2003 Toyota Celica T-Sport
Discussion
Depending on where I find my next role I could be interested in one. I had a Gen 6 ST202 Celica many moons ago and am still a member of Celica-Club too so I guess it would make sense for me to scratch this itch.
Need to find a 190 in good enough condition to modify slightly.
edit - Forgot to add: OP, I really like the way the car sits combined with the rear bumper extension. Really does bring out the shape much better.
Need to find a 190 in good enough condition to modify slightly.
edit - Forgot to add: OP, I really like the way the car sits combined with the rear bumper extension. Really does bring out the shape much better.
Thanks mate 
Yeah they're great cars but like said, they need quite a bit doing to them to get them up to standard. A lot of people don't bother with this, they think "Oh sporty car! Let's change this and that", they change the wheels, change the exhaust, and then complain when the car isn't as good quality as they thought it was. But they've got no one to blame but themselves.
Brakes are quite naff, headlights go yellow, ride is too high, wheels are too sunken in, standard trim looks slightly boring, engine doesn't sound powerful, etc. If you fix all of these issues first then you end up with an amazing car, THEN you can do what you like to it.
Which is why people tell me "Lovely car!", truth is I've just fixed the fundamental issues with it. It's one of the reasons why every one knows of the Type R Honda and no one knows of the T-Sport Celica - the Honda had none of these issues from the factory.
But that's why I love my car - it's far, far better than every other T-Sport Celica as its not 'modded' as such, it's just vastly improved.
Yeah they're great cars but like said, they need quite a bit doing to them to get them up to standard. A lot of people don't bother with this, they think "Oh sporty car! Let's change this and that", they change the wheels, change the exhaust, and then complain when the car isn't as good quality as they thought it was. But they've got no one to blame but themselves.
Brakes are quite naff, headlights go yellow, ride is too high, wheels are too sunken in, standard trim looks slightly boring, engine doesn't sound powerful, etc. If you fix all of these issues first then you end up with an amazing car, THEN you can do what you like to it.
Which is why people tell me "Lovely car!", truth is I've just fixed the fundamental issues with it. It's one of the reasons why every one knows of the Type R Honda and no one knows of the T-Sport Celica - the Honda had none of these issues from the factory.
But that's why I love my car - it's far, far better than every other T-Sport Celica as its not 'modded' as such, it's just vastly improved.
The drive belt decided to rip itself apart the other day, but luckily there was still a bit left intact that allowed me to carefully drive it home and park it up.
Bought the new one.
That's how much was left of the old one. Ridiculous!
Was a huge ball ache to get that on, it wouldn't go over the alternator pulley without two of us trying. Managed to get it on in the end, but it would have been impossible with one person.
Also, my rear caliper decided to start binding so I've bought a new one.
Need to paint it to suite the rest.
Comparing the old with the new
I managed to bleed the system properly this time as last time the bleed nipple snapped off, which ended up in me bleeding the system by loosening and tightening the braided line, which wasn't ideal. I did the same to the other rear caliper just in case it happened to that one as well - now that I've bled it properly, they're astonishing!
Aside from that, all is good
Quick snap on my iPhone
Bought the new one.
That's how much was left of the old one. Ridiculous!
Was a huge ball ache to get that on, it wouldn't go over the alternator pulley without two of us trying. Managed to get it on in the end, but it would have been impossible with one person.
Also, my rear caliper decided to start binding so I've bought a new one.
Need to paint it to suite the rest.
Comparing the old with the new
I managed to bleed the system properly this time as last time the bleed nipple snapped off, which ended up in me bleeding the system by loosening and tightening the braided line, which wasn't ideal. I did the same to the other rear caliper just in case it happened to that one as well - now that I've bled it properly, they're astonishing!
Aside from that, all is good
Quick snap on my iPhone
Bulbs are expected between this Friday and next Friday, and the wheel is being delivered this Friday too. Next weekend will be the day I fit everything, so the car should see quite a large makeover at that time!
I've also got some double sided neoprene foam (a lot of it too), just so I can fix things down a little neater. HID ballasts, boot plastics, etc.
