Guess what I found in a junkyard! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

metalo69 · 10-27-2007, 07:44 PM

Hey guys, I know I have never posted in the Corolla section before and I don't own one yet, but you have got to see what I found in my local junkyard! I was driving around in the salvage yard looking for an engine for my Camry and spotted this and jumped out of my car to run over to it to see it up close, I was so ecstatic when I saw the stamp on the firewall read "AE86". Now I'm thinking about buying this sucker from the junkyard and seeing if I can piece it back together.

And after I calmed back down and continued my search for a 5s-FE, I spotted yet another AE86.

What do you guys think? Is the white one worth the work to restore? I already know that I am gonna have to bribe the junkyard owner just to get them because they don't want to do the paperwork to get me a salvage title.

Trueno90Deuce · 10-27-2007, 08:00 PM

haha that's cool. It's hard for me to find those as well as ae92's in the junkyards these days... everyone cleaned them out it seems.

I found a 1978 today almost all the parts still on it and alot of trim in great condition.

I like the silver one... if you want it and can do it then get it.

metalo69 · 10-27-2007, 08:15 PM

Thanks Trueno90Deuce.
I guess I should have filled you guys in with a few more details about the cars though. Both AE86s' still have their engines but they are the 4C carburetor engines, not the 4a-GE. Both vehicles have pretty straight bodies and seem to be structurally sound. The silver one is missing almost all of its interior and the red on is missing it's hood. The glass is busted out on the red one, and the silver one has no wheels. I'm sure neither start do to the length of time they have been sitting (any gas in the has congealed by now).

As far as the knowhow, I am a mechanic. So this kinda thing is easy for me as far as the labor goes. The problem I have is the same problem everyone has, money and location. This may change with time and is kind of erelivent to my original question, "Do you guys think its worth it?".

Also I was wondering, if any of you guys are tall? or have a tall friend that has tried to drive your AE86s', and if so how well did he fit? cause I'm kinda tall.

secrecyguy · 10-27-2007, 08:22 PM

There's a reason why it's in the junkyard. I will vote no.

FinalGear · 10-27-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalo69

The problem I have is the same problem everyone has, money and location.

Those are your biggest obstacles! You should sleep on it.....I wouldn't jump the gun yet.....too early

KHSFilipino7290 · 10-27-2007, 10:28 PM

its worth it only if you have the money, and time but otherwise just think about it dude a lot of work will have to go into something like that but that is the sickest find i would be all over the place if i found that plus your not too sure if something bad happend to that thing

ck1uzfeae86 · 10-27-2007, 11:13 PM

I would buy them both. Parts are worth a pretty penny, fanboys love the hatches, and straight bodies even without titles make great drift cars.

w203 · 10-27-2007, 11:37 PM

depends how much, if you put in the time and work to fix it up i'm sure you can sell it for a pretty penny

micro214_kp61 · 10-28-2007, 12:26 AM

SR5 = FTL

it's a lot of headache already having a running SR5/GTS coz of it's age, something keeps breaking, i can even imagine a car from the junkyard. plus you wouldn't be able to know if it's in fact straight until you have it running then follow it from behind. if you are indeed a mechanic you should know that.

KHSFilipino7290 · 10-28-2007, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micro214_kp61

SR5 = FTL

it's a lot of headache already having a running SR5/GTS coz of it's age, something keeps breaking, i can even imagine a car from the junkyard. plus you wouldn't be able to know if it's in fact straight until you have it running then follow it from behind. if you are indeed a mechanic you should know that.

i totally agree its impossible to tell if the frame is still good for all you know its bent up like crazy

Flashmn · 10-28-2007, 05:14 AM

Well you could take cross measurements and see if its whacked. Then again a KE70 with a bent frame still was fun to play with (passenger side front frame rail was 10cm higher than the drivers side, but it still drifted

)

Then again, I wouldnt do it just because its a AE86, I'm not that much of an initial D fanboy, I'd rather spend the money on a 200SX etc.

FinalGear · 10-28-2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashmn

Then again, I wouldnt do it just because its a AE86, I'm not that much of an initial D fanboy, I'd rather spend the money on a 200SX etc.

200sx...true with more option

metalo69 · 10-28-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micro214_kp61

SR5 = FTL

it's a lot of headache already having a running SR5/GTS coz of it's age, something keeps breaking, i can even imagine a car from the junkyard. plus you wouldn't be able to know if it's in fact straight until you have it running then follow it from behind. if you are indeed a mechanic you should know that.

Follow it from behind? No, you put it on a frame rack and measure it (thats slightly more legal). Plus on a frame rack you can print out the results to show to the state and insurance companies that the car is safe for the road. I guessed that the frame is straight based on that there are no indications of a wreck, unless someone jumped it. There is only cosmetic body damage, and all the seams line up. I figured that the reason it is in a junkyard is probably due to it being this old, and the engine probably doesn't run any more. The previous owner just doesn't love it anymore and wanted a new car that would require less maintenance.

My thought of restoring it came from my research showing that it would take less money to drop a 4a-GE "Blacktop" into this car than it would to drop a 3s-GTE into my Camry, (plus I am a bit of an Initial D fanboy). With this car already stripped by the junkyard it saves me the time of removing the interior. I have always believed that a car build by the owner is a better car than a car build by a manufacturer, because the owner will pay closer attention to the small details.

I think the hardest decision for me is what vehicle do I want to give up. I have a 99 Subaru Outback that runs great, and I use mostly as just transportation and as a parts runner, and my 92 Toyota Camry that has a blown engine that I have spent 2 years working on with the hope to one day drop a 3s-GTE in. To just put another stock engine in the Camry will cost me around $650 (with me doing all the labor). If I want to turbo it while I have the engine out it will run closer to $1600. The cost of a JDM 4a-GE is around $1200, and it comes with almost everything I would need (wiring harness, ECU, transmission, full Long block assembly). I have been reading that a 4a-C to 4a-GE swap is fairly simple as far as fit. I would just have to find a GT-S rear axle, drive shaft, and upgrade the fuel system and brake lines & cables. As far as what the junkyard car needs, some interior like a new driver seat and new bulbs. It could probably use to have the electrical system rewired, as much as I dislike wiring work I was top in my class with that. Of course we can't forget that it probably needs new suspension too.

Now the red ae86 is another story, it pretty obvious why its in the junkyard, its been trashed by someone.

Has anyone here ever had to get a salvage title before? Is it difficult?

Flashmn · 10-28-2007, 11:47 AM

I'd probably go and buy the frame if I got it for 50-100bucks. Anything more is a waste...

freakinbox · 10-28-2007, 12:37 PM

they won't sell you a whole care for 50 - 100. They sell the heads from most wreckers at $50 never mind the whole car.