The Chola Build

The AE86 generation of the Toyota Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno is a small, lightweight coupe introduced by Toyota in 1983 as part of the fifth generation Toyota Corolla line-up. For the purpose of brevity, the insider-chassis code of "AE86" is used to describe the whole range. In classic Toyota code, the "A" represents the engine that came in the car (the 3A and 4A) and the E86 represents the 6th revision of the fifth generation (E80 series) of the E model which is the Corolla. The visual difference between the Levin and Trueno is that the former has fixed-headlights and the latter has retractable headlights. The export model name Corolla covers both variations. The AE86 (along with the lower spec 1,452 cubic centimetres (1.452 L) AE85 and 1587 cc SR5 versions) was rear wheel drive (unlike the front wheel drive CE80, EE80 and AE82 models), and is among the last rear-drive cars of its type, at a time when most passenger cars were being switched to front-drive. The AE86 was replaced in 1987 by the front wheel drive AE92 Corolla/Sprinter range. The AE86 was also known as the Hachi-Roku (ハチロク, Hachi-Roku?) (after the numbers eight (ハチ, hachi?) and six (ロク, roku?) in Japanese).

I begin looking for an AE86 at the start of 2007, then one day scanning San Diego Craigslist I found this:
Up for grabs is a 1987 AE86 coupe. It runs but needs to get smogged. I have done a little bit of work on the car to this end, and I am pretty sure it needs an EGR valve. Tranny shifts ok, kinda needs a clutch though... Exterior is... old, but there is very little rust (a known problem for this kind of car) and all panels are straight except two minor dings. High mileage (228K) but fires right up. Misses a little on idle, and hesitates on acceleration. Price stated is best offer, but I know what these are worth, so don't tell me $200 or any kind of shiat like that please. I am honest and expect the same. Whis would be a good rolling shell to drop a 20V into, everything is there and the interior is not too bad. GT Grant steering wheel, woo hoo!! Also has Supras in the back, but I have the matching steelies too, will be included. Also, I have a pair of RX-7 Convertible leather buckets (good shape) that I was going to throw in the car that I'll include too. Sunroof works still!! I used this as a daily driver for a bit, and although it has its issues it has never failed me. Shoot me an email and we can arrange a viewing/test drive... Reg is expiring this month though, so if you want to check it out, hit me up soon. I check email regularly and intend on having pics up soon. Thanks!

I figured why not make an offer. We emailed for a bit and he even sent me a picture message:

Here is the blog from the trip:

Well, i just got back from picking up my new 87 sr5 coupe. I found it on craigslist in oceanside and offered the guy 600 bucks for it. it has 228,000 miles, and is running. I made the offer, he took it, I never saw it but inquired about quite a few things. My friend was supposed to go pick it up when his fam had their truck down there, but he bailed, shipping was gonna be 550, and i wanted it now. So, i bought a plane ticket for 100 bucks to orange county from salt lake, and flew down today. I handed the guy the cash, we made a bill of sale, and I drove the car I had never seen or test drove 750 miles home. haha i guess it was pretty stupid, but guess what? It worked absolutely flawless. I didnt have one moment when i thought I would have problems. I didnt have engine heat problems or anything, not even driving through death valley. Anyways yep. I ended up spending 800 dollars for gas, food, and the car. final savings, 350. nice work james...
http://www.hachiroku.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7372


Here are a few of the pictures of the car after I got it home and cleaned up:






Just a few weeks after purchasing the car I picked up 3SGTE motor out of a 1991 JDM Celica All-Trac. The previous owner had imported the motor hoping to do the same swap, but never got around to it. I purchased the swap for $800 which included (motor, ct26 turbo, ecu, wiring harness, Danstoy Motor Mounts, and Danstoy Tranny Mount)

First Things first, pulled the motor, took the car to the car wash to get out the grease:



Then I chose my paint scheme. I decided I would do a teal base with a black roof, carbon hood, carbon trunk.
Because I wanted the project done correctly, I painted the engine bay using Dupont Automotive Paint:

The paint went on surprisingly well and looks like it is the perfect color.


Now that the engine bay was cleaned and painted, it was time to start fitment of the motor. I made new motor mount bushings using hockey pucks and begain the fitment:


The waterlines werent fitting so it was time to pound out the firewall.

I had to pull the heater core and a few other things to pound out the firewall.


After pounding out the firewall the motor fit just right.



After trial mounting the motor the car sat for a couple of months as I did not have access to a cherry picker (engine hoist) and the car sat for a couple of months. I decided that it was not worth paying for my car to sit at the storage unit and towed it back to my house. The car continued to sit for a a while as I continued to order parts for the vehicle.

