This is my first full rebuild project, i got a 1980 corolla te72 for $175 from the local auto lot to save it from getting scrapped. It's got a RWD 1.8L 3tc under the hood which was the selling point for me. Anyone and everyone that's seen it has said the same basic statement: "rolling terd" is my fav. That is what i want them to think, so i chose wisely for a sleeper. I'm planning around 350hp in a Turbo'ed EFI conversion.

Update 1-11-09

     Block has been line-honed for new bearings and is getting the cylinders honed as I type (well not 8pm on sun but you know what I mean) I found a guy to do the head and need to drop it off sometime. I'm starting to play around with a 3d modeling program to build an aluminum sheet-metal intake manifold, cut out the pieces, and have someone weld them together. I'll post pics of the 3d stuff asap

Update 12-20-08

     Our rear end (a ford 8.8" out of a 98 explorer) is done having the housing modified, now all we need is to pick it up, Get new axles (at least 1 because it was shortened), and bolt it up. The valvetrain has been here for a while but  we're still trying to find someone who can do it right before we let em have at it.

Update 10-19-08

     I've got the shipping/tracking number on the valvetrain and it should be in by tuesday (21st) so i'm excited. I'm making plans of building the ford 8.8 or 9 rear end for it so we can at least move the car around.

Summary: Engine almost physically complete

Update 10-3-08

     Once again it's that time of a build that takes more time than anything else...yep, waiting for parts. The block is getting bored out for the new pistons, the heads are getting cleaned and prepped for the new valvetrain with 42mm EXH, 38.5mm INT, double springs, Ti retainers, And a stage 3 turbo cam. Port/polishing and assembly must now wait for the parts to get in.

Summary: Making powertrain headway

This is the car on the day i brought (towed) it home

And again from the front

Under the hood is a vacuum/sensor-wire nightmare on the 2bbl intake manifold.

I got started on retroing the exterior by removing the bump guards and lame, half-eroded pinstripes.

1 of the taillight lenses was gone and the other was cracked, I am custom making new lenses with plexiglass.

New low-comp. (8:1) turbo pistons and wrist pins from Wiseco