Opinions - AE86 Track Car

[Fuel Injected]

Hey guys, long time no see after my ae86 was totaled. Ive been busy with school and am driving a POS 323 until winters done. Ill be looking for another ae86 this spring so if you could keep your eye open for a former member id appreciate it

In the meantime ive been thinking about a track model within the next few years, here are my thoughts.

I was going to solo1 my MR2 this summer but Im hearing a lot of negative feedback, mostly the fact your car is not insured on the track and its not worth the risks, especially since Id be a new driver with a reasonably quick car. Also breaking a part at the track and needing a tow home from shannonville or calabogie doesnt apeal to me.

So i started toying with the idea of building a track only car. I like the idea for a few reasons, mainly you dont have to worry about safety check, etest, being street legal etc, on the downside you have to trailor and store it. My dad said I could use his van (he used to track a Cortina when he was my age) to trailor it to and from events, so Id only need a trailor and storage.

This isnt something that im planning to do for a few years, but id like to throw some ideas around and start the planning/budgeting stage to pass the time.

I have pretty much decided on an AE86 corolla with the following mods list (im not building it to compete in any sort of class or competition, just a balanced track car)

- Full Suspension (shocks, springs, panhard bar, bushings, anti roll and sway bars etc)
- N/A Built 4AG Bluetop (Extremely High lift cams, upped compression, balanced and blueprinted, etc) (havent decided on going carbed or efi tunning)
- Gutted/caged/fabbed aluminum dash and a racing seat w/ 5pt harness
- Competition tires, Strait pipe, Headers, Engine management
- Misc safety pieces

So its not going to be cheap by any means, Ill build the suspension first, then add power and safety (and suspenion adjustments) as I need it. I want to be a fast driver, not just drive fast car. I’ve been consulting the 4AG board/ref section as usual, and SCC had a great write-up on building a track driven sentra which has been a good resource for safety and chassis improvements. Also Tom had a similar post which was also a good read. Im open to suggestions or criticisms about any problems you think I’d run into.

[ice and solo racer]

I have a track only ae86,set up for regional solo2(dominated class last 2 seasons)I did one solo 1 last year in the rain on khumo slicks-way fun for sure drifting around shannonville motorsports park.
I've decided to remove it from real competition and use it for getting into the drift scene-it'll be supercharged and should be fun to drive and watch.I have a track only crx being prepped for solo1 next year and hopefully funds permitting regional road race down the road.
Now back to your question,I would consider something other than an ae86 for race duty.Before I get slammed for saying that,listen to reason with regards to first finding a decent example(body strength is poor even with no rust)the price for decent ones is too high and the biggest reason to not build a track car is simply the lack of parts.
Drifting might change the parts thing but the price won't be going down for them or the parts.
I would go with something more popular with the aftermarket-wrong board to say this but you cannot go wrong with a honda as far as getting parts from virtually any place for any level of performance.If your stuck on a RWD than something like 240 or rx7 might be a better choice just because of the newer and better designed chassis,start with more powerfull engines and more options when it comes to hop up parts.
Just my 2 cents,

[Fuel Injected]

If i scrap the AE86 idea itll be a first gen MR2.

Its gotta be toyota and RWD, my two fav things in the world

[ice and solo racer]

I Agree you gotta go with your heart,the corolla is a better balanced chassis than the MR2 as the MR2 will need carefull spring/sway bar choices to make it fast AND relatively easy to drive.I'd hate to hear that you spun the car off the track into a wall.
Also when it comes to modding cars it doesn't hurt to open your eyes to other options,both the corolla and MR2 are nearing 20 years old.It will be cheaper in the long run to drive something newer and more popular.I can speak from experiance on that one as I'm currently building my 6th track only car now.They range from old civics(very very hard to get hot rod parts for)to newer civics and the corolla gts,celica alltrac and even a rabbit GTI.
I'm enjoying the crx project simply because I can pick up the phone(or web sites)and price many different parts from many different suppliers-pick one and its here a couple days later.Much better than searching high and low for a worn out part that the dealer doesn't offer an more or trying to find someone going to Japan willing to look for and bring something back for you.
Personally I wouldn't build either of your choices for track only duty as there's lots of choices that will be faster and cheaper.Who likes spending more money to go slower?.
I hope to see you at calaboogie sometime in the future with whatever you decide to drive.I'll be the guy in the crx lapping your old toyotas

[Jzs147-RR]

I say the AE86 has enough suport and parts that it a good track car.But compared to a Honda its got little suport lol ..