First I got the Techno Toys Tuning 4 Link and PanHard Bar: $380
Then I ordered a Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel $300
I researched different clutch options and decided to go with the Illegal Garage Race clutch would be the best option for my needs. I talked to Max Misawa and had them build me my clutch. Total price on the clutch was $405 shipped.


Valentines Day came and Rally Sport Direct was having a sale on the APR GT 200 carbon fiber wing. I got the wing for $380

I also got in contact from a forum member from HachiRoku.net and ordered my w58 manual transmission from a toyota supra.
In order to mount that transmission up to my 3SGTE I ordered a custom bellhousing from ToycoolRolla over in the phillipines. I also ordered a 2s oil pan and pick up so that the motor could sit flat with clearance in the bay. I paid $500 shipped for the transmission. I paid $618 for the oil pan and pickup, with the bellhousing shipped.

Time continued and I finally got a hold of the 1981 Toyota Supra Axel. I paid $380 for the axel through LKQ in Springville.


The car continued to sit but I bought more automotive paint and sealed up the rear axel with pink paint.

This last Thursday (May 29) Chad came up and we put the rear axel on using the T3 Links. I also bought a new engine hoist so I can get going on the project again.

Other Stuff (Catching up)

Here are the last Pics I took of Ashes before selling her:



Also here is a pic from our Utah County Nasioc Thursday Night Meetings, this was a few weeks ago:

APRIL 19 DRIFT ENTERPRISES TEST N TUNE

As new as Drifting is to Utah, there are actually quite a few events and people interested in the Sport. I have been going out to compete in the events for the past two years. Though I am not exactly pro/ anywhere near pro, I still have a lot of fun going out and learning. My biggest disadvantage has been the variety of vehicles I have been using and not being able train and get used to using the same car at each event. I am still building my ae86, which eventually will be my primary drift vehicle, so for this event I co-Drove my friend's 2004 Nissan 350z. I had driven various 350z's while working for Nissan, but never to the extreme of Drifting. The car had quite a bit of power, but tons of understeer on the stock suspension and tires. After a day in the car, though I was able to get the car sideways, I would say it needs some adjustable coilovers, and a different set of tires. I had fun though, and I found teaching Mike the basics of drifting was quite rewarding. I hope that as he sets the car up more and more we can continue to improve technique and style in the vehicle. Drifting is good.
Pulling the Z out of the gate:

Nick Stucky Let me run a round with the carmount camera.

A little bit more understeer as I ran the edge of the grass

Loading up the TRIANGLE Corners

Finally, here are some of the other cars from the day:

Watch Yo self...

Added The JDM Crab This week to the STI. I think this guy will be on the rest of my cars from here on out...

In Thoughts of Remembering THE AUTO

I decided that for my personal blog I would keep track of all of my automotive exploits.

EDGAR-
I'll begin with my first car I had after my mission, a 1987 BMW 325. I got the car from my parents for $1 and it had about 115,000 miles on it. I took the car from Oregon to Utah. I kept the car for about a year and sold it in February of 2007.

AUTUMN-
In May of 2006 I bought my next toy, a 2006 Honda CBR 600rr (Orang Tribal). I bought the Bike brand new from the Monarch Honda Dealership in Orem Utah.

I then purchased a few classy aftermarket upgrades:
Hot Bodies flush mounts
Two Brothers Carbon Tail pipe
Clear Alternatives Tail Light/ Integration


Aldo and I also took the bikes on a trip to California. We trailored the bikes to Grenada Hills and then we rode the bikes around through LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Valencia. While down there I picked up the solo cowl for the rear seat.

HOLLYWOOD

Later on I got my race license at Millermotorsports Park

About a month after receiving my license I decided I would jump right into the MPRA series racing at the Miller Motorsports park. The first day of practice I layed the bike down and it suffered some minor damage.

At the race I came out of the last turn going into the straight away having just passed a pack of other riders, and while throttling back let the tire slip just enough to break the bike out from under me. The bike slid off the track, hit the side and flipped. Craig and Kim were both at the track that day and Kim saw the whole thing. I came out of the wreck untouched, though the bike was pretty mangled. Inbetween the races Craig and I ripped apart the bike, stitched it back together and got it ready so i could finish racing that day. I finished third in my class and even got a medal. I think I beat two other bikes is all though. I felt it an accomplishment though to finish and not give up.

ASHES-
I spent the next three months digging through ebay and other websites to find replacement parts and get the bike running again. I did most of the rebuild as I replaced the rear tail section (subframe/ battery trays). Then Craig and I did the fiberglass/ bondo work on the rest of the plastics. I ordered an orange decal kit from england, bought white pearl as used on the 06 toyota camry. I also had the paint shop match the orange paint to the original fender. I paid Craig to paint the bike in the BYU Paint shop and it turned out really well.

After rebuilding the bike I purchased a Scotts Damper and a Puig Double Bubble.

