Celica Forums Install Guides and Technical Articles Information and Articles 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 GTS?
Answer: https://celicahobby.com/tech/celica.html

Question: What is lift?
Answer: The new 180 hp Celica GTS (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 two cams which are both always turning, and the hydraulic actuator that moves the 'Rocker Arm Pin' into place at a preset engine speed." An animation on lift and more detail at the following link: https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/43603

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 GTS, 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: https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/166978/site_id/1

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 GTS, because I hear they own GT's, but I lose to them on the Auto-X track? WTF? 180 hp > 140 hp
Answer: The GTS 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 GTS excels at the Higher RPMS. During Auto-X, your car usually stays in the lower RPMS, making the GTS' lift useless.

Question: You celica guys dont know what your talking about, the Acura RSX-S has 20 more horsepower than the GTS, making the RSX-S faster than the GTS.
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 GTS 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 GTS 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 fail-safes 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: https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1869910307/site_id/1

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 GTS!
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 timeslip 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: https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/search

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

Mustang GT and a GTS are roughly the same speed.

Not fast...

Cobra is fast, 12's stock

350z isnt fast... other then that good job

Damn! lost angel good ass post, i learned a thing or two just now. Now when i talk to my friends about my car, i really really know what the hell im talking about lol!

most of it not his ha ha

glad you actually listen brandon

I'd consider a GT Mustang fast, at least a lot faster than the Celica.

I hate to admit it cause I'm an avid ford hater but all things equal the stang will win

Join the club.

I mean don't get me wrong, I'm sure that quite a few Celicas out there can take a GT Stang (of the newest gen.), but you look at how much you spent on getting the Celica that fast, dump that much into the GT, and he's a second or two faster.

Best post that I have read yet. Many thanks on some dumb questions. One big question that I have is how high can I rev a stock GTS engine. I have about 3000 miles on it. I saw that our residant fast guy recommends shifting at 8350 from 1st and 5th gears. Can the stock GTS go that high infrequently. Say maybe once a week? I would sure hate to ruin my engine, but I would really like to find out if this stuff works! Many thanks, KenC

Should be fine as long as you don't mis-shift, and as long as you regularily lubricate the engine.

I take mine to 8600 rpms several times daily and numerous track days w/ no problems so far. you just have to make sure you take care of your car. I change my oil every 2,000 miles w/ full synthetic.

Thanks guys, one more question. Why does the variable lift wait until 6000 rpm's to kick in. I would love the power to kick in at lower rpm's. Is there something inherent to the engine that prevents the variable lift kicking in at lower rpm's. Do the FC units kick the variable lift in at lower rpm's? Thanks KenC

It kicks in at that RPM because thats the lowest RPM it can be, and make good gains. Yes, the PFC can change your lift point, but most people leave it be, or even makes the lift point higher to get more power. The PFC can also change your revlimiter.

PS, thanks greg.

Thanks! I'll be quiet now...

haha, why? Ecelica = place to learn.

Don't want to be like the geek in class asking all the questions. On the other hand, this is like class, and my wife thinks I'm geeky... Thanks for the answers, KenC

good post

You can learn a lot from a geek, you just have to have a lot patience!!

I was trying to tell my friend, that has no idea what lift was...he kept thinking the car lifted like the muscle car in fast and the furious...

that would be amazing if our cars could do that lol but yeah the best way to learn something is to ask if you dont know. for the most part people wont flame you no matter how "dumb" the question is. now that this is a sticky hopefully most newcomers can find out their questions here with out having to do a lot of searching.

Sweet post. I have qualms about the "rice" issue though...most people tend to say rice to any visual changes. Engine work is Tuned.

Maybe an ideaon a next post: try a "shopping list" of aftermarket parts to get. Or try an order or parts to get (ie first thing is CAI, then this, then that...) to create a "fast" celica. Just an Idea.

ah, young grasshopper you have much to learn
==================================================

There's a very good reason why nobody has lift before 6,000 N/A and 5800 F/I. You lose way too much power.
stock lift kicks on around 6200 rpms.

what we've been able to do was pull enough power before lift that you really dont notice the transition. it's a work around for not being able to engage lift sooner.
you wouldnt really want lift to kick on later

you can raise the rev limiter but not by much. we use 8600. however you only shift that high for the 1-2 & 2-3 shifts.

it's not a mod for beginners or people who dont plan on putting the effot into getting it fine tuned correctly.

thats a hard one cause everyone has their own opinion.

not to mention driver skill determines how "fast" your car will be

Thanks for the correction, I could have sworn you or illusive said people with the PFC raised the lift point to a higher RPM for some reason, or just left it be. Thanks for the heads up though.

nope lowered it to kick on at 6,000 and kicks off at 5800

What is the stock rev limiter set at by the factory on the 04 GTS? I have been afraid to push it past 8000 cause I've got a new engine, and am not going to push it past the stock rev limiter for a while. PS Drove my buds STI (340 hp on the dyno) and man, does it make the Celica look weak on acceleration. But we have it all over him in the handling department. I like the interior better in the Celica and no one can deny the Celica's great looks. For 32 grand I would of expected a nicer interior and better looks. Apparently a lot of money was spent on lowering the weight, but it makes the interior feel a tad cheap. Thanks, KenC

um ok.

fuel cut off is 8400 rpms. Once your engine is broken in its safe to go there

Back to the Celica GTS vs. RSX Type-S argument. I've been wondering one thing - does the GTS respond to minimal mods as well as the Type-S does?

From Club RSX:
before:
spoon drop in filter
catback
spoon header

after:
ITR CAMS
ITR Intake mani
injen CAI
Hondata ITR flash
Hondata gasket

Thanks guys. See y'all next week!

considering we dont have cams available and there is no viable header option at this point the answer is who knows.

looks to me like they peaked at 205 ish whp ?? I don't have a header and I'm up over 180 so it sure looks porportional so far you also have to remember we weigh less so it all evens out in the end

Just remember that the Type-S is a top-end monster. (well, like your Celica ) In a roadrace, the Type-S will never drop under 6500 rpms. As long as he's keeping that much whp in the high-end, you'll be slaughtered .

not when we weigh a few hundred lbs less

seems to me like you're on here to prove a point so, I'll make this easy for you.

my trap speed in the 1/4 mile and 172 whp weighing in at 2400 lbs on average is 102 mph thats the same as most rsx-s who have similar whp to the dynos you posted. I have been posting on clubrsx.com for about as long as I've been here.

if you're attempting to make an rsx vs gts argument you can stop now. regardless of what you hear it's a drivers race between the 2 cars. Even the rsx owners admit it.

if i've mistaken your intentions then my bad.

You're absolutely right! . But the motor, and the aftermarket support will always win .

and I wasn't talking about drag racing, I was talking about road racing .

road racing as in twisties? I believe the celica owns there too...

doesnt matter celicas handle just as well if not a lil better then the rsx

regardless of mods if 2 cars are running the same times and trap speeds then they are pretty much equal acceleration wise and since the celica handles very well, I'd say thats not an issue and again would be a drivers race.


no neither car > the other so stfu and get off this site if all you want to do is make stupid comments.

Hey Brandon,are those performance chips really that good as they are introduced on the web?It seems too easy to me to gain so much Hp just to put that little device to the engine.

The only chips that work are the PowerFC. It will run you abour $1,200 plus tuning costs (dynotuning) and the programmer. Here is the link to lucky's post about the PFC. https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbt...t-APEXI-POWER-FC-for-the-Celica-GTS.html

The amount of power you get from the chip depends on what you have done with your car.