Description
This vehicle has been a passion project for me for the last 12 years, purchased while I was working for Cosworth F1 as a trackside engineer. It has been through a few guises, the most recent as you see it here, a wonderful B-Road drivers car in a classic 90's colour, reminiscent of the Leyton House livery.
All of the modifications have been to enhance aspects of the base car, improvements to the suspension, drivetrain, engine, electronics and interior.
Strap yourself into the FIA spec buckets seats, flick the switches to prime the system and push the starter, you are welcomed with a flare of revs and the sound of an ex-F1 turbocharger spooling up with a slight whistle.
The clutch is light, but with a sharp engagement. The lightweight flywheel requires a deft foot for pull away, but rewards you with incredible response to the throttle pedal, blipping for downshifts is a joy. The Italian steering wheel is joined by a shifter raised by 100mm to lie close to hand.
Head for the nearest twisting, undulating B-road and revel in the grip generated by the custom rated BC dampers, C-One castor / camber plates and Tanabe ARBs.
Get on it and the drive by wire actuated throttle is linear to the pedal, the engine responding lightning quick with a full titanium valve train and boost arriving in a linear fashion from the IHI RX6d (ex-Honda RA168e), helped on by the dual VVTi BEAMS cylinder head.
Accelerate out of corners and the car just hooks up and GOES! The Cusco LSD and GT-Radial SX2 tyres give grip in spades.
Overall, this is a fantastic example of a modified GT-Four ready to get in and drive, yet still has the scope to tailor the spec and build for a loving new owner. It will come with a full years MOT and the most incredible history file, plus all the software for the control systems and calibrations the car is running.
All aspects of the build are covered in photos and videos on Retro Rides forum under:
'96 Celica GT Four - ST205
And YouTube under:
The_Rote_Engineer
Interior:
Mirco GT FIA seats, Sabelt 5 point harnesses, CDS TIG welded harness bar, custom chassis loom, gear shift tower raised by 100mm. Battery moved to rear seat location with cut off in a dedicated box. Passenger seat moved back by 300mm.
Engine:
Long block - 3S-GE with Eagle connecting rods and CP forged pistons, ACL race bearings.
Exhaust - Stainless steel exhaust manifold with individual EGT sensors, IHI RX6d turbocharger, AFX wastegate, custom 316 turbo down pipe, Bosch LSU4. 9 WBO2 sensor, custom 304 stainless 63mm exhaust system.
Cooling:
ASH silicone hoses using Norma CT clamps, aluminium induction piping, Wagner intercooler, VW T4 radiator modified to fit with Zafira AC condenser fan, custom coolant swirl pot and pipes.
Misc:
MAC boost control valve, custom radiator support, C-One strut tower bar, walbro fuel pump, uprated fuel pressure regulator, 930cc Denso injectors, dual feed stock fuel rail. Custom carbon kevlar air box.
ECU:
ECUMaster EMU Black engine control unit, EDL-1 logger, CAN2EGT bus, BMW DBW pedal and throttle, custom loom.
Exterior:
Bare shell respray to Maxmeyer pantone 3262, +25mm fiberglass front arches, LED bulbs in all lights, custom bi-xenon projector headlights, side indicators relocated, ‘DTM’ type wing mirrors, heated windscreen from Ricky Evans Motorsport, ESM 016 wheels in 17x8. 5”, GT Radial Champiro SX2 tyres in 235/ 45/ 17 size.
Braking:
Uprated pads, rear hoses braided, new discs / seals / pistons / front hoses etc.
Suspension / Steering:
BC coil over dampers, front using modified Toyota ‘super strut’ legs, C-One front lower camber plates, tanabe front and rear uprated anti roll bars. Electric power steering conversion using Mercedes A class pump and custom hoses.
Drivetrain:
Stock gearbox with upgraded cooler, Cusco Hyper Single clutch modified to accept cerametallic friction plate, Cusco rear plate LSD.
