1985 Toyota Celica GT-S from North America - Comments

I bought the car for $1000 knowing that it needed some work.

The steering had a lot of free-play so I replaced the rack-and-pinion unit (which was worn and leaking fluid) as well as the shocks/struts with koni/kyb units respectively.

I also replaced the cylinder head which had a cracked valve and worn valve stem seals.

While the engine was torn apart I replaced all the timing components and oil pump.

Replaced the clutch after I destroyed it while practicing 180 degree turnarounds at speed with the handbrake.

Lastly, 4 new Falken Ziex ZE-502 tires on those beautiful 14"x7" alloy wheels.

The above cost around $1000, mainly for parts having done most the work myself.

There is still a little slop in the steering so near future plans include ball joints, wheel bearings, bushings.

Will probably also replace the brake rotors/pads.

I noticed one survey noted they thought this model was built with rallying in mind, I concur and bought the car with that in mind. I have participated in SCCA RallyCross events with this car usually beating at least a few of the all-wheel-drive Subaru's. I hope to eventually get rally tires, a roll-cage, and some safety equipment installed so I can really rally it.

The 22R-E engine was used in Toyota Trucks through 1995, so parts and performance mods are readily available.

This car had in 1985 many features that are still considered desirable today and found mainly only in performance cars such as :

4 wheel disc brakes

Independent rear suspension

Rack-and-pinion steering

Close ratio 5spd transmission

8-way adjustable seats

A mere.34 drag coefficient

Wide 60 series tires on 14"x7" wheels (lots of imports cars then had 13-14" by 4-5.5" wide wheels)

Interior includes:

Tilt wheel

AM/FM Cassette stereo with graphic equalizer and Dolby noise reduction

Rear defrost and wiper with it's own washer fluid system

Retractable cargo cover in hatch area to guard against prying eyes

Power windows, locks, mirrors.

One thing that does annoy me is that if you open the door while the ignition is on, when you close the door it locks. I can appreciate Toyota efforts here though since '85 was when car-jackings were getting started. It's funny though now because my past '95 and current '01 Toyota Tacoma's won't let you close a locked door while the engine is running, it automatically unlocks.

How much do you think it would be to replace the head on a 1991 Celica? Did you get an estimate, because I'm looking at one that needs a head.

Good review, I have an 84 GTS which I just paid 1,800.00 for. It is mechanically sound at 193,000 miles. It has the 5 speed stick shift and is white with blue interior.

I got lucky with this one, it's an original California car bought right here in my town according to the original owners manual. The only unusual thing about it is it had way too much oil in the pan when I bought it, about 1/2 an inch over the full mark on the dipstick. Does anyone find this unusual? I drained nearly a quart of oil out of it.

Also has anyone put in 5W-30 oil in their older Celica? Just wondering if it would help or hurt the small engine?

Again good review, for an old car these cars are great.

4 Wheel disc brakes? Independent rear suspension? You sure you're not driving a Celica Supra? Or did you swap the rear end out of one?

The Celica GTS came from the factory with 4 wheel disc and IRS. The only difference from the Supra was the engine, an inline 6 on the Supra and different rear diff gearing.

In 1984 the GTS was the same as the supra except for the front fenders, front bumper and the engine. I'm switching out my blue interior to black using a hatchback GT car and found that the interior parts do not fit over the rear wheel wells like in the GT because my GTS has extra rear suspension equipment protruding into the trunk area unlike the GT. It looks like extra bracing and the top of a shock absorber just behind each wheelwell obviously for the independent rear suspension. The GTS cars are different from the GT and non GT models, the GTS is set up for better handling. It corners great. Anyway it was an eyeopener trying to transfer GT hatchback parts into a GTS hatchback car. Also I love the 14x8 rims, but I want to try 16x8 rims with 50 series tires for even better handling and to fill some of those flared fender wheel wells. Has anyone looked under their 84 Celica hood at night after driving a while and noticed your exhaust manifold glowing red? I think my muffler is plugged.I know I need a new exaust gasket.