FX-16 GT-S for autocross

[Donald]

I am contemplating getting a FX-16 GT-S for autocross, thinking it might be better than my AE92 GT-S. My big quandry is that I have a full coil-over suspension set for the AE92, and it seems to have a different bolt pattern than the FX. Has anybody tried to use AE92 struts (including the top plate) on the FX.

I've done a search on here and found many question about the FX-16 suspension, but few answers.

Is anybody autocrossing, or has autocrossed a FX-16?
If so, what suspension setup are (were) you using?

[trucke]

I have two FX16's. I'm in the process of getting one I purchased recently on the road and for autocross. This one has TRD springs, whiteline swaybars, and Koni Sport struts.
The FX16 has 4 bolts on top of the front struts. You can turn that around to change the caster. The FX16 also has adjustable camber in the front which the AE92's do not without using crash bolts.
I'm not certain what might be intercahngeable. www.4ag.com is a good source for information.
I'm guessing you are running with Triad Sports Car Club. I'm in the mountains of NC with Highlands.

Art

[Donald]

I have a set of K-Sport coil-over struts that I was using on my AE-92. They have camber plates on top at the front, and the lower bolt holes allow for a lot of camber adjustment also. They also have 32 damper adjustment settings and infinite ride hight and seperate spring preload adjustments.

They are great for autocross, but too stiff for the street. I use the same car as a daily driver.

The AE-92 has a three bolt top cap setup front and rear and I am not sure I can make them fit by just drilling holes. I hate to get rid of this suspension setup, but I think the FX might be a better autocross platform due to size and shape, but I wonder about the availability of the stuff necessary to make it work considering the age of these cars.

The alternative is to get another AE92 just for autocross, since I already have the suspension.

Yes, I am a member of TSCC.

What car have you been using for auto-x?

[trucke]

Those K-sports sounds pretty awesome! Unfortunately, they will not fit the FX16. The FX16 has four bolts at the top of the front suspension. But, the opening is oval to allow the FX16 top mount to be rotated 180º for the castor adjustment. Your AE92 is round at the top.
Finding go-fast parts for the FX16 will be VERY difficult. I bought this second FX16 recently only because it has the full race suspension under it. I was planning on moving it to my other car as I was plannning to rebuild it. I parked it with 290,000 miles after it dropped a cylinder. I bought that one new in '87. This second one supposedly has a rebuilt engine. The transmission locked up the first time I drove it. I have another engine and tranny sitting in the garage from a parts car I bought in '98. I'm having an LSD made for it before the install.
I'd love to have someone else campaigning an FX16 but you will need to be innovative to get a good set-up. It's also hard to find good examples of the FX16. Both mine are GT-S'. This newer one has a gutted interior, so it's not very pretty.
Ground control makes coilovers that use the stock strut shells. Koni has the Koni Sport adjustable available for it. I can give you the parts numbers if you need them. Whiteline in Australia makes front and rear anti-sway bars. They have a US distributor.
I've been whoring rides when I can get them. Recently I've been running an E30 M3. It's challenging for me since I've been racing FWD for so long. I'm really excited about getting an FX16 back on course in 2010. We run a Nite Series here in the mountains. It's a weeknight autocross in the evening. It's a whole summer series of about 5 to 7 events. To minimize set-up, the same course is used each season.
I'd like to come down and run with you at the Coliseum next year.

[Donald]

I have a choice of two FXs. A FX-16 GT-S and a FX-16, both complete cars but both have bad engine knock.

I got a '91 AE92 4dr that I was planning on fixing and selling (blown head gasket) to make some money to fix up a FX. I am now starting to think I should just use that car and swap in a 4A-GZE, but I really want an FX.

We run 9 events each year, and we have 7 different venues. I want to start going to other club meets next season. More seat time.

I have whiteline sway bars. neverenoughauto.com is their US distributer (or one of them at least).

[trucke]

If you really want an FX16 now is the time to do it. These cars are becoming harder to find. I really enjoy mine.
You have a good plan! Fix the 4 door and sell it and use the money for your FX16(s). Get both if you can. You will need the parts.

[buffalohunter7321]

Hi All I'am not into auto crossing but want to. I have a FX-16 with a JDM swap [4age] with no EGR system. If any of you would want to get rid of any extra parts that are not needed I would like to talk too you. I don't know if this is aloud or not and do not want to jaxck your thread. Just tyrying to keep my FX running. I can be reached at jackandmelodie@hotmail,com Love reading about the racing and would love to watch some video's...buffalohunter7321

[trucke]

Welcome buffalohunter! As you know FX16 parts are getting more difficult to find. I have two FX16 GT-S I'm working on. One I bought as a parts car, but was surprised to discover it needed less work to get going than my original one. Sorry that I do not have much for spare parts. If there are specific items you are looking for, please ask. Another good source is for parts is www.Club4ag.com. Even there, FX16 parts are not abundant.

Its great to hear you have one going.

Here is my original FX16 I bought new on Febraury 17, 1987. This photo is a couple of years old.


Here is the one I bought recently with the TRD/Whiteline suspension. This photo was taken today.

