Dyno 1 We were impressed...
Dyno 1
We were impressed with how much horsepower the XS Engineering kit made in the lower rpm range. This, and excellent throttle response, translates into a wickedly fun street car.
When it came to looks, Jesse went for maximum effect with a minimum of parts. A Wings West aero kit provided the most dramatic impact on one's retinas. The W-Typ kit was joined by an aggressive Wings West wing. We especially liked the front fascia, which added a more muscle-bound look to the leading edge of the car while nicely framing the intercooler.
Since the Toyota is an ALT Wheels project car, the company was quick to bolt on a set of ALT X-Phile wheels. The X-Philes sported a smooth, sculpted, six-spoke design, which made them look like 20-inchers. The 19x8 X-Philes are shod with 235/35ZR-19 Toyo Proxes FZ4 rubber. Additional tuck was provided by a set of Eibach lowering coils, which also enhanced steering response by lowering the sleek coupe's center of gravity. Energy Suspension urethane bushings were on call to solidify the suspension components, further increasing driver feedback. Energy Suspension has the Celica well figured out; it supplied suspension components for the Toyota Celebrity Race Celicas at the 2000 Long Beach Grand Prix.
If the idea is to decompress, it only makes sense that the car had a comfortable and convenient interior. Hsiao covered the bases with red Sparco buckets and stitch work by Carcraft. The interior was immaculately tied together with red seat material being used on the shifter boot, door panels, rear seats, custom headliner and visors.
The Celica also flexed a radical Fiberglas center console constructed by Kustom Workz of Whittier, Calif. The console, which was painted by Body Pros, is home to a pair of A'PEXi gauges that monitor boost and exhaust gas temperature and a Panasonic DF600U head unit. The console's design retains the OE clock set-up and does not affect the ventilation controls. However, the key to the commute has to be tunes. Jesse can crank up the volume until his cerebral cortex oozes out of his ears. The mind-altering system is dominated by MA Audio components. From the aforementioned Panasonic head unit, sound signals are amplified by MA Audio amplifiers and then pulsed to an array of MA Audio speakers. The Celica sports two sets of 5.25-inch MA Audio component speakers and a trio of hard-hitting, 12-inch MA Audio subwoofers. Kustom Workz's handiwork with the subwoofers and amps should excite the most obsessive of audiophiles. Pop the rear hatch, and the 1,000-watt woofers with their beefy polished steel cages made for an instant double-take. Some have likened the set-up to Mr. Fusion of "Back To The Future" fame. The install was super sano and the system can bump big-time.
Dyno 2 The 1.8-liter is no...
Dyno 2
The 1.8-liter is no torque monster. The kit adds 69.3 lbs-ft to the party, but its substantial increases seen low in the rev range have a dramatic effect on the street.
The factory plastic plug wire...
The factory plastic plug wire cover has been removed and the valve cover and intake runners have been polished to a fine luster. The engine is pressurized to 7.5 psi with boost being regulated by the spring pressure of the turbo's integral wastegate.