AE86, good track car?
I have a AE86 race car. It IS a decent track car, better than most in its price range. I also had a miata and while I consider the mazda has a superior suspension setup and has a better/cheaper aftermarket, N/A engine development is almost non-existent, wether for the 4AGE in the Corolla is plentyful. I ended up turboing the miata, and THAT is a fast car, but it´s also more complex.
If you want a FUN, reasonably cheap, normally aspirated track car, go for it.
If you want a FAST track car, don´t go for the AE86. I can think of plenty of better choices for this.
Basic setup for the AE86:
- Suspension: I went for TRD springs and Tokico HTS shocks. $1k total. Plenty of choices here.
- Engine: 20 valve engine swap (Silvertop/Blacktop) will give you +30-35whp, stock. Aftermarket for these engines is quite limited. I chose to build the 16v engine, which is a lot more expensive, but can give nice results.
- Brakes: Decent pads are usually enough. Skyline R32 GTS front brakes are almost bolt-on, a nice upgrade.
- LSD: Definetly necessary, does not come stock. Used TRD LSD´s go for about 400 in ebay; rebuildable.
- Cage it and reinforce the chassis. These things crack with grip (suspension + r-comps).
Good luck.
If you want a FUN, reasonably cheap, normally aspirated track car, go for it.
If you want a FAST track car, don´t go for the AE86. I can think of plenty of better choices for this.
Basic setup for the AE86:
- Suspension: I went for TRD springs and Tokico HTS shocks. $1k total. Plenty of choices here.
- Engine: 20 valve engine swap (Silvertop/Blacktop) will give you +30-35whp, stock. Aftermarket for these engines is quite limited. I chose to build the 16v engine, which is a lot more expensive, but can give nice results.
- Brakes: Decent pads are usually enough. Skyline R32 GTS front brakes are almost bolt-on, a nice upgrade.
- LSD: Definetly necessary, does not come stock. Used TRD LSD´s go for about 400 in ebay; rebuildable.
- Cage it and reinforce the chassis. These things crack with grip (suspension + r-comps).
Good luck.
Last edited by Nurburgring; Nov 26, 2008 at 06:49 AM.
You look at a spec miata at all? Excellent track car, ridiculously cheap to fix and maintain (I mean like 350$ for a new tranny), and there is a huge community that races them so the info and parts are all out there. For 10k you can have a Miata fully prepped likely with extra rims and a trailer. Im assuming you arent looking for a track car for 2k but a base car for 2k plus upgrades. If that assumption is correct, go for a miata and you will not regret it.
'Out here", as in california? We must have a very different definition of 'crazy expensive' because I can guarantee that a spec miata is the most cost efficient form of racing. If he doesn't want to compete right now, he doesn't need to pour money into the car, even though there is little place to pour money into the car in any capacity other than fixing what broke or getting new tires. Both of those costs will be present on any race car or serious track weapon, the difference is that on both of those, the miata is significantly less expensive (small tires, cheap new parts).
If I am missing a expensive component of miata racing, CaliMR, please let me know. I do not race the series but I have been looking into it for the same reasons I am stating for ambystom01.
If I am missing a expensive component of miata racing, CaliMR, please let me know. I do not race the series but I have been looking into it for the same reasons I am stating for ambystom01.
Last edited by Protostar1; Nov 27, 2008 at 03:18 PM.
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From: Canuckistan
Yeah, wrx/sti/evo will allow ridiculous amounts of stupid on the track before they bite you, so it lets you get sloppy. The main things I noticed in the Evo (I'd guess wrx is the same) is that it covers up when you are not smooth. And the secret to speed is Smoooooth.
My buddy is one of the top local racers, and he tells me constantly that the secret is to look where you want to go (WAY down track), hold the wheel with your finger tips, and pretend there is an egg under the pedal. That will make you smooth, and the rest will just happen. I am still a total noob though so that is just from hearsay
I would not worry about hp on a learning car, just get something with good neutral handling and learn how to carry momentum and be smooth. HP makes bad habits, because you can make up the lost time in corners by hammering the straights. But if money is an issue, then look for something that you can use long-term and that you can do most of the work yourself with good junkyard parts availability.
My buddy is one of the top local racers, and he tells me constantly that the secret is to look where you want to go (WAY down track), hold the wheel with your finger tips, and pretend there is an egg under the pedal. That will make you smooth, and the rest will just happen. I am still a total noob though so that is just from hearsay
I would not worry about hp on a learning car, just get something with good neutral handling and learn how to carry momentum and be smooth. HP makes bad habits, because you can make up the lost time in corners by hammering the straights. But if money is an issue, then look for something that you can use long-term and that you can do most of the work yourself with good junkyard parts availability.
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From: Canuckistan
You look at a spec miata at all? Excellent track car, ridiculously cheap to fix and maintain (I mean like 350$ for a new tranny), and there is a huge community that races them so the info and parts are all out there. For 10k you can have a Miata fully prepped likely with extra rims and a trailer. Im assuming you arent looking for a track car for 2k but a base car for 2k plus upgrades. If that assumption is correct, go for a miata and you will not regret it.
http://classifieds.specmiata.com/
For race prepped cars look under that category. There are many that are well over 10k but there are a few currently listed there for under that. I really doubt the you could make an AE86 a better track car, with the same community support, and the same longevity of purchase for what a spec miata costs. Regardless, good luck with whatever you choose, I am just throwing my 2 cents in!
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From: Canuckistan
I can't afford to spend 10000$ in one go though. That's why I'm leaning towards buying a starter car and just doing performance modifications as I go. Off the bat I'll install a roll bar, FIA certified seats and 5 point harnesses.
I can't believe no one has jumped on here yet and told you to go for it... yes it's a good decison. From what I understood you saying you want an affordable platform to get more into the sport and start modding the car. The ae86 meets that ticket perfectly, there are millions of parts for these cars and they are all really cheap compared to most evo and sti parts. No the ae86 is not going to be a power house without a good amount of work, but a well balanced car can be had pretty easy with an AE86. I only race small SCCA course since that's all we have in montana and my friends AE86 which has wheels/tires, lsd, springs, and sway bars kills most people with miata's and mini coopers.
It is an old car so you will have to deal with "old car" issues but it is a great starting platform. And in my opinion is an ideal place to start learning.
It is an old car so you will have to deal with "old car" issues but it is a great starting platform. And in my opinion is an ideal place to start learning.
I get your budget isn't huge for this project, but you may end up putting money into a hole with the AE86, but if you have modest goals for the AE86 its prolly not a bad idea, but if you plan on keeping the car for a while and possibly competing, I would save up for the spec miata. Again, good luck and I hope you post your build.
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From: Canuckistan
For those that have done it, what is actually involved in the 20V swap? I checked out the forum posted earlier and it's not nearly as easy to find info as here.
