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Home > Toyota > Starlet > 1981 > David's Toyota Starlet

Vehicle Owner

Member ID: TRDKP61

Location: CHICAGO, Illinois

Vehicle Info

1981 Toyota Starlet

Major Upgrades

  • turbo
  • extrude-honed
  • port and polish
  • bore-increase

Ratings

    • Currently 4/5 Stars.
    • Currently 4/5 Stars.
    • Currently 4/5 Stars.
    • Currently 4/5 Stars.
    • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
    • Currently 4/5 Stars.

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Last updated: Feb 19, 2008

Hits: 78,701

David’s Toyota Starlet:
“Pepsi Paloma”

  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
102 guestbook comments

Registration...
I already got my Antique registration and I can do anything now with my engine without worrying about SMOG/EMISSIONS violation. Will I do an engine swap? answer is: NO. I want my setup to be unique than just an ordinary engine swap. I would go with the swap for practicallity and sane reasons but because I already gathered and spent so much aftermarket parts for my K-series engine logic dictates that I use what I have. I plan to squeeze every juice it can muster on my K without detonating it.

Engine...
I will be venturing into uncharted territory here when it comes to engine modification I am conceptualizing. Extensive research, good tuning and aggresive aftermarket parts hunting will be needed to make this happen, I'll be integrating a newer system (EFI), a turbo and proven old TRD spec modification, this has been done in Starlets in the past but no one has integrated all of the things I've mentioned. As soon as I finish my research I plan to 1) change my carbs settings to EFI (finally decided) 2) Use DCOE type Individual throttle bodies

TRDKP61's 1981 Toyota Starlet CHICAGO, IL Customized with TRD Engine Comps., Cusco Strut Bars, Wilwood Brakes, TRD Transmission, TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, Motec Engine Electronics, HKS Exhaust, TRD Header, TRD Intake, Compomotive Wheels, Sparco Pedals, TRD Gauges, Pirelli Tires, TRD Body Kit, TRD Shift Knob, TRD Steering Wheel, PIAA Lighting, Pioneer Speakers, Recaro Seats, MSD Ignition - 48expand
, I'll be using my TRD twinside manifold originally meant for twin carbs
TRDKP61's 1981 Toyota Starlet CHICAGO, IL Customized with TRD Engine Comps., Cusco Strut Bars, Wilwood Brakes, TRD Transmission, TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, Motec Engine Electronics, HKS Exhaust, TRD Header, TRD Intake, Compomotive Wheels, Sparco Pedals, TRD Gauges, Pirelli Tires, TRD Body Kit, TRD Shift Knob, TRD Steering Wheel, PIAA Lighting, Pioneer Speakers, Recaro Seats, MSD Ignition - 90expand
3) Replace the ITB's trumpets with an airbox (if needed more velocity I will integrate the trumpets but I don't believe there will be a need for it since I will be using force induction)to integrate my HKS turbo kit with an intercooler in between. I'll be getting my tubings from Vibrant Motorsports, they supply charge pipes for the custom do it yourself turbo installations.
TRDKP61's 1981 Toyota Starlet CHICAGO, IL Customized with TRD Engine Comps., Cusco Strut Bars, Wilwood Brakes, TRD Transmission, TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, Motec Engine Electronics, HKS Exhaust, TRD Header, TRD Intake, Compomotive Wheels, Sparco Pedals, TRD Gauges, Pirelli Tires, TRD Body Kit, TRD Shift Knob, TRD Steering Wheel, PIAA Lighting, Pioneer Speakers, Recaro Seats, MSD Ignition - 49expand
TRDKP61's 1981 Toyota Starlet CHICAGO, IL Customized with TRD Engine Comps., Cusco Strut Bars, Wilwood Brakes, TRD Transmission, TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, Motec Engine Electronics, HKS Exhaust, TRD Header, TRD Intake, Compomotive Wheels, Sparco Pedals, TRD Gauges, Pirelli Tires, TRD Body Kit, TRD Shift Knob, TRD Steering Wheel, PIAA Lighting, Pioneer Speakers, Recaro Seats, MSD Ignition - 53expand
I also plan in integrating a TRD upright kit as part of my long term plan in modifying my car. This would make my engine tilt to an upright angle to achieve better velocity feed and create more efficiency in oil circulation. This will be the last part after I have done the conversion.
So far I don't have the parts mentioned yet except the turbo kit. This endeavor is not cheap to begin with so before I take the plunge in spending time, money and effort for it I have to be double sure, there are still so many things to do with my car, how I wish I have the ability to make it happen with a snap of a finger.....I'll update you guys more about the development of this project at a later date...back to the books.

