any RWD Celica's out there?

[S.Grigori]

Hey guys,


new to the boards here


ok, let me give you some background info - i'm working on a project Grand Cherokee (jeep ZJ). i'm in the process of swapping in a fully built 408 cubic inch (6.7L) mopar block. it will be blown at 16psi with the Vortech YSi-trim blower (which is rated at 1600cfm). it is built using all forged AND nitrided internals, big valve heads, big cam, etc. to handle the 800hp/900+tq that it'll put out

my question, of course, has nothing to do with the jeep project... but rather, what i will do with my current 5.2L v8 that i have in my jeep right now so i've been considering this:


toyota's and mopars use the same automatic transmissions, therefore my v8's flywheel will fit right onto the toyota tranny, so i'm looking to find a RWD Celica to swap my v8 into. in factory trim, my engine puts out 300lbft tq, with my current mods - more like 380tq. i know the older Celica's came in RWD... i believe it was the '87-ish models that did. however, im not too sure about them. i'm a major Supra fan, but i'd like more info on the Celicas and which came in RWD form.

i also know that the Celica's had the 42RH auto transmissions, while the supra's had the 44RE's later on.


TIA for any help.

i just dont want to throw away my lil 5.2... and i figure swapping it into a light body Celica, i'd run at least 13's



-S.Grigori

[Hotwheelharmer]

Originally Posted by S.Grigori

Hey guys,


new to the boards here


ok, let me give you some background info - i'm working on a project Grand Cherokee (jeep ZJ). i'm in the process of swapping in a fully built 408 cubic inch (6.7L) mopar block. it will be blown at 16psi with the Vortech YSi-trim blower (which is rated at 1600cfm). it is built using all forged AND nitrided internals, big valve heads, big cam, etc. to handle the 800hp/900+tq that it'll put out

my question, of course, has nothing to do with the jeep project... but rather, what i will do with my current 5.2L v8 that i have in my jeep right now so i've been considering this:


toyota's and mopars use the same automatic transmissions, therefore my v8's flywheel will fit right onto the toyota tranny, so i'm looking to find a RWD Celica to swap my v8 into. in factory trim, my engine puts out 300lbft tq, with my current mods - more like 380tq. i know the older Celica's came in RWD... i believe it was the '87-ish models that did. however, im not too sure about them. i'm a major Supra fan, but i'd like more info on the Celicas and which came in RWD form.

i also know that the Celica's had the 42RH auto transmissions, while the supra's had the 44RE's later on.


TIA for any help.

i just dont want to throw away my lil 5.2... and i figure swapping it into a light body Celica, i'd run at least 13's



-S.Grigori

The Celica came RWD from 1970-1985. As for the automatic tranny I would like to see your proof of Mopar using the same auto trannies. The tranny codes you give do not sound familar in a Toyota vehicle. I think you are mistaken with Mitsubishi because Toyota and GM work together with cars and Mopar and Mitsbushi work together. A big V8 like that would be cool though in a RWD Celica but you are going to have to do more then just put the motor in because the Rear ends in the Celicas are pretty weak plus that much power I am thinking might be too much for the frame as it is so you would have to strenghten the frame along with a crapload of other stuff. There is a good site that I go to(I have an 81 GT) that is great for information. The site is www.classic-celica.com

[S.Grigori]

thanks for the info. i'll be looking for a 83-85 celica now, maybe even a celica-supra.



and hey, a lil help from another forum and i found this: http://www.allpar.com/mopar/celica-318.html





oh and as for proof, i guess that's kind of proof. but otherwise, there was talk of how the latest gen Toyota Supra automatics came with the same tranny's as the one in my jeep zj, the np-44re.

and no, i understand where you might think it might be compatible with mitsu, but that's not the case. i believe that both mopar and toyota baught their transmissions from a 3rd party manufacturer... not sure who though.



thanks for the input though

S.Grigori

[Hotwheelharmer]

Originally Posted by S.Grigori

thanks for the info. i'll be looking for a 83-85 celica now, maybe even a celica-supra.



and hey, a lil help from another forum and i found this: http://www.allpar.com/mopar/celica-318.html





oh and as for proof, i guess that's kind of proof. but otherwise, there was talk of how the latest gen Toyota Supra automatics came with the same tranny's as the one in my jeep zj, the np-44re.

and no, i understand where you might think it might be compatible with mitsu, but that's not the case. i believe that both mopar and toyota baught their transmissions from a 3rd party manufacturer... not sure who though.



thanks for the input though

S.Grigori

A Supra would be a better bet for sticking the engine in because it actually has a little bit more room in the engine bay. However are you wanting a solid rear end or independent rear suspension because the 2nd gen supras(82-86) came with IRS and the 83-85 Celica GTS came with IRS. The 82-85 Celica GT, all 70-81 Celica(any trim) and the first gen Supra(79-81) came with solid rear ends. However the rear ends from the Celicas are way to weak for power especially the power you want to put in it. The Supra is probably good enough but I would suggest swapping in an 8" from a Toyota truck. Also if the trannies are infact the same I still wouldn't recommend using the Toyota version because they were not built for the power that you want so you would blow one up pretty quickly if you left it in stock for. You woudl be better off finding a tranny that can hold the power you are planning on using. So pretty much the only thing you would not be changing is the body of the car which with the power you are going to be making I can just see that thing twisting when you launch the car too.

[S.Grigori]

oh yeah, that's all given. and yes, a solid rear axle would definatly be stronger so EVEN MORE thanks for the suggestion

but yeah - you got the right idea what i want to do, body will be toyota, but it will be powered by mopar anyway, the supra transmission ought to handle the 380tq - my engine produces some 290hp.

i'll start looking for an 81 supra, then. damn i feel so lost lol but it'll be FUN figuring things out on my own. all while i'll have a 10second jeep in my garage


fun fun fun!

thanks again

S.Grigori