Building a 1977 Toyota Celica For Driving Pleasure (ITB EARGASM ALERT)

[@EstorilE36M345]

Those custom wheels look amazing. Absolutely perfect

[@projectseventy9673]

Dave, these engines are notorious for the VVTi solenoid assemblies going bad over time. It'll be completely obvious when they fail (engine bogs down and will not rev), but the issue you are having on the dyno may be a sign of them being on their way out. Connie looks amazing, keep up the great work you two.

[@carlosr157]

Which engine shares the same VVTi solenoid to be able to pickup locally? I imported an Altezza RS200Z into the states.

[@aDaWaN]

@@carlosr157 I checked the parts catalog and they are unique to the 3S-GE engine. Part numbers are 15330-74031 (intake) and 15330-74041 (exhaust)

[@forerealz]

I had a white 1976 Celica GT for about a year when I lived in Washington. Any video featuring Connie makes me ache with remorse for selling it. Connie is the reason I first discovered your channel. You guys are the only ones I've seen building this lovely old school JDM muscle car.

[@ftovr2957]

If you're after a quick hit, Papadakis did a similar rebuild, but the format is more condensed

[@tackac7815]

Check out Sarah n tuned, doing a 70s celica build with a 2000s tundra v8

[@wurly1]

​​@@tackac7815yup, she does builds that are as high quality and attention to details, as these guys. I'd genuinely love to see her bring hers up to see these guys and they each drive each others Celica builds back-back on the road and track and compare them (she does such good car reviews, it would be great to see her do one on Connie! 😁 ) Please make it happen, Pete and DP? 🙌

[@paulwade5853]

I can relate to this build so much! I stripped out my S2k last year, and made it more track spec, and while it's loud as heck (I have a similar loud diff issue, saving for a puddymod diff atm), and kinda ruined as a street car.....none of it matters when you get on it! It's so raw and visceral, and just alive, I wouldn't have it any other way!

[@paulwade5853]

btw, the old ass2k vids are what first brought me here some 10 odd years ago, have watched almost every vid you've put out since. Love the no nonsense, humble, and informative content you guys put out!

[@xozindustries7451]

Great build, I’m glad you’re putting in the extra effort to get it sorted out

[@PANTYEATR1]

At 4:41 - to make the gauge fit perfectly, find a plastic tube or pipe that matches the gauge housing. warm the panel (with a heat gun) up enough that it will soften the plastic, then push in the plastic tube. Let cool, then see how good the Link gauge fits. Sweet old school car🏆💪

[@intrepidrouge]

This is definitely your coolest car! Make sure it keeps popping up and doesn't become a stranger to the show. Love it.

[@frankalarcon635]

Man, you guys build some nice cars and this Celica is no different. Such a nostalgic shape and with the wheels and guard extensions and the stance it really looks the part.

[@rob5631]

Great way to start off a Saturday morning! Back in '78, I cut the grass for one of my teachers who had a Celica GT. She would rip that thing through all the gears flying down back roads on the way to her house. Really helped fuel my life-long love for smaller cars with manual transmissions. Great video as always! Keep them coming...

[@chrishuyler3580]

Sounds like you had it made, and were hot for teacher.

[@rob5631]

@@chrishuyler3580 not exactly, let's just say we both batted for the same team.

[@clearcorners]

Excellent job, the car looks and sounds incredible. Its a work of art. Enjoy it in good health! - Mike

[@Kroberter]

I love Connie and I love Speed Academy. What a blessing to be able to feel that vehicle’s aura through this little screen and some headphones. Thank you

[@tragicnomadic]

Always a joy to see her! Even made guest appearance in a Savage geese video with annex. Such a gentlemanly car that isn't a 911 or a Datsun z

[@ae86owner94]

So cool you noticed that. -Grant

[@tragicnomadic]

@@ae86owner94 I was looking at the 3D visual they had and was like wait a minute. thats not a corolla. and as I got looking i noticed at the very least it looked very late 70s/early 80s suspension like on a datsun. then i paused and saw the file name as connie

[@ae86owner94]

@@tragicnomadic lol didn’t realize the file name was showing haha

[@chrisgundersen1117]

The design of that car it’s just such a pretty car! Mini muscle car from Japan I love it. Good job guys.!!

