New guy 2000 corolla

I decided to port the new manifold pipe the other day since i have a die grinder.I didnt bother to smooth everything because the soot from the exhaust will do that for me.I also snapped the exhaust of where is meets the converter, the pipe is very thin there id say less than 1mm so its time for a new resonator assembly.Luckily I found a new resonator assembly for $90+tax incl free shipping.

New Pipe:


Stock Piece:

No lol the focus is coming off the road when the corolla is finished.So I'll just take the bumper off the focus.

Removed the top heatshield bolts or what was left of them after having to grind them off, im going to measure the threads and get new ones or tap the bolt holes and use a different thread.

I came across resonator pipes that included cats for $160+tax on ebay, i can get $20-30 for my old converter at a scrap yard so im gonna grab one of these once i get the money.

Decided to ditch the engine cover today and do a little wire tuck on the valve cover.I removed the black plastic sheath that was covering the coilpack wires and separated the wire going to the ps pump from them.The throttle cables were ziptied to the firewall when i was working on the exhaust but i decided to leave them there.


Then I relocated that little white box thingy to the side of the engine, I had to do some mild grinding on the bracket for it to fit.


I also ground this stud down a bit so i could use one of the capped nuts on it and removed the other studs i didn't need.


Here's the finished product for now, I need some loom and a non-vvti bolt to finish it and the valve cover will be painted when i change the gasket.

Removed the alternator to clean the oil from the leaking timing seal off of it and the side of the engine, i need to buy degreaser.Cleaned the VVT-i screen wasnt very dirty.

Has anyone noticed the set screw in the end of the solenoid? it changes spring tension and im betting vvt engagement.I wish i had a spare solenoid.

have you thought about priming the rust and electric taping the worn out wires? how did your car came to this condition? does the corolla still have the under cover?

I live on an island so theres salt in the air and they salt the roads in winter.The car still has most of its undercoating and is in good shape.As for the wiring, Im going to be getting some plastic covering for it like the factory stuff.

looks like you have a huge exhaust leak on the back of the engine....the gasket for both valve cover and exhaust manifold need to be changed.

No thats where i sprayed the manifold nuts with penetrant, they refuse to come off.

Ordered this resonator assembly for $103.70 incl shipping and taxes.I was going to get the other one which included a cat but with taxes it would of came to almost $200 and i know someone with a welder since my old cat is still good.

My resonator showed up the other day, im gonna wait to get the rest of the parts the car needs to be roadworthy before installing it.I also decided to look for another vehicle since the corolla isnt what i want, I'm set on a 2dr 4x4 Suzuki Samurai/Vitara/Geo Tracker those things are like mini tanks.

Tues or Weds I'll be placing order 1of2 i need to complete the car.I noticed one of the trailing arms are bad so part of order 2 will be 2 new trailing arms.I also decided to stick with the car and not look for anything else.I'll also be trying my hand at a carbon fiber overlay for my gauge cluster, since i refuse to pay $40 for a piece of plastic with a carbon pattern and some double-sided tape.

Im not saying they aren't nice, but if i can get the same result with a little work and $5 of carbon wrap i dont see a reason to spend $40.

dude, process going good man, i really apperciate when people slowly restore a beater that other people think lol

anyway, carbon fiber wrap did look good with dash, do yours cluster have termperture display and tach?

Thanks, and yeah i have the tach cluster.

you are welcome man, post more pic of how the car transform, do you think u can finish it before winter lol

It will be finished in early october.

I decided to restore the headlights since i have the mothers kit, it came out pretty good so far.On to the next one!



And here's the finished product!

looks good man

Good work man, mothers kit works well

is it starches or dirt on thefront bumper ? well good luck with restoration man

Thats plastic dust mixed with water that dried from sanding the headlights, i dont have a hose to wash it off.It wont hurt anything anyways, i'll let the rain get it.

I was going to buy a set of philips bulbs but the life is only 400 hours which is better than silvania but for a little cheaper i can get a hid kit.I know hids in reflectors make baby jesus cry but most of the problem is people don't re-aim the headlights which i will do and im getting the bulbs with the anti-glare shield.

Sometimes I like to think so.I also forgot to mention im going with 4300K, I dont like the ricey blue of 6000K as I've had them before on a thunderbird.

You cant really see the blue in the pic or maybe its my laptop screen.

So it looks like i have to buy a battery for my dilapidated ford focus since its still my dd and my battery wont hold a charge for very long, although it is the original 14 yr old battery.Wont be ordering parts this week unfortunately

I know maybe i should email ford or something.Im assuming its the original battery since its oem, i could be wrong.

Snap a pic and check to see is it OEM, but if the car is in Nova Socita the whole time, it is pretty amazing, my camry 6 years old car have gone through 4 battery already lol ( i am the 2nd owner though)