I just thought I'd let a few people know about the sort of performance you can expect out of a "budget" build (ie basically standard engined) starlet conversion.

Please excuse the exited email grammar and punctuation, but this is an email I worte earlier today to a mate on this forum:

"Well my friend came by with his 06 FPV V8 pursuit last night and we did a few "runs".
He's got the std "290 kw" V8 with cat back exhaust, so basically all std specs. - 6.1 sec 0-100, 14.5 sec 1/4 mile etc etc

Off the line (standing start) I couldn't keep up because of too much wheel spin (i couldn't hear the mini over his ute), but caught up in 2nd and 3rd then when I changed to 4th (~150) he left me behind.

Rolling start, (40km/hr 2nd gear) I got a (mini) car length in front at the jump and stayed there again until I changed to 4th @ ~150
We tried this about 3-4 times each and it was pretty consistent.

I'm pretty happy at that considering his car cost him 5 times as much as the mini! I just had an extra gear change to contend with compared to the V8.

I am, however, awaiting the arrival of a new exhaust manifold (autobahn 88 stainless jigger off ebay) which should help the top end somewhat, but I also need a boost cut defender because I was getting boost creep through the wastegate which made me hit the boost cut at about 165-170 in 5th.
I've got boost set at 12psi at the moment and the boost cut is 14.5 and the new em won't help the boost creep issue, so I might have to crank up the psi a little. lol

I'm also strongly considering a LSD to try and get more power down, especially out of the corners!


Anyway, pretty happy all in all. I think I just need to learn how to drive the car better!

<motivated yet?!>"

PS: all carried out on "private, quiet roads, out of town" for those who look down on "hoon" behaviour.

_________________
-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

That is very sweet. A lot more motivation to get mine done, and ive just started lol.

You might also be underestimating the improvement you will get out of the new exhaust manifold. With relatively simple mods you will get 140-150hp out of the 4efte.

_________________
But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

That's an interesting comparison!

_________________
"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"

now for the next comparison... find a nice quiet CURVY piece of road and time the start to end runs. I am sure you will find the Mini killing the Ford once you throw some corners into the mix...

Congrats though. Alwasy awesome to read one of the small boys killing the bigger ones.

There are few things in life that would make me feel 10 years old again. I reckon driving an efte mini that fast next to a big, new v8 would be one of the things. Winning in that dragrace would have the 10 year old in me squealing..

/note: the metaphorical 10 year old in me...

_________________
A meerkat is a legitimate unit of measure.

I'll be heading down (across) to perth for a bit of windy road action in the next few weeks if I can pull myself away from work so that will be definitely be a comparison you will hear about!



Tell you the truth, my butt was clenched and I wasn't really breathing much at the time. Afterwards was good though!

I do have to say that there is not too many more impressive situations than a big V8 exhaust note at wide open throttle, fighting tyre squeal right beside you at about 60-80kph through an open mini passenger window... wow!

_________________
-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

AWESOME I LOVE IT


so how much would a budget build cost there abouts. not reagurding like painting the mini etc.. i mean mini is ready to go and get the 4efte and other mods necessary being part of the conversion.

and this 4efte is that standard with turbo , or aftermarket turbo.?
im just curious and


V

_________________
PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

My setup is std toyota 4efte 1.3l DOHC EFI turbo engine with pod filter and stock inlet piping shortened, PWR water to air aftermarket intercooler, Blitz cast iron dump pipe, 2 1/2 inch exhaust with high flow cat and 1x "turbo" muffler (straight through, but with a kink to quieten it a bit) - very basic mods


I fitted all adjustable suspension and spax shocks, and minisport alloy 4 pot brakes, as well as painting the rear of the car and rust repairs, plus seats, dash, gauges and interior mods, tyres etc and came up to about the $12,000 mark.
It took me about 18 months from off the road to registered, bearing in mind I work full time + a fair bit of OT, I think this is pretty quick.

I'd say you could probably get the engine in the car for around the $6,000 mark dependant on how much work you do yourself and how much you get 2nd hand from wreckers etc. As long as the car you start with is how you want to drive it with 3-4 times the power.

_________________
-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

cheers for the mate

_________________
PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

Well the new exhaust manifold is in. I also lagged up the dump pipe and manifold and "dremmelled" the wastegate port a bit, because I was hitting the boost limiter due to the boost creeping up at high load + high rpm.

The initial thoughts are that it sounds better, but I didn't think it had given me that much of a power increase until I saw the speedo. The power feels more linear and torquey down low and I don't feel like I hit a wall high up like I was with the standard manifold.

Definitely happy. I also think its more driveable now. but that might be the stereo I put in. so much for trying to keep it light weight!

The dremmel work also helped the boost creep issue, so now I only have to worry about the rev limiter spoiling the party!

_________________
-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

Sounds great, what is the new manifold like? And where did you get the cast dump pipe from?

Cheers
Madmorrie

The manifold looks pretty good. Its been cleaned up a bit in the ports and the collector by hand with a die grinder or something (how it came) and its got pretty neat tig welds and a nice thick flange. all stainless. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics and its now covered in exhaust wrap.

I got the Blitz cast iron dump pipe from "Turboalfa" on the Austarletclub forum. I believe he has more for sale. He tends to have a wide range of designs and brands from time to time.
My dump pipe is pretty heavy, so bracing to the block is a must, especially if using a stainless manifold, as it makes it a lot of weight hanging off the exhaust manifold!

_________________
-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!