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Progress of My 1998 Toyota Corolla

Discussion in '8th Gen' started by DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012.

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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    This thread is now about the progress of my 1998 Toyota Corolla LE 1.8L 1ZZ-FE
    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    MacktasticSlick TRD whore with 36,000 posts, bitch

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    What did you do to tune up the car? And the front end conversion is simple, you need the bumper, head- and corner-lights, and wiring for the new headlights. That will get you the basics done, but ideally, you will also want 01-02 fenders, and the arms that connect the bumper to the chassis. And you will need the wiring for the fogs to work, as the 98-00 obviously doesn't have any. I have heard that Maaco is good for a few years but it is nothing spectacular. As far as lowering your car goes, it depends on your budget and what you want out of your car. If you want a modest drop and want to maintain a smooth ride and the ability to go over speed bumps, go with Tein S-Tech springs paired with Tokico HP struts. If you got the $$$ go with full coilovers. Stiffer ride and you can dump the car to the ground. Lastly I will say welcome and get some pics!
    MacktasticSlick, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    I changed the spark plugs, wires, coil, rack and pinion , coolant, oil switched to Mobil1,

    The wiring part is what is gonna be a problem, Do i get them off of another corolla? or do I order them, and I would appreciate a wiring diagram of where everything goes, why should I switch the fenders?
    Tein S-Tech are what I'll probably go for, Do I really need to get Tokico Struts? what's wrong with OEM struts? Sorry Im new to all this, Pics will come soon as I get my camera working !! Thanks
    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    TOYROLLA99 Kleen 8.125 (According to Mack)

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    welcome to the forums :)
    As far as paint is concerned if your not buying a showroom paintjob i would try and stay away from the bigger companies as they tend to lack in quality (like bumpy orange peel finishes).
    try and find a lil ma and pa shop that will do it right and appreciate your business :)
    TOYROLLA99, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    You might be right about that but $$$ is kinda tight but if anything I'll take my time and save up,

    I want the conversion to be kinda like this but I want a black mesh grill with a little TRD, Emblem on the corner
    I can't wait to finish this car!!

    Attached Files:

    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    TOYROLLA99 Kleen 8.125 (According to Mack)

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    black grill deff looks better with that setup :)
    TOYROLLA99, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    Only thing different would be, the car would be black instead of white
    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    Goldy Well-Known Member

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    As suggested, I highly recommend the Tein S-Tech springs paired with upgraded performance shocks! The stock shocks are old and probably screwed up anyway, but if not, they won't last long under the increased load from lowering. Coilovers are definitely the best option (up to $1000) sounds like you have the money for them, might as well do it right from the start.

    My experience with Maaco is that they are all different. Of course, it depends on the individual painter how well it will come out. Even their pricing isn't uniform. I used Maaco a few times, but I always used the same one. They put an OEM finish on (even without clear coat) and I was impressed, but I was not as happy with the longevity (my first paint job got lots of chips on the front, the second was good though) or the color (they mix their own colors, so it might not be exactly the color you want). Also, their masking job left a lot to be desired, but what could I expect for $200 lol.
    Goldy, Oct 15, 2012
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    roachrolla Hipster

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    do coilovers, you'll always wanna go lower. i hate being SUV height with these S-Techs
    roachrolla, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    SUV Height? Your car is the perfect height, I'd like to go over speedbumps !!
    @Gold I really dont have that much money lol , I am 19 years old and a student, Im doing everything little by little
    Maaco doesnt clear coat their cars?
    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    roachrolla Hipster

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    nahhh too much gap in the front. could fit two fingers in there :(
    roachrolla, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    Your ride is awesome Im going for a similar look, I'll be going to the junkyard soon to find lights, foglights, front end, fenders, to do the conversion, those lights are black crystal right? do you have hids?
    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    roachrolla Hipster

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    thanks! yeah they r the blacked out ones. No HIDs on the headlights or fogs, only silverstar ultras. I dont wanna blind anyone with the glare
    roachrolla, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    I just need someone to help me wire up the new lights and fogs, when I get them thats what I am afraid about,
    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    MacktasticSlick TRD whore with 36,000 posts, bitch

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    We'll get you the wiring... the fenders aren't **necessary** to do the swap, if you look at my sig you can see it works. I did the swap with stock 99 fenders, but there is a mounting tab under the corner lights that is higher up on the 98-00 cars, so when you put the 01-02 bumper on, it doesn't exactly fit. It is however only noticeable up close.
    MacktasticSlick, Oct 15, 2012
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    roachrolla Hipster

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    i just used a fog light wiring kit to hook mine up since i had aftermarket ones before the OEM ones. For some reason, the wiring harness on the car would not power the fogs.
    roachrolla, Oct 15, 2012
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    Press22 Mangoooooooooooo

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    If you want a HID wiring kit I have one. I'll let it go for $20. Got it from Theretrofitsource.com
    Press22, Oct 15, 2012
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    305rolla New Member

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    Macco does clear coat you just got to ask for it. Cause the cheap service they do is single stage the clear in the paint already
    305rolla, Oct 15, 2012
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    Machupicchu The once a week type of member

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    Plastidip lol
    Machupicchu, Oct 15, 2012
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    Goldy Well-Known Member

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    Yeah Maaco will do clear coats if you pay them enough. It should still come to $1000 or less for the full car respray with clear coat.

    And you really can't go wrong with the S-Techs, they hands down the best spring for our Corollas. Sure they don't lay frame, but they are a bit stiffer and very sporty, the lower it plenty, and the car looks very balanced front to back. Sure, I'd want my car lower now that I've got coilovers, but for what they are, they are WAAAAY better than stock. Plus, they are VERY easy to resell if you do go coilovers :)
    Goldy, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    Thanks for all the help guys, another thing I have a question about, I think the clutch is ruined, everytime I shift and try to drive the car it feels like it's slowly accelerating and It smells like something burning. Could it be the clutch? Or does it just need an adjustment?
    DigitalRemix, Oct 15, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    DigitalRemix, Oct 18, 2012
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    ExDream Member

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    ExDream, Oct 19, 2012
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    roachrolla Hipster

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    have you tried looking at how much the springs and struts cost on their own? 550 is about 50 bucks more than what i paid for my set
    roachrolla, Oct 19, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    You're right they are expensive!! Another thing is, I've been thinking about plastidipping the car since it's expensive as heck just to get it painted any thoughts on that?
    DigitalRemix, Oct 19, 2012
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    roachrolla Hipster

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    go for it lol. At least its temporary
    roachrolla, Oct 19, 2012
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    crolla "Wait did I just lose to a corolla?"

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    check to see if your clutch is slipping. when your in 5th doing about 40 mph floor it and if the rpms jump to redline then you know its slipping, if the car bogs then the clutch it fine.
    crolla, Oct 19, 2012
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    DigitalRemix Loving my Rolla

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    I heard that it lasts if you clear coat it
    DigitalRemix, Oct 19, 2012
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    roachrolla Hipster

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    i've never plastidipped anything so I wouldn't know. although i'm thinking about doing it to my "winter" which I still haven't switched to
    roachrolla, Oct 19, 2012
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    Machupicchu The once a week type of member

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    it lasts without clear. people have pressure washed it and its fine. The clear does make it look a little better though.
    Machupicchu, Oct 19, 2012
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