[Fuel Injected]

I not into competing with everyone because frankly theres always someone faster and always others with twice my budget.

If i went with the cheapest platform with the most support doesnt necesarily mean Id have the most fun...I want my AE86 track car

[ice and solo racer]

I see your heart is set on the ae86,I love mine but I built the car from scratch starting with a car that wasn't to bad but not to great either.I have repaced virtually everything on this car including custom building many of the parts such as camber plates and coilover conversion front AND rear,negative RCA's along with all the other items needed to make the car what it is today.
If you like wrenching on cars(you'd better if you want a 20 yr old track car!)and searching for parts than by all means build what ever you want.
But just out of curiosity way did you bother asking for opinons if you allready have your mind made up/or not willing to listen to those that have been there offering the advice you asked for?.

[Fuel Injected]

I was looking for potential problems and/or advantages to using that chassis, that sort of thing.

[ice and solo racer]

Ok,the chassis is weak when new-much weaker after nearly 20 canadian winters(which I mentioned,mine has a 6 point cage which made a very noticable difference)
The chassis is fairly well balanced but it is an old design using front struts and a solid real end.The car isn't that hard to drive with right set-up and can be steered with the front or rear wheels if you know what your doing.
My suggestions is to only use short strokes as there isn't enough wheel travel when lowered.
If your interested I'll give you my set up,tokico illuminas(not the wisest choice,but one of the first items purchased for mine and didn't want to spend too much on a car I'd never driven before)negative roll center adjusters,all new bushings,brake bias adjuster,stock sway bars,custom camber plates,custom upper spring seats with bearings from a 2002 civic sir.Spring rates of 550lbs/in front(approx 9.8kg)and 490 rear(approx 8.5kg)
I didn't use sway bars as I was building the car for a certain rule set,if I was to do again I would consider using the whiteline adjustable bars and reduce the spring rates slightly.Most shock valving won't work well with the higher spring rates unless you go custom valved stuff.
I also use a little toe out for auto cross but would suspect slight toe in for track use to be better,also running -2.5 to -3 degrees front camber and a little more front caster.Don't get carried away with too much castor,your track racing the car not drifting(those guys run huge amounts of castor,not needed IMO as it causes other issues like weight transfer etc).
My car is fun and responsive,but my crx track car will be too-only it should be much quicker.
You could allways make me an offer for car allready prepped,I have the needed parts for a gze conversion which will start soon in preparation for the drift season.I could also sell you the trailer that I had custom built for the car.I can see a nice package deal in your future!
There's pics of the car at canspeed.com if your interested or haven't seen this prominent car.

[Phantomslider]

Hey, Ice and Solo Racer
Which model CRX are you gonna build??? I too was thinking about building a track-only 1990 CRX for this coming year.
What are the engine choices you planning to use???
Right now I'm most likely gonna run a JR SC'd LS motor.
Anyway hopefully my plans go through or else I'll just dump all the money into a GS300 daily driver.

