McLevin's Levin

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McLevin's Levin

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McLevin
Member

06-01-2019, 05:05 AM

A friend of mine suggested taking a look at a Toyota Levin or Trueno AE111. I had never seen or even heard of one before, but looked them up and fell in love with them. I found one on PistonHeads and it was a pretty untouched model that was a fair bit cheaper than the others on the site at the time so i got in contact with the guy and went to take a look at it.

[Image: P083202_11-04-11.jpg]

As you can see she turned out to be mint and un abused, i even felt bad for haggling with the guy. Had a full service history no money had been spared on keeping her in top condition. This was the first time i'd seen one in the metal and i fell in love with her there and then, handed over some cash and drove her away.

A quick pic with my mates RX7 on the way home.

[Image: FC-Levin.jpg]

First thing i did was cleaned up the OEM Wind Deflectors that came with the car so i could add that little bit of JDM flair.

They were covered in old adhesive tape which was a lot harder to get off than i thought it would be.

[Image: DSC_0355.jpg]

Before Fitting

[Image: DSC_0379-1.jpg]

After Fitting

[Image: DSC_0381-1.jpg]

The next thing i did was fitted a new exhaust system, out of necessity more than choice. The backbox brackets on the stock system rusted through and the rear section of my exhaust fell off two days before i was due to drive to Germany.

Some metal cable ties saved the day though and the exhaust held fast for the whole 1500mile trip.

[Image: qtrhh.jpg]

When i got back from Germany someone was selling a Kakimoto Red Label Full Stainless system for a decent price so i went and picked it up.

Unfortunately it didn't come with any Gaskets and nowhere seemed to stock any so it was a case of sourcing them from Japan or welding a sleeve on.

I went with the sleeve as it was the quickest option.

[Image: IMG_0451.jpg]

And a video of the exhaust because everybody loves videos :thumbup:

It was apocalyptically loud so now has a bung fitted :whistling: Like i set off car alarms as i went by loud, i was scared i was gonna get an ASBO :gay:

More posts to follow i need to pop out for a bit.

McLevin

06-01-2019, 05:05 AM #1

This car is an ongoing project and i don't know if i'll ever stop doing thing do it, i've already dropped nearly double what i payed for it in to modifying it. I'll list all thats been done to her so far and whats planned for the future.

So after my old GT Four wasn't working out so well as a daily i decided i needed something a bit more economical but still fun and a little bit different.

[Image: RabbetCarDeskop.jpg]

A friend of mine suggested taking a look at a Toyota Levin or Trueno AE111. I had never seen or even heard of one before, but looked them up and fell in love with them. I found one on PistonHeads and it was a pretty untouched model that was a fair bit cheaper than the others on the site at the time so i got in contact with the guy and went to take a look at it.

[Image: P083202_11-04-11.jpg]

[Image: P0834_11-04-11.jpg]

[Image: P172403_10-03-11.jpg]

As you can see she turned out to be mint and un abused, i even felt bad for haggling with the guy. Had a full service history no money had been spared on keeping her in top condition. This was the first time i'd seen one in the metal and i fell in love with her there and then, handed over some cash and drove her away.

A quick pic with my mates RX7 on the way home.

[Image: FC-Levin.jpg]

First thing i did was cleaned up the OEM Wind Deflectors that came with the car so i could add that little bit of JDM flair.

They were covered in old adhesive tape which was a lot harder to get off than i thought it would be.

[Image: DSC_0355.jpg]

[Image: DSC_0356.jpg]

[Image: DSC_0377-1.jpg]

Before Fitting

[Image: DSC_0379-1.jpg]

After Fitting

[Image: DSC_0381-1.jpg]

[Image: DSC_0383-1.jpg]

The next thing i did was fitted a new exhaust system, out of necessity more than choice. The backbox brackets on the stock system rusted through and the rear section of my exhaust fell off two days before i was due to drive to Germany.

Some metal cable ties saved the day though and the exhaust held fast for the whole 1500mile trip.

[Image: qtrhh.jpg]

When i got back from Germany someone was selling a Kakimoto Red Label Full Stainless system for a decent price so i went and picked it up.

