My 99 Solara: Project 'Make it Run'

[r0w]

^^ i second that! she beat me, and shes on #2! GL with the rest of the project keep us posted.

[steffknee]

ummm i recommend you use the balance shaft trust me..i took mine off i lost performance, fuel economy, and here is some information i pick up.... some owners modify their engines by removing the balance shafts, both to reclaim some of this power and to reduce complexity and potential areas of breakage for high performance and racing use, as it is commonly (but falsely) believed that the smoothness provided by the balance shafts can be attained after their removal by careful balancing of the reciprocating components of the engine.. So basically keep the balance shaft and also every component in the engine is their for a reason and good luck with the car... i been working on my typing so mine the grammar, i'm working on it

The reason you had a bad experience taking the balance shaft out of your Solara is because the crankshaft is balanced taking into account there are balance shafts under them. I will be using the block and crank from a Celica which was not made to have balance shafts, so I think it will be just fine. Believe me, I figured it would be fine but I always run things like that by a few of the master techs anyway just to be sure.

Everything else that was taken off the Solara is going back on, with the exception of the oil pump (and obvious bearings and seals of course), I do not trust the oil pump that is on it now because there were oil issues with the car so I just ordered a new one from work to be safe.

[5sfe]

i see you know what you doing..i'm just going to keep my mouth shut

[steffknee]

it's fine, I appreciate the input, it may have been something I hadn't thought about. I'm looking for any advise people here may have. I know Celica's, I really don't know much about the Solara just yet.

[steffknee]

The Celica block is now at work and stripped down. Bearings, thrust washers, and core plugs will be ordered tomorrow. I will drop off the head at the machine shop tomorrow after a trip to the DMV to pay taxes and title the car in my name. It won't be registered until it runs and drives.

[gnegroni]

That sounds great. Keep us posted.

[conor42]

ummm i recommend you use the balance shaft trust me..:

1991-1995 MR2s did not have balance shafts and commonly live(d) long, bullet proof lives so long as they had their oil changed at appropriate intervals. I think that their main purpose is smooth operation.. something that a weenie Camry owner is likely to care about, but not something that a person in a sportscar would notice.

[Jakecallun20]

ummm i recommend you use the balance shaft trust me..:

1991-1995 MR2s did not have balance shafts and commonly live(d) long, bullet proof lives so long as they had their oil changed at appropriate intervals. I think that their main purpose is smooth operation.. something that a weenie Camry owner is likely to care about, but not something that a person in a sportscar would notice.

Lol, you better watch what you say about camry owners....alot of cams hang around here....

[steffknee]

as of tonight the engine is about 90% together and almost ready to go.

The crankshaft and pistons are in, the head is on, the valves are shimmed, the timing belt is on.



The tech working with me is going to put the intake manifold on, some brackets, timing belt covers, etc. on tomorrow morning before work. I'll just enjoy my day off.

The plan is to have the car pushed into the shop Sat afternoon and Sun when the service dept is not in use we'll throw the engine in and hopefully have it running if not Sun within the next few days.

I won't really need to be using it for a while but I am anxious to find out if there is anything else it needs in terms of suspension and/or brake issues, find out if the starter and alternator work properly, little things like that.

[Jakecallun20]

Awesome job, Stephanie! That thing looks immaculate! I can't wait to see the finished product, When will your sister start using it?

[TLMNICK]

That engine looks really really good.

I always wished I was mechanically inclined like that, but my area of expertise is in electronics.

[gnegroni]

That engine looks really really good.

I always wished I was mechanically inclined like that, but my area of expertise is in electronics.

Ditto!

[steffknee]

haha I am the opposite, I'm not incredibly great with electrical stuff. Right now I have the wiring book and I'm trying to figure out how to wire the alarm I bought

on another note... IT RUNS!

I got to the dealership around 8:30am this morning, the car was running by about 2:30 this afternoon.





From what I can tell so far from just driving it around the block:
- the idle is perfect, needle is still at idle
- engine itself runs very quiet without the balance shafts
- A/C blows cold. dash lights, DRL's, auto lights, all electronics work fine
- brakes are good, pads about 50-60% worn and don't pulsate
- drives straight, steering wheel is very slightly off center

- exhaust flex section is leaking, it's already been replaced
- front struts are bad, bouncy over big bumps not so bad over small ones
- strut mounts are bad, they are noisy over bumps
- rear sway bar bushings clunk over bumps
- there is something in the blower motor, makes a lot of noise when its on

[Ilovemylara]

awesome dude.. glad it finally came together for you

[steffknee]

I'm going to try and register it today.

Finally got a picture side by side, it looks so much bigger than my Celica, it's strange.