There is so much misinformation in this thread, it's not even funny.
AE85 = SOHC 1.5L 3A-U (Japan Only)
AE86 = SOHC 1.6L 4A-C (Outside Japan) or DOHC 4A-GE (Japan and Export)
All were made from mid 1983 to mid 1987 (production date) or 1984-1987 (model year). The year has nothing to do with what it is, they were all made in every year.
All outside of Japan are AE86, does not matter what engine it has, it's an AE86. All will be chassis code AE86-xxxxxxx.
In Canada/USA, we also (read: in addition to the frame/chassis code) have a 17-digit VIN which is NOT the chassis code, but it does offer some insight to what GRADE the vehicle is.
Data Tag/VIN Decoding Information (Canada/USA Only):
JT2AE85 = DX Grade (Essentially an SR5 with even less options, they don't say anything on the trunk)
JT2AE86 = SR5 Grade (4A-C engine (SOHC 1.6L) with 6.38" rear end, rear drum brakes)
JT2AE88 = GT-S Grade (4A-GE engine (DOHC 1.6L) with 6.7" rear end, rear disc brakes, optional LSD)
JT2AE8xS = Coupe (2-door Coupe)
JT2AE8xC = Liftback/Hatchback (3-door Coupe)
Differential Codes:
T282 = 4.30:1 2-pinion 6.7" 4A-GE Diff (no-LSD)
T283 = 4.30:1 2-pinion 6.7" 4A-GE Diff (with-LSD, Excluding Canada)
S292 = 4.10:1 2-pinion 6.38" 3A/4A SOHC Diff (Automatic Transmission)
S302 = 3.73:1 2-pinion 6.38" 3A SOHC Diff (Japan Only)
S312 = 3.91:1 2-pinion 6.38" 3A SOHC Diff (Japan Only)
S314 = 3.91:1 4-pinion 6.38" 3A/4A SOHC Diff (Manual Transmission)
Transmission Codes:
K50 = 5-speed Manual Transmission (Japan AE85 (3A) models)
T50 = 5-speed Manual Transmission (All AE86 (4A) models)
A42D = 4-speed Automatic Transmission (without 4A-GE engine)
A42DE = 4-speed Automatic Transmission (4A-GE engine, with ECT)
Japan Frame Codes:
AE85-FSMNS (Example Only)
AE85 = Chassis Code for Vehicle with 3A-Block / AE86 = Chassis Code for Vehicle with 4A-Block (4A-GE)
F = Sprinter Trueno (Popup Headlights) / E = Corolla Levin (Fixed Headlights)
S = 2-door Coupe / C = 3-door Coupe
M = Manual Transmission / P = Automatic Transmission
N = GL Grade (3A Only) / E = SE Grade (3A Only) / X = SR Grade (3A Only) / Q = GT/GT-V Grade (4A-GE Only) / V = GT Apex Grade (4A-GE Only)
S = SOHC 1.5L Engine (3A-U) / F = DOHC 1.6L Engine (4A-GEU)
North America/Europe/Australia/Others:
AE86L-ESMQF[A] (Example Only - LHD)
AE86R-ECMQF[C] (Example Only - RHD)
AE86 = Chassis Code for Vehicle with 4A-Block (4A / 4A-C / 4A-GE / 4A-GEC)
L = Left-Hand Drive / R = Right-Hand Drive
E = Corolla Coupe (Popup or Fixed Headlights)
S = 2-door Coupe / C = 3-door Coupe
M = Manual Transmission / P = Automatic Transmission
D = DX Grade (USA Only, 4A-C Engine) / X = SR/SR5 Grade (4A / 4A-C Only) / Q = GT/GT-S Grade (4A-GE / 4A-GEC Only)
C = SOHC 1.6L Engine (4A / 4A-C) / F = DOHC 1.6L Engine (4A-GE / 4A-GEC)
A = United States Destination / K = Canada / V = Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Others) / Q = Australia / C = Sweden or Switzerland / G = Germany / W = General European Countries / Blank = Other Countries
Hopefully that answers your question (and more!)
Jeff