For Sale: Modified 1997 Toyota Corolla SR (3 door Hatchback)
Item Condition: This is a modified used car.
Price and price conditions: £1350 or very near offer
Extra Info: It is reluctantly that I offer my much loved Corolla for sale. I have owned this one since 2012, previously the running gear was in my last Corolla before being transplanted into this present body, its currently up to 172K on this shell. Regrettably I have not yet managed to find the time to sort the body work of this car, it came in pretty much the same condition you see in the photos. Time has been the problem with this project and it is also the primary reason for sale. We are getting ready to move house later this year and I still have a 1970’s BMW to put back on the road. It has been a hard choice to make, which of the two must go but the BMW has more sentimental and family value (three generations of my family, hopefully one day a fourth).
The car is mechanically sound, to a point. I will list the bad points first:
- The clutch is slipping under too much load. If driven sensibly it will not slip, currently an up-rated N/A clutch is fitted but it really needs a Turbo Pressure plate fitted.
- The exhaust flexi section recently failed, it has been replaced but not well and as a result the exhaust now fouls on the subframe.
- Overall the bodywork is not superb as seen in the photos but there are no structural issues or bubbly arches.
- I suspect the passenger side front shock absorber is on its way out, it still works as it should but is susceptible to bottoming out.
- It has recently started running warmer than usual, partly due to the season of the year (summer is finally here?) and partly due to the small leak which is evidently coming from one of the sensors on coolant sensor elbow of the engine block.
These mostly add up to several small jobs but they all take time and money that I do not have in the run up to a new house.
Now here is what makes this car special; it is the last generation of corolla which features fully independent rear suspension, and has both front and rear anti-roll bars. It started life with a somewhat lacklustre 1600cc engine which has since been replaced. Bonnet raisers have been fitted to help cool the 2000cc turbocharged lump as well as make space for the intercooler piping. have tried many different suspension setups and so far found the standard springs with excel-g shocks provide the best blend of ride comfort with sporty handling (I was using this car daily for a long time) given the extra bulk up front. The interior is as spacious as you would expect a mid size hatch to be but in contrast with today’s more modern vehicles the exterior is deceptively proportioned. That said the whole car should weigh about 1200-1300 kilos in its current state. Now for the party piece:
Now for the engine. It started life as a ST185 GT4 Engine (aka MR2 turbo rev2) which is the more sought after block as it has a reputation for strength. Before going into the corolla it was rebuilt with the following spec:
- Wossner 87mm forged pistons, 8.0:1 ratio (re-bored to accommodate, compression ratio dropped to accommodate for the fuelling changes)
- De-TVISed with the inlet manifold ported to optimise flow
- ST183 Cams fitted, these run a duration somewhere between the N/A and the GT4, putting them closer to the ST205/Rev 3. They also have about 0.3mm more lift on inlet and 0.2mm more lift on exhaust than ST185 cams which gives slightly better flow without requiring ST205/Rev3 valve train.
- All ST185/Rev 2 management has been removed, it is converted to run with ST205 540cc injectors, Rev3 Map Sensor , temperature sensors, ignitor module and 4 wire O2 sensor. It is fitted with an JDM MR2 Turbo Rev3 ECU (usually requires 100 RON fuel but by lowering the compression it will happily run on 99 /98 V-power).
- Has an Aussie 3” downpipe, with a mostly stainless exhaust (mentioned earlier)
- Mitsubishi Evo FMIC (very capable)
- HKS SSQV Dump Valve
- Lightweight Flywheel mated to an hi-spec N/A clutch (race grade organic) couple with an ST202 Fwd Gearbox (this combo can return 28 mpg!).
- ST205 radiator does the cooling but it has become apparent that the ST185 radiator is better (twin core from factory) so this should probably be fitted.
This engine has covered 18K since build. I cannot bare to break this car so the sale value lies mostly in the value of the engine.
The car will come with all cabin gadgets shown excluding the minidisc player (I struggle to find these so I fit a generic CD player I have spare). I will also throw in some spares I have for this car should the buyer wish:
- Headlights
- Tail lights
- Various cabin plastics and a cubby box
If you have any questions or queries please contact me.
Pictures:
Contact Details: PM me or drop me a Line on 07 double eight nine 462 three three seven
Location: Car is located in Southampton, Hampshire
Delivery & Conditions of Delivery: Collection only
Item Condition: This is a modified used car.
