BIGSOHC the resurrection


Since 92 I owned this 83 Celica (named Hard Body) and fell in love with its power and ability.  Back then I was off doing cheap tricks for hp gains, removing cat, blaster coil and carb tricks to dump more gas under full throttle.  As time went by I became more familiar about TRD and other performance company's that offered parts with promising results.  I started buying my parts one by one and then five years later a new name was born.  BIGSOHC debuted in March of 1997 as the 200+ hp naturally aspired beast.  With the modifications that were done, damage was expected on the roads.  It featured a 22R motor that was:

                  
 
Bored 80 over
Forged dome pistons 10:5:1
Lightweight crank
9lb flywheel
LC 8 pug clutch
Extrude hone 20R head
Over size valves, dual valve springs
LC stage 3Cam
Mukkini 44 carbs
Doug Thorey Headers
2.5 inch exhaust
Mallory Ignition system
Holly fuel pump
LSD 4.11 Rear
Tockico Springs/ shocks
Over size sway bars w/Polly urethane bush
205/16/40 Nitto tires

I never was sure of what BIGSOHC was capable of until I lined up against some hard runners.  I once raced a GNX, which I thought I didn't have a chance.  We went at it on the illegal ¼ strip and I had this guy from 1st threw 3rd, and then he beat me by a fender.  I also raced a Starlet with a rotary and this guy had this car gutted out with slicks and bicycle tires in the front.  I managed to beat him by a half a car, so there I was starting to believe and think of what if I had a little shot of NOS. But before I could go on to that, I had problems that needed to be addressed.  Since day one I always had a problem with the oil pressure and fuel mixture, which was damaging the rings and pistons.  At this point I was breaking my motor down to solve these issues as well as making changes to enhance the hp.  My only regret was that BIGSOHC never ran on the track, so I really never knew where I stood.

Jorge my mechanic at the time had a few project cars going.  Two Starlets, one turbo the other NOS and a 85 turbo Celica.  I offend wondered how I would do lined up with his turbo Celica and I must admit, I thought I really had a chance.  That's until one day I drove in his car.  We went to Hunts point and he was sticking a fork in everything on the road.  Even with the street slicks the torque was too much for them.  After that wild uptown venture, I decided I wanted to go turbo.  Knowing so, I would have to do away with my motor and start over.  I sold most of the parts from the 22R and I found a 22RE-TE motor in Florida that needed an overhaul.  Mean while I brought a car to use for everyday, 91 Tercel.

At this point, I started feeling the love within my Tercel and when I got my hands on that Japanese spec Turbo motor, and then a new venture started.

BIGSOHC been parked in the garage for a year and a half and I refused to work on two cars at a time.  I also realized how deep in the pockets a turbo project could hit you.  Now I'm saying to myself once Terzilla is finished, cant go through this turbo stress again with BIGSOHC so I decided to sell off the project.  I wanted to sell everything as is with parts galore, so that I wouldn't have to put any more money into it.

What?  No sell yet……  I still have BIGSOHC and now I decided to resurrect and bring things back to the way it was and with improvements.  What the hell, Ill have two race cars and drive it till its sold.   This time it will make it to the track, so stay tuned on the results.
 

                    SOLD
 


inquires:  Darren@DivisionOne.org
 
 

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