Toyota Starlet???

Seriously, a RWD subcompact that weighs 1700lbs and gets 50mpg??

One is on CL locally...in what appears to be pretty pathetic condition....I've never even seen one in person I don't think, but I definitely didn't know they were RWD with a 5-speed even in teh early 80s!

So what's the deal with these cars? Stock engine is only a 1.3L, but any easy swaps? Suspension upgradeabliity? Seems like a bit of a black sheep car...

Swap in a 4AGZE and buy many pairs of clean shorts?

Or swap in a turbo rotary to the same effect.

how's the engine bay size? Miata swap?

Or can the stock engine be tuned to ~100hp?

Locost donor.

LeMons car..hmm.

hayabusa power http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW-Rw9cTISk

This needs a monster 3sgte and box flares.

This is a valued car for rotary swaps downunder, it is a relatively simple job and big power vs small weight always works

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Mayoneza-ROTARY-STARLET_635069.htm

I may have a spare Miata 1.8 and transmission by this afternoon.

4AG of course: http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/blog/2009/09/03/kp61-toyota-starlet-drift-machine/

I vaguely remember someone swapping in a small V8 into one of them. Probably a Rover V8 as that's what gets swapped into anything over here, at least with those people who haven't worked out that a Ford 302 or an SBC will work out cheaper if they want to go 200+ bhp.

Billzilla put basically a Formula Atlantic motor in one. I think it was kinda fast. Stock came with a T40 4 speed transmission. The rear end is geared super high. I have the rear end from one in my shop right now. For Sale if anyone wants to pick it up. If you do any motor swap, you need to change that out, as it can't handle much more HP. Oh, and turbo T motors are an easy swap too.

The Starlet was the last hurrah for the RWD econobox. For that reason alone they are pretty cool. The rotary swap is pretty common and will definitely make you soil your unmentionables.

There were still a few floating around when I worked for a Toyota dealer in the early '90's. Pretty conventional design and pretty tough with the exception of the valve lifters. I saw more than one with noisy valve train, my shop foreman said that was because the stock lifters were filled with silicone fluid rather than running off of engine oil pressure. Hmmm. Sounded weird to me then, sounds weird now.

I really want one. I used to hate hatchbacks, but now I love the things.

A rabbit, starlet and a 1st gen crx ...... I wants them all.

All you guys going ga-ga over the Starlet with it's weak motor, weak suspension and weak brakes don't remember the Mazda GLC? They made a decent hatch with RWD from '77-'80. They're also know as the Famila. I've seen a few hot rodded to good effect. Using RX-3 parts made it easy to do a rotary swap.

did someone say rx3..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-1979-Mazda-GLC-Rotary-Rocket_W0QQitemZ130362967479QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item1e5a3d05b7

I'd rock it.... After I removed that stupid stereo.

RX-3?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230429663316

I think that's been on there a couple of times. Probably a little expensive but I wouldn't complain if I found that in my garage.

Fantastic base for a project (GLC too). Ae 86 front suspension parts work well and give more brakes, same for rearend, but it's just a bit wider than stock. Supposedly miata lowering springs work. A set of supra rims, and its on. Tons of engine bay room. I've seen the corolla 1.8s in them, too. This is my first choice as a rebody for my Swift GTi. What's worse, a local Dominoes has FOUR of them, 3 of which carry Dominoes racing colors, and I can't get the guy to respond.

there's nothing worse than having to wait for someone to get back to you via email...

the more I look into these things, the more I think it might be worth sticking into the nice 12x8 section that is completely clear in my backyard "auxiliary garage" (aka big shed).....

ignorant wrote: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-1979-Mazda-GLC-Rotary-Rocket_W0QQitemZ130362967479QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item1e5a3d05b7 I'd rock it.... After I removed that stupid stereo.

Not to mention you'd have to find the fuel injection. I see a Holley carb (which is less than optimal on a rotary in the first place).

but any easy swaps? Suspension upgradeabliity? Seems like a bit of a black sheep car...

It's essentially a short wheelbase corolla. From what I understand, most of the AE86 corolla GT-S stuff swaps in pretty easily.

Found this one locally. Not quite challenge priced, but nearly.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/1575462990.html

Jensenman wrote:

ignorant wrote: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-1979-Mazda-GLC-Rotary-Rocket_W0QQitemZ130362967479QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item1e5a3d05b7 I'd rock it.... After I removed that stupid stereo.

Not to mention you'd have to find the fuel injection. I see a Holley carb (which is less than optimal on a rotary in the first place).

Megasquirt or OEM.. It wouldn't be super hard. Except for the fact that I don't have a garage or tools.