Price and price conditions: £1350 or very near offer
Extra Info: It is reluctantly that I offer my much loved Corolla for sale. I have owned this one since 2012, previously the running gear was in my last Corolla before being transplanted into this present body, its currently up to 172K on this shell. Regrettably I have not yet managed to find the time to sort the body work of this car, it came in pretty much the same condition you see in the photos. Time has been the problem with this project and it is also the primary reason for sale. We are getting ready to move house later this year and I still have a 1970’s BMW to put back on the road. It has been a hard choice to make, which of the two must go but the BMW has more sentimental and family value (three generations of my family, hopefully one day a fourth).
The car is mechanically sound, to a point. I will list the bad points first:
- The clutch is slipping under too much load. If driven sensibly it will not slip, currently an up-rated N/A clutch is fitted but it really needs a Turbo Pressure plate fitted.
- The exhaust flexi section recently failed, it has been replaced but not well and as a result the exhaust now fouls on the subframe.
- Overall the bodywork is not superb as seen in the photos but there are no structural issues or bubbly arches.
- I suspect the passenger side front shock absorber is on its way out, it still works as it should but is susceptible to bottoming out.
- It has recently started running warmer than usual, partly due to the season of the year (summer is finally here?) and partly due to the small leak which is evidently coming from one of the sensors on coolant sensor elbow of the engine block.
These mostly add up to several small jobs but they all take time and money that I do not have in the run up to a new house.
Now here is what makes this car special; it is the last generation of corolla which features fully independent rear suspension, and has both front and rear anti-roll bars. It started life with a somewhat lacklustre 1600cc engine which has since been replaced. Bonnet raisers have been fitted to help cool the 2000cc turbocharged lump as well as make space for the intercooler piping. have tried many different suspension setups and so far found the standard springs with excel-g shocks provide the best blend of ride comfort with sporty handling (I was using this car daily for a long time) given the extra bulk up front. The interior is as spacious as you would expect a mid size hatch to be but in contrast with today’s more modern vehicles the exterior is deceptively proportioned. That said the whole car should weigh about 1200-1300 kilos in its current state. Now for the party piece:
Now for the engine. It started life as a ST185 GT4 Engine (aka MR2 turbo rev2) which is the more sought after block as it has a reputation for strength. Before going into the corolla it was rebuilt with the following spec:
- Wossner 87mm forged pistons, 8.0:1 ratio (re-bored to accommodate, compression ratio dropped to accommodate for the fuelling changes)
- De-TVISed with the inlet manifold ported to optimise flow
- ST183 Cams fitted, these run a duration somewhere between the N/A and the GT4, putting them closer to the ST205/Rev 3. They also have about 0.3mm more lift on inlet and 0.2mm more lift on exhaust than ST185 cams which gives slightly better flow without requiring ST205/Rev3 valve train.
- All ST185/Rev 2 management has been removed, it is converted to run with ST205 540cc injectors, Rev3 Map Sensor , temperature sensors, ignitor module and 4 wire O2 sensor. It is fitted with an JDM MR2 Turbo Rev3 ECU (usually requires 100 RON fuel but by lowering the compression it will happily run on 99 /98 V-power).
- Has an Aussie 3” downpipe, with a mostly stainless exhaust (mentioned earlier)
- Mitsubishi Evo FMIC (very capable)
- HKS SSQV Dump Valve
- Lightweight Flywheel mated to an hi-spec N/A clutch (race grade organic) couple with an ST202 Fwd Gearbox (this combo can return 28 mpg!).
- ST205 radiator does the cooling but it has become apparent that the ST185 radiator is better (twin core from factory) so this should probably be fitted.
This engine has covered 18K since build. I cannot bare to break this car so the sale value lies mostly in the value of the engine.
The car will come with all cabin gadgets shown excluding the minidisc player (I struggle to find these so I fit a generic CD player I have spare). I will also throw in some spares I have for this car should the buyer wish:
- Headlights
- Tail lights
- Various cabin plastics and a cubby box
If you have any questions or queries please contact me.
Pictures:
Contact Details: PM me or drop me a Line on 07 double eight nine 462 three three seven
Location: Car is located in Southampton, Hampshire
Delivery & Conditions of Delivery: Collection only
