he ppls my name is kris and as i am a new member i thought id say hi and tell u a bit of my story...
just recently bought an lj torana 4 door of my old man for 800 bucks... she is in good nick and i am currently doin her up... as i live in qld i was wondering if some ppl on her could help me...
i have a 186 to put into her and i wanna put either a toyota celica 5 speed up to her or a supra box...
after that i wanna put a turbo on her for power when i need it and also get a 9'' diff
i was wonder ppl thoughts as to there mods and if its worth doin... and to which way u would go...
also with the diff what places are good to buy and fit as i cant do these myself...
thanks for ur time and help... much appreciated...
my lj
Started by
_70rey_
, Nov 21 2005 07:06 PM
22 replies to this topic
#2
_rorym_
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Posted 21 November 2005 - 08:37 PM
Hi Kris,
Firstly, don't get too carried away with supra boxes etc. Just get it going then mod from there. The aussie 4 speed is ok to start or an auto. You sound like a young bloke starting out so dont aim too high at the beginning, get it going then work from there. I, and others, will help you along the way. I am in Maryborough and am just an eamil away for anything you need to know if I can help.There is so much knowledge and help here you would not believe, (watch out for LCBoi!, he is WAY to knowledgable for his 17 years so TREX tells me!) GO slowly, we will help you on the way. By the way, congrats on getting the best car you will EVER own!
Rory
Firstly, don't get too carried away with supra boxes etc. Just get it going then mod from there. The aussie 4 speed is ok to start or an auto. You sound like a young bloke starting out so dont aim too high at the beginning, get it going then work from there. I, and others, will help you along the way. I am in Maryborough and am just an eamil away for anything you need to know if I can help.There is so much knowledge and help here you would not believe, (watch out for LCBoi!, he is WAY to knowledgable for his 17 years so TREX tells me!) GO slowly, we will help you on the way. By the way, congrats on getting the best car you will EVER own!
Rory
Edited by rorym, 21 November 2005 - 08:39 PM.
#3
_70rey_
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Posted 21 November 2005 - 08:41 PM
thanks mate.. but if i do it now at least i know i wont have to spend to much money later on...
and yes i plan to have her for some years now.
thanks for the advice and i wont be gown too far with her just yet just thoughts and ideas and i kinda dont know what she is like to drive.
and yes i plan to have her for some years now.
thanks for the advice and i wont be gown too far with her just yet just thoughts and ideas and i kinda dont know what she is like to drive.
#4
_rorym_
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Posted 21 November 2005 - 09:11 PM
Hahah!
I had 25 cars, all the GOOD ones from 17 to 21..1972 to 1976.(25 cars, HT/HG 350 Monaros,XW and XY GT Falcons, 1 x XY GTHO PH3 ,dont ask! I wish I had it now!5 XU1s, 2 Cooper Ss, Twin Cam Escort,SLR 5000 etc etc The list is LONNNNGG and sordid!) Be patient, the good times come and the pride of building it and doing yourself will be the greatest feeling you will ever experience. ENJOY! I just turned 50 and built my ultimate car,(no: 72) the HDT XU1 308 V8 Replica. It gets better as you get older Hahah! (Problem is...it never goes away! )
R
I had 25 cars, all the GOOD ones from 17 to 21..1972 to 1976.(25 cars, HT/HG 350 Monaros,XW and XY GT Falcons, 1 x XY GTHO PH3 ,dont ask! I wish I had it now!5 XU1s, 2 Cooper Ss, Twin Cam Escort,SLR 5000 etc etc The list is LONNNNGG and sordid!) Be patient, the good times come and the pride of building it and doing yourself will be the greatest feeling you will ever experience. ENJOY! I just turned 50 and built my ultimate car,(no: 72) the HDT XU1 308 V8 Replica. It gets better as you get older Hahah! (Problem is...it never goes away! )
R
#5
_draglc_
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Posted 21 November 2005 - 09:27 PM
mate a 186/celica box is a good start. Try and find an lsd for it and ull have heaps of fun, especially if u whack on a turbo setup, watch ebay, they go on there every now and then. Ull need a lot of power for a 9", theyre pretty much only needed for a v8, get a borgwarner vl diff, a lot lighter and stronger than a banjo, same mods to get it in there though.
Just do it bit by bit, but do it properly and ull never have any problems with it.
And most of all have fun
A1
Just do it bit by bit, but do it properly and ull never have any problems with it.
