Browner Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 (edited) Well lads this whole project started off with a conversation between a few die hard Starlet enthusiasts in my shed. A few customers were up with their cars getting parts and we got talking about the whole Toyota v Honda scene in Ireland and the rivalry and so on.The conversation soon moved to who had the fastest car, what bhp people were running, big projects being built, what worked and what didn't etc etc.The main problem we spoke of was grip and getting a Starlet off the line compared to a low torque Honda who doesn't have to worry about wheel spin. Even my own 383bhp Glanza suffered from grip problems... A savage untouchable car out on the open road but turbo lag with a big turbo and wheel spin on the launch in a FWD car was always a problem.After much debate we all agreed that 4wd would be unbeatable. I was then asked what would be my Ultimate Starlet if I could build it?Well I would love a 4 wheel drive EP85 in red with a full genuine TOM's kit and built solely for drag racing. No holes barred! I said I didn't want insane horsepower, just manageable horsepower that would be enough to embarrass a few smelly Hondas My ultimate Starlet would be a 4WD replica of the TOM's ep82, with decent horsepower around the 300bhp mark. What more could I want? Power, grip, great looks and very fast turbo spool."With all the parts you can source then why don't you just build it?" they asked. So that was it... The dream was now going to become real! I was set on the road to build The Ultimate Starlet! No expense spared... No shortcuts taken!With the following images for inspiration... I started my task You can see my progress below:I started by picking up this 4 wheel drive ep85. It was original red which was a huge bonus for the TOM's look plus the shell and running gear was excellent! A great base from which to start!I am building this car purely for drag racing, it won't be used as a road car. I would be grateful for any help and advice along the way from any of the 4WD experts on here.Complete spec will be left somewhat vague for now as the racing scene here in Ireland is very competitive. I won't be talking up the car lets just get her built and see how it runs, although I have every faith it will run very well.I have a full genuine Tom's kit here and GT Turbo mouldings kit so eventually it will be getting a full respray in red with this kit but for now I like the sleeper look! First thing is first... The starlet was put on a severe diet plan!I want to lose as much weight as possible so this started with completely stripping the inside of the car. Out came the front seats, back seats, door cards, quarter cards, spare wheel, all interior plastics, roof cloth etc...It was amazing just how much stuff wasn't needed anymore! I want to try and weigh the whole lot to see just how much weight was saved on the car.Out came the complete floor carpet...Any further unwanted nuts, bolts and brackets etc were also removed...Out comes the dash... The clocks will be mounted directly to the crash bar that braces the centre of the carHeater boxes, heater matrix etc all went too!I also removed the interior loom running to the doors and the rear lights as this is no longer needed. Every bit of weight counts! Finally she looked like this!Not a bad start I will further reduce the weight with the angle grinder and a holesaw tomorrow.Engine is coming out tomorrow. My front mount intercooler and piping was sent off to be mirror polished today so when they are back we should be ready to get the beast together Well guys had another hard days battle with the car today Engine is finally out! It was a tight manouvre!We took the engine out separate from the gearbox to see exactly how the forged engine should go back in. We then removed the gearbox and transfer box and split the propshaft halfway along the car.Once the engine and gearbox were removed it was clear to see a lot of chipped paint and marks etc in the bay so I stripped down the lot and arranged to get it painted. It should be nice and fresh once the new engine is in.How that I've decided to paint the engine bay I have decided to paint te inside now also. The outside will be painted at a later date.Over 6kg of thick sound roofing and excess seam sealer was removed from the car. It was a painstakingly slow job with hammers, chisels and flathead screwdrivers lol! More weight gone (muhawhaw!) It started off well and it came up quite easily...Until we got to the niggly small bits which seemed to take forever to chip away at!Chipping away...Driver's side complete...Passenger side complete...Boot well finished...Behind the firewall was a complete and utter pain in the sack to do! It took forever and was very fiddly with the shape of the firewall but eventually I got finished...The car is gone to my mates to get the engine bay and inside sprayed...He started the prep work today so we will have more updates very soon Edited May 4, 2016 by Browner Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sheehy StarletGT Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Ep heaven This will be the tits I can already tell!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gainzy Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Its gunna be nuts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amjad Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 With the number of them you own, I think you can probably take the title of Starlet King Conor haha! Will be watching this thread Quote Link to post Share on other sites
templar2007 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 looking good buddy few nice eps in the bk of tbe photos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TrisK Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Looks good, but please for the love of god dont holesaw an ep85 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlancEP82 Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 will be an animal,be some launch of it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie1st Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Can't wait to see more! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EliteMilk Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Going to be good looks a nice sell to start with anyways .. I miss my 85 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TurboTobz Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 What are them wheels are they excel advan rcii reps I have them on mine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
turbo Grant Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 (edited) It's a race car! You just drill and cuts holes where you like. Can't build a decent car if your scared of making new holes lol. Will be savage when finished! Edited May 22, 2013 by turbo Grant Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Green Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Looking forward to the progress on the Browner! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PaulStarletSR Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Nice...............but i speak on behalf of the ENTIRE forum when i say POST PIX OF THE RED KP PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEEEE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shorty Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Should be mental!! Look forward to where this goes great start mate. Perfect drag weapon too with the shortratio box and 4wd grip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
whitestar Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Nice...............but i speak on behalf of the ENTIRE forum when i say POST PIX OF THE RED KP PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEEEE It's EP71 mate. ;) But I wanna see it too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Browner Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 ^^^ ah you rwouldnt know what you might find in the shed of dreams lol! Had to clear out a fair bit to move the ep85 onto the ramp there's a lot more lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Browner Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 Lots more updates. First post on page one updated Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Foggy Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Where is this angle ginder we spoke of Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Browner Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 Don't you worry Shane she will be out in style Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John GT Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 You have every type of starlet at this stage ha, much done to the silver gt? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Browner Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 John still looking for a good GT Advance and a clean ep71 boxy starlet turbo...Silver gt is bog standard extremely clean car. Was imported as a grade 4.5 only 72,000kms on it. I would hazard a guess it may be the best surviving one in the country the car won't be faulted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
triple j Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 John still looking for a good GT Advance and a clean ep71 boxy starlet turbo... Silver gt is bog standard extremely clean car. Was imported as a grade 4.5 only 72,000kms on it. I would hazard a guess it may be the best surviving one in the country the car won't be faulted might be the best gt in the country but its not the lowest mileage, i got my 92 one at 65000km with full jap service history from the day it came from factory ontill it landed in ireland, love this build by the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vincent-ep91 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 a shiver went up my spine when i read "I will further reduce the weight with the angle grinder and a holesaw tomorrow." oh no... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Browner Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 I'm gonna cut the roof off fuck it lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Browner Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 Triple j that's nice mileage What's on the clocks now? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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