1981 Corolla 4 door build

[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0439_zps03370969.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0441_zps013243cb.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0443_zpsf2281858.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0445_zps97167445.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0446_zps4733fe73.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0447_zpsa1051b4f.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0450_zpsccbafe63.jpg.html][/URL] I decided to build my own mufflers. I guess I was looking for something different but I could have accomplished the same thing with something like a flowmaster and not wasted days of my life. If the pics come through they are fairly self explanatory. I have chopped off the extra stuff off of the throttle bodies and I am working on a cable system to manually open them. I entend to use a quiet buick muffler in the very back to make this stuff super quiet.

I not at all upset with clownkiller. I wasn't sure if I did that or if he did that. Everything's cool.

I looked at the corner-carver link and it makes my head hurt.

Sorry, I filled in the blanks a bit. I was post whoring in helpful way. Someday I will make it to DORK status!

I loved the drag strip video.

I started thinking a little more about safety last spring and felt that an LS with a rowdy camshaft in a car that should weigh in at about 2500 lbs., after it is finished with a driver, should go fast enough to require some additional safety equipment. So I got started making a window net just for piece of mind. rounded up some heim joints and bent my rod to fit. Welded some brackets and used masking tape to get the final shape. The good thing about this for me is Stroud Safety is here local. I took them the whole thing, rods and all, and they measured it while I waited. They were extremely helpful and did a very nice job. And it was ready the next day![URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0694_zps84de46b6.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0692_zpsa7d2961a.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0693_zps907d5d1b.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0695_zps962771a8.jpg.html][/URL]

Well, after the holidays, having cold weather, being sick, and a couple of crappy pay checks I and back to building stuff for my car. My plan is to completely change to front end ( steering, suspension, brakes, etc.)to something that will be a little more robust and brake better. Step one.....control arms. Started off with some 1 1/4 .120 wall chromoly and 2 small pieces of 2 3/8 seamless dom tubing. A couple of tube inserts and things just start building themselves. I have since welded a couple of brackets on for the strut rod mount as well as doubling as gussets. Pics will follow in a day or two.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/COROLLA%20BUILD%20CONTINUES/IMAG07161_zps060c7adf.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/COROLLA%20BUILD%20CONTINUES/IMAG0717_zps3865f889.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/COROLLA%20BUILD%20CONTINUES/IMAG0718_zps1f1db475.jpg.html][/URL]

Make it a front steer.

Swap the struts left to right and install a rack and pinion steering in front of the crossmember.

Use station wagon struts and brakes.

Now you can center up the motor and move it back for better balance.

In reply to bentwrench:

My thoughts are the same for the front steer. This gives me a little more room for my headers but the motor is only offset a couple of inches which is going to offset my weight a little bit. I intend to use a rack and pinion and complete strut/ 5 lug knuckles from a mid '90s mustang. This gives more potential for bigger brakes plus mustang stuff is much easier to come by than corolla wagons. And the bolt pattern will match my 8.8 from an explorer that has already been cut down and is waiting. I have must of my parts with the exception of brakes and coilover sleeves. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0757_zps06aa53fc.jpg.html][/URL]

I have been wondering how much this front end/brake swap is going to chance the weight of the car. So I went to my nearest post office and used their scale since mine is on the fritz. The oem control arm felt heavier by a good amount, but to my surprise the are almost the same. Very deceptive. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0758_zps85ce8989.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG07591_zps843a0a05.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG07601_zps35f0bcb2.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG07611_zps2ccce403.jpg.html][/URL]

I finally got some time to get back to doing what I like doing. Spending time in the garage....just me and my thoughts. The only parts I lack now are some springs and upper strut mounts and a steering shaft. I took out the Toyota suspension and those crappy wheels and tires. I installed all of the new control arms and struts/knuckle from the mustang. I still have some fine tuning to do. The control arms are about an inch too long and I still need to slot the struts to correct some camber issue. Some light weight drag race brakes are also in the works. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08171_zpsce60072a.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0814_zps0a426b00.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08181_zpsd27d80ec.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08211_zps8e5e72e8.jpg.html][/URL]

I got finished kinda late when I took the last pics. I waited for sunlight the next morning. I was a little disappointed see the camber issues.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0827_zpsc3d70631.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08281_zps6c8da905.jpg.html][/URL] This past weekend I took the knuckles and struts out and went to work. I used my trusty side arm the good ol' carbide grinding bit and slotted the lower bolt holes and installed a smaller bolt on the bottom strut to knuckle mounting hole. There was no sophisticated measuring techniques, just grind a big slot. And to my surprise things came out pretty good. My camber is really close. I just got my camber plates in a few days ago but need to wait for the springs to installed before any other adjustments are made.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08311_zpseafb2316.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0830_zps6653dd20.jpg.html][/URL]

I have gotten a little more time to work on my stuff here lately. Been working on steering, cause pushing this thing into the garage with both tires flopping in either direction by themselves isn't fun. Got the rack mounted and just tacked in enough just to hold it. I am waiting to switch my gas on my welder to finish welding it in. I was just way out of position for a tig torch. I had to chop some threads off of the inner tie rods and tap some thick walled tubing to both thread sizes. I may have cut too much off of the right side inner tie rod, so I may have to replace it later on. Also got some steering shaft joints and DD shaft from Borgeson, who were extremely helpful and polite considering this project is not in the norm. Also had to buy a set of offset rack bushings to lower the rack just a little more. Here are a couple of pics.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0872_zps5e8711c0.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08751_zpsa1266eaf.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08731_zpsc86d95f5.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08701_zps029016ec.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08711_zps689a27d3.jpg.html][/URL] I still need to whittle up a support bracket for the over sized heim joint because I found out that there is no lower support bearing in the steering column. Add one more obstacle to the list.