[@hifiandmtb]

Connie has turned out absolutely amazing. Love everything about it!

[@danielcaldera6075]

Love the aggressive look you went with this Celica. You sir have excellent taste, thank you for this build series

[@BCJDM]

What Dave needs for his trunk gas tank set-up is a nice custom leather trunk mat that unfolds from the inside to catch any fuel drips or spills. A lot of old Porsches have that small leather cover attached to the fuel neck filler meant for that purpose

[@Ochoduckie]

My uncle had a ‘77 Celica GT when he first moved from Lebanon in 1989. One of the best looking JDM cars then, and Connie’s on a whole new level of awesome.

[@brokensmilephoto]

That wheel tire combo is perfect. The sound of that car is perfect. I absolutely love the first gen Celicas. Back when Toyota wasn't shy about ripping off American styling, and just improving it so much.

[@lindsaylavallee5012]

She’s a beauty !! Hands down the best looking version of all Celica’s, you have to be be soooo happy !!

[@Kojtxiv5555]

I have a 76 coupe I need to get back on the road. Beautiful build.

[@piotrek4000]

Awesome content, no one else is building old school Celicas on KZbin, keep it up!

[@dbeckMSP]

You should check out Sarah-n-tuned, she’s been building a v8 one for almost 2 years now. It’s pretty sweet!

[@jockedacke]

The wheels and tries are spot on!

[@fuwafuwarowatari]

just got my own RA24 project, love this series on Connie!

[@ohthatvolvoguy6551]

Guys love these episodes. Connie is one really nice car. She sounds amazing. 200 whp without a doubt will be very soon. Miss Those hills and ridge rd, being I live in the falls now. Can't wait to see what's next for her. Keep up the great builds guys, can't wait till next week.

[@theo.k]

What a project ! 💗 I still remember you hooking up the trailer to the MDX to get Connie. That's close to 9 years ago !

[@nickadkins7765]

Man I love this Celica sooo much! Looks amazing and sounds amazing as well

[@jacoblacroix9024]

Great job guys ! She sounds strong and healthy! Love to see her in the 200 range in power ! Great video keep up the great videos

[@bigmattolly4910]

Always love the updates on this beast 🔥🔥 I’ve seen people glue the gauge up in behind (to the face) to mount them with OEM look

[@gotmesom]

I am in LOVE with this car. The only thing I'd do since you're keeping it NA and a 4cyl is go with a lower rear gear so it accelerates faster and can overcome the bigger wheel/tire combo in the rear, other than that THIS CAR IS PERFECT.

[@xavru4142]

Looks and sounds great gentlemen! I have a 84 Corolla hatchback and I can’t wait to get it in better shape. I’m going to build into more of a daily driver spec. I can’t wait. Maybe I’ll see you guys at a Toyota or Old school JDM meet

[@panicwire]

The wheels are so good now. 10/10

[@CiottiFPV]

This is when cars become art

[@guillermoyelamo5816]

Im in love with Connie Celica. Don’t get jealous Dave 😂❤

[@CrazyCat229]

Car is looking so good. Loving it!

[@BylbashGarage]

Y’all need to come south, and hang out in the smokies (tail of the dragon area) for some vacation and tons of amazing driving.

[@jamigreen4640]

The first car I can remember my father having was a 77 Celica GT… It was the first car I ever drove (really I just steered while sitting on pop’s lap). Definitely the source of my love for Japanese cars of the 80’s and 90’s, as I grew older.

[@antoinecouturier10]

Great music type at the beginning and the end of the video 👌 would definitely enjoy hearing more of that with your videos

[@aroundomaha]

That is one bad @ss Celica. Love the beefier tire fitment, wheel flair, white paint; all of it. A work of art guys.

