Caldina GTT - what modifications for a daily driver

[horton]

I use this car for work six days a week on roads of varying quality, so I dont want to modify anything that is going to make it unreliable or a pain to drive but, I wouldnt mind a touch more power or slightly better handling.

What upgrades within a one or two grand budget fall into the above categories?

[eybic]

I think they are the same as a GT-Four, if so you could up the boost a bit, put an exhaust and filter on it and you will see a decent increase in performance. For handling I'm not sure what suspension setup they have but you could look at uprated shocks, maybe lowering springs, uprated anti roll bars and poly bushes but these will make it a harsher ride. Decent tyres will make a world of difference too.

Edited by eybic on Sunday 28th February 09:56

[magpie215]

Watch out if increasing the boost on these....they have a higher compression ratio than the earlier 3s-gte engines so are more fuel fussy.

I have a 98 GTT manual....nice Q car ;-)

[Krestian]

Hey Magpie215

I am looking for a Caldina GTT, I really like the Q-car appeal.

Also, my mate has a celica GT4 and it has never missed a beat, running 1.1Bar + decat, really fast and reliable.

How did you find yours? They are not very common for some reason, and not on the "standard car menu" at the importers.

I am seriously considering putting an order in for getting one from Japan.

Anything, to watch out for?

[magpie215]

Krestian said:

Hey Magpie215

I am looking for a Caldina GTT, I really like the Q-car appeal.

Also, my mate has a celica GT4 and it has never missed a beat, running 1.1Bar + decat, really fast and reliable.

How did you find yours? They are not very common for some reason, and not on the "standard car menu" at the importers.

I am seriously considering putting an order in for getting one from Japan.

Anything, to watch out for?

Mine appeared on ebay just as I had sold my celica gt4 so was a nice natural progression.

Only things to look out for are the usual type of things to spot on a 10-12 year old performance car really.

TBH I did not even know about the Caldina so maybe that is the reason they are thin on the ground.

[Dave^]

I've just had to have a Google to see what there are... Is you're the newer or older model? Any spec/pics?

[TotalControl]

I'm guessing Magpie's is the older model based on the Avensis estate.

[magpie215]

yes mine is the ST215 Avensis based available in auto and manual the later one is the ST246 but is auto only

[horton]

mine is 1997 ST215 (auto) in black.

it was really easy to find, I had plenty to choose from (but then again, I do live in Japan)
it is a really nice compromise car - fast enough, totally practical and reasonably comfortable.

[GravelBen]

TotalControl said:

based on the Avensis estate.

[Pedant alert]

Shouldn't that be the Avensis is based on the Caldina?

[/Pedant alert]

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 1st March 05:26

[SmoothRB]

I'd go for some decent coilovers and sway bars first. Don't put lowered springs on, that is poverty spec.

Power is nothing without control as the advert used to say.

[Krestian]

magpie215 said:

Krestian said:

Hey Magpie215

I am looking for a Caldina GTT, I really like the Q-car appeal.

Also, my mate has a celica GT4 and it has never missed a beat, running 1.1Bar + decat, really fast and reliable.

How did you find yours? They are not very common for some reason, and not on the "standard car menu" at the importers.

I am seriously considering putting an order in for getting one from Japan.

Anything, to watch out for?

Mine appeared on ebay just as I had sold my celica gt4 so was a nice natural progression.

Only things to look out for are the usual type of things to spot on a 10-12 year old performance car really.

TBH I did not even know about the Caldina so maybe that is the reason they are thin on the ground.

Thanks Magpie.

I am keeping my eyes open in case one should pop up, if not I will probably end up going Mainstream and get a Legacy GT-B.

But as I said I am considering getting one from Japan, especially as I want a manual.

[TotalControl]

GravelBen said:

TotalControl said:

based on the Avensis estate.

[Pedant alert]

Shouldn't that be the Avensis is based on the Caldina?

[/Pedant alert]

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 1st March 05:26

Damn Ben, I let my guard down. You're right.

You could have let me off you know.

[GravelBen]

Look on the bright side, at least I'm only the random fact police not the grammar police!