Looking for advice on repair/modification (GVRD, BC Canada)

[Laucenar]

Hey guys,

I've been saving up to replace some parts and do some repairs to, among other things, the exhaust system and brakes on my 1989 Toyota Celica GT-S (stock 3S-GE engine). My uncle has passed the car onto me, he took pretty good care of it, and I'd like to keep it going.

It was sitting for a couple of years, and because of that it's only got storage insurance, so a couple of months ago I got a one day permit to take it to AirCare just to see what would happen. It couldn't pass the test because they couldn't get a reading of exhaust out the tail pipe, so I'm guessing there's a leak in the exhaust line somewhere.

After that, I took it to Canadian Tire to get a new gas cap, and got it inspected for free. Canadian Tire came back saying the exhaust needs to be replaced all the way to the manifold, and the brakes were in pretty bad condition. I plan to get the exhaust fixed (seriously, exhaust coming out from under the car isn't very great :p) and then get the brakes replaced.

Now, what I was wondering was, does anyone around New Westminster, Vancouver, etc, in BC Canada have any suggestions on good places to get exhaust done? The price Canadian Tire gave me seemed... a bit unreasonable to me, at about $1000, or $2000 for all repairs (brakes, exhaust, emergency brake). Instead of just going through with that, I'd like to look around a bit. I'm not sure how many people from my area are members here, on this Celica board specifically, but I'll be glad to get any suggestions.

Also, something anyone with a 4th gen GT-S could help me with: Any suggestions on some exhaust systems? I'd be interested in something not too expensive, not too loud, and if it has a nice sound, that's great.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Rick89GTS]

Welcome! Always willing to help a 4th Gen brother out. You should sign up www.st162.com, that's where all us 4th Gen'ers hang out.

$2000 is a bit high.
If you want something not too expensive & not too loud? You're talking stock. I've cut off an exhaust system outta the junkyard before as a stop gap, so if you find one in good shape, you could get away pretty cheap. Otherwise, get some quotes from specialty shops that do nothing but exhaust; it'll be more reasonable than CT.

You can do the brakes yourself, a set of 4 rebuilt calipers @ $80 each will set you back total $320. IIRC, pads are about $40 a set, so add another $160 and you're at $480 already.

You could rebuild all the calipers yourself for cheap, rebuild kits are about $10 each.

I use DV Aldous on Fraser Street, I find they have the best prices.

I'm local, so PM or email me if you have more questions and I'll do my best to help ya out.

[Rick89GTS]

Hey, get some pics up of your ride

[KooL]

Yeah, 2000 is almost the price of the car. Are you sure you want to invest in this?

[Laucenar]

Thanks for the welcome and advice, Rick!

Fraser Street in Vancouver? That's pretty close by, I'm in New Westminster.

I'll definately look into the things you suggested, and I think I'll take up your offer and message you now and then. :P

But yeah, what KooL said might be true, but I got the car for free, and it's only got 185k on the engine. Could be worse, right? I really like this car to, the styling/color and all.

And as you requested, Rick, here's some pictures of it. Might have some minor scrapes and stuff, but it still looks pretty good I'd say.















Edit: Nice Celicas, Rick! You've got a two-tone grey '89 GT-S as well, except it's a hatchback, nice.

[Rick89GTS]

^ Cool, our 89s are the same colour. I've got three Celicas, yeah, I can't help myself.
Nice pics, your car looks to be very clean and I don't see any obvious rust. Very minty interior too. Even your shift knob still has the full leather covering on it - you don't see that too often after 20 years.

If you don't want to keep it, I'll buy it from you, but I easily think it's worth fixing up.

PS - DV Aldous in Vancouver, just south of Kingsway.

PSS - You can save some $$$ by finding still good exhaust parts in the junkyards. The key is, you don't have to find the whole thing; just unbolt the sections you need. Get the guys to use their forklift to raise the car AND SAFELY SUPPORT IT WITH JACKSTANDS. Often you'll see wrecked cars with just recently new exhaust components installed. Shitty for them; good for you.

[Laucenar]

I'd have liked to post more, but not much has been going on until a few days ago. On Saturday, I visited some auto wreckers (had previously called a couple of them), and one had a 4th gen Celica GT.

Does anyone know if the exhaust piping from a GT will work fine on a GT-S? I'd imagine it would, but I just want to make sure.

Also, I tried starting up the car when I got home, and it wouldn't start. My dad jumpstarted it, and we let it sit for a bit; It died out in about 5 minutes. The battery is only a couple months old, but I guess it got discharged just sitting.

We jumpstarted it again, and the idle seemed pretty low, being at 500. We kept it running for a bit and then turned it off, and when I tried to start it again, I guess it's just a coincidence, but the starter solenoid seems to have gone, making a horrible clicking noise.

I guess I'll see if I can get a starter at the same time I pick up the piping, if I do. A new(used) alternator might also be a good idea, right?

[Rick89GTS]

Not sure about the GT exhaust. I'd measure the GTS pipes with a caliper and then compare to make sure. If you can't get to your exhaust, let me know and I'll do it for you; I have a section of GTS exhaust pipe in the shed, so it's no problem.

That clicking noise also happens when the battery is weak, so I'd recharge or swap the battery first, before buying a starter and alternator. If you decide you still want to buy a used starter and alternator from the wreckers, ask what guarantee they have, it's usually only 3 months. Also, if they want $75 or more, I'd get a rebuilt instead. I know a place that's sells them for that price Vancouver. Let me know.