[@michaelr5545]

Don't make us wait!!! Id love a dyno update before moving onto additional mods

[@dbeckMSP]

It’d be so cool to see you guys and Sarah-n-tuned do a collab with your old celicas. Totally different approaches but using modern OEM engines

[@BrewedMotorsports]

Just can’t go wrong with the body lines on these sexy Toyota’s! ❤

[@VoxVirtus86]

Congrats, you've really built something special!

[@colinbrunt]

Dave, come take her out to Atlantic Motorsport Park here in Nova Scotia, we'd love to see you out here on lapping days starting in may!

[@StormHawksHD]

This just makes me wanna get my 1st gen 3sge swapped 3rd gen celica going properly again.

[@grembal.]

It's been great seeing Connie coming together through the years, you guys put a lot of care into this one and it shows! PS. Any plans to head to Toyotafest/JCCS in the future? 😁

[@Dots4knots20]

The sound of the itbs are just so spicy.

[@admiralbutterscotch5147]

Time for the toda cams next.

[@genzigzag]

Great work guys! I had a 76 280z when i was younger, but i always wanted a Celica. It was the Japanese Camaro.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

They made good noises as secondhand 'first car' rides in the late '80's and early '90's. Seeing how well this one goes, gonna be hella amusing seeing how Sarah-n-Tuned's UZ swapped one will do.

[@my4cars528]

Sounds amazing! Nice work.

[@titiwin25]

The wheels are so beautiful !!!! 🤤

[@yosvi85]

Amazing work guys!! You should call out SarahnTune with her 74 V8 Celica!!

[@TNSAOD]

I love it, I have been building most of my cars like this for a while. Boarder line street car.

[@allenm6326]

See next year Connie. I joined the channel back in the day in the early stages of her build. She made subscribe to your channel

[@kseries20-24only]

@Speed Academy Congrats, you knocked it out of the park, this car is sooooooo sick, please call a doctor 😆🤣

[@gregparr8448]

Usually dislike the wide fender flares but the celica looks so clean with them. Awesome job 👍

[@algeniscorrea187]

Love that thing looks and sounds sick

[@jpwilliams5264]

Looks absolutely incredible! Much prefer these wheels

[@comfort_in_discomfort]

That digital gage didn't get the Bad Obsession treatment. But still great!

[@timwise6876]

Old School is COOL Awesome sounding beast !!!

[@reclaimer429fishing]

200 to the wheels is very fun to drive and people that have never put anything on the dyno before have no idea how great 200 to the wheels feels. People think my car makes 230hp is a lot well that’s about 200 to the wheels on a chassis dyno depending on manual/auto. My 1990 lx 5.0l 5spd made 200hp to the wheels and hit a top speed around 160mph.

[@josephmatuszak3855]

It's a bit of an art/talent to tune the size and length of the ITB to get the best response and power. It's sooooo easy to have the runners too short and the intake too big.

[@87fxgts]

The ITB's make me miss my FX-16 GTS Silvertop swap, with the blacktop ITB's.😢

[@Big_Mike_Muniz]

For the fuel cell in the trunk. You can convert to a 71' flip down fuel door so your car run the fuel neck to the fuel cell.

[@Falcon5ive]

That yellow pipe of the Jerry can is bendable to adapt to your pour situation, next time bend it into the funnel, then tilt the jerrycan.

[@hahaha12345678993]

it does make the right noises and it looks banger

[@elliottb7009]

for the fuel filler neck maybe you could extend it up the corner of the boot behind the tail lights or center garnish and make a cup it sits in to capture spills and drains onto the floor. hose through the boot floor. maybe the cam phaser needs to be replaced.

[@PedroFTeixeira]

Those wheels are going to cook the brakes! The design of the old one was a better, but the new fitment is nice.

[@OOG2023]

I love it with all my heart.

[@origamipostit]

I think at 13:20 would be a great shot from the outside. Like a tripod shot of a couple passes would look so sick. Maybe one of you guys could stand outside for a couple shots please? 🙏

[@UnratedRetribution]

That should be the road you use for all future test drives.

