aquascrotum

The brother and I run an EP91 that we use for night nav rallys and short stage clubman rallies, think theres a thread on it over in the "Members Rides" section (brother is navrallystarlet). The rear shocks are kaput so we're looking at an upgrade when replacing. Ideally we need to gain an inch or so in ride height over standard. Coilovers etc simply isnt an option, we're in this branch of motorsport for a bit of cheap fun, spending £650 on suspension for a £360 car is a non-starter. So following a few questions elsewhere we're steering down the road of KYB Excel-G gas shocks all round to start, with the possibility of adding Tein springs (would really like the part number for these) which a few users have reported sit a bit higher than standard. We're also looking a the possibility of using coil spring spacers to increase ride height. So in short, has anyone else used spring spacers, if so how reliable are they, do they have an effect on handling (good or bad)? We need ride height for clearance over rough terrain but can't afford to turn the car into a dog at the same time. All input appreciated!!!

Lol...nav rallies that make the car look like this... Dirt tracks, grass in the middle of the road + bloody great hidden boulders in the middle of it! Am just about to start work on making some form of sump guard - at the end of the day if the ARB can take an occasional thump then theres no issue.

Last question (thanks for patience) - is a 5efe Paseo exhaust and manifold (standard) higher performance / larger diameter than my sportif peashooter, and more important - would it fit?

Those Blitz systems are worth about twice the value of my car!... So is the moral of the story that there are no Toyota OEM exhaust performance upgrades for the basic na cars, without going for 3rd party merchandise?

Thnking about fitting a whiteline fixed (non adjustable) rear anti roll bar - am just a bit concerned that all the pictures I've seen so far the main cross member seems to hang significantly lower than the hub crossmember. Has anyone any experience or close up photos in terms of how much lower they hang, and how well do they stand up to a bit of a clout from a pothole?

Cheers for the replies folks. Are there any off the peg n/a exhaust upgrades? What can I expect to pay for one, or do they come up regularly 2nd hand?

Just a quick query - I have a EP91 Sportif that I use for navigation rallies...she's running sweet as a nut but we're trying to eek out a few bhp without going to too much expense (already fitted bugeye corolla inlet manifold). I'm eyeing the exhaust and inlet and was wondering was the standard SR exhaust (described as "sports exhaust" in the official starlet merchandising guff afaik) much of a performance upgrade on the standard Sportif peashooter? What are my alternatives in terms of getting a bit more poke and a little bit of an exhaust note? Do standard glanza exhausts fit?

I have a 97 EP91 Sportif, bog standard. I picked up an OEM front strut brace, but when I try to fit it, it fouls against what I'm presuming is part of the fuel injection system thats mounted on the bulkhead immediately behind the airbox. When I compare photos of other engine bays the component my strut fouls on doesn't seem to be present - but the component is definitely on an original OEM bracket. See photos below...has anyone come across this before or whats the feeling on what I should do to all the brace to be fitted?

Interesting!! Are the manifold and throttle bodies a bolt on upgrade or would I need to change the ECU etc to take advantage of it?

Just a quick question - I've had a call about an EP82 N/A jap import thats being broken down the way from me - I have an N/A EP91. Are there any tuney bits on the standard jap imports that weren't seen on UK cars? Cheers Kyle

These? http://www.monstermotorsport.com/cgi-bin/t...d/100/index.htm Sorry those are brutal imo - as I said, i'm tryin to avoid something that looks like a binbag draped over the seat. Need something a wee bit fitted. Think I might have found something to do the job in Argos...

Just a quick question - can anyone recommend a decent seat cover that looks reasonably fitted (ie doesnt look like a binbag draped over the seat) for standard EP91 sportif seats (fronts only)? Preferably cheap as chips too if thats not too much to ask! Cheers

Just to update this for the craic.... Work to date (mostly courtesy of navrallystarlet): New radiator New radiator cap (don't ask) Lots of time spent re-tapping and boring sheared bolts round the front end and all bumper bolts because these cars apparently arent designed to take apart (presumably because they don't break) New pads on the front, brakes serviced and bled all round. Set of 14" Mk1 MR2 pepper pot alloys with some Yoko rubber Set of twin 7" spot lamps on custom brackets - just slightly over engineered in 5mm plate steel to the point that they could probably be used as towing eyes. Rear seats mostly removed, 2 4 point harnesses sourced. Still to come: Either bucket seats or a set of decent seat covers, dependant on price and whats available. Possibly a new exhaust - standard or otherwise. Does anyone in NI have a spare middle section and back box lying about?? Front strut brace. Dash to be customised to suit mounting of rallying timing clocks, rally odometer, map reading flexi lamp and map reading poti magnifier 12v feeds and switches. Might go the whole hog and put a starter button and emergency kill-switch on for the laugh. Possibly some stiffer springs or a custom built sump guard. Some minor bodywork to dress up an existing repair to the passenger side sill. Photos (she's not a looker and ignore the greasy hand prints)....

Hi all Just a quick question - can any other standard 1300 EP91 drivers tell me how long it takes their car to go from a cold start to normal temperature? We bought a Sportif that overheated when it was thrashed - the radiator was in bits so we replaced it. With the new rad in we seems to have sorted the overheating problem but the thermostat gauge is showing the car going from stone cold to normal temp in a matter of maybe 2-3 minutes sitting at idle. So basically, is this normal?? Cheers

Cheers for the welcome, pics to follow shortly.....she's not much to look at! Dodgy metallic turquoise green with a few choice bumps, but for £340 its hard to go wrong... Where do I find a what parts the traders stock? Found the GBR sub forum but can find no mention of a radiator. I'd looked up fleabay but am always reluctant to shell out biggish money on stuff that I don't know the background on...any advice or experience on using the likes of http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-STARLET-1-3-1...92?cmd=ViewItem pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item439f8f6ffc? I think we'll need a sump sooner rather than later, we're going to attack the current one with a screwdriver shortly to test its soundness - the chances of it going pop are quite high so it'll be off to the local-ish jap car breaker. Would a Corolla 4EFE sump fit? Or an older (93/94) Starlet sump? On the car...its a nice runner, we think theres possibly an air leak which is making it run a bit lean and develops a slight stutter at high revs after its been thrashed and the temperature goes up (because of the fooked radiator)....so that leaves a good chance to put on a Corolla inlet manifold as we try and find the leak and replace gaskets. On another query, theres a blank electrical fitting hanging around the front bumper that seems to be related to the headlight loom - did Toyota leave the loom in for the optional front fog lights? this would be dead handy if it is, means we can wire the spotlights in tidily. So much to do, so little money to do it with.....if this all needs to go on another forum let me know...

Hi all...just bought a 98 1.3 Sportif with 105k on the clock. The intention is to use it as a night navigation rally car, and so far it hasn't disappointed - nice and revvy, 2nd & 3rd gears pretty close and quite short, so it looks like she's got all the credentials. First project is to get her past the MOT again - theres not much to worry about except maybe sourcing some parts. The radiator internal fins are in flitters so first project is a new rad....wheres the best place to source OEM standard parts? Also looks like the sump is badly corroded so might need to source one of those too. Once we have her road legal the motorsport modifications will begin.....all and any advice appreciated