And most of all have fun
A1
#6
_Broads_
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Posted 21 November 2005 - 10:11 PM
Hey kris, welcome to the forum mate. What these blokes are saying is spot on. I started building my LC from the ground up when i was 14, I'm 22 now and only just finished it! Take it easy and build it up piece by piece and you'll be far better off hehehe. I found the help of forum members invaluable while i was building my car, I dont think I'd have got there by now without their help, advice and encouragement. I'm sure you'll find the same thing! Welcome mate and good luck with the car!
Andrew
PS Turbo Holden sixes haul arse if they're done right, and there's a bloke around here by the name of Litre 8 who'll be able to give you a tip or 2!
Andrew
PS Turbo Holden sixes haul arse if they're done right, and there's a bloke around here by the name of Litre 8 who'll be able to give you a tip or 2!
Edited by Broads, 21 November 2005 - 10:15 PM.
#7
_rorym_
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Posted 21 November 2005 - 11:06 PM
Broads!..Officially known now as A3!!!
R
R
#8
gtrboyy
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Posted 24 November 2005 - 11:38 AM
<<When I got my gtr I put a std 202 in it just so that I could drive & enjoy it.I'd say get it on the road,drive it & that way you can work out how you want to build it for how you want it.I first wanted to turn it into a drag car but after awhile I realised that I would be much happier with nice cruiser,so get it on the road & take it from there.I hope this helps.
#9
_ToranaGuy_
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Posted 27 November 2005 - 04:09 PM
Hey there,
A 186 and celica 5spd would be a very nice start. Or put in a black EFI 6cyl infront of the 5spd, just a tad more power than an XU1 engine. A turbo setup would be nice, but i can tell you it won't be easy, even if you get the bits off ebay as someone has sugested.
I'm walking the turbo path, and it will be rather fun once it's done, comparing to another turbo torana i've been for a ride in. It's not cheap tho.
Cheers
ToranaGuy
A 186 and celica 5spd would be a very nice start. Or put in a black EFI 6cyl infront of the 5spd, just a tad more power than an XU1 engine. A turbo setup would be nice, but i can tell you it won't be easy, even if you get the bits off ebay as someone has sugested.
I'm walking the turbo path, and it will be rather fun once it's done, comparing to another turbo torana i've been for a ride in. It's not cheap tho.
Cheers
ToranaGuy
#10
_202t_
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Posted 05 December 2005 - 07:50 PM
hi .
i have been doing a turbo set up ( suck throgh ) for 4 mounths .
lots off money as its not as simple as boltting it on . TRUST ME
all the little bit,s and pices add up .
it would have been cheaper to put nissan rb turbo motor in it !
so think about the turbo set up as you would be looking around
$4,500 to 5,000 to do it propley and ive done every thing my self
and i still havnt done my diff yet .
also if you need any help email me .
p.s dont go t04 as it will hit chasis.
ricky
i have been doing a turbo set up ( suck throgh ) for 4 mounths .
lots off money as its not as simple as boltting it on . TRUST ME
all the little bit,s and pices add up .
it would have been cheaper to put nissan rb turbo motor in it !
so think about the turbo set up as you would be looking around
$4,500 to 5,000 to do it propley and ive done every thing my self
and i still havnt done my diff yet .
also if you need any help email me .
p.s dont go t04 as it will hit chasis.
ricky
#11
_ToranaGuy_
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Posted 06 December 2005 - 01:10 AM
You have spent 4 -5 k on the turbo setup? Damn, where the hell did it all go to? How much power are you chasing?hi .
i have been doing a turbo set up ( suck throgh ) for 4 mounths .
lots off money as its not as simple as boltting it on . TRUST ME
all the little bit,s and pices add up .
it would have been cheaper to put nissan rb turbo motor in it !
so think about the turbo set up as you would be looking around
$4,500 to 5,000 to do it propley and ive done every thing my self
and i still havnt done my diff yet .
also if you need any help email me .
p.s dont go t04 as it will hit chasis.
ricky
l'll spend just over $3k to get it running in the car. Doing it all myself. Cost doesn't inc a good tune once it's running. I'm starting with a healthy 173ci, which keeps costs down for now. T04 misses the chassis in my LH, dunno about a Lc/Lj, but i've seen setups that don't hit the chassis with strata kits.
Eventually i'll build a really hot 202 for it, so i'll sink another $2.5k on that, but not until the rest of the car is done, paint, panels, diff, gearbox, and so on. It's definatly not easy, or exactly cheap, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider it.