[buffalohunter7321]

Hey WOW those are some awwwwsome FX's. I almost traded mine for a 4th gen All-trac from NC. But one of the members on 4ag had went and looked at it and found that it had been in a wreck a couple of time's, so I told him that I decided not to trade. You know it about finding parts for these car's there was one in a local yard a couple years back but they crushed it and it was the GT-S model. I have not been able to find one since. What I would like to get is the rear wipper/washer switch and a orginal sterio. These two Item's would have mine back to stock and fully operational on the inside, that is. I got a rim off of a Paseo to have a full size spair. It is the same rim. I wish I knew how to post pic's? I'ed put some on hear of mine. It's a black on black with stock rims. I swaped out the engine and put a JDM one in with out the EGR valve. Put a Pace setter header on it with 2 1/2" exhaust all the way back with a can on the back end. K&N filter, excell coil, iraden spark plugs and wire's, external oil cooler, koni struts on the rear, HID 9000 lights, window tint 50% on rear windows and 35% on visor and front door windows. Had the guy put FX-16 on passinger side under the visor. Car needs a paint job and some rust restoration around rear wheel wells and pasginger side of lower windshield metal covering. Other than that it is ok. A buddy of mine out in CA. is also looking for parts for me to, but no news as of today. There where two in New Mexico on ebay a while back but I don't think they sold He did not relist them. I would have bought them but no room for any more cars. I'll be anxious in reading more and seeing more pic's of FX's. My email address is jackandmelodie@hotmail.com ...buffalohunter7321

[trucke]

Jack,
You've done a lot to your car! How did you get Koni's in the rear? My white FX has Koni Sports all around using the cut-a-strut for the rear. The silver one has Koni Sport's all around using TRD shells in the rear. The rear Koni's are for a VW Golf II front. The part number for the front is Koni Sport is 8641-1115 (listed for '86-'89 Celica). It used to list FX16 but that nomenclature has been removed. It a direct fit for OEM FX16 front shells.
The competition rollbar will come out of the silver car and get placed into the white one. The white one has a gutted interior and it came with a worn out Sparco EVO 2 racing seat. I can get a replacement cover for the seat for $175. I'll place it onto a FX16 seat track I'm picking up from someone locally. That way different size people can dirve/autocross it.
I'll inquire about the stock radio. My silver car has a radio from an '88 GT-S coupe and it bolts right up. This may give you some radio options.
My friend is using the rear wiper on his FX16 race car so I won't be able to get that.
I'll be talking to him soon. I'll see if he has a radio to part with. He wants to see my limited slip before I install it. I have low mileage transmission I'm putting into the white car. The tranny in it now is completely worn out, so much so that it locked up the first time I drove it.
Art

[buffalohunter7321]

I just went to a parts store named O'Rilly's and asked them if they could get me a set of koni rear struts for my FX-16 and I added that it would take ordering them for a FX-16 GT-S to fit. They said they could and 3 days latter I was installing them. They bolted right up and that has been over a year ago. I don't remember if they where the sports ones. Was that the FX 16 GT-S coupe or the rear wheel drive GT-S coupe? Does the plug ends work the same? Or do I need to get the pig tail when I get the radio? Well if you run across a switch for the rear wipper/ washer, keep me in mind. Thanks Jack

[trucke]

The radio was installed years ago, but I'm pretty sure it plugged right in. The '88's and newer are FWD. I'm using the transmission and axles from that '88 GT-S coupe parts car for my white car.
As far as I know, Koni does not make a direct bolt up for the FX16 rear. I spoke to Koni's technical group directly when sourcing the Koni Sports for mine. The Koni Sports are adjustable at the top using a separate knob supplied with the struts. Koni does make the KYB GR-2's that will bolt up. If yours are not adjustable then they are probably GR-2's. Those are OEM type struts.
Art

[buffalohunter7321]

That's what mine are KYB's, I remember now, that's what the guy behind the counter said that they where koni's. And your right they are not adjustable. Did the pic's I sent you come through? Hey what would cause my front end to shimmey when I let of the gas or at the moment when you stop accellarting and go into just coasting. This only happens when there is no load on the motor.

[trucke]

Yes, I got the pictures. Thanks! Your car is in very good shape. Like you stated, it just needs some cosmetic freshening up. My silver one came witht he same OEM steel wheels.

Here is a link to photos posted by the person I bought the white car from.

http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pcguy/Corolla/

I can't answer your question about the front end. Just thinking out loud here.
Does it do this in any gear when you back off the throttle?
Does it feel like it is coming from both sides of the car or just one side? Which side?
Does it do it when backing off the throttle and turning or just going straight.

A first guess would be a worn out or broken transmission mount or motor mount. Works fine under load, then cannot dampen vibrations when no load is placed onto it. Does it do the same thing when backing up?

Do a search on Club4ag's FWD Technical forum. If nothing turns up, post the question. I've been able to answer a lot of my questions just by searching.

[buffalohunter7321]

Yes to the 1st. ? Feels like from both sides. Just going strieght Not sure about turnning. I manly notice it inbetween shifting of gears. And do you happen to know where I can get a short shifter for my FX?