[@Mike.1886]

Sounds beautiful

[@initialspeed]

The car looks real good.

[@TML34]

When you need a “smoothing factor” of 5 on the dyno, that’s not good. But you’ll get it, DP!

[@ashwb1]

Ok KZbin algorithm.. Sarah n Tuned Celica and this awesome car!

[@ricepony33]

You can just feel this build is so challenging for Dave and all of us have taken a car just a little too far.

[@1970ronin]

had the same sort of issue ran out of room for gauges and ended up deleting the ashtray

[@mrgrumpy5116]

they were supercars, .. on dry tarmac and a set of Michelins they would stick like you couldn't imagine, I would say it was as good as my Audi Quattro voted car of the year, they were a really special driving experience.

[@NerdsonDirtMTB]

Oh man I had a green 77 GT way back when I was a kid (my first car) I did not appreciate it like I would now.

[@marcusfulbright3876]

She sounds really good

[@feelthatfeelthat]

Love it. Enjoy it in good health, Dave! Pete, what's your equivalent Connie?

[@GleepGlop2]

He has an older 911.

[@XthawagonX]

Dave, I'm probably the only person that understands what your shirt is all about😂

[@panicwire]

Right there with ya :D

[@indyrock8148]

That sound 👌

[@friguy4444]

I LOVE the car SO MUCH!! Seriously one of my very favorite cars EVER! So good looking and rear wheel drive. Weighs nothing handles like a go cart! LOVE IT!! I personally would like to put the BMW S54 Straight 6 cylinder Race derived engine from the E46 M3 into one of those!!!! Along with the 6 speed trans the LSD diff!!.....OH ME!!! LOL. Seriously WHAT a project THAT would be!! People would LOVE it or go NUTS that it wasn't the E30 Coupe . Which people say is the greatest engine chassis combination EVER. But I think if a guy did the 73-77 Celica with that drive Train it would bow it out of the water. IMHO. LOL. Man yea! The sad part of it for me is that I HAVE the whole Drive Train Already! But I can't get hold of a 73-77 Celica body. Or even an E30 for that matter. Sigh....

[@JonathanNichollsjono]

I kinda want to see vintage style white lettering on those tyres at 8:02 😅

[@piero2611]

Epic car that I'd have in a heartbeat! However, the filler neck would be straight back on !!

[@JonBonazza]

they also make this gauge for haltech and it runs off pf their CAN system so super easy install

[@Skiridr22]

She’s a beauty 😎 those wheels makes it look mean.

[@Genno1012]

Some black vinyl graphics on conny would look good maybe racing strip or something else on the rear quarters

[@viveklego]

6:50 A fluid transfer pump would be convenient here. I got one for 12 bucks at HF

[@alexknightwrc]

Sounds great. Like a 2ZZ on lift.

[@CraaaigV302]

Wow music to my ears 👂 🤤🤤😅

[@ShahSelbe]

God what a beautiful car.

[@CorruptedPlist]

Get one of those VP racing Jerry cans

[@chrishuyler3580]

Seems like you still want it to be a track car. It's a tough decision to make, and I'm stuck in the same place with my Rx7. It's got a snappy transmission, short rear end, ITBs and EFI upgrades...but I deleted the A/C, the speedometer doesn't work, and there are a bunch of other little things I need to address to make it a good street car, or I need to cage it, harness it, and strip the interior to make it a quicker track car.

[@michaelbradley7529]

50 more HP and its performance will match its sound. A small turbo/intercooler would do the trick and also tame the exhaust noise just a bit.

[@JDMJDK]

Oh my goodness. 👌🏼🏁

[@assassin72]

Beamsy is so perfect...

[@wowser2009]

Totally love the car … however not sure about the wheels. They look “goodish” but if it’s for doing some track work, then they’re too heavy and no ventilation for brake cooling. If you could have similar look that were lighter and attracted some air flow … now that’d be appealing

[@faithnomore616]

Hey, a wild moose sighting!!