Cheers
ToranaGuy
#12
_73LJWhiteSL_
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Posted 06 December 2005 - 01:30 PM
Personaly i would stick with the M20 if you have one in good nick to start with. With a well setup shifter and with a bit of care they are a good box, unless you start chasing high horsepower or do linelockers or things like that.
Steve
Steve
#13
_JBird_
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Posted 08 December 2005 - 07:42 PM
Yeh if you go down the turbo route, look towards getting a supra 5spd and Borgwarner BTR 78 as most come with discs. However theres a lot of custom fabrication involved with turboing so you might look to alternatives like Nissan RB motors as a couple blokes have done it sucessfully and they make good power for their size and weight.
yeh but just get it to go first and definitely handle
yeh but just get it to go first and definitely handle
#14
_ToranaGuy_
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Posted 09 December 2005 - 01:35 AM
Very wise words there. Get it running and handling so you can enjoy it, then start saving for/building what you want to power it.Yeh but just get it to go first and definitely handle
BTR 78, SM mag did a write up about them a while ago, and even said about a few " swap possibilities ". Something i'm considering when it's time for a diff and disc brakes up the rear.
Cheers
ToranaGuy
#15
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 09 December 2005 - 11:39 PM
hey mate. where in qld are you??? i'm in rocky, central qld, if your anywhere near i can hook you up with damb near any part you want. you sound a lot like me when i started out, i got my first torana when i was 14, didn't get one on the road till i was nearly 17 (i own three now, one driver two projects). ever since i got my first one i have had massive plans, and i'm slowly working toward them.
but mate, about 6 months ago i learned something. i got my p plates, and realized that you really don't want massive hp when your learning to drive. my torana currently has a stock 173, aussie 4 speed and banjo. maybie i'm lucky, but the driveline has lived through a few rather nice burnouts, so can't be as bad as everyone says. that said, even that driveline has been enough to get me in trouble on more than one occasion, once even collecting a post. funny thing is it's usualy when your just cruising that you get in trouble...when ya doin dumb things your usualy on high allert lol.
you really dont want massive hp when learning to drive. just stick with a stock six, aussie 4 speed box and banjo, flog the shit out of it, learn to drive and then start tweaking the car.
i just completed the first upgrade on my car, what did i do??? spent $800 on the brakes. i could have torn out the motor and given it a mild freashen up for that and got some reasonable hp but instead i chose to spend it on the anchors.
the motor is next on the hit list, probably will be coming out for a mild going through in the next few weeks, but thats only cause it's about ot die and going through more oil than fuel. i ahve a few hot bits laying around that i won't be using in the big motor so i may as well work the 173 over whilst i go. the next thing will be wheels, tyres and suspension.
only then will i look at the rest of the car, which will consist of a reasonably hot 202 (spent about 5k so far and it's still in pieces!) prolly a supra box and a volvo diff...i'm aiming for reasonable numbers on the strip while still driving it around town, even playing with the idea of nos
the best peice of advice i can give you is get a job, work hard, and give anything a go. if you have a look at something and recon you can do it and have a go, your a winner in my books.
i do everything to my car, and recently it got me a job as a sub contractor at a pannel shop. i'm making more than some tradesmen than i know. i will get an apprenticeship one day, but atm i'm happy raking in the dollars, learning heaps, and spending on my torana.
second best peice of advice is make a choice, you can be like most kids and go out drinking smoking and doing drugs, or skip all that and concentrate your money on the car. i've tryed all the above, alcohol, tobacco and mild drugs, none of it does much for me. you'd be suprised how much money you save. plus, if your dad ever gets up you for ripping skids just ask him this, "would you prefer me smoking tyres or dope?" guaranteed to shut him up strait away lol.
third is try to get a few contacts. i know nearly every torana owner in rocky, and a fair few in surrounding regions. build a network and its amazing what you can find and the fun you can have. also listen to old blokes, they might sound like there dribbling shit but in general they have been there done that and sometimes even mutter something relevant!!! remember guy's in there 50's were in there 20's when torry's came out....chances are they have been there played with this and well and truly #@$^%& that.
also make friends with the guy's at your local speed shop....they will be invaluable. if they know you then they will work a tad harder to find hard to get parts for you, and thats real handy.
sorry for the rant mate but i've learned a LOT in the last three years, and not always the easy way. but i'm still young and have a lot more to learn.
a quick story as a leaving note. was talking to a bloke in his late 30's today who's mother died when he was 13 and he grew up on the streets. when he was about 18 one of his mates owned a red xb falcon gt. after seeing that car about 20 years ago he decided he wanted one. well, he opened the shed and wala, there it was. and i tell ya what i damb near creamed my pants at the site of it. his story really touched me, went from absolutley nothign to being able to have his dream. just goes to show if you work hard enough you can accheive anything you want.
