1985 Celica GTS inquiry

[shuluke]

Hello everyone,

I am usually stuck on the camry section of this site, but I have came upon a 1985 celica GTS that I might have a chance to buy. Although I am not knowledgeable in the celica area, I know the auto to manual transmission swap can be done on the camry, is the same true for the celica of this generation? If I do purchase it, I would like to know if this is a relatively easy swap or hard due to part finding and such. I have a mechanic friend who is pretty reasonable with costs. I did a quick search but I am not even sure what generation this celica is or the engine type. I was told the engine code is a 22RE. I did a search on that and I am still not sure. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Shuluke

[stepho]

The '85 Celica GTS is known as the 3rd generation RA65.
Specs are here:
[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/STEPHE%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-17.jpg[/IMG]http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/celprod.htm#cel65pr
(yours is 2400cc 22RE engine, A40D gearbox, F (7.5") 3.583 diff, IRS)
It was the same as the RA64 Celica except it used many parts from the Supra (IRS, dash, seats)

Auto -> manual is easy.
You need the gearbox (W55/56/57/58), bell housing for 22R to W55/56/57/58, clutch, flywheel, clutch master and slave cylinders, pedal housing and clutch pedal.
Neutral/Park start inhibitor switch needs to be bypassed.
Speedometer drive coming from the gearbox may need to be calibrated (depends on donor diff ratio and tyre size).
Beware that Toyota gearboxes come in many variations that put the gear stick slightly forward or backward - measure before buying.
Any W55/56/57/58 can be used but beware the bellhousing are different between M series engines (eg from Supra, Cressida) and R series engines (eg Celica, Pickup).
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/....htm#Gearboxes

I've got lots of manuals, microfiche, etc on the RA65.
Just ask if you need more info.

- Stepho

[stepho]

Oops, links should have been:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/celprod.htm#cel65pr
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/....htm#Gearboxes

- Stepho

[shonuff]

hands down the best site for those cars is www.celica-gts.com


the auto to manual swap is 90% bolt it. you need all the parts described above and the manual driveline, but you need to weld in a bracket on the firewall for the pedal assembly to bolt to.


the best way to get the parts is to remove the whole system from a parts car, including the metal lines.

[shuluke]

Thank you guys so much for responding to my post. I was just about to give up on the car.

Another quick question, if you were a mechanic and asked to do the work, how much would you charge? If all parts were given to you as well as if the situation happened and you were to get all the parts?

I am actually going to do something totally different to the car, but the problem is I need a stick and not a auto. I wouldnt mind discussing it in more detail if I am PMed but I would like to keep it quiet until I am almost done with it. All the information is really helpful and I am hoping I can put it to use.

There is still hope I might put myself up to the task. With 90% bolt on, that gives me more confidence.


Thanks,


Shuluke

[stepho]

Hi Shuluke,

You asked me a private question about fitment of the gearbox but I feel it's better to answer publicly.

Toyota W55/56/57/58 gearboxes are interchangeable.
If you have corresponding crossmember then they fit easy.
However, there are 2 variations to worry about.

First of all, the bellhousing is unique to each engine family.
A W55/56/57/58 gearbox connected to a 22R engine uses a specific bellhousing.
A W55/56/57/58 gearbox connected to a 5M/7M engine uses a specific bellhousing but different to the 22R.
The actual gearbox is interchangeable but the bellhousing is different.
If you get the right bellhousing then all is good.
Also beware that anything involving the earlier W50 gearbox is not suitable.

Secondly, the same gearbox is used in many Toyota models.
But the tail extension can differ a bit so that the gearstick comes through the floor slightly forward or slightly backward.
Getting the wrong one is bad because the gearstick will not come through the hole in the floor.
Measure carefully before you buy.

The easiest way is to buy a gearbox that came from the same car as yours.
Also makes it easier to get all the other bits (eg pedals, pedal brackets, clutch, etc).
As long as you get the right bellhousing and tail extension, it's not too hard.

- Stepho