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.