Purpose Built Power-Weight Ratio AE86 Coupe

AE86 with 4AG 20V – Japanese Classic Car

Don’t you hate it when the first thing someone asks you about your car is “How much power does it have?” I really wish that someday, someone would come up and ask me instead, “How much does your car weigh?” Without getting too in-depth about technical power-weight ratio and its applications to various motorsports, it simply means that the lighter the car, the better. Said another way, it basically doesn’t matter if you have 1000HP if the car weighs 10,000lbs.

It’s all about power to weight ratio in this game! Of course, many other factors come into play, depending on the type of racing you’re doing too, but to a certain extent- higher horsepower combined with a lightweight chassis is usually the way to go.

The AE86 is a code name for a 1985~87 Toyota Corolla GTS, which came in a front engine, rear wheel drive configuration. Because of this layout, the car became immensely popular for racing, typically in road racing, rally, and drifting. These cars are on their way to becoming classics (if they’re not already) and sure enough, they are listed significantly above their bluebook value in the blackmarket. Matt Perkins acquired his white zenki Corolla GTS coupe built from veteran AE86 Gurus, Taka Aono and Hiro Sumida. These guys were some of the founding forefathers of AE86 racing in the US.

All you need in life is an engine, a seat, and steering wheel. A real man doesn’t need A/C, P/S, or Cruise… nor any pansy electronically assisted steering mechanisms of some sort. Wouldn’t you rather be fully in control than some annoying Knightrider shmuck assisting your driving? You have to really learn how to drive analog before going digital. Ever wonder why most of the top racers in the world come from karting backgrounds?

The above engine is the very last model of the Toyota 4ag, called the Blacktop 20v or simply the 4ag 20V. The combination of VVT (variable valve timing) and ITB (individual throttle body), with 11:1 compression ratio from the factory made it a strong candidate against many of the popular twincam variable valve timing equipped 4-cylinder engines of the era. Unfortunately this fifth generation 4AG never made it to the US, and had to be imported. One reason why the Blacktop is the most powerful amongst the 4ag variation is the amazing head flow. Yamaha had had their hand at the head design including this one, as well as other powerplants for Toyota such as the BEAMS 3S-GTE, 1JZ-GTE, and 2UR-GSE (Lexus IS-F).

The suspension received a combination of TRD, Battleversion, and Project Mu goodies, successfully dialed in for both grip and drift racing. As you can see, there is no lighting assembly under the flip-up style headlamps for weight saving purposes, instead, two powerful PIAA halogen lamps were mounted in the bumper.

I would rather stare and take pictures of real race cars that are actually thrashed because of racing than look at cars with million dollar paint jobs (like I did recently at the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show). The driver’s personality is greatly evident in the cockpit and in this case, Matt doesn’t give a rat’s ass about aesthetics. He just wants to go fast. The entire frame of the car has been reinforced with welds and a SCCA compliant 6-point roll cage with various safety side beams. There’s nothing under the dash except for the engine control unit, all the sound deadening material has been pulled off. The wood Nardi steering wheel, is well… the final touch made to his Pimpmobile.

See, its a 100% track car only. Since the AE86 Corolla weighs in from the factory at 2300lbs, we figured that with all the carbon/fiberglass body parts + gutted interior, Matt’s car is just a tad over 2000 lbs. This, combined with a 165HP Twincam VVT engine, the power weight ratio comes in at 12.12 lbs per horsepower, equivalent to about a stock Mazda Rx-8. Not too shabby for a 25 year old rust bucket! Remember, these power/weight ratio figures will change if any engine mods are added or weight is decreased.

Matt currently owns and operates a dyno tuning shop called SR Motorcars in Gardena, CA. They are a one stop tuning shop for all your motorsport needs!

So kids, the lesson today was that if you want to make your car faster and don’t have any money, start ripping parts off your car to shed some weight! More power often costs alot more money… stripping parts is FREE!

AE86 Grip Day at Streets of Willow, Nov 28th

AE86 Track Day in Cali

Held by an organization called Drift Association, a time trial event dedicated just for the Toyota Corolla AE86 was held at the Streets of Willow track at Willow Springs International Raceway.

The Toyota Corolla GT-S versions from 1984~1987 were stamped with a chassis code of AE86, and in Japan they are labeled as Trueno and Levin with different variations of front fascias. These cars have attained a sort of cult-like following mainly because of a popular Japanese Anime series “Initial-D” which features the underpowered (and underestimated) Corolla whipping the arse of some high horsepowered cars. The light weight and FR (front engine, rear wheel drive) layout of the AE86 is also a key factor of the car’s appeal since the AE86′s FR layout is favored by just about every sportscar driver.

