right one to go with. Right about now it’s in the last stages of touching up the few bits and pieces. Removing all the parts to the bare shell means there are few squeaks and rattles coming from everywhere for now hunting them down. Also left with a few additions of TRD spark plug wires, Greddy oil filter, voltage stabilizer (en route by now) shocks and wheels need to be sorted out from here.

Have to say during this time got to know one epic gentlemen here whose car is well known in AL forum as well as the person who built it, although I would love to give credit to him with his real name for helping me out, I will just say he is the resident Doctor Komi himself. Although I am car gone wild, coz of him I was able to get in touch with few pretty awesome guys, few being Rumesh & also Nadeeka (who seems to have every part imaginable just about everywhere in his yard…it’s just amazing). And also the member “OctaneHead” who writes great blogs about the car culture in SL. So humbly like to thank you all for your help.

Keeping most of it in its original condition, and welcome any input from you guys and if I missed out on anything do let me know.

Before shots...think these were taken right after i bought it

Edited January 29, 2014 by Muditha420

[Muditha420]

In the garage ready for a engine swap

Edited January 26, 2014 by Muditha420

[Muditha420]

Newer 4A-GE getting ready...

[Muditha420]

Well once the engine was done...only thing was to move on to the paint

(Never knew you had so many parts inside a car till you actually took it apart for painting...the carpets alone..... my God!!!)

[Muditha420]

And Finally today.... (except a few pieces like the spoiler n the strip running under the headlights all is done!!! )

[iRage]

Awesome ! and DAMN THAT COLOR !!!!!...

.by the way...can I have the contact of the guy you got the engine off of ?

ooh..yes..that color..

[Muditha420]

@iRage : Thanks mate

yes the colour indeed.still ogling at it from all sides Lol

BTW PM'd u the details

Edited January 26, 2014 by Muditha420

[Hoonigan]

Congratulations mate! The car has come out really really nice. Good call on the colour too

[Davy]

WoW! That colour is just popping! You know what, it's gonna be easy recognizing the car now cause I'm pretty sure that I've not seen this coloure on a Carina GT in SL before.

What's next in store for her after the paint job?

[tiv]

Great job machan, been a fan of the Carina GT always and thats one lucky example!..

[Komisiripala]

yup. ditto on the colour. never seen a carina like that before! and you're just starting off on a long journey. trust me.

i see a ton more potential in this car. and personally am glad its with the right owner...

there's a little piece of trim missing below the lights no?

[Bracket]

She looks like a goddess... patta ooi...

[Muditha420]

@All - Takes a humble bow... thank you guys..... indeed have come a long way...think Komi knows the amount of "anayak" i must hv been

@Hoonigan / Davy / Bracket - Yeah the color really came out better than planned... guess the 3hrs worth of rummaging through the color catalog of all car makes paid off in full from the reaction u guys have given...

@Komi - yeah that part as well as the spoiler needs to be put on hence no picture from behind... Oh the GT emblem on the shell too

[Muditha420]

@Davy - future plans yanna poddak inna onee dan coz yanne rim eken danata... Lol

I do need to get new wheels just hope the once i looked at before are there and a set of coil-overs will do nicely. its down to the finer details now

[Schiffer]

Very Nice work bro. Looking forward to the thread

will be great if you could get a hold of facelift Carina GT meter cluster and steering wheel as well.

[Magnum]

Very Nice work bro. Looking forward to the thread

will be great if you could get a hold of facelift Carina GT meter cluster and steering wheel as well.

i actually like this steering wheel, its easier to honk

[Magnum]

I should have taken pics of my car when i restored it

[iRage]

Seen a few steering wheels of GTs going around prices have ranged from 5000yen to about 15000 depending onthe condition but I am sure you can get lucky. I am on Yahoo Auctions almost on a daily basis looking for parts for the Trueno, so if you let me know what you are looking for I can keep an eye out for it too...

[Schiffer]

i actually like this steering wheel, its easier to honk

its about making a full conversion. not easy to honk. plus the facelift GT steering wheel looks better than this.(have the same on my premio)

and the facelift GT had white guages.

[Jaliya48]

AMAZING! Hey, do you think I could get a test drive in that?!

Great stuff mate, and AL members are a special bunch, ready to help like minded individuals at the drop of a hat! I'd love the details of the parts supplier too, the 4AGE is a favourite of mine and I have epic plans for one!

[Reckless]

Nice restoration Muditha, the car looks great! Miss my carina after seeing those pics:( it was silver-gold coloured.

btw, like to see some interior pics too, looks like you have replaced the pedals?

[Muditha420]

Appreciate your input guys.... well i did check for the meter cluster n didn't came across these except for one Auto cluster but then again if i do that the interior might not match properly...its just gonna be a miss match scenario in there... i do deed to improve the back-lights of the panel though bit dark.

hope to get this down as well http://3mauto.com/paint-defender-spray-film.html

the fine tuning is what m hoping to do now. today just kept ogling at her from all sides.

@Jaliya - why not mate, i missed the meet up that was recently done though, was still painting then.

[Muditha420]

@ Reckless - will put up the interior a bit later on coz need to clean it up first those pedals were put on after i bought it but the replacements are on the way too

[Komisiripala]

go with white LED's ont he meter cluster. it only takes 3 LED's or four. and they're not expensive. it'll glow like nobodies business and look very neat because the lighting is even, unlike the tungesten bulb

and yes, Y! japan can be your friend!

[Muditha420]

Yeah thinking on the same line as well.... the orange cluster would bright up well with a LED combination