You have some nice skills I hope to get up to that level someday. Cool build I will be watching.

Found some more time this past weekend and the weekend before for my poor corolla. I removed the stock axle for something a little more beefy. Got the panhard bar in finally and things are right in the world. Finally got my 8.8 installed. This axle came out of a '96 explorer with a 3.73 gear and disc brakes. If I remember right it cost me about $125 from a pull it yourself salvage yard. It needed the be narrowed 7" total. and I can use 2 right side axle shafts that are 2" shorted than stock. I need to swap the brake caliper/ park brake brackets from side to side to clear the shocks and measure for a driveshaft. Once I get some axles from moser I will be in business.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0884_zps7b100867.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09011_zps9e890101.jpg.html][/URL]

This past weekend I got my front coilover kits in from UPR Products. They were extremely helpful and seemed to be interested in the project to help me get what would work best for my project. I made a template of the strut tower top for a reference for my camber plates. I then transferred the dimensions to the plates and cut them up. I was able to turn these particular plates upside down and gained more hood clearance. Once everything was put together, I aligned the plates and the templates up together and marked my holes. Then prayed that I did it right. And luck was on my side, all of the bolts and bolt holes lined up! Whoo! The sleeves are adjusted to the lowest adjustment without turning the sleeve upside down. Looks almost perfect. I will make my final adjustment after the motor is all back together with all of the weight in it.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0892_zpse684da5d.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08961_zps8bc0e829.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08951_zps49a2e747.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG08981_zpse22be39b.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0899_zps37798aba.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09001_zpsca5790b9.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09041_zps4a1df8c7.jpg.html][/URL]

I measured my driveshaft length this week. I cut the u-joint flange off of the shaft that was in it and cut up the explorer shaft and had to persuade slightly on the tube. I made sure the u-joint caps were level with a bubble level and welded it together. I also had to replace the rear u-joint in it too. I am not so concerned with the balance for right now because it doesn't run yet. But I scored an aluminum shaft from a salvage yard for $25 and I will have that one cut down once I know this on fits. I am working today so I will know if I measured right. We'll see tonight....hope I measured right.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0909_zpsba81d1aa.jpg.html][/URL]

Got home after work and tried to install my driveshaft. And it fits!! May be just a little too long but we'll see what happens after the motor is functional.

Might want to have a driveshaft shop (or local truck shop that builds them) at least spin up the shaft before you try it - especially an aluminum one. Simply dropping one can put enough run-out in it to cause a LOT of vibration. And they often get 'dropped' (or worse) at the yard before we put our hands on 'em. If you removed it from the junker - better odds.

Yeah, I was going to have the aluminum shaft built and balanced with some good u-joints. But the steel shaft I can build at home and it doesn't really cost me anything. Plus I wanted to get park back so it won't roll away. Next things I need to focus on is front brakes and axle shafts.

My plan for this weekend is to get my quiet muffler built. Got two polished tips and two mufflers from and Buick Lucerne that had a catalytic converter issue at work. The parts guys were only interested in the converter core. So I got the rest of it for free. Awesome![URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09171_zps5e45b001.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0916_zpsee7aef76.jpg.html][/URL]

Got some more work done last weekend. Formed up my exhaust tips for my quiet muffler and completed the passenger side header. I don't have any pictures yet of the header but I have to pull it back out again, so they will come later. I also started forming the rest on the exhaust on the passenger side. Slowly but surely things are coming together. Very slowly.....[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0922_zpsc8b297cb.jpg.html][/URL]

Yesterday I got my quiet muffler welded together. Then sprayed some black paint on it while I cooked dinner. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0925_zps05d97498.jpg.html][/URL]

Haven't had a change to post the past few weeks, life has just seemed to get in the way. In the past weeks I have gotten my headers fully welded up, cut and chopped up my old exhaust and created new exhaust, and build front caliper mounts. caliper pics to come later. Here is the big portion on the exhaust fab'd up and tacked together with my home brew dual tone mufflers.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09721_zps9e8798d7.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09711_zps9122b7fc.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09731_zps541c701d.jpg.html][/URL]

I have had a little time to get the rest of the exhaust tacked in and most of it welded up. But for now I had a postal delivery yesterday of my new brake pedal assembly. I will be plumbing all new brake lines and try to get all of the brake ironed out in the coming weeks.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/IMAG0984_zps980043d1.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/100MEDIAIMAG09741_zps7e966ed0.jpg.html][/URL]