Celica Hobby - Celica FAQ

I made this FAQ to help new and old members with commonly asked questions about the 7th generation celica. It consists of frequently used links, and also information.

Question: What are the differences between the GT and GT-S?
Answer: [celicahobby.com]

Question: What is lift?
Answer: The new 180 hp Celica GT-S (USA/CAN) now features the amazing VVTL-i engine developed by Toyota and Yamaha. Based on the standard 140 hp 1.8 VVT-i, the VVTL-i has both Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift. The latter is achieved by an extra cam lobe that is brought into play by the engine electronics via a hydraulic actuator.

Interestingly, Toyota have set up the system so that the extra power kicks in over 6000 rpm. The torque curve of a VVTL-i is almost exactly the same as a VVT-i up to that point and then suddenly, where the VVT-i begins to run out of steam and revs, the new engine develops a new lease of life producing the extra 49 bhp right through to its 8000 rpm redline.
...

The diagram below shows the two cams which are both always turning, and the hydraulic actuator that moves the 'Rocker Arm Pin' into place at a preset engine speed."

There is also an animation on lift at the following link: [toyota-europe.com]

Question: Is the celica fast?
Answer: No, it's not FAST. A Mustang Cobra, 350z, Supra, Camaro SS, and Trans-am are FAST.

Question: Then why the hell should I get a celica?
Answer: Because it is not slow either...It also has remarkable handling. It handles better than most of the cars listed above, and is awesome for Auto-X. The celica also has a very sexy interior and exterior.

Question: XXX, you are such a liar! How can you get a XX.X second quarter mile stock, when car and driver says its a XX.X second car?!
Answer: Because most car magazines, get the vehicle loaned to them. This means they have to treat it good, and not break it. So this in turn means, no redlining, and no hard shifts.

Question: I have a stock GT-S, and cannot get below 15.2 second quarter mile. Why is this?
Answer: Because you are either not launching right, shifting right, or not landing lift. Also, the 2002 has a lower rev-limiter, which causes higher times.

Question: How do I launch right?
Answer: Heres a guide: [www.celicahobby.com]

Question: How do I land lift?
Answer: In order to land lift, you must shift at an RPM that, when it lands on the next gear, is still in 'lift territory'. Our resident fast guy uses the following RPMS:

1-2 8350
2-3 8200
3-4 7800
4-5 8350

Question: I just bought a new GT-S, because I hear they own GT's, but I lose to them on the Auto-X track? WTF? 180 hp > 140 hp
Answer: The GT-S only owns the GT on the straight line, and at braking. The reason you are losing is because the GT has better torque/horsepower curve down low. The GT-S excels at the Higher RPMS. During Auto-X, your car usually stays in the lower RPMS, making the GT-S' lift useless.

Question: You celica guys dont know what your talking about, the Acura RSX-S has 20 more horsepower than the GT-S, making the RSX-S faster than the GT-S.
Answer: In actuality, the RSX-S does not have 20 more 'real' horsepower. Car manufacturers use 'crank' horsepower on their ratings. That number is useless, what you really want to know is the Horsepower that actually gets to the wheels. The GT-S says it has 180 hp, when it only gets 160 hp to the wheel. The RSX-S says it has 200 hp, when it only gets 165 hp to the wheel. So in reality, the RSX-S only has 5hp to the wheel more. You must also take into account a VERY important factor. This factor is weight. The GT-S weighs around 2500 lbs. The RSX-S on the other hand, weighs around 2800 lbs. That 5hp more, does not make up for being 300 lbs heavier.

Question: What exhaust is right for me?
Answer: It depends on what you want, the Kazuma gives the best gains, but is not street legal. Most people like to go with TRD and Tanabe Super Racing Medallion (TSRM). The TRD gives about .2hp more than the TSRM, but a lot of people like the nice deep sound of the TSRM more.

Question: What Intake is best for me?
Answer: Most people go with Injen or AEM, others good ones are RMM and Blitz. AEM gives gains in the lower RPMS, Injen gives gains in the higher RPMS.

Question: I just installed an Intake, and now I am getting a check engine light (CEL).
Answer: Did you install everything right? Make sure all the vaccuum tubes are connected right? Did you try resetting your ecu?

Question: How do I reset my ECU?
Answer: To reset your ECU, you must unplug your negative on the battery. Most people suggest around 15 minutes.

Question: I still have the CEL!
Answer: Try cleaning your Mass Air-Flow Sensor (MAFS) with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip. Be cautious though, this thing is easy to damage...and expensive to replace.

Question: I saw this ebay Intake called 'Super Blaster Celica Supra Civic Sunfire Prelude' Intake on ebay for $50. I will just get that.
Answer: You get what you pay for...

Question: I just bought this chip from ebay called the 'RamChip'. It says I will get 60hp! I cant wait.
Answer: Sorry, but you just wasted your money. The ebay chips do not work. They are piggyback chips, which means they connect to the stock ECU. The stock ECU has failsafes in it, that reset any changes caused by the new chip.

Question: Are there any chips available that work?
Anwer: Yes, the Apexi PFC. There is a nice writeup by lucky_317 on the chip, he has it. The link is here: [celicahobby.com]

Question: What is rice?
Answer: It depends who you ask, but most people say the following are rice: Neons, Chrome TailLights, Fartcan exhausts, cheesy graphics, re-badging your car to something it isn't (ex: Putting a GT-R on your civic).

Question: Are celicas rice?
Answer: No, just because something is made in japan, doesn't make it rice.

Question: I just beat an NSX with my Celica GT-S!
Answer: No you didn't, please do not post false comments on ecelica. The people here are not dumb.

Question: Yes I did..
Answer: Then show a timestamp at the track showing you won. Though anything can happen on the street, chances are the NSX owner wasnt trying when you 'beat' him.

Question: I have a question that has not been answered yet.
Answer: Please use the search command first. Many questions have been answered already, so just search for it. The search page is here: [celicahobby.com]

This FAQ was written by Brandon 'LostAngel' Eckert (c) 2004, with information found on http://www.celicahobby.com
Quotes, have the user I got them from's username included.