Unfortunately it didn't come with any Gaskets and nowhere seemed to stock any so it was a case of sourcing them from Japan or welding a sleeve on.

I went with the sleeve as it was the quickest option.

[Image: IMG_0451.jpg]

[Image: IMG_0446.jpg]

[Image: IMG_0449.jpg]

[Image: IMG_0452.jpg]

And a video of the exhaust because everybody loves videos :thumbup:

It was apocalyptically loud so now has a bung fitted :whistling: Like i set off car alarms as i went by loud, i was scared i was gonna get an ASBO :gay:

More posts to follow i need to pop out for a bit.

Lexuspat
Administrator

6,827

06-01-2019, 06:00 AM

very nice that exhaust tone is beautiful

the cars is very nice mate cant wait to read more

[Image: FB_IMG_1474048273787_zpsnbfq6a3s.jpg]

[SIZE="2"]Click to visit my Project Thread or my Flickr Account[/SIZE]

OutlawJapClub Admin Team

Lexuspat

06-01-2019, 06:00 AM #2

very nice that exhaust tone is beautiful

the cars is very nice mate cant wait to read more

[SIZE="2"]Click to visit my Project Thread or my Flickr Account[/SIZE]

OutlawJapClub Admin Team

McLevin
Member

06-01-2019, 06:09 AM

This is where it is now :tongue_smilie:

[Image: DSC_0742.jpg]

I had to do a bit of bodging to get it in there but it looks a lot better hidden away.

The recess was too shallow to house the controller so i had to cut out the bottom.

[Image: DSC_0737.jpg]

Once a hole was cut it sat nice and snugly in there.

[Image: DSC_0738.jpg]

I then had to butcher the original tray to fit round the controller.

[Image: DSC_0736.jpg]

It worked really well though and it fitted in nice and snug.

[Image: DSC_0740.jpg]

It was all done in an evening out of boredom but ended up working really well. :w00t:

McLevin

06-01-2019, 06:09 AM #3

My car has a VTC installed for adjusting at what point the VVT kicks in. When i got the car it was located in the drivers footwell. It kept annoying me as i kept catching it with my knee so i decided to relocate it.

This is where it was originally.

[Image: P0835_11-04-11.jpg]

This is where it is now :tongue_smilie:

[Image: DSC_0742.jpg]

I had to do a bit of bodging to get it in there but it looks a lot better hidden away.

The recess was too shallow to house the controller so i had to cut out the bottom.

[Image: DSC_0737.jpg]

Once a hole was cut it sat nice and snugly in there.

[Image: DSC_0738.jpg]

I then had to butcher the original tray to fit round the controller.

[Image: DSC_0736.jpg]

It worked really well though and it fitted in nice and snug.

[Image: DSC_0740.jpg]

[Image: DSC_0732.jpg]

It was all done in an evening out of boredom but ended up working really well. :w00t:

McLevin
Member

06-01-2019, 06:27 AM

Went down to a friends workshop to fit them. Had to take out all the rear seating and parcel shelf to get to the top mounts on the rear. Glad i did this as apparently its a ***** to try and do without removing all that.

[Image: IMG_1807.jpg]

Out with the old.

[Image: IMG_1802.jpg]

No wonder the ride wasn't so great.

[Image: IMG_1803.jpg]

And in with the new.

[Image: IMG_1804.jpg]

Sooo much travel in the old shocks >.>

[Image: IMG_1810.jpg]

Was an easy enough job only one bolt gave us any issues. But brute force conquers all.

[Image: IMG_1811.jpg]

The old shocks in all there glory :blushing:

[Image: IMG_1817.jpg]

And a random shot of the coilovers fitted.

[Image: IMG_1805.jpg]

Needless to say it completely changed the entire feel of the car, the thing handles like its on rails now. The ride is firm but in no way harsh at all.

McLevin

06-01-2019, 06:27 AM #4

Next thing to get sorted was the handling. When i got the car it was on Tein lowering springs, for some reason they were super firm and the front but super firm on the rear. Which meant i couldn't have people in the back with out the car scraping on everything or hitting the bump stops every time i went over something.