catch ya
ps: how is rex going rory?? havn't heard from him in a while. will have to go your way and pay yas a visit one day...been itchin to meet you....when i fix up the motor i'll think bout it....bit after new years perhaps can you say ROAD TRIP!!!!
but mate, about 6 months ago i learned something. i got my p plates, and realized that you really don't want massive hp when your learning to drive. my torana currently has a stock 173, aussie 4 speed and banjo. maybie i'm lucky, but the driveline has lived through a few rather nice burnouts, so can't be as bad as everyone says. that said, even that driveline has been enough to get me in trouble on more than one occasion, once even collecting a post. funny thing is it's usualy when your just cruising that you get in trouble...when ya doin dumb things your usualy on high allert lol.
you really dont want massive hp when learning to drive. just stick with a stock six, aussie 4 speed box and banjo, flog the shit out of it, learn to drive and then start tweaking the car.
i just completed the first upgrade on my car, what did i do??? spent $800 on the brakes. i could have torn out the motor and given it a mild freashen up for that and got some reasonable hp but instead i chose to spend it on the anchors.
the motor is next on the hit list, probably will be coming out for a mild going through in the next few weeks, but thats only cause it's about ot die and going through more oil than fuel. i ahve a few hot bits laying around that i won't be using in the big motor so i may as well work the 173 over whilst i go. the next thing will be wheels, tyres and suspension.
only then will i look at the rest of the car, which will consist of a reasonably hot 202 (spent about 5k so far and it's still in pieces!) prolly a supra box and a volvo diff...i'm aiming for reasonable numbers on the strip while still driving it around town, even playing with the idea of nos
the best peice of advice i can give you is get a job, work hard, and give anything a go. if you have a look at something and recon you can do it and have a go, your a winner in my books.
i do everything to my car, and recently it got me a job as a sub contractor at a pannel shop. i'm making more than some tradesmen than i know. i will get an apprenticeship one day, but atm i'm happy raking in the dollars, learning heaps, and spending on my torana.
second best peice of advice is make a choice, you can be like most kids and go out drinking smoking and doing drugs, or skip all that and concentrate your money on the car. i've tryed all the above, alcohol, tobacco and mild drugs, none of it does much for me. you'd be suprised how much money you save. plus, if your dad ever gets up you for ripping skids just ask him this, "would you prefer me smoking tyres or dope?" guaranteed to shut him up strait away lol.
third is try to get a few contacts. i know nearly every torana owner in rocky, and a fair few in surrounding regions. build a network and its amazing what you can find and the fun you can have. also listen to old blokes, they might sound like there dribbling shit but in general they have been there done that and sometimes even mutter something relevant!!! remember guy's in there 50's were in there 20's when torry's came out....chances are they have been there played with this and well and truly #@$^%& that.
also make friends with the guy's at your local speed shop....they will be invaluable. if they know you then they will work a tad harder to find hard to get parts for you, and thats real handy.
sorry for the rant mate but i've learned a LOT in the last three years, and not always the easy way. but i'm still young and have a lot more to learn.
a quick story as a leaving note. was talking to a bloke in his late 30's today who's mother died when he was 13 and he grew up on the streets. when he was about 18 one of his mates owned a red xb falcon gt. after seeing that car about 20 years ago he decided he wanted one. well, he opened the shed and wala, there it was. and i tell ya what i damb near creamed my pants at the site of it. his story really touched me, went from absolutley nothign to being able to have his dream. just goes to show if you work hard enough you can accheive anything you want.
catch ya
ps: how is rex going rory?? havn't heard from him in a while. will have to go your way and pay yas a visit one day...been itchin to meet you....when i fix up the motor i'll think bout it....bit after new years perhaps
can you say ROAD TRIP!!!!
#16
_ToranaGuy_
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Posted 10 December 2005 - 12:11 PM
Lc boi,
Your on the money there. I had a rough upbringing, parents split and we were very poor after that, but i worked hard and i've got a lot of what i want, and working towards the rest of it. ATM i have 4 cars and paying off my first house, i'm 23, been in the house a bit over a year now.
You work hard for what you want, and YOU will make it happen. Maybe not as soon as you would like, but it WILL happen if YOU work for it!
