New Kid Needing Help With A Ke55

[solid_ballin]

firstly sorry if this sounds dumb but I'm a new KE55 4 dr owner (first project ever going to try setup for drift maybe) and on ebay there are barely any ebay items for a ke55 they are mostly for a ke30 just wondering if all/most ke30 parts can be put onto a ke55. from what i have seen the ke55 interior is different to the ke30 but looks to me not by much. also engine wise can you get much power out of a 4K engine without spending too much money?. Also would you be able to get a 4K with a 5spd manual?(looking to put a celica gearbox to replace 4spd) i didnt think it was possible without spending too much. i only wanted to spend about 6k on the vehicle and that was for everything, i think its possible to get it running awsome due to the fact that i want to do absolutely everything myself (remove, replace suspension, engine rebuild, etc.) i want it to be a decent, street/drifter.

 

Any info is greatly appreciated thanks. :)

[Mitch-12]

a 4k will not drift and you need a k50 5 speed

[Chief]

Hey man the ke55 unless you spend heaps will not drift as well as a ke70 with the same bits in it and if you were looking for a better motor try a 5k people seem to think they are better i have one but i havnt got it working yet lol so i can't say if its better but the 4age seems to be a popular choice for a conversion i have one of those too but i really really don't like wiring so I'm sticking with the k series motor

Good luck with it man the more time and research you put in the better it will turn out.

 

 

Welcome to rollaclub (with two L's not one hahahaha)

[corollaart]

Daily car ,drift car not a good idea.Spend some money on the ke55 lower it nice wheels then enjoy it.

 

Spend the rest of your money on purpose built drift car ,lot less hassel.

 

Just my 2c worth.welcome to rolla club.

 

rob

[Mitch-12]

lol a 4k will drift awesome on grass or dirt thats what mine does haha its fun

[solid_ballin]

cheers for the info

 

found out its had a 5k engine put it out a lite ace with a 4spd gearbox, would anyone know if a celica 5spd box go in without much trouble (would rather do it myself then get a mechanic).

[Chief]

cheers for the info

 

found out its had a 5k engine put it out a lite ace with a 4spd gearbox, would anyone know if a celica 5spd box go in without much trouble (would rather do it myself then get a mechanic).

 

 

Yeah man some I THINK lol will go in no trouble ive heard that some van's used the W56 box's so some of them had a W to K bellhousing i have a pair of w56 box's but i havnt had the time to try them and i bought a k50 so i already have a 5 speed so no need for celica w56 yay

[Sloth]

I agree with corollaart, making a daily/drift car will result in a car that's either illegal, or one that doesn't drift as well as a purpose built drift car (because of the compromises you have to make to keep it legal). Plus if you manage to get crazy power out of it it'll probably become un-drivable on the road. My previous housemate has a 228kw S13 (with modded suspension and diff) which he has basically had to stop driving on the road cause there is just too much power (and it's impossible to drive on the road in the wet).

[seabiscuit]

To set up a KE55 for decent street/drift, you'd be spending ALL of that 6K and probably more on custom suspension and a 4A-GE conversion or similar. Unless you want to make or get made, at a cost, a few custom parts and completely rebuild a K-series motor (5k would be best for boost) and slap a dirty turbo on it, you won't see driftworthy performance. Even then, it'd take a beating as these engines aren't designed for boost. However, you will have a LOT of fun tearing around back roads and dirt roads with a tough naturally aspirated setup. There are just some Corolla's that AREN'T designed to drift. KE55 included. It has a leaf suspension rear end, short wheel base, and the on-track rigidity of a tin shed in a wind tunnel.

 

If you want to get into drifting, buy a KE70/AE71 and bolt some AE86 gear and a 4A-GE in. You'll have a great learning car that will be a shitload of fun on the track.

 

From experience, the best way to spend money on a Corolla is by making it stick to the road, comfortable, maintained and to have fun at the same time.

[coln72]

First of all, welcome.

 

don't know where you are based, but it seems to me that you need to join up with a CAMS or AASA(??) afilliated car club and try out some events before you jump in and make a heap of mods that may or may not work. Learn some car control and listen to what people tell you regarding your driving!!!!!

 

Once you get the hang of the Rolla, then you can make an informed decision whether to keep it as a nice streeter or if you want to go down the drift road, circuit racing road, rally road etc.....

 

PS. dump the 4k, a 5k is SOOOOOOO much nicer :hmm:

[towe001]

Welcome to the forum.

To the top you'll find the FAQ and the the top/right side you'll find the search button.

.... you need a k50 5 speed

Why ?

Like, if its just a round town car then the four speed will be good enough and a fifth gear would just be weight.

The only reason i have a five speed in my chariot is that i have the low gearing (or is that tall gearing) so that i'm able to tool around the streets in fifth and not have it bitch and complain when i give it a bit.

 

Most of the parts for the '30 will fit the '55. Most of the parts that are different is cosmetic (eg: headlights, grill, tail-lights etc). Have a bit of a search around the forum its all been covered before.

 

Getting the gearbox from the celica will need a "K-T" bellhousing will be hard to say the least, unless your also swapping the motor out for either a T-series or a A-series motor. Then it'll be just making sure you also get the gearbox with the (or for that) motor.

[Taz_Rx]

Why ?

 

The OP wanted a 5 speed and was talking about "celica GB's". Thats why mitch told him he needs a K50.

 

For simplicities sake, forget about the K-W and K-T bellhousing people have spoken about. If you want a 5 speed try and find a K50 (thats what the gearbox is called) from a KE30 or KE55. You could use one from a KE70 but the shifter will be in the wrong spot.

[altezzaclub]

Like, if its just a round town car then the four speed will be good enough

 

Dead right, but don't leave town!

 

I tool around in 4th all day in the 50-60kph zones, but try and cruise at 100k and it revs its ring off in 4th.

 

The 5speed is just a 4spd with an extra overdrive gear, the other 4 are the same ratios.

[solid_ballin]

thanks for all ur opinions, got some smart info. Its got a 5k in it, I'm thinking i might just lower it all round have it tucking gloss black stockos all round, and try fit a k&N pod filter somehow, chrome exhaust tip, 5spd box, repaint it, then look at an engine conversion.

 

What would people recommend as a 5spd box to go in? (ive seen somebody recommend ke70 box but i have to fiddle with the floor pan)

[Taz_Rx]

What would people recommend as a 5spd box to go in? (ive seen somebody recommend ke70 box but i have to fiddle with the floor pan)

 

For simplicities sake, forget about the K-W and K-T bellhousing people have spoken about. If you want a 5 speed try and find a K50 (thats what the gearbox is called) from a KE30 or KE55. You could use one from a KE70 but the shifter will be in the wrong spot.