Track car, Celica 190?
Discussion
Hi,
Just done a track day in my FN2, now i want a dedicated track car with a sub £2k budget.
I have been looking at Ep3s but i think they might be a bit out of budget so been looking at Celica 190's. Has anyone got an experience of using these on track and can provide me with some advice/ info on what they are like
Thanks
Just done a track day in my FN2, now i want a dedicated track car with a sub £2k budget.
I have been looking at Ep3s but i think they might be a bit out of budget so been looking at Celica 190's. Has anyone got an experience of using these on track and can provide me with some advice/ info on what they are like
Thanks
I owned one for a couple of years and although I never had it out on track, I reckon it would make a great fun track toy. Could be worth getting in touch with Lee Mabbett at Se7en Motorsports, who runs and builds gen 7 celica track / race cars.
https://www.facebook.com/se7enmotosports/
http://www.se7enmotorsports.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/se7enmotosports/
http://www.se7enmotorsports.co.uk/
They are very capable track car. Handle very well especially with some weight stripped from them.
However the 190 2zzge can suffer from oil starvation from prolonged high G cornering.
So if you plan on running slicks, a choice mod would be a Moroso baffled oil sump or you could weld some baffles in the stock sump. A 1zz (140) Celica has a baffle in its sump so you could even install one of that.
They have no LSD from standard, however the MK3 MR2 is a tried and tested swap that works in the 190 gearbox.
I would personally go for a pre facelift 190 as they have no stability control.
The Celica T Sport (The facelift Celica 190) has stability control as standard which can be instusive on track and can't be turned off without permenant dash lights.
However the 190 2zzge can suffer from oil starvation from prolonged high G cornering.
So if you plan on running slicks, a choice mod would be a Moroso baffled oil sump or you could weld some baffles in the stock sump. A 1zz (140) Celica has a baffle in its sump so you could even install one of that.
They have no LSD from standard, however the MK3 MR2 is a tried and tested swap that works in the 190 gearbox.
I would personally go for a pre facelift 190 as they have no stability control.
The Celica T Sport (The facelift Celica 190) has stability control as standard which can be instusive on track and can't be turned off without permenant dash lights.
I ran a fairly standard one around Knockhill last year for a couple of outings. On the road its a great daily driver on the track I hated it.
The way the power is delivered you need to be above 6200 for lift to kick in and that's where the main power comes from, along the straights its fine but trying to keep it in lift or close to lift for the bends was a nightmare. Was either falling down to 4500 revs in 3rd or banging the limiter in 2nd to keep me in the power.
The EP3 is slightly better with the Vtec coming in around 5600 or 5800 think it can also be lowered with some tuning hopefully someone more knowledgeable about the Honda engine will be able to confirm.
If it was me I would be looking at a Clio 172 or 182. I had a fairly unreliable 172 for a 6 month period it required something doing to it every month but when it worked I loved it. I felt you were never waiting on the power and was quick no matter what revs you were sitting at as long as you were in the correct gear.
The way the power is delivered you need to be above 6200 for lift to kick in and that's where the main power comes from, along the straights its fine but trying to keep it in lift or close to lift for the bends was a nightmare. Was either falling down to 4500 revs in 3rd or banging the limiter in 2nd to keep me in the power.
The EP3 is slightly better with the Vtec coming in around 5600 or 5800 think it can also be lowered with some tuning hopefully someone more knowledgeable about the Honda engine will be able to confirm.
If it was me I would be looking at a Clio 172 or 182. I had a fairly unreliable 172 for a 6 month period it required something doing to it every month but when it worked I loved it. I felt you were never waiting on the power and was quick no matter what revs you were sitting at as long as you were in the correct gear.
s m said:
No personal experience on track but before the thread gets moved to the Toyota forum graveyard ( E.T.A. too late Car Buying forum! ), here's what the guy who sorts Lotus handling thought of the 190
And here's the 140
The pictures have died, does the Lotus chap have nice things to say about Celicas? :P
And here's the 140
I'm also considering the 190 as a trackday car now that they're available for less than £1000. Does anyone know how light you can get them?
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