One of the biggest figures popularizing the AE86 is a Japanese professional race car driver named Keiichi Tsuchiya. AKA: “Drift King”

Drift King’s vehicle of choice that he swears are the best engineered cars include Sprinter Trueno and the Honda NSX. There are videos and stories that document his undefeated N2 race version Trueno, which TRD had put massive amounts of R&D into.

Although the Drift King wasn’t present, nor was it a Drift but a Grip time trial event, it was a day put aside for the California AE86 enthusiasts purely for the love of these cars. There were several cars that shared the same 4AGE engine found in the MR2 and AE92 Corolla racing at the event which added to the fun and excitement at the track.

Most of the cars were driven a few hundred miles to the track, raced, and driven back home. Although the car is over 25 years old, they are still a blast to drive, fuel efficient, and reliable as hell. In the stock configuration, the 16 valve 4ag came in the GT-S models, and the 8 valve carbureted 4AC versions came in the lower SR5 grades. The 16 valve versions were keeping up with the upgraded 20 valve 4ag powered AE86s, which was a higher output variable valve timing equipped engine that was never released in the US.

The successor to the AE86, the AE92 came in a FF layout, as well as a quick little Toyota Starlet also made an appearance at the event. Both are fitted with some genre of the 4ag engine that enabled them to rip it up with the others.

The US never had the stationary version front headlights from the Levin model, they all came with the pop-up style.  Chris is a Socal local and one of the few that has a clean car that he actually tracks. The new Volk Racing Rays TE37V wheels were released earlier this year, specially to cater to the old school Japanese car enthusiasts who set the demand for more deep-dish style rims.

Taka Aono, best known as the AE86 Formula D competitor, was there to aid Drift Association and get some seat time gripping his drift car! 90% of the Formula D competitors are using modern chassis with big displacement V8 engines but Taka is still in the game with a sub 2 liter 4 cylinder 4ag and solid rear axle suspension. He acquired his driving skill as a SCCA champion driver which translates to one of the best AE86 drivers in the world today.

A Club4ag user known as Chohdog, pilots this green hatchback fitted with a highly modified 16v engine. Next to forged internals, open individual throttle bodies and coil packs enable good power at higher RPMs. The Ferrari sticker also has a story behind it… I forgot the exact details, but do but remember there’s definitely some sort of Ferrari technology inside the engine!

One of the quickest AE86s of the day brought out by the Hamachi brothers. The vehicle has extensive suspension work done as well as gutted and decreased weight. A stock Blacktop 20 valve 4ag (last edition of 4ag) powers the car, which was fast enough to embarrass some of the more modern cars out on the track.

This red coupe defied the ordinary by showing up with a modified 4AC engine which is a single cam, carbureted, 8 valve, 1600cc motor. In stock form, these engines put about 70 horsepower to the wheels so there is no doubt that it was either the owners great driving skill or extensive engine modifications (or both) that enabled him to keep up and shred some tires.The sticker was just a bluff!

Overall, everyone enjoyed a full day of racing and said they can’t wait until the next one. The weather was a bit too cold for the people, but the engines were lovin it! The cars are getting more pricey and less in quantity, but the AE86 movement is as strong as ever in the United States! There are talks of Toyota releasing the new AE86 in the years to come, labeled as the FT86. The chassis will be developed by Toyota and possibly badged as a Scion, and the engine will feature a naturally aspirated boxer unit made by Subaru. With the modern AE86, perhaps the prices of the originals will skyrocket, so you better buy one while they are still not outrageously overpriced.

See you at the next track outing!

“Car of the Week” Hot Rod Ramblings Part 2

Part 2 of Hot Rod Ramblings “Car of the Week”, we take a look at some rear wheel drive beauties from all around the world, Japanese, European and even American.  These 5 cars have all been “Cars of the Week” in the last few years for me.  They all have great aftermarket support, wheels, suspension, exterior, engine, etc. and can all be built into multiple different styles, drifting, road racing, street car or show car.  Each has tons of potential to let their owners be creative and make their Ride an extension of themselves.

Toyota AE86 Corolla GT-S “Hachiroku”

A 1980′s Corolla?  You’re probably thinking I’m nutty.  I am, I love this car.  Why?  It is probably the ultimate drivers car.  Ever heard of Keichii Tsuchiya, the “Drift King”?  Heard of the Japanese comic book “Initial D”?  Anyway, that should give you guys something to Google today.  I can’t spoil all the fun.  But, suffice it to say, it has all the makings of a drivers car:  rear wheel drive, 5 speed manual, high revving 1.6L DOHC fuel injected aluminum 4 cylinder and lightweight construction.  I love the boxy lines of the “86″ (or hackiroku in Japanese) as its known.  This Orange beauty grabbed from Speedhunters.com is a circuit, track day example.  This one sports a big carbon GT wing, fender flares to fit bigger meats and a gutted interior.

