Matt's '81 KP60 Starlet

_Matt · November 13, 2021

IT RUNS!!

The timing was out by 320° and then it started right up. Need to take it out to the dyno at some stage now and get it run in and a decent tune on it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVw9xp3lLJu/

Got the dash all back in.

Repinned the dash cluster plugs to suit the tacho dash (thanks to Paul for doing me a pin-out!). Fuel level warning light and the cat warning light are the only things that don't work because the car doesn't have them.

Had to change the tacho signal resistor to get the gauge working from the Link ecu signal. Stoked it all works and even does the full sweep on ign!

Bought some new door seals and lower window seals from Thailand and fitted them to the doors, so they could finally go back on.

Made an oil catch can that tucks away under the intake.

Drew up a front timing cover plug for where the original fwd engine mount use to stick out. Blocks up the hole nicely. Thanks to @Brennan for 3d printing it.

Had the cam cover painted black (thanks Justin!). Looks good, but strange because I'm so used to the raw aluminium one.

_Matt · December 21, 2021

Took it to Keith Stewart to go on the dyno to be run in and get a tune put on it. Had zero issues, made 120.6hp atw. Will get some km's on it and take in back for a fine tune, should still have another 1000 or so rpm in it I'd imagine!

Made an aluminium sump bash guard and that finished off everything on the underside.

Couldn't find any good bumper end caps, so I drew one up in solidworks and my brother 3D printed out a couple to take some moulds off, so then we could make some fibreglass ones.

Pretty happy with how they turned out! Far tidier than the old warped and cracked factory plastic ones.

Had the bumpers, grill, headlight surrounds and fender mirrors painted in a metallic grey very close to the factory colour. Installed some NOS park/indicator lights that I got ages ago and put the bonnet on. That basically finishes off the exterior!

Cert next!

_Matt · February 11, 2022

Passed cert about a month back, still need to get it wofed at some stage though! But I have been driving it around ever since.
Only small issue is the gearbox makes a horrible rattle at 100km/h, so I'll have to pull that out at some stage and see what's wrong with that.

_Matt · September 14, 2024

Some things have happened in the past 2 years since the last update. Have gotten a few wofs in it and taken it a few events around the place. It's basically "finished" now!

Had the upholstery redone over the course of a year or so. Got the seats and door cards done, then a while later eventually got the carpet done.
Because the NZ new spec Starlets came with the bare basic interior, the door/rear quarter cards needed some stainless trim to make them look a bit more up-spec. A quick road trip to Horopito and a search of their inventory, I came across a set of Zephyr side trim that could be cut and welded to the appropriate length, and then polished up.

After hours of searching for the correct colour schemed tartan and where to acquire, I managed to order a roll from England and then matched up a tan vinyl to suit.
Huge thanks to Mark D for doing the upholstery! Stoked with how it turned out.

Took it to 4nR Jamboree and took out Best Toyota

Drove around Autofest at Manfeild

Made some KP friends

Entered a Manfeild back-track drift day. Went really well all day with the thrashing it received, no issues, other than the lack of talent behind the wheel haha.