So as christmas present to myself i got a set of these. :presents3:

[Image: PhotoDec2115408PM.jpg]

Went down to a friends workshop to fit them. Had to take out all the rear seating and parcel shelf to get to the top mounts on the rear. Glad i did this as apparently its a ***** to try and do without removing all that.

[Image: IMG_1807.jpg]

Out with the old.

[Image: IMG_1802.jpg]

No wonder the ride wasn't so great.

[Image: IMG_1803.jpg]

And in with the new.

[Image: IMG_1804.jpg]

Sooo much travel in the old shocks >.>

[Image: IMG_1810.jpg]

Was an easy enough job only one bolt gave us any issues. But brute force conquers all.

[Image: IMG_1811.jpg]

The old shocks in all there glory :blushing:

[Image: IMG_1817.jpg]

And a random shot of the coilovers fitted.

[Image: IMG_1805.jpg]

Needless to say it completely changed the entire feel of the car, the thing handles like its on rails now. The ride is firm but in no way harsh at all.

McLevin
Member

06-01-2019, 07:07 AM

A pic of them fitted to a white prelude, same colour and rough shape so i could get an idea what they'd look like

[Image: 6717350029_large.jpg]

But after a month or two of placing wanted ads all over the place and trawling Yahoo Japan and getting nothing in the correct size and fitment i gave up the idea for now.

It was then i came across Ultralite wheels. I was tempted by the Battle MonoBlock, but the smallest size they do is 17" and i didn't want anything above 16" as 17's ruin the handling of the car.

So i decided on a set of Ultralite ATEC I's in Satin Bronze. They're pretty similar to the Weds SA-90's so they were perfect.

[Image: ultraliteatec.jpg]

I ordered a set with some blue valves as i intend on doing a blue theme with the engine bay and a few other parts. They were delivered the next day, :thumbup:

[Image: 3594471d.jpg]

I will eventually get some blue wheel nuts to match the valves.

Visited my friends workshop again to get them fitted. Had a few hassles with tyres as i was planning on using the two decent nick Toyo T1R's from my back wheels on the new ones and putting two new tyres that i bought on the front rims. But on removing one of the good tyres we found three nails in it including one through the sidewall Confused

ad: so i had to make a mad dash to a part worn place to get a replacement tyre in rush hour traffic before the tyre place shut. Lucking i made it with 5 minutes to spare and all was sorted.

Before the new wheels.

[Image: PhotoJan2684206PM.jpg]

And after :w00t:

[Image: PhotoJan2694445PM.jpg]

McLevin

06-01-2019, 07:07 AM #5

I'd wanted to change the wheels on the car since i bought it. A christmas bonus gave me the chance to do just that. :thumbup1:

I didn't want to go down the usual Rota Grids/Slipstream route thats oh so common these days.

Originally i'd wanted a set of Weds Sport SA-90's in bronze.

[Image: WEDSA90EVO.jpg]

A pic of them fitted to a white prelude, same colour and rough shape so i could get an idea what they'd look like

[Image: 6717350029_large.jpg]

But after a month or two of placing wanted ads all over the place and trawling Yahoo Japan and getting nothing in the correct size and fitment i gave up the idea for now.

It was then i came across Ultralite wheels. I was tempted by the Battle MonoBlock, but the smallest size they do is 17" and i didn't want anything above 16" as 17's ruin the handling of the car.

So i decided on a set of Ultralite ATEC I's in Satin Bronze. They're pretty similar to the Weds SA-90's so they were perfect.

[Image: ultraliteatec.jpg]

I ordered a set with some blue valves as i intend on doing a blue theme with the engine bay and a few other parts. They were delivered the next day, :thumbup:

[Image: 3594471d.jpg]

I will eventually get some blue wheel nuts to match the valves.