This next example is a sweet street version, looking the part as a Japanese street/touge drifter.  This one also has aftermarket fender flares, carbon fiber vented hood, wide 15 or 16 inch wheels and body kit front, rear and sides painted in a typical for the mid 80′s two-tone jobby.  Boxy cars with flares just looks so good!  The 86 is a lightweight car that you can flick around.  It’s a nimble street car that can be made to drift, autocross or canyon run.  Too bad they don’t have airbags.  :(  If you wanna “Live the 86 Life!” go check out one of the top forums, Club 4AG and soak it in.

Nissan 240SX/Silvia

One of the cars that has recently been a “Car of the Week” favorite is the Nissan 240SX, also known in Japan and around the world as the Silvia, 180sx or 200sx, depending on what engine spec.  As is the case, the USA got the watered down version and in this case it is no different.  Instead of getting a highly modifiable Turbocharged SR20DET 2.0L DOHC 4 cylinder engine rated anywhere from 200-250hp, the US 240sx received the dull and weazing 2.4L DOHC 4 cylinder turbo-less truck engine rated at 155hp.  That of course doesn’t stop the enthusiasts in the know to swap in a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) SR20DET engine into their chassis.  This red aggressive S14 240sx runs with the Risky Devil Street Drift Club, one of the crews that knows how to setup a Nissan!

There is a huge following and many forums and websites dedicated to the Silvia.  The 240 runs independent rear wheel drive, 5 speed tranny setup and weighing around 2800 lbs, making for a ball to drive.  Turbocharge that stock KA engine or swap in the SR and you have a Mustang beating, drifter or road racer!  Here’s another red Risky Devil 240SX showing us how its done sideways!

Why Nissan stopped selling the 240 in the USA is beyond me.  Apparently they didn’t sell well in their day, but now its hard to find a used example without an angled exhaust and some drift rash.

2005-2010 Mustang GT

Ah, the retro styled Mustang S197 chassis.  Released as a 2005 model, it came with a 300hp 4.6 3 valve V8 that could run on low octane.  The chassis and body was totally revamped from the Edge SN95 Mustangs and with that, a much improved handling suspension package.  So much so that the S197 Mustang has been very sucessful in GT racing around the world.  In 2008, Ford released its Cobra Jet special edition drag pak, I think only 50 were sold, body in white versions sold to drag racing teams that wanna cough up the dough of course.

If you don’t know yet, I’m a huge drifting and Japanese car nut.  Vaughn Gittin Jr is a drifter who has taken on the S197 chassis and shined, taking a few wins and many podiums in his new 2010 Mustang GT.  Here is his street car!  I here from Speedhunters/Motor Mavens (can’t remember which one) mentioned this week that JR will be going to the aftermarket selling Mustang parts and such.  This stang is clean looking.  I’ll take one in Grabber Blue though!  I love how the ’Stang has been updated for the 2010 model, with its more aggressive front end, angled rear and bumped up power.

Datsun 510

To me, the ultimate Japanese classic car is the Datsun 510.  Rear wheel drive with independent suspension, OHC 4 cylinder, manual trans and great looking boxy lines.  It was super successful in SCCA small bore racing in the 1970′s.   Throw a front airdam, wide sticky tires, roll cage and go racing!  Paul Newman learned the ropes of wheel to wheel racing behind the wheel of the 510, lovingly called the “Dime” by its followers.

If only Nissan or Toyota or Mazda could produce a modern version of the 510 or AE86 or even the 240SX, it would rejuvenate the sports sedan/coupe enthusiasts for sure.  I even saw a “dime” for sale in the local classifieds with a 350Z 3.5L V6 engine swap.  Wow!  They don’t make cars like they used to, in the USA or across the Pacific.

BMW M3/3 Series

If I had a little more money and didn’t live in Utah with its snow and long winters, I’d be driving a BMW M3 CSL (Club Sport model).  Look at this M3 running at the world famous Nurburgring race course.  Talk about grip!  Not sure what’s cooler, pulling the front tires off the ground at a drag strip or in a corner while road racing.  The M3 sold from 2000-2006 ran a 3.2L inline 6 that made 333hp and could rev to over 8000 RPM’s.

I’ve driven an E46 M3 right after driving a Terminator Mustang Cobra.  What a smooth revving engine!  One of the best sounding engines ever in my opinion.

One of the best looking and handling cars from the 80′s has to be the BMW E30 M3, with its fender flares and high performance 4 cylinder engine.  When tuned just right with suspension and wide wheels and perfect fitment, there’s not many cars cooler!

They’re hard to find used anymore.  They’re actually becoming a collector car of sorts for those who are BMW aficionado’s.  I can see why.

That’s it for this post.  What do you guys think?  Any of these cars fancy you?

Hechtspeed

Check out Build-Thread.com’s Project Datsun 510 story here