Matrix Borrowed Engine from Celica

[RiceRocket]

maybe transplant the AWD system on to the Celica GTS? I know they already have one out... the yellow GTS with AWD Turbo'd 450HP.... it's not in production though...

[F20C]

That's the one developed by TRD right? Made for the Charity CART race held in California.

[Morpheus XIII]

Originally posted by Mrcoilover
I looked the toyota site up and found out that the celica GT's is only like 2580 with a 6spd.

You mean GT-S, right? The GT is only available with a 5-speed.

Originally posted by F20C
I have read nothing but Celica GT-S engine on the Matrix. Where can I find information about this lesser power engine that will powered the AWD Matrix?

The November issue publications of various magazines are telling a more full story about the Matrix, including a base model engine which will be 130-140 hp and also have available, not standard all-wheel-drive.

Originally posted by RiceRocket
maybe transplant the AWD system on to the Celica GTS? I know they already have one out... the yellow GTS with AWD Turbo'd 450HP.... it's not in production though...

Nice idea, but it would probably take more work than we think getting that rear end into the Celica (the Matrix shares a Corolla platform). Plus the Celica handles great anyway, so no need to add on more weight, no?

As for the turbocharged yellow GT-S with all-wheel-drive, that is a one-off custom created by Rod Millen Motorsports and TRD dubbed "Ultimate Celica", but it doesn't use the 2ZZ-GE, but rather the older 3S-GTE + AWD from the older Celica GT-four/all-trac. Click here for more information about this car on another Celica thread.

Originally posted by F20C
That's the one developed by TRD right? Made for the Charity CART race held in California.

Actually, it's different from the Ultimate Celica. These cars for the CART Long Beach Grand Prix "Racing for Kids" Pro-Celebrity race are pretty much regular GT-S models but enhanced with safety/race features such as a roll cage, fire control, etc. Other than a visual package (wheels, TRD Sports M spoiler, graphics), I don't think the charity racers have any performance modifications. There could have been a suspension upgrade or a straight-pipe, but I can't remember exactly.

Below are photos of some of these cars (note: there's Melissa Joan Hart under yellow in the Carbon Blue Celica; what a cutie--and she's a competetive racer too!):

[Morpheus XIII]

More:

[Mrcoilover]

Yeah I meant 6spd.

[F20C]

So are you saying AWD will not be offer to GT-S engine? The Ultimate Celica is RED right? For the LBGP I saw them with a Specially done up Yellow Celica. It had a nose much like F1 cars.

[F20C]

It says Matrix AWD will only be offered with the 1.8L engine. It will have 120hp and 130 torque. Along with a different rear suspension layout from the FWD Matrix. That sounds to me like a ultra weak Matrix AWD.

[Morpheus XIII]

Um, hmm.. our sources are obviously differing, since I hear that the Matrix (from corporate news) will incorporate multi-trim powerplants as well as an available all-wheel-drive. 1.8 liter means that the engine will produce at least 140 hp, as the 1ZZ-FE does on the Celica GT, while a step up will unleash 180 hp with the 2ZZ-GE.

Have you checked the link yet for the 'Ultimate Celica'? Not only is it featured on the internet, but it was a cover car for SEVERAL monthly publications (in yellow, still one-off), with full reviews stating that the automobile was designed solely for publicity for TRD and RMM powered by the infamous 3S-GTE. The Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Celicas are standard GT-Ss powered by the 2ZZ-GE with mild modifications--and I have seen the past wrecked ones sitting in body shops over the years.

[F20C]

Maybe I wasn't clear in my previous post.

AWD Matrix and Vibe have 1ZZ-FE engine only. But the spec Toyota and GM give was only 120hp. Also different is multilink independent rear suspension in place of the front-wheel-driver's twist-beam tush

FWD Matrix and Vibe have both 2ZZ-GE and 1ZZ-FE engine.

[Morpheus XIII]

It looks like many are stating that the entry-level powerplant will produce 130 horses, which is interesting, since that number is slightly lower than the rating mustered by the 1ZZ-FE found in the Celica GT.

F20C: As for your statement on the Matrix Sport using a 2ZZ-GE, and ONLY front-wheel-drive, where can I find this information? I cannot find any sources that either confirm or deny this fact (they all vaguely state that 'it will be offered in three trims with either a 130 or 180 hp engine, with the option of all-wheel-drive' :huh: ). In any case, why would Toyota leave out the AWD in the upscale model? Toyota has been known to make their lineups very linear and simple, unlike Mitsubishi's older Eclipse Spyder which was not available as a GSX, or all-wheel-drive.

[F20C]

I got it from Toyota site.

Engine

Base/XR
1.8L DOHC 16V
VVT-i 4 Cylinder
130hp @ 6000 rpm
125 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

XRS

1.8L DOHC 16V Yamaha enhanced
VVTL-i 4 Cylinder
180hp @ 7600 rpm
130 lb-ft @ 6800 rpm

Transmission

Base/XR
Standard 5 Speed Manual
Optional 4 Speed Auto
Standard with AWD

XRS
Optional 4 Speed Auto
Optional 6 Speed Manual

The 120hp and AWD only with 1ZZ-FE engine came from Car and Driver.

[M Spec]

One thing I'm happy about is, the 2ZZ-GE is being used in more than one platform. Hence aftermarket support for this engine should increase to a decent level than it is currently for the Celica GT-S.

Kowwing the engine's characteristics well, I'm not sure if the 2ZZ-GE is the best choice for a Sub 2800lbs Matrix. The car needs more low down torque than outright power that the 2ZZ-GE engine provides.

If an AWD is used/mated with the 2ZZ-GE, I think too much power will be lost to the wheels.

Jason