new AE86 owner; questions...

[Deek_Russ]

hi, i have a some questions about 1985 gt-s corollas:

1) so, what do you guys do for a suspension setup, coilovers up front and just replace the factory rear coils and shocks? or convert to rear coilovers too? is this hard?

2) where can i get my hands on those fender flares and about how much will it set me back?

3) whats the difference between silver top blue top black top (not sure if blue or black actually exists just heard, so bare with me)?

4) can anyone recommend a full exhaust system thats 2.25" or larger that doesnt wake up the neighborhood?

5) not positive if this corolla has an lsd type differential, how much do they go for from toyota (if they even sell them anymore) or aftermarket?

6)*sigh* and finally, what a decent tire size upgrade? or maybe, whats the largest you can go until it rubs?

ok guys, thanks a lot, appreciate all the help in advance!

[RDR_AE82]

ha i have basically the same questions. my co-driver and i just bought a GTS FX16 to build for rally and any help on aftermarket suspensions, specifically coilovers, would be greatly appreciated. links to sites would be the best.

thanks!

[Deek_Russ]

ya, other then fixing the stock problems, my first modification is for sure suspension. i read that to convert rear coilovers you have to cut the wheel wells and junk. if thats the case, count me out, just go with aftermarket shocks and coilsi guess. i heard from a toyota tech that toyota transmissions arent very compatible with hard driving conditions/power and can often break. is this true? im not worried about power (especially with an 85 corolla...) but putting the car sideways/learning how wont be very forgiving on the car. :/

[JDM'ized]

I know Greddy makes the Type S Coilovers for the Hachi. Front and Rear, along with adjustable pillow mount. A very nice setup I may say. They also offer a variety of different spring rate for different type of driving.
As far as the LSD question. It's easy to know whether or not it has one. Lift the rear end from the ground (using 2 jacks on the rear axle)....and spin one tire. If the other spin as well, you have the an LSD. If it doesn't, you don't.
There are many companies that make LSD for the Hachi. Kaaz, ATS, Quaife...just to name a few. They're all good.
Alex

[ariel_86]

browse around and join club4ag.com
TONS of info there.
Front coilovers are common, many different ways to do it. the greddy set is like $1800, but that includes from coil overs and rear coil-spring on strut (not a true-coilover).
Somewhere on Club4AG i think is a post about how to read your VIN to see if it is supposed to have a Factory LSD. if it does have a OEM LSD, rebuild it as soon as you can, or just upgrade.

Engine types (short and not-all encompassing list):
4A-C - 1.6L SOHC, Carbed, only in SR5 models, RWD, but different final drive. If your rear brakes are drums, you've got an SR5, not a GTS. VIN will say it's AE86 tho... ~100 hp...maybe
4AGE Bluetop - 1.6L DOHC motor, equipped with TVIS (says so on intake manifold if you're not sure), stock in the GTS from 85-87. Usually called "bluetop" b/c the valve covers were blue/had blue lettering. Sometimes red or black lettering can be found. Also known as a the Largeport or Low-Comp motor b/c the TVIS runs larger intake runners and the motor has something like a 9.5:1 c/r. This motor is more than likely in your FX16 too. ~ 120 hp
4AGE Redtop - came only in the 90-91(yrs?) FWD AE92 Corolla GTS. Intake manifold configured for a FWD application, so cut & weld to work it in a RWD car, or use the T3 adapter plate with a TVIS intake. Usually red lettering/coloring of valve covers. Also is more powerful because of a higher c/r, like 10.3:1, which gives nickname as the high-comp. ~ 130 hp
4AGZE - supercharged 4AGE found in the USDM 87-89(yrs?) MR2 (AW11). Same basic design as the bluetop, but lower c/r for boost. intake and i/c piping configured for the mid-engine platform, but transfers to RWD fairly well. get the OEM ECU with this or go megasquirt. Also available in the AE101 Corolla in Japan, so you could import it.... ~ 140-160hp
4AGE Silvertop, 20v 4AGE - bottom end is similar, but much stronger, than the redtop motor, which has oil squirters beneath the pistons. c/r is around 10.5:1 now, and the exhaust cam has 3 lobes per cyl instead of 2. slightly higher revving than previous motors, and utilizes MAP, instead of ALL the USDM 4AGEs that use AFM, and comes stock with Individual Throttle bodies fed by a tunneled air collector. the Silvertop was only offered in Japan in the FWD AE101, so modifications to the chassis are needed to install a 20v into RWD cars. Coolant lines need to be run from the back of the block, and wiring to be figured out. ~ 150hp
4AGE Blacktop, 20v 4AGE - very much the same as the Silvertop 20v but even more horsepower and a higher rev limit. Found only in the FWD AE111 Corollas in Japan. ~ 160hp

for suspension bits for an AE86, go to technotoytuning.com
for high-po engine bits, paradise racing carries a lot for toyotas. paradiseracing.com
RMR racing has good stuff too.
I know this is a lot of stuff, but i hope this answers your questions, and points you in the right direction. Enjoy your corolla, and if you treat it right, you'll learn a lot about driving.

[JDM'ized]

The info's above are very accurate and detailed....
However, I had first experience with Paradise Racing's owner Luis.....that guy is a joke !.....saying he's a chump...it's an understatement....
I got screwed over few times,......and I lost a lot of $$$ in the process. I would NOT recommend Paradise Racing to ANYONE.

