Reviving KP30: Exterior Pt 6 -wheels

   When building a J-Tin like mine, a period correct set of wheels is a must to achieve that 70s feel tuning era. Although mine aren't kinda rare or famous enough like the watanabe, hayashi or ssr's, but im still looking forward to bring out the best that I can with these Enkei Apache.

 

 Without any machining method, I went to work with these manually. Sandpapers and Meguiars metal polish are the only tools that I need and it was my first time doing this.

Started with 450 grit sandpapers and smoothen them gradually with 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2000, and lastly 2500 grit before I apply the Meguiars metal polish.

9 steps for each wheel 4 wheels all together then I knew Im crazy enough to this :p . The hardest part was to remove the coatings and of course I burned my fingertips.

That advan RG 2 over there is one of my stool to do the hard work..haha

How it looks like after 8 steps before applying meguiars.

Completed sets of 4

120 man hours later after applying Meguiars metal polish

   I swear to myself that Im not going to do this again but all the hard work paid off ! Next time just send them over to the machine shop and wiggle your legs 

Reviving KP30: Handling Pt 3 -coilovers-

   The next step was to have a decent ride height but I have to admit that there is no specific calculation or measurements on this purpose. It just happen that I have a set of used adjustable coilovers taken out from my Perodua Myvi/ Toyota Passo. The spring rating was 6.5kg/mm in the front and the OD of the strut is about 2 inches.

I took out my TA22 struts and compare the OD and length for both struts and lucky me they have the same OD. The length of the coilover strut is about 1.5 inch shorter than TA22 struts.

Moving on the fabrication process, nothing special here just cut the old TA22 strut and remove the catridge casings. Inserted the coilovers onto the base around 1.5 inch deep and weld them from the bottom. I assume that Im going to be very low with enough suspension travel.

After the welding and skimmed disc rotor.

Then I stripped the casing paint out prepare for its new paint. Im using Acid#8 for the base metal primer to protect from rust and good bonding with the finish paint.

Same goes to the disc rotor 

I realize that another problem rises up where the top mounting doesn't fit with the piston shaft. The shaft is about 0.3mm smaller from the ID of the top mounting so I had to mod some tapered washer and insert it in place just for a temporary fix before I can find any appropriate metal bush. That will do the job for a while :)

So the finish product, the KP30 drives great on low height with enough suspension travel and the brakes feel smoother after the rotor been skimmed.

Reviving KP30: Exterior Pt 5 -bodywork-

   Despite lack of time updating my blog, the progress is still ongoing and this happen back in 2012 .So I get the KP31 Publica front end grilles and the side housing also the rear tail lamps. I sent them over to the body shop and hoping they can fit them close to the standard condition. 

   The results is not that bad..lots of metal works especially in the rear end. Match painted with the rest of the body and some clear rubbing to make it looks better. 

Reviving KP30 : Goodies Pt 4

For the year 2011, nothing much happen and the progress is quite slow. This is the time I did a full research on how Im going to built this car and preparing my budget and planning to achieve my goal. At the same time, I gather some parts that I need to complete my project. I bought my KP31 XL front grille and headlamp housing from the local scrap yard, and my rear tail lights from CHACHA racing family Japan.
But, due to some missed communication between Kouji of CHACHA racing family and me, he assume that I didnt pay for the goods that I get from him, which I already done the transaction a year ago. No emails replied from him but instead he posted in the Speedhunters saying that Im a Liar and did not pay for the goods and desire me to strip off the stickers that he gave to me.
I felt really disappointed for the action he made although I have done the payment. I am a professional and I pay for the things that I want. I wont deal anything if I have no money for it. And to Mr Kouji, I will not have the problem to pay for the tail lamp once again.

                                  complete KP 31 Deluxe XL front grille and headlamp housing

                                                          KP31 Deluxe XL Rear Tail Light

MIA

Two years missing, no updates, no pics, but it doesnt mean that I stop building my KP30. Due to time constraint, and my addiction to Iphone, which for the time being I search anything that I need through it, makes myself rarely lay my hands on my laptop.
So for the quick update, I did my research and collect the parts that I need, and done some small restorations and suspension upgrades to my KP30. I have started to learn and to do almost everything by myself except for parts that need to be send to the machine shops and the bodywork. As like any budget car builders out there, cost is always the factor and what we concern the most, that leads us to show some effort and built the project on our own.
Im going to post in detail on everything that I did for the past 2 years but before that, here is a little preview on what I have achieved.

KP 31 Publica ST

We heard about TE 27, TE 37 and many sports version of JDM corolla's. I surf something about the Publica KP 30 and it turn out that it does have its sports version to0.
The JDM KP 31 Publica ST.

Publica ST brochure

thicker honey comb style front grille with two holes each sides, and pair of spotlights

the fender mirror is similar with the corolla TE27's

rear air vents are different from my KP 30 and notice its white racing stripes trademark?

now...the rear tail lights is absolutely poisonous.

OK im poisoned

Publica ST emblems

Those swirl marks may indicate this is the original color. Olive Green maybe?

Toyota really loves extra meters on they sport version models right?
notice the 4 small meters besides the speedo

Brown leather interior

The Publica ST runs on 4k engines with 5 speed transmission. Where KP30 is on 2K engine and 4 speeds.

If you look closer on the bonnet, theres 2 side air vents on it similar like celica TA 22's.

Now the question is where can I get all these rare parts????

Hanif Hans Corolla TE 37

My best friend just completed his TE 37 restoration. Actually its a Corolla KE 35 or known as Hardtop. I made a video for him to show how much I appreciate his effort on completing his TE37 project! Ill post some pics of his car during the restoration later. Enjoy!