Visited my friends workshop again to get them fitted. Had a few hassles with tyres as i was planning on using the two decent nick Toyo T1R's from my back wheels on the new ones and putting two new tyres that i bought on the front rims. But on removing one of the good tyres we found three nails in it including one through the sidewall Confused ad: so i had to make a mad dash to a part worn place to get a replacement tyre in rush hour traffic before the tyre place shut. Lucking i made it with 5 minutes to spare and all was sorted.

Before the new wheels.

[Image: PhotoJan2684206PM.jpg]

And after :w00t:

[Image: PhotoJan2694445PM.jpg]

[Image: MCSLEVIN2s.jpg]

McLevin
Member

06-01-2019, 07:27 AM

The front of my car currently looks like this.

[Image: DSC_0398.jpg]

With the black mask headlights and front lip it should like this although this is a Trueno so the front grille is a different shape.

[Image: 5475986964_c4b42b79c7_b.jpg]

I think it gives the car a much more aggressive look.

Lip should be here in the next week or so, hopefully in time for the Miss Banzai Tunnel Run in March. Headlights and Cold Air Intake will be done next mont along with the Blue Ultralite Wheel Nuts.

McLevin

06-01-2019, 07:27 AM #6

Thats what i've done so far.

Future plans i have for the car are as following.

- Blue Ultralite Nuts (To match the valves)
- OEM Front Lip
- Trueno Headlights
- Extended Wheel Studs
- Blue JDM Style Tow Hook (Not 100% yet)
- 10-15mm Hub Centric Spacers all round (Not sure on yet as haven't got lips rolled)
- Arch lips rolled and the car lowered another 5-10mm
- De-Cat
- Manifold (Not sure which one yet)
- Custom Cold Air Intake
- Engine bay tidied and dressed with Blue Magnecor Leads, Oil Catch Can and Blue Samco Radiator Hoses.
- Uprated brakes
- Might get a new passenger side front wing as mine is slightly off colour and has rust round the arch, only part of the car with a spot of rust. Sad

The front of my car currently looks like this.

[Image: DSC_0398.jpg]

With the black mask headlights and front lip it should like this although this is a Trueno so the front grille is a different shape.

[Image: 5475986964_c4b42b79c7_b.jpg]

I think it gives the car a much more aggressive look.

Lip should be here in the next week or so, hopefully in time for the Miss Banzai Tunnel Run in March. Headlights and Cold Air Intake will be done next mont along with the Blue Ultralite Wheel Nuts.

N15_GTi
Senior Member

268

06-01-2019, 07:34 AM

Really like what you have done so far... very tasteful!

Never even heard of or seen one of these...its always good to see something new.

Like it a lot!

N15_GTi

06-01-2019, 07:34 AM #7

Really like what you have done so far... very tasteful!

Never even heard of or seen one of these...its always good to see something new.

Like it a lot!

Lexuspat
Administrator

6,827

06-01-2019, 07:38 AM

i love those wheels really set the car off

[SIZE="2"]Click to visit my Project Thread or my Flickr Account[/SIZE]

OutlawJapClub Admin Team

Lexuspat

06-01-2019, 07:38 AM #8

i love those wheels really set the car off

[SIZE="2"]Click to visit my Project Thread or my Flickr Account[/SIZE]

OutlawJapClub Admin Team

McLevin
Member

08-01-2019, 02:53 AM

N15_GTi Really like what you have done so far... very tasteful!

Never even heard of or seen one of these...its always good to see something new.

Like it a lot!

Thanks Man. Its always been my plan to keep it as clean and as tasteful as possible I'm not a huge fan of aftermarket body kits and massive rims on cars. Just going to keep this as subtle as possible with a few little touches.

McLevin

08-01-2019, 02:53 AM #9

N15_GTi Really like what you have done so far... very tasteful!

Never even heard of or seen one of these...its always good to see something new.

Like it a lot!

McLevin
Member

08-01-2019, 02:54 AM

#10

Lexuspat i love those wheels really set the car off

Yeah managed to get them for a good price too. They'll look even better with the colour coded wheel nuts.

McLevin

08-01-2019, 02:54 AM #10

Lexuspat i love those wheels really set the car off

Yeah managed to get them for a good price too. They'll look even better with the colour coded wheel nuts.

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