As far as Techno Toy Tuning (T3)....I also heard bad things about Gabe (the onwer of the shop)....but can't vouch.....

Anywho, contact Al Lagura at:
http://www.phuckdrifting.com/ he used to be sponsored by T3...he should know....

Or check out:
http://www.fatlace.com/ The owner of the site (Mark Arcenal) knows a thing or two about Hachi's as well....

[ariel_86]

i haven't actually dealt with T3 yet, but a lot of my friends have gotten parts through them, no problems here.
i did talk with the someone at Paradise racing a while back, seemed ok, but a little hesitant to share the specs about their cams. kinda odd i think...

[JDM'ized]

Like I said, I can't say much about T3, other than I heard bad things about Gabe (the owner).
But as far as Luis (Paradise Racing)....he's shady, and fishy.....
I called him few years back asking for a fitment about Fidanza flywheel and ACT for my Tacoma, and he just lied to me straight up, saying that it would fit (which it didn't)......because he ''forgot'' to mention that when he gets the flywheel thru Fidanza, he changes the dowel pins and other few things. NOT very honest if you asked me.

[ariel_86]

yeah, that does sound kinda fishy. that sucks though.
anyway, enough thread-jacking, hope our shared info helps the newbie in his quest for corolla goodness!
if it all seems overwhelming, i know a few dozen people that would gladly take it off your hands myself included

[Deek_Russ]

o wow, sorry for the long time to respond. been busy at my school measuring stuff and taking apart an engine (3VZ-FE) heh, a 93 V6 camry motor. but ya, thanks a lot for all the info, good stuff ariel 86. i cant lie though, i didnt purchase that corolla. didnt know it didnt have a/c and aftermarket a/c would run me about $750, which i wouldnt mind spending but the guy was asking too much anyway. im still looking though dont worry. in due time i guess... O, and i looked at the greddy coilovers (er shock and spring in back) kit. very nice, and very good responses from people that own them, but sooooo expensive! k, thanks again

[AZNWOKZ]

To THose are in the East Coast people.

Join ECTOYOTAS.com for local people. There are lots of people there. We are also in Club4ag.

Eastcoast
http://www.ectoyotas.com/forum/

Also West Coast people
http://www.hachiroku.net/forums/

European people. Its English
http://www.aeu86.org/forum/ae86

Those in the Mid-west
http://www.midwest4ag.com/index.php

Coilover options are widly chosen to Aftermarket choices of limtied.
to Tuner shop products to personal choices of suspension settings.
I like the fabercation of your own front coilovers sets.

Take the time and read. You will gain knowledge than people just buy parts of bolt ons.
Nothing wrong with the bolt-on products.

Getting your parts is to each to their own preference.
Paradise Racings, T#, etc. I heard them all. Every person has their good or bads.
I mean this is the Internet. Just take your time buying parts.

Seeing your in Cali. you have an easier chance getting parts since lots of local tunershops are there as well as part retailers.

Any car Projects is $$$$$$$$$$
Its a expensive hobby

The Air Conditioner for the AE86 is mad $$$$$ for parts and labor. Even the converting kits for the new type is weak sauce

[ariel_86]

bah! who needs ac? just roll down the window! besides, who gets an 86 to roll in comfortable style?
and if you think the greddy kit is expensive, i think meagan racing has a suspension kit for the 86 that costs like $3000 for it.

[Mr E]

Originally Posted by ariel_86

bah! who needs ac? just roll down the window! besides, who gets an 86 to roll in comfortable style?
and if you think the greddy kit is expensive, i think meagan racing has a suspension kit for the 86 that costs like $3000 for it.

$3000 is a little off.

MeganRacing.Com has the kit for $1050
http://www.meganracing.com/products/...d=675&catid=93

This would be the kit to buy if I had any money at all

[AZNWOKZ]

The Megan ones are only good if you can fabricate them up. You have to weld the stock spindles to them. And thats a risk factor there since it all a matter of life of death. You have to find a welder that is good enough to weld and fabricate them. It will be more $$$$$$ if you get a shop to do it for them and install.

THe Choices or Megans springs and shocks are not well great in my book. but its great for people who know how to do things by them selfs.


greddy kits comes with the new spindles. and sort of more choice of spring rates. This is more bolt on and easy of mind.

THese kits are in the 1K- 1.5K range.

If your more picky, you matter wise do the custom coilovers of using the stock front colilovers. There is some who did a great video on it. just Youtube it.

As in the LSD. you can see it on the rear LSD pumkin that has the

"LSD OIL ONLY" sticker on it. Here is mine as an example

[Deek_Russ]

ok, makes sense that they have a sticker. im leaning towards the greddy kit, or maybe a alternative would be get adjustable koni struts and shocks and eibach coils. used to have adjustable koni's on my eclipse and i really liked them. a lot cheaper too. people are saying even with the stock LSD differential, its advised to replace it with a aftermarket more "sturdy" one. is this cuz they break easily or break when driven hard ie drifting? also, does anyone know where good fender flares can be found? ive looked and found cheapy ones that say their "universal" so it sounds kinda fishy. i was planning on buying 15" rims, do you guys know whats a decent size tire for that? or the largest without rub? o ya, and going back up to the questions i had up there, anyone have a recommendation on full exhaust systems that dont sound like a honda *cough cough* i mean not too loud? ok, once again you guys have been soooo much help with informing me on things. thanks