One thing i would do to the Lj, if it were mine and i was starting out, after the brakes i would put in a 5spd. It would make better use of the power the 173 has, and give better cruising economy, as long as the gear ratios are right, that 173 would feel a lot more powerfull than it really is. I would put a 5spd in my torana, but it's too hard to keep it column shift. I will put a 4spd in it tho. I still can't decide with my panel van, but as it's going to be hauling a tandem trailer a bit, i think i'll stick to an auto, but when the traumatic gives up, i'll go with a TH700 swap. 4spd auto.
Cheers
ToranaGuy
Your on the money there. I had a rough upbringing, parents split and we were very poor after that, but i worked hard and i've got a lot of what i want, and working towards the rest of it. ATM i have 4 cars and paying off my first house, i'm 23, been in the house a bit over a year now.
You work hard for what you want, and YOU will make it happen. Maybe not as soon as you would like, but it WILL happen if YOU work for it!
One thing i would do to the Lj, if it were mine and i was starting out, after the brakes i would put in a 5spd. It would make better use of the power the 173 has, and give better cruising economy, as long as the gear ratios are right, that 173 would feel a lot more powerfull than it really is.
I would put a 5spd in my torana, but it's too hard to keep it column shift. I will put a 4spd in it tho. I still can't decide with my panel van, but as it's going to be hauling a tandem trailer a bit, i think i'll stick to an auto, but when the traumatic gives up, i'll go with a TH700 swap. 4spd auto. Cheers
ToranaGuy
#17
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 11 December 2005 - 08:10 PM
haha, just scanned over my post. didn't realize it was such a long rant when i was typing it up. ah well atleast one person has read it so far lol. to put the 5 speed in i really need to do the diff aswell, otherwise i woudl have to get the tailshaft modded twice. and gearbox and diff is about 4k or so. lil over my budget right now, so i'll just stick it all in with the race motor
#18
Heath
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Posted 11 December 2005 - 08:27 PM
lc boi that was a nice read... you've got a good basis for a novel there
nah that was a bit inspirational actually; i had plans for a warm 202 but maybe I don't need to do anything to it... well maybe a YT head and very mild cam but nothing else
nah that was a bit inspirational actually; i had plans for a warm 202 but maybe I don't need to do anything to it... well maybe a YT head and very mild cam but nothing else
#19
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 11 December 2005 - 10:08 PM
like i said mate just drive around for a few months first...you can always have a hot motor sitting in the shed in shrink wrap and just buy a shitter stocky for $50 to throw in so you can learn to drive...whilst yoru on your l's you learn jack all. i havn't had my p's for to long so i still remember what it was like the first time i got in the torana and drove it on my own....very diferent. when you get your p's you start to learn a lot fast.
#20
_high_rpm_
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Posted 12 December 2005 - 12:41 AM
just dont do what a freind dj (lc boi) did and crash to learn how to drive
#21
red6
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Posted 12 December 2005 - 02:38 PM
Being a little older than these guys but not much (20) and having owned 3 torana's and also a long term member of this forum and its previouse 2 incarnations. ill add in my 2c and say that above all the most important upgrade provided the car already has disc brakes is suspension. when you are learning to drive you undoubtedly want to push your own limits and it helps if the car can handle more than you hand out. my first lc had a 138 and a 4sp and was completely stock bar extractors and exhaust for nearly my entire first year of driving. what saved me many times was a decent set pedders sports ryder springs shocks and swaybars front and rear. the money spent on this as opposed to a hot motor saves you the money you need to reinvest after you wrap it round a tree and have to start over.
#22
_Bomber Watson_
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Posted 12 December 2005 - 09:29 PM
yeah thats a good tip red 6...cause as luke decided to point out in the quote above i learned all about wet weather driving the hard way.just dont do what a freind dj (lc boi) did and crash to learn how to drive
#23
_ToranaGuy_
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Posted 13 December 2005 - 01:08 AM
When i did my disc brake conversion, yep my torry was 4 wheel drums 
, i stuck in some pedders red 40mm lower springs and shocks on the front, and a fat rear sway bar. I never got around to getting a front sway bar on the torry, but i really needed it, esp my first year of driving on my P's. I dunno how i lived without it.
Even just the rear bar made a huge improvement over the car without any sway bars. A very worthwhile upgrade.
Cheers
ToranaGuy
, i stuck in some pedders red 40mm lower springs and shocks on the front, and a fat rear sway bar. I never got around to getting a front sway bar on the torry, but i really needed it, esp my first year of driving on my P's. I dunno how i lived without it. Even just the rear bar made a huge improvement over the car without any sway bars. A very worthwhile upgrade.
Cheers
ToranaGuy
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