86 vs. 87??!?!?!?

[Manjob]

hey i was wondering what the differences are between the 86 and 87 corolla. I've seen a 87 gts and it looks exactly like the 86.

[DerekDorifto]

1986 + 1987 cars are pretty much visually identical, maybe you were thinking of 1985 vs 1986/87 model years?

1985 models had larger grilles and different bumpers up front, in the rear they didn't have the liscence plate lights integrated with the taillights either. '85 cars didn't have fender trim either, while 86/87's had plastic fender arch trim. Look on the doors for the 'twincam 16' sticker, on the 85's it's larger and in a different font. Also, the hatchback taillights look taller and don't have the black trim around the edges. I believe all 85 GTS hatchback models came with the rear spoiler as well.

Inside the 85's are different from the 86/87 cars too, the door panels are moulded plastic instead of covered cloth and the 85 seats have more lateral supports to them. As well, 85 seats sit lower than the 86/87 ones do and are covered in a different cloth pattern. 85 cars also have a black background on the gauge cluster and 86/87 cars have grey vertical pinstripes.

You could also look at the rims on the car, but these days people mix and match across model years and put on aftermarket equipment anyways.

Hope this helps, anyone have more to add to this list?

[project trueno]

On 2002-05-19 00:42, DerekDorifto wrote:

Hope this helps, anyone have more to add to this list?

yes.

THEY'RE ALL GOOD :grin:

[Voodoo.Priest]

I think none is really better than the other. Idealy they all have identical parts except some unimportant cosmetic differences.
But as for the 86 and the 87 they are the same. I don't think there is any difference between the two.

[DerekDorifto]

I agree with you, the differences are mostly cosmetic with one exception imho. The plastic arch trim on 86/87 cars will cause your fenders to rot if they are allowed to trap salt and moisture against the body.

To me, it didn't seem like much of an improvement to add them after 1985 since they actually do more harm than good, no?

[mr_sinister]

actually i htink there are small mechanical differences fro mthe 85 to 86/87 models that might be considered "improvements"..

like i heard that the later model gt-s's had extra baffles in teh gas tank that help keep the gas flowing properly during hard cornering

and the axles are slightly thicker on the later models.. to improve strength??

i also heard that some really late 87 models actually had a 7 rib block instead of the 3 rib one..

but these are all tiny differences taht you'll never notice anyway

[Manjob]

Thanks for the help guys!

[Voodoo.Priest]

On 2002-05-19 17:46, DerekDorifto wrote:
I agree with you, the differences are mostly cosmetic with one exception imho. The plastic arch trim on 86/87 cars will cause your fenders to rot if they are allowed to trap salt and moisture against the body.

To me, it didn't seem like much of an improvement to add them after 1985 since they actually do more harm than good, no?

Damn! How can I prevent this from happening?

[mr_sinister]

remove the plastic trim.. and then you cna fill the holes over with bondo or something so it doesn't look so ugly

[martiniracing]

didn't the early models come with a red top or something, and latter models with blue top?? i maybe wrong

the early model rear axles have less teeth, but speaking to a seasoned ae86 rally driver today, luis at applewood, he said the old axles are stronger than latter model ones

[mr_sinister]

no ae86's came with a redtop (hi-comp, small port whatever you want to call it)

only latter model ae92's had that engine..

(and geo prism gsi's .. don't remember which year tho)