Login to Add FriendModifications
Performance Parts
- TRD Intake
- TRD Header
- HKS Exhaust
- TRD Engine Comps.
- MSD Ignition
- Motec Engine Electronics
- TRD Shocks
- TRD Springs
- Cusco Strut Bars
- Wilwood Brakes
- TRD Transmission
Car Audio & Video
Interior
Exterior Styling
09/13/2007 New For Sale Section look at my Starlet parts on Page 10!!!!!!!
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To all guests and members, first of all I want to thank you for visiting my site. If you find my car worthy of your praise and find this very informative please find time to rate it fairly. I would appreciate if you would leave some comments and suggestions in my guest book. To all that have given me the vote of approval, I appreciate it so much and let you know that you have humbled me/ Happy viewing...thanks.
David Puzon (TRDKP61)
CURRENT LOOK 06/20/2006 THIRD PHASE OF ITS NEW LOOK WILL BE ARRIVING SOON...WATCH FOR IT
Hello car lovers, here's my old school 1981 Toyota Starlet. I bought this fresh baby on September 2004 with a Carfax certified 81K miles, So far only 3K miles (as of 12/20/05) has been logged into this car since I bought it. As you can see in the pictures it still has some shine in its original paint.
PASSENGER SIDE
DRIVER SIDE
REAR SIDE
Why did I choose this kind of car? What makes this car so special? Ever since I was in my teens I already saw the potential of this car in my native country the Philippines. The KP61 Starlet has been raced in most type of racing from autocross, slalom, track, gymkhana, drag and rally.
Now my reasons why. First, its weight, standard weight is only (1720lbs ref: USDM Starlet brochure 1981, 1680 lbs for Worldwide Starlets with lighter metal bumpers)which is lighter than a bare Lotus Elise. With the standard hemi 2K/3K/4K, the engine's power is ample but has more to be desired. On the other hand, can you imagine swapping a potent engine to this lightweight car is = to AGILITY & SPEED . Secondly, its engine bay can stuff a wide array of engines from rotaries, 4 cylinders, 6 cylinders and 8 cylinders to my bewilderment! Here are prime examples to what kinds of engines that are installed in these awesome Starlets.
4AGE from my best friend Jon
Third, it is REAR WHEEL DRIVE! and there is no need to explain why. How many new small cars do you see roaming the streets in a rear wheel drive configuration these days that is not a roadster? I don't know in some other countries but here in the USA...NIL...NADA...ZILCH
Based on my observation the beloved Starlet has its own identity, concept and platform depending on geography and culture. Latinos use the starlet for drag, Most Europeans use the rally platform, Aussies and New Zealanders like to use the Starlets on track, Asians love to dress up the starlets with gusto to JDM look/specs some like to race them on (Filipinos)slaloms, track, auto-x and (Japanese)gymkhanas. Prolly I am just a Starlet freak that by just by looking at a dressed up Starlet I would fairly be able to identify the owner's race. You noticed I didn't mention the word "DRIFT" and you know why? The Starlet has a short wheel base, don't get me wrong you can still do powerslides with it but it will be very difficult to do it in long durations. You will need a longer wheelbase and as much as possible have a 50/50 distribution weight ratio such as the AE86. Having a short wheelbase and a RWD configuration it was meant to bite the pavement on every curves like going on RAILS!
Come with me and you'll soon see how I transform my Starlet to what concept I have envisioned for, share my researches, my angst, my mistakes and successes and other things in relation to this car. I urge you to visit my site from time to time and see how it develops.
As of now, I'll be accumulating parts as I go by and chronicle everything there is for my Starlet.
It took me some time to decide what to do with my car. What engine to swap (3TC, 4AGE/ZE (supercharged)/TE (turbo), 2RZ, or 3SGTE). What type of aero package to put (TRD N2 wide flares, TRD N1 bubble flares). I am so greedy I want everything hehehe. Giving so much thought, I decided to just go with a Street (98%)/Track setup (2%), I want to cruise my car on a nice weekend and do occasional track. I have to forego any swap for now until I change my registration to Antique plates to be smog/emissions exempt. Why build a car if you can't drive it because of smog issues? in my humble opinion it is kinda ridiculous, unless you want a permanent space hogging relic in your garage.
In as much as I wanted to go with the wide flares in which I already have two sets
I also decided not to install it due to the fact that my car's body is in pristine condition, punching holes to my car's body to put dzu fasteners and rivets just horrifies me, moreover all wheel wells has to be cut, welded, grinded and repainted in order to make the flares fit. It still baffles me why TRD did not design such flares with just a simple bolt on.
I will be starting with the suspension first, body paint second, accessories and interior third and the engine build up or swap and drivetrain will be last.
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