[ice and solo racer]

Phantomslider,I'm building a an '88 crx si(the lightest of the line)the car was road race prepped when I bought and has competed in regional road race for 3 seasons.
The car is B16 powered and has a stripped int. and 6 point cage,momo seat,front and rear brake controllers,came with koni struts and eibach race springs.
I'm currently updating the car to my specs which include progress coilovers with upped spring rates(500 front,600 rear)progress rear sway bar with sliding end links instead of the normal 3 hloes for tuning,the front bar will remain stock(will test with the bar disconnected as well)also using progress sherical bushings on the radius rods to keep the alignment from changing when hard on the brakes.The rest of the bushings are prothanes.
I will be focusing on removing as much weight as possible within the rules,the headlights and taillights are gone,will also try and remove all undercoating and unbolt anything not needed,will replace bolts with the shortest ones possible and so on.The sunroof is gone and replaced with one piece of sheetmetal for a nice weight savings.I have to finish removing the dash and bend up a small aluminum panel for the needed gauges.
With a weight of around 1900 lbs race ready and around 160 hp+ at the wheels it will be a quick ride for sure.I can add power later for an even faster trip through the twisties,I can also continue to lighten the car with carbon hood/hatch lexan windows and so on- rules and money permitting.
Are you planning on competiting or just use as a lapping day car?,if its for solo 1 or regional road race you will be heavily classed with the supercharged engine swap.My car is hit hard for just using the B16 swap,I will have to face BMW M3's,M coupes,older corvettes and heavily modded civics,crx's,RSX type S's and on and on in solo1 next year.

[Fuel Injected]

You could allways make me an offer for car allready prepped,I have the needed parts for a gze conversion which will start soon in preparation for the drift season.I could also sell you the trailer that I had custom built for the car.I can see a nice package deal in your future!

Tempting but this track project is after I get out of university and land a steady job as I dont have the time/money at the moment.

[Phantomslider]

Originally posted by ice and solo racer
Phantomslider,I'm building a an '88 crx si(the lightest of the line)the car was road race prepped when I bought and has competed in regional road race for 3 seasons.
The car is B16 powered and has a stripped int. and 6 point cage,momo seat,front and rear brake controllers,came with koni struts and eibach race springs.
I'm currently updating the car to my specs which include progress coilovers with upped spring rates(500 front,600 rear)progress rear sway bar with sliding end links instead of the normal 3 hloes for tuning,the front bar will remain stock(will test with the bar disconnected as well)also using progress sherical bushings on the radius rods to keep the alignment from changing when hard on the brakes.The rest of the bushings are prothanes.
I will be focusing on removing as much weight as possible within the rules,the headlights and taillights are gone,will also try and remove all undercoating and unbolt anything not needed,will replace bolts with the shortest ones possible and so on.The sunroof is gone and replaced with one piece of sheetmetal for a nice weight savings.I have to finish removing the dash and bend up a small aluminum panel for the needed gauges.
With a weight of around 1900 lbs race ready and around 160 hp+ at the wheels it will be a quick ride for sure.I can add power later for an even faster trip through the twisties,I can also continue to lighten the car with carbon hood/hatch lexan windows and so on- rules and money permitting.
Are you planning on competiting or just use as a lapping day car?,if its for solo 1 or regional road race you will be heavily classed with the supercharged engine swap.My car is hit hard for just using the B16 swap,I will have to face BMW M3's,M coupes,older corvettes and heavily modded civics,crx's,RSX type S's and on and on in solo1 next year.

I think it would be safest to say that the car will most likely not see any competition. Right now I'm kinda busy with other things so all I'm looking forward to is lapping and slowly dumping $$$ into the project as the year goes by.

[ice and solo racer]

Thats cool,getting on track for any reason is important.I don't do any lapping days mostly because their usually on fridays and would need a day off,usually cost $200+ and I'd burn off a set of r-tires at a $1000 a set relatively quickly.Since I don't have a lot of money for 2 or 3 sets of tires for a summer I try and only use them when they count-in competition.
Fuel injected,don't sweat it man-get the education first and then play with all the money you'll be making!!(after paying student loans of course).
I'm old now(35!)and didn't get into racing untill I was 26 or so,don't regret it for a second.So hang in there and play like crazy when you can.
Good luck to both,oh and BTW I'd bring out that MR2 of yours to a solo1 event,don't listen to some negative comments from people who've likely never even been-the people are great and super friendly and more than willing to help out someone new.
Check the soloontario forums for more info,if you do make it out to one look me up,the crx will be 350Z blue and I'm damn sexy-you can't miss me!!