Reinventing my car...

[steveox]

Well I'm a few months into my project... It's been a while since I've posted on AT so I figured this is a good way to get me back into it. The car is a 2004 toyota matrix xrs - 1.8l 180hp base engine (same as celica gts and corolla xrs). Roughly 40-41k on the odometer.

Currently in the process of turbocharging, sound deadening, and adding a carPC.

Already added a TWM Shortshifter, JDM Spyder LSD, and ACT XT-SS Clutch.

The turbo is a Garrett GT28RS, custom intercooler piping, custom intercooler, custom downpipe, custom exhaust, larger injectors.

We're keeping it sleeper style, the IC is going to be painted flat black and we decided to make a custom dash as opposed to making a gauge pod for the a-pillar so it won't stand out as much while i'm driving... You can see the progress we have made for that so far. It's not completed yet but we painted it to see how much more work needed to be done. The intercooler piping and downpipe is currently being welded - once we have the DP made far enough we will be sending that and the exhaust manifold out to get thermal coated. When we get it back we'll be bolting everything up for good. That's roughly 2 weeks away. Next weekend we plan on finishing the sound deadening and reinstalling the interior with the new speakers and everything. Also, the stock gauges are getting color matched to the boost, a/f, and egt gauges (having the LEDs swapped to match up)

All piping and fabbing is being done in house. The LSD / Clutch install and the Gauge LED swap are the only things being done by someone other than my friend and I. We aren't welding the pipes though... but we probably could if we had some practice with a welder! Another friend is taking care of that.

Complete mod list: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2306774/2

Project Pictures: http://www.turboxrs.com/


Current ETA is December 10th
Thoughts? Questions? Comments?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Nice! That's a chunky snail you got there!

I like the dash work. Looks like a scooby tripple gauge pod you've used there. Using defi's?

 

[steveox]

It is indeed a scoobie pod.. gently modified along with the dash We sunk it in an inch or so to help reduce how much vision it blocks. Surprisingly, it only blocks about 1/4 - 1/2 inch at most - which is basically my hood and you don't need to see that anyway!

I was going to run with the Defi's but I couldn't justify spending 250 on just a gauge controller-- so I am going to run the Autometer Cobalt gauges - they look nice and I figured the blue matches the exterior (and parts of the interior now)

 

[DivideBYZero]

But...but....the Defi start up sequence is reason enough to drop the Bens for the controller!!

The problem you would have is finding a place to put the controller. In the GC/F v5 scoobies the cup holder was replaced, which was just under the centre dash pod.

 

[steveox]

Yeah - We are relocating the mirror / dimmer controls underneath the shifter, because we put the e-01 where they used to be. That piece should hopefully be finished this week. As things are wrapping up I'm starting to get really antsy! lol

 

[ayabe]

Awesome man.

Those are great little cars.

I had actually forgot about the XRS Corolla's until a couple weeks ago, I hear this wah wah wah rev noise and look over and it's a Corolla, made me giggle before I stomped him.

 

[Hyperlite]

lol that is awesome!

 

[Arkaign]

That's gonna be great. Post back with your ETs!

 

[T2urtle]

are you using a custom made exhaust manifold of something off the shelf. if off the shelf let me know the details on where and what.


what the engine code on this motor... celica gts is a 1zz i think or something of that matter.

 

[mwmorph]

Doesn't the paint on the intercooler hinder the whole heat transfer thing? Are you using some sort of special thermally conductive paint?

 

[steveox]

1zz is for the corolla le, ce, s; matrix base and xr models; and celica gt

2zz is for corolla xrs, matrix xrs, and celica gts

The manifold is from turbo-kits.com.

If you are going to build a custom setup I recommend getting the nuekin manifold for a 2zz engine

The paint on the front may reduce the heat transfer a little bit.. but not significantly enough to cause any issues. The intercoolers actually work more from the air passing through rather then just hitting the front. Those parts won't be painted - only the very front and from what I read the difference is miniscule. It's not like I'll be putting down 800hp and I'll need all the cooling I can get

 

[SketchMaster]

Looks like it's going to be a really fun car! :thumbsup:

Just remember to save that fun for the track and not the streets.

 

[steveox]

over 4 tracks within an hour drive shouldn't be a problem!

the fun on the streets will be watching movies / playing NES roms while sitting in traffic - lol

 

[T2urtle]

what is your whp goals for this build? Just drag/ street setup it looks like since there isn't suspension mentioning.


I'm asking because i've been thinking of running a turbo sleeper project VS a SC300 bolt on and manual swap.

for me it will be aiming at 13 -13.5's but in a sleeper car or just getting a sc300 as a crusier.

