I'm a toyota owner now. :|

[JayWee007]

Just some background info, I'm a Ford guy. I build mustangs. I know it's a bit cliche, but it's all good. I'm not biased when it comes to cars, so don't think of me as just some domestic meat head. I build N/A cars. Not much, but some, experience with turbo's and SC's. Working on cars for about 7 years now.

Anyway, I was on the hunt for a winter car, and something to get me back home occassionally (550 miles) so I figured for gas mileage, and reliability, why not a Toyota?

First thing I was looking at was a 92 Paseo for 900 bucks. It was new paint, new aftermarket wheels and rubber, the backseat was taken out and made into a custom speaker box, painted to match. It was a pretty good deal, but then my mother back home (I'm 22, it's awkward I know) found a 91 Corolla for 800 bucks, 5 speed, 1.6 liter, and bought it before asking me if I wanted it. SO now I kinda got shafted with a 91 Corolla. But what the hell, it's 33 mpg highway, so I'll deal with it.

Ok, I'm fairly new to imports, especially toyota's. I don't wanna rice it up, but the idea of driving a stock 91 corolla turns my stomach a little. It's hard going from 600 horsepower street/strip cars to a 100 horsepower FWD corolla.

I was looking for body kits, and I grew kinda attached to the 93-97 Bomer body kit. I was curious if it would mesh well with the 91 body? Seems they didn't make much from 90-92 on the Corolla's as far as aftermarket body goes.

A buddy of mine has some 17 inch Mr7 wheels he'll sell me for 200. I can fab my own turbo setup for about 300 I'm sure. I go to Wyotech, an automotive school, so getting parts isn't much of a problem. I wanna give this thing a LITTLE getup and go, even though it's a winter car. I'm in an automotive school, and you couldn't find a factory car in the parking lot if you tried. I'm not one to stand out and be the only beater there

So if anyone has any pointers, or some highs and lows information on this car, feel free to fill me in. All info is welcome.

Thanks a lot,
Jay

[REN69]

93-97 is a totally different body style so no, it won't go. There are a few kits for 88-92 sedans and coupes, there was a thread just recently on this so if you search for it you'll find it. Another way to go is to do the JDM bumper swap, JDM bumpers were so much better looking than the north american ones as Japan doesn't require rebars.

17s on a will look nice but you might have problems fitting them, 16s should really be the biggest you should go on an AE92 Corolla as 17s will probably be overkill for the motor to move them.

As for 100hp, you're only limited to that if you stay stock. You can always swap in a different motor on it, you got the 20V 4AGE and the 4AGZE motors which basically give you about 160-170hp with the 4AGZE giving you more torque as it is a Supercharged motor, these motors are straight swaps basically as they use the same mount points as the motor in your car (4AFE)

If you got the money and time you could go with a 3SGE/3SGTE swap from a Celica or MR2. The 3SGTE is a turbocharged motor which is good for about 200-260hp depending on what year and car it came from. The 3SGE on the other hand is good for about 130-200hp depending on what car it came from. There was someone in the Toronto area who had a 3SGTE swap done in his 4dr Corolla and the car was insanely fast, unfortunately the car does not exist anymore. However this swap will be the most costly one as you will need a lot of custom work, and an upgraded FWD transmission to be able to take on the power put out by the turbocharger.

[ShawnM]

Welcome to the nation....from another Ford guy and tech. If you like cars and porn youve come to the right forum! Unfortunatly I cant help you much on those older corollas but im sure others here have plenty of info.

[toyotaspeed90]

it depends on what model corolla you have...... if it's a GTS then you have quite the base to work with..... if it's an sr5/4 door then you have a bit of work ahead of you

you'll enjoy driving the corolla when it's nice out and you hit some curvy roads..... i'm sure your high HP mustangs are quick in the straights, but i'm willing to bet it's like pushing a tank through the corners...... the ae92's are very well balanced for handling

[epsylum]

I may get thrashed for saying this, but I vote to leave it stock. It's a point A to B car for you. You don't want to lose the Toyota reliability. My brother has a 200hp GSXR but drives a beat up 91 Yota Pickup (I mean beat the F--K up). I say it's best have your fun vehicle and then your commuter. The only way I see crossing the two is with a car that does the two roles in factory form, that way you don't sacrifice reliability.

BTW don't worry I love mustangs, just wouldn't trust it for my only car (it or any other american car anymore).

[JayWee007]

I guess there is always the option to leave it stock. I haven't even seen the car yet (picking it up next week) so I have very little info on it. I think it's just the base model 4 door, nothing special.

Maybe in the end I'll decide it's not worth the money to build it. I'll make that decision on the drive down here and see what I got to work with. I have access to just about any tool and machine out there, and I get killer discounts on parts and raw materials, so if I do decide to build it, I'm sure it will be a fun project.

I'll fill you guys in more on the car when I bring it down to PA.

Thanks,
Jay

[canadianae92]

My first car was a 1993 Ford Ranger 4.0L v6, I was also a ford guy but I couldnt afford the gas so I had to sell the truck and get a smaller can I got lucky and got the 1991 Corolla GT-S I was looking at it sure as hell doesnt have as much power as my ranger had but its still fun very quick and feels sporty its very low to the ground, but as for the 4 doors stock they arn't exactly sporty and are slugish but with work they can be lots of fun.