I kept the bike through winter and one more summer and just sold it yesterday.

MR. TANTRUM-
So in February of 2007 I decided it was time to sell EDGAR and pick up some new wheels. I decided a 2004 Pontiac GTO would fit the bill just fine. I purchased the used 2004 Pontiac with 11,000 miles. It was Cosmos Purple, but it was so dark it looked brilliant. The car came stock with a 350hp LS1 motor and it was fast. The car was not a pontiac by blood though. Holden motors (a division of GM) built the GTO in australia where the car has been known as a MONARO since the 50's. GM simply rebadged the cars and replaced the bumpers to distribute them on a left hand drive platform in America.

After buying the GTO I quickly debaged it so that I would not have to suffer the Pontiac name.

I begain purchasing Holden badges off ebay as well as a set of Holden OEM sidemarker lights which replaced the GTO badging on the front quarter panel.

After a month of saving up I was finally able to order the OEM Holden Monaro Bumper/ lighting/ and grills from a company called JHP out of Australia. I had the bumper painted by a place called Dave's classic Auto on 8th north in OREM.

The car looked great, but it was still missing something...

WHEELS!
I put an 18 Falken Koblenz on the front and 19 on the back.

I also took the GTO to the 2007 GT Live tour at Miller Motorsports Park. I entered in the Lap Battles and was able to keep up with most of the other cars in my class. The only cars that left me were a couple of Evo IX's that were highly tuned. That day I also was able to ride along with Taka Aono in his AE86 Hatch in the DRIFT Experience.

I kept the car a bit longer and eventually sold the Goat in August of 2007.

CHOLA-
I have wanted a mid 80's Toyota Corolla AE86 for sometime now, and in June of 2007 I found one. I found it on craigslist in San Diego (oceanside). The sellers name was travis I think, and he was asking $600 for a running 1987 sr5. I called him up and he sent me a few pictures he took with his phone. We made arrangements and I agreed to buy the car. I bought plan tickets and with nothing more than a pep boys shop manual and a box of wrenches I borded the plan with hopes of driving the corolla home from Oceanside.
I flew down and paid for the car. We wrote up a bill of sale, and I was off. I started by getting a full meal at wendy's before I hit the trail home. The car was 20 yrs old with 220,000 miles. I had no ac and had the sunroof stuck open as I made the trip across death valley, through vegas, and back to Provo. I still do not have any idea how that car made that trip back to Utah. I know it was defintely a blessing that I was able to make that trip in one day without any problems. Nikki was very nervous for me, as was I. I would never ever take a chance like that again.
(the mms he sent me of the car)

Once I got the car home and registered, I entered it in one of the Drift Enterprises drift events at RMR. I just raced the car stock but still had a great time. Here is a video of the event:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dwOyVcSIdUU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z71hdM2rXf0
After the drift event, I begain my project. I bought a 3sgte JDM motor from Brandon with the red hatch and the other ae86 mafia. I got motor mounts, and a tranny mount from him as well. I paid $900 dollars for the motor and mounts. I ripped the 4ac out and begain the transformation. The Car is still in the works.

YODA-
While in the process of building my Chola, I decided to sell the GTO and buy another AE86. This time it was a true 1987 GTS with 215,000 miles on it. The color was originally silver and black with patches of spray paint here and there.


I then decided to repaint the car matte black with teal stripes on the driver's side fender.

The car ran perfect but had a number of problems with the door handles/ locks and mechanisims and the heater did not work. It was at this point I decided to sell the old beast and pick up something a bit newer. So in January of 2008 I sold Yoda to a kid from Arizona. He bought the Yoda and drove it home.

ShadowFax-
With the need for some drivers comfort and a reliable vehicle, I decided to move towards a Subaru. I wanted a white STI but could not find one anywhere. I really wanted a white 05 but everyone I found for sale had already been sold. After a few weeks of heavy searching I came across a white 07 at the Mark Miller dealership in Salt Lake. The car was a bit more than I had planned on spending, but I could get a good insurance rate on it, and it was flawless.
I bought it.

Since buying the car I have put the fog light kit on it with the black bezels off of Micah's 06. I als o bought an STI OEM titanium shift Knob and Blitz Nur catback exhaust. The car is a blast to drive and has been more enjoyable than any of my other vehicles.



In February I took the car to the Miller Motorsporst Park first annual Snowcross. Ken Block (owner of DC shoes) was one of the drivers there as well. He races for subaru's rally team and has done a number of jumps in his subaru. The event was a blast and I had a decent lap time. I ran a 2:20 through the cones. I believe the fastest time Ken had was a 2:13.

and a video of the event:
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c250/jaronc/?action=view&current=MMPsnowcross.flv

I also entered my car to be on the Subaru Japan website for their 50th anniversary.

I also built a couple of RC Cars: