Well the title basically says it all, I have the opportunity to buy an AE86 for about 1500$-2000$ depending on how much I want to haggle. If I did buy one, my intention would be to use it as a strict track car meaning a fully gutted interior, roll bar and harnesses. My main reason for this is I'm always hesitant about tracking my daily driver, I always thought the mantra "only race what you can afford to wreck" was important and I simply can't afford to write off my WRX. I don't need a speed demon for a track car, but it would be nice to have something with a little get up and go.
For those with some AE86 experience, what power options are there? Ideally I want something reliable and cheap to fix. I was thinking an engine swap to stay NA.
How is the car to upgrade in terms of suspension, tuning, etc.?

 

This is the car

 

These cars have lots of potential, but sometimes parts are difficult to track down and engine swaps can be spendy. Your best bang for the buck would be an S2000 F20 or F22 swap, which gives you plenty of power considering how light the car will be after you gut it. Suspension can be difficult, a lot of guys roll around on cut stock springs, but if you are tracking it get a good set of coilovers, I believe Ground Control can custom build you a set for AE86s specifically. Other than that, these cars are simple to work, and quite quick when set up properly. My friend had one with a 7MGTE swap out of a 3 generation supra, and that thing flew because it was so light.

 

I have a friend who had fully modded 86 corolla sedan who tracked it religiously. Though it is not a power monster, it sure is nimble and like everyone like to say about 86 "driver's car." He loved the car because it was quite modified from gutted interior, roll cage, full suspension set up, individual body throttle'd engine, full bucket seat with retractable steering wheel...

He gets pissed because he would literally kiss their butt on any given corner at the track but gets pulled on the straight

Try http://hachiroku.net/forums/

He got rid of it and he regrets it. He has BMW now and you think he'd like that but he wish he had his corolla.

 

ENGINE: AE111 5 VALVE 4A-G MODIFIED APPROX. 175 HORSEPOWER
CAMS: TODA RACING 272/288
PISTONS: TODA RACING 82 FORGED(?) THIS ONE, I'M NOT SURE. SORRY.
COMPUTER: FREEDOM (MOTORE SETTING)
(TRANS)MISSION: TRD 3SPD CROSS(I THINK THEY MEAN "CLOSE")
FINAL: GENUINE TOYOTA 4.778
LSD: TRD 2-WAY
EXHAUST MANIFOLD/MUFFLER: TRD
DAMPER: (F)TRD AE86 APPLICATION (R)SAME
SPRINGS: (F)8KG (R)8KG
STABILIZER: TRD
BUSHINGS: TRD REINFORCED/STRENGTHENED RUBBER COMPOUND
HOOD: M TECHNIC DRY CARBON BONNET
REARGATE: TRD N2 APPLICATION
DOOR/SIDE MIRRORS: ****SUA(SITSUWA?, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK NAME THAT IS) DRY CARBON
BODY REINFORCEMENT: TOKYO KAGAKU TOSO INC.
MAINTENANCE: MOTORE
BRAKE PADS: IMAGE (F)C2 (R)SUPER SPORTS
WHEELS: DORI DORI MESH 7JX15 OFFSET-2
TIRES: POTENZA RE-01 195/50R15
WEIGHT: APPROX. 900KG.

that engine can rev to 11k rpm
if u can afford to mod it till like that
then get it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TATaq...eature=related
nice comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coLD8...eature=related

 

Do you know how much that setup cost? That's basically what I'd want power wise since I figured I could probably strip it down to 2100 or 2200 lbs.

 

The "drift tax" has taken its toll on the AE86, so parts are getting rarer and more expensive. Also, look into what club racing there is locally for that platform, because eventually you are going to want to go wheel-to-wheel


I would ask around and see what other locals are running and what the local clubs race, so that you can move into racing when you are ready. It is more expensive to build 2 track cars, since the mods typically do not add much to the value. I am planning on selling my Evo for an E30 spec car once I get close to my race license, because that is a pretty hot class out here and it is cheap.

 

Well I wouldn't buy both, I'd only buy one obviously. The plan would be to buy the AE86 and over time make it the exclusive track car meaning no track days at all in the WRX.

 

No, I meant eventually you may want to go racing, and if there is no local class for the AE (or none that it can compete in without a massive cash hemorrhage) then you would eventually have to get rid of it and start over. My ambition is to eventually go wheel-to-wheel; if you have a similar ambition then you should think long term mang

 

True, I didn't think of that. My plan is to use whatever car I buy as a learning car since I'm brand new to track racing. I'd like to stop using my WRX though since not only would it be a big financial lose but I suspect it's giving me bad habits. The car is just too damn forgiving.

 

Does this come with the optional LSD? Everytime i see a Ae86 i think of Initial D. And of course drifting. I say take it. i was in the same boat as you, but with a 84 nissan datsun 300zx. I got it for 1000 and it was turbo with only 80,000 somethig miles on it. I had the chance to explore a whole different car and understand it.

 

Grab that ae86 and goto the touge with keiichi lol.

 

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.

 

With that being said i'd look into a Miata. RWD and have lots of aftermarket for them. Older Miatas i mean.

 

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.