 

[steveox]

I'm hoping to run 7psi at around 250whp on a daily basis - with the overboost setup somewhere around 10 or 12 to be over 300 for the track or the occasional empty on ramp

Most of the celica guys are somewhere around 260-320 and the only other turbo matrix is at 263hpw as far as i know at 7psi and ran a 13.6 at 107mph due to traction issues in first gear.

I would like to autocross it in the future, the matrix handles really well for a fwd wagon. Coilovers and sways are on the list of of remaining mods. I don't think there is much after that Before I can go autocrossing though I need to invest in a better oil pan as the stock one can create oil starvation issues when cornering. I don't really feel like spending $500 on an oil pan right now - but I'm sure when there is more cash I will

 

[redgtxdi]

Cool setup!!!



Definitely diggin' it!!! :thumbsup:

 

[michaels]

Why not just buy a sports car if that is what you want?

 

[DivideBYZero]

UPDATE!

 

[mwmorph]

No internal mods? I know the 1zzfe's with their lower compression tend to grenade at above about 12psi(~245whp I think). With the 11:1 compression ratio and up to 8.2K(depending no year of ECU) redline, I'm not sure how reliable the 2zz will be. My bro used to have a MR2 Spyder with a 2zz-ge, but he got that from a wrecked Celica and it came with thicker head gaskets, sleeved, forged pistons and a a closed off deck(I think it was using the aluminum epoxy & salt method) and in the end, day to day it only ran 6-7psi with short stints at 9 and 12psi and i think even at max, it never went over 12 or so.

Maybe I'm underestimating the 2zz-ge but expriences with the 1zz-fe from MR2 Spyder owners aren't comforting.

Oh and what are you doing to put the power to the ground? Will you be upgrading to Pilot PS2 Sports and larger wheels? Any idea which wheels?

 

[LennyZ]

You might as well see if the 1zz awd transmission bolts up,you'll need
awd to hook up all that power.

 

[PricklyPete]

Definitely interested in seeing the finished product.

 

[steveox]

I didn't buy a sports car because- that's not really what i want. Sure it's along the lines, but I enjoy the custom work, the experience, and the unique factor.

The 2zz is actually a beast of an engine but many people are still unfamiliar with it. I'm not planning on running huge boost numbers or anything (yet), but there are companies pushing the stock block well over 500hp with just the compression lowering pistons. My plan is to take it easy for now, and once I have some extra cash then do the engine internals. Right now the car is planned to be a daily driver, that other stuff will make it more of a track only car and that's not what I am looking for just yet.

As for traction issues - I added the LSD and a pretty beastly clutch, so although it won't be perfect, it should help a bit. Won't be much different than the MS3 or the new (and IMO gross) caliber srt-4. I'm also planning on getting wider tires (I already have 7.5" but I want to run 8") to help out just a bit more.

There haven't been many updates lately as the car is at my friend's house (which is roughly 80 minutes away) while we're doing the work. The intercooler pipes and the downpipe is at the welder and we're waiting to get them back. In the meantime, we've been adding the finishing touches on the gauge pod and the mounting location for the boost controller. Friday night is going to be a huge work night. If we get the pipes back from the welder, we're going to try putting them all together and starting the car to see how everything is. Not going to drive it much, maybe just a trip or two around the block (probably not even in boost). It supposedly already has a dyno-tune on the EM, so if the numbers look ok we might give it one quick run but the goal is just to have it moving and see how all the parts are functioning. If we don't get the pipes back, then we'll finish up all the interior work: sound deaden, add new speakers, add carPC, etc...

There will be updates on Monday, I promise! (Hopefully a video of an open downpipe beast!)

 

[thescreensavers]

VVTL-i !!!

 

[steveox]

The layout for the site is still being done.. just too much going on!

IC pipes are completely finished, heat wrapped, and installed.

A portion of the downpipe was welded - then we cut an area and now have to squeeze the circle into an oval to fit onto the flange. After that is done - we'll get it lines up and make a small lil S-turn type shape with the pipe to get it under into the middle of the car and the DP will be finished. The welder is out of town till next monday/tuesday so we hope to have all that ready by then. Once we get them back we'll take off the manifold and the DP to get sent out to be thermal coated. I'm assuming a week or so turn around time for that and then finishing the car up!

Also - started the sound deadening process... i think i was a bit too meticulous at first.. but at least the driver side door is done well!

 

[steveox]

Project Pictures Updated: http://www.turboxrs.com/matrix/turboproject/