Suspension...
I already replaced my rear shocks and springs a few months ago with a set of 8 way TRD adjustables and a nice pair of TOM'S rear springs 3.8kg it lowered the rear to a good 4", clicked the settings to #4 from #5(still too hard for daily driving) It's like sitting on a jackhammer as I drove it. I can feel like my nipples parting out of my chest haha. Anyway I'll set it to #1 for now. I noticed the night frove it a lot of drivers has been cursing me as I take my car for a spin. Since I haven't upgraded the front suspension yet, I later realized that my car's front is facing upwards that my headlights are blinding every driver I come to cross with or follow. I adjusted my headlights accordingly. I am getting ready to upgrade my front shocks, springs and other suspension add on soon. I don't know for now if I would still need a bump steer spacer (RCA) after I lower the front of my car. Here's a few pics of what I am about to install.

Brand new: TRD Gas non-adjustable shocks, Eibach 3.8kg springs, GC coilover, T3 adjustable camber plates

TRDKP61's 1981 Toyota Starlet CHICAGO, IL Customized with TRD Engine Comps., Cusco Strut Bars, Wilwood Brakes, TRD Transmission, TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, Motec Engine Electronics, HKS Exhaust, TRD Header, TRD Intake, Compomotive Wheels, Sparco Pedals, TRD Gauges, Pirelli Tires, TRD Body Kit, TRD Shift Knob, TRD Steering Wheel, PIAA Lighting, Pioneer Speakers, Recaro Seats, MSD Ignition - 54expand
TRDKP61's 1981 Toyota Starlet CHICAGO, IL Customized with TRD Engine Comps., Cusco Strut Bars, Wilwood Brakes, TRD Transmission, TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, Motec Engine Electronics, HKS Exhaust, TRD Header, TRD Intake, Compomotive Wheels, Sparco Pedals, TRD Gauges, Pirelli Tires, TRD Body Kit, TRD Shift Knob, TRD Steering Wheel, PIAA Lighting, Pioneer Speakers, Recaro Seats, MSD Ignition - 55expand
TRDKP61's 1981 Toyota Starlet CHICAGO, IL Customized with TRD Engine Comps., Cusco Strut Bars, Wilwood Brakes, TRD Transmission, TRD Springs, TRD Shocks, Motec Engine Electronics, HKS Exhaust, TRD Header, TRD Intake, Compomotive Wheels, Sparco Pedals, TRD Gauges, Pirelli Tires, TRD Body Kit, TRD Shift Knob, TRD Steering Wheel, PIAA Lighting, Pioneer Speakers, Recaro Seats, MSD Ignition - 56expand

I will also be installing the Cusco front strut tower bar later on.

Bumpers

I tried to do some mock fitting to my front chrome bumpers and to my surprise the mounting holes of the USDM Starlets is different from JDM Starlets. The JDM brackets mounts to the side whereas the USDM brackets mount to the floor of the chasis bar. I will have to bore the mounting hole to the side from the inner fender, precise measurements will be needed. The signal lights connector are also different from one another. I will just have to cut the connector from the JDM lights and use the one from the USDM and make an extra connection for the park light (for two lens [clear and amber] type bumper lights).

Brakes

I am currently in talks with Wilwood to do a custom front big brakes kit with 4 piston calipers and disk brakes conversion kit with 2 piston calipers and park brake option for the Starlet. Price is not as high as T3's AE86 Wilwood big brake kit. Currently it's on the development stage right now. I'll be posting pictures as soon as it comes out.

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: TRDKP61

Location: CHICAGO, Illinois