I've also got some double sided neoprene foam (a lot of it too), just so I can fix things down a little neater. HID ballasts, boot plastics, etc.
geraintthomas said:
All parts have arrived (the wheel is gorgeous), just waiting for time off to fit it now! Moved house this weekend and works ridiculously busy until the end of September, but I've got two weeks booked off at the beginning of October so it'll most likely be then 
October bump! Sorry for the slow updates! Moved house
Anyway, the interior is done!
For reference, here's the change list:
-Re-trimmed steering wheel
-T-Sport airbag emblem
-Custom designed dials
-Auris gear knob
-Red stitch gear gaiter
-Red stitch leather speedo
-Red stitch leather handbrake
-Red stitch leather armrest
-Red stitch door leather
-Red time clock
-Kenwood DP-306BT Stereo
-Matt black glasses door
-Red climate control illumination
-Inverted climate control LCD
-White cigarette ring
-Red ignition ring
-Ambient red footwell glows
-Matt black a-pillars
-Auto dimming rear view mirror
-White LED dome light
-White LED boot light
And here's the images:
Alcantara on the top and bottom of the steering wheel. Red stitching, matte perforated leather on the sides, and a T-Sport logo in the middle:
Soldering the circuit board behind the new dials was a challenge, but all went well:
Red stitching around the fascia:
A matt black finish for the glasses compartment, to match the dash either sides:
Red clock:
An auto-dimming rear view mirror from a Toyota Verso, and a perfect white 5000k interior light:
Some red stitching additions:
And leather wrapped the center compartment:
The ignition ring lights up red when you un-lock the car, or open the door:
The climate control LCD has been inverted. It used to be a light orange background with black writing - it's now a black background with red writing. This was achieved with removing the polarisation filter and adding a new one on a different angle.
The A-pillars are now matt black, to focus the dash area and modernise the cabin:
Genuine 'Celica' mats (£50 from Toyota). I've also installed VERY dim red lighting in the footwell. This is on when the lights are on. Red being a safe-light, it's very hard to see especially against black carpet. The beauty of this is that you can't see it until your feet are under there in the night, as it's a very dim ambient light. Inspired by BMW interior ambient lighting.
The dials at night:
And a snap of the center console at night:
So there we are! That's the interior done!
I've also re-furbished the wheels, but back in the original silver. I've gone against the anthracite idea as silver really makes this car 'ping'.
Thanks guys!
Anyway, the interior is done!
For reference, here's the change list:
-Re-trimmed steering wheel
-T-Sport airbag emblem
-Custom designed dials
-Auris gear knob
-Red stitch gear gaiter
-Red stitch leather speedo
-Red stitch leather handbrake
-Red stitch leather armrest
-Red stitch door leather
-Red time clock
-Kenwood DP-306BT Stereo
-Matt black glasses door
-Red climate control illumination
-Inverted climate control LCD
-White cigarette ring
-Red ignition ring
-Ambient red footwell glows
-Matt black a-pillars
-Auto dimming rear view mirror
-White LED dome light
-White LED boot light
And here's the images:
Alcantara on the top and bottom of the steering wheel. Red stitching, matte perforated leather on the sides, and a T-Sport logo in the middle:
Soldering the circuit board behind the new dials was a challenge, but all went well:
Red stitching around the fascia:
A matt black finish for the glasses compartment, to match the dash either sides:
Red clock:
An auto-dimming rear view mirror from a Toyota Verso, and a perfect white 5000k interior light:
Some red stitching additions:
And leather wrapped the center compartment:
The ignition ring lights up red when you un-lock the car, or open the door:
The climate control LCD has been inverted. It used to be a light orange background with black writing - it's now a black background with red writing. This was achieved with removing the polarisation filter and adding a new one on a different angle.
The A-pillars are now matt black, to focus the dash area and modernise the cabin:
Genuine 'Celica' mats (£50 from Toyota). I've also installed VERY dim red lighting in the footwell. This is on when the lights are on. Red being a safe-light, it's very hard to see especially against black carpet. The beauty of this is that you can't see it until your feet are under there in the night, as it's a very dim ambient light. Inspired by BMW interior ambient lighting.
The dials at night:
And a snap of the center console at night:
So there we are! That's the interior done!
I've also re-furbished the wheels, but back in the original silver. I've gone against the anthracite idea as silver really makes this car 'ping'.
Thanks guys!
t I've just put the Hubble away as well... 
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