5th Gen Alltrac to 6th Gen Complete Swap - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BltnotBgt · 04-11-2007, 04:32 AM

Hello to everyone here at ToyotaNation.

First off let me introduce myself. My name is Dan, I live in upstate NY and have been an automotive tech for 10 years now. The last 3 years focused on import performance. Though up here in the sticks the market is sort of lacking.

I have been working on a project with my brother Rustin, building a car he has been collecting parts for, over the last 3 years. The basic idea was to create a ST205 Alltrac using an american model 1994 Celica ST, and all of the components from a J-Spec 1993 ST185. I understand that alot of you believe there is no point in creating something that just could have been bought in the first place, but due to a lack of ST205's being produced for the US, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to make this happen, here we sit, LOL.

All the parts have been aquired, and we are in the process of peforming the swap, so I wanted to share it with you guys. I have been a bit lax with taking pictures of the process, but have many up to this point, and will be taking them on a regular basis as we progress.

Ok the cars:

1994 Toyota Celica ST (bought wrecked in the front from Tennesee) NY salvage title was a pain. Had to fix everything to stock and have the state inspect the car in order to get a title.

1993 Toyota Celica ST185 Alltrac J-Spec front clip, rear cradle assembly and driveshaft.

BltnotBgt · 04-11-2007, 04:37 AM

BltnotBgt · 04-11-2007, 04:39 AM

BltnotBgt · 04-11-2007, 04:40 AM

BltnotBgt · 04-11-2007, 04:41 AM

BltnotBgt · 04-11-2007, 04:43 AM

BltnotBgt · 04-11-2007, 05:29 AM

As you can see alot of work has been done allrdy. The engine and awd tranny are mounted. This went suprisingly smooth, the passenger side mount had to be fabricated, along with the bottom 2 mounts. The rear end is mounted, this proved to be a unique challenge for many reasons, most notebly the fact that the track width of the 93 is 2 inches narrower than that of the 94. mounts had to be fabricated, and the control arms were extended to make up the track width difference. I am in the process of mounting the drive shaft, the tunnel is allrdy there so nothing had to be cut to allow for it, or the transfer case. So its just a matter of fabbing mounts for the carriers.

I will have more info about our progress in the next report, and alot more pictures. I will prolly post them on a site and link it, unless there is a better way to post them on the forum.

Stay Tuned
(I hope this peaks some of your interests)

AWDios · 04-11-2007, 11:53 AM

Sounds like a lot of work. Hopefully it turns out well.

TubRog5 · 04-11-2007, 04:00 PM

Theres a few people that has already done the conversion. Goodluck on yours. For some reason Toyotanation.com members tend to speak against doing awd conversions and 3sgte swaps into ST Celica's. You should be very happy with the end results.

Pineapple · 04-11-2007, 04:34 PM

We're against it because its costly and need lots of skills to pull it off. Most of the people who asked have non.
If you know how and have the means to do it, you won't even ask. Like this poster, you'll just do it.

TubRog5 · 04-12-2007, 03:33 PM

Actually, most of the people I've seen ask on here do have the skills. They're just new to Toyota. Theres even been plenty of people on here just talk about their future plan of swapping in a 3sgte into their ST Celica. All the answers are the same. Go buy a GT/GTS because the ST is a waste of time and money. The honest truth is, its not.

Pineapple · 04-12-2007, 06:39 PM

It all depends on what you can do. If you got welding equipment at home, you can do anything. If you can tow the car to a welder, that works too.
For the 6th gen, it may worth it due to so few gt4 in NA. For the 5th gen, you can buy an AllTrac for less then the conversion.

The fact is, it does take lots of money and time. Is it worth it? You'll have to answer it for yourself.

RWD and V6 was swapped in the 5th gen.
RWD and LS1 was swapped in a Prelude.
If you have the will and means, anything could be done.

I'm not against modding. I've a high compression 5S-FE in the garage waiting for a body. It always cost more and take longer then you expected.

BltnotBgt · 01-24-2008, 06:50 PM

Wow its been a long time since I posted here, lol. Alot of progress has been made since april of last year, Its a shame we have so little time to work on this project, but the finish date is drawing close.

The drive train and suspension have been completed, this proved to be a tedious task, measure and remeasure, lol but its done.
All the plumbing for the Turbo and Water to Air intercooler is done.
3" Exhaust is done
The Fuel System is 3/4 done, waiting on the top feed fuel rail and FPR to come in, then the lines can be finished.
Other than the fuel system all the parts have been aquired, now its just a matter of putting the rest together.

We have a deadline of May to have it completed, It wont be painted, but it will be driveable by then, moving to TN and plan on driving it there.

Heres a few picts, Ill try to keep this updated on a weekly basis till we scoot to TN.

Supersprynt · 01-24-2008, 10:10 PM

You should post this on 6gc.net. It's a 6GC specific site if you didn't know it existed

I like the color

BTW: Where in NY are you?

BltnotBgt · 01-25-2008, 03:45 AM

Plattsburgh NY, about 30 minutes from canada.