AE86 GTS - "Wisconsin Body, California Soul"

[Note]

My name is Tom, and I'm a graphic designer in San Diego, California. I'm originally from the Midwest, and my automotive history before owning this car had been mostly tied to Hondas. My last car was an autocross-ready 1993 Honda Civic CX hatchback, with a B16A swap, and other goods.

In the time I have owned this car, I have had many ups and downs, and learned that this car is a very demanding piece of machinery. From breaking several transmissions, to electrical headaches, and overall age; it has certainly been full of surprises, to say the least. I always knew this car would be a handful, but nothing like this.

Over the next few posts I will documenting my history with this car, and from there, the future of where it goes. I once thought a drift-ready compact hatchback would be fun, but now I have learned to respect this car, and my project focus is in reliability. Having this car start up each morning, go from A to B without issue, maintain a solid MPG, and still have some sporting qualities to it is the ideal. Not a track demon, not a trophy winner, simply a reliable hatchback with a great deal of fun.



1985 Toyota Corolla GTS [AE88]
Current Parts List

Engine & Transmission
16v 4AGZE, Supercharger Removed
T50 Transmission
Spec Stage 2 Clutch, Pressure Plate, & Flywheel
TRD 4-2-1 Exhaust Manifold
4AGE Bluetop TVIS Intake Manifold
4AGE Bluetop Engine Harness
4AGE Bluetop ECU

Suspension & Wheels
Toyota Supra MK2 Wheels
Tokico Blues
NASTRA Rear Calipers
NASTRA Brake Pads

Extra
Grant GT Steering Wheel
NGR Quick-Release Hub
Pioneer DEHP6700MP
Toyota Supra MK3 Speakers
UJ's Old Dash Cover
Solex Locks
Fuel Kill Switch
Custom Exhaust
Aftermarket Trunk Lift-Arms

Pending Parts
Replacement Radiator
Replacement GTS
Gas Tank

Future Parts / Wish List
JDM Steering Wheel
NGR Quick-Lock
Janspeed Exhaust System
Replacement GTS Body Harness
Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Ex-Parts
20v Silvertop 4AGE
Ford EDIS Coil Pack and Wiring Harness
Megasquirt ECU: MSnS Extra (Version 2.3)
OBX-R Exhaust Manifold
OEM Velocity Stacks
Uni UP4245 ITB Filters
Sunpro 10,000 RPM Tachometer

Special Thanks
A special thanks, and due credit, go to the following Club4AG members for their continued assistance in helping this newbie along the way (listed in alphabetical order).

eightysixer23
jaedee
karate_crimson
kirksekm
my86mystory

*I will be updating the parts list as the build progresses.

Thanks for looking!

[Note]

Part 1: History

In the summer of 2011, after selling my old Honda Civic hatchback, I was looking for a new car that would provide something different from what I had been used to. After contacting a friend, the time had finally arrived to get the car I had waited 5 years to own:

Photos from Seller






After finally obtaining the car, there was a lot of work to do to refresh it and get it road-worthy for the trip ahead.

First time working on the car, at my buddy's basic shop in Wisconsin.






A fresh coat of flat black paint.

[Note]

Part 2: California

My fateful trip to California.




My ambitions to drive my AE86 back to Southern California from Wisconsin was indeed a tall order. Although with a friend of mine who is ASE certified, and who was also a previous owner of the car was along the for the ride, as well as tools and extra automotive fluids, I wasn't too worried.

A large mistake.

Several hours into the trip just south of Grand Island, Nebraska we were cruising in 5th gear when we heard a loud pop and a burning odor. We pulled over to the side of the road to assess the situation. Tires good, belts good, and the engine idled with 110% normality. We then got back in and began to set off when we heard a terrible grinding noise coming from the car. We thought it might have been the clutch, not a good thing to go bad in the middle of Middle America. My friend tried to go through the gears:

1st gear: grinds
2nd gear: grinds
3rd gear: grinds

We thought for sure it was the clutch, and then:

4th gear: completely normal.

It was as I feared more than the clutch, it was the transmission. And having a bad transmission here would be a nightmare, where the only T50 transmission the local mechanics (for miles) might know is from BorgWarner. After sitting at the roadside and going through the options, we decided to limp back to Grand Island which was only 20 miles away. After getting in touch with AAA I was able to secure a hotel for the night as I searched frantically for a replacement T50. My initial plan was to order a U-Haul auto trailer, and get a tow from my uncle in Denver and find a replacement there. The following morning we were towed 100 miles west by a company AAA found, and ended up in North Platte, Nebraska. Although we received a phone call from my friend's uncle, who said he would come and get us... and proceed to tow us the rest of the way to SoCal.

I honestly though he was insane. Although after multiple phone calls to our families trying to figure out the best solution, my friend's uncle was insistant on driving the 4,000 miles (round trip) to get us where we needed to be. And with the plan in motion, my friend and I had a nice 13 hour wait outside of a WalMart in North Platte, Nebraska.

But, sure enough, at 1:15 in the morning my friend's uncle Steve arrived with a pickup and auto trailer. We loaded the car up and hit the road. Aside from stops for gas, we were going nonstop. And finally arrived here in Southern California around 2AM on July 6th.

[Note]

Part 3: 2012

Fast-forward to last fall, past a lot of minor issues with the car (mainly in the transmission area), when it finally came time to swap out my 20v Silvertop and revert back to the 16v Toyota intended.





Although, after a run-in with the local police-department, the buyer of my motor left, the 16v still uninstalled and sitting on the sub-frame brace. He has since remained up in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, not bothering to mail the section of the harness that is missing. The car now sits like this, but thankfully I have since gotten the 16v mounted in place, and now must finish the wiring and putting on the last few vital components.

[KonaTrueno723]

Man, what a journey that's been for you..nice write up & good luck with your build sir!

[TD86]

Yay Note!

[Zenki85]

Man, what a journey that's been for you..nice write up & good luck with your build sir!

x2

[Note]

Thank you, it really has been a lot of ups and downs, but that's half the fun, right? Reading these first posts again, I'm somewhat surprised how fast I can sum up almost two years of ownership; not really as cathartic as one would think. Oh well, still plenty left to do.

Yay Note!

Thanks man! I registered when the site first got back up, I figured it was time to start using it.

[Note]

Hey bro its kirksekm from the old c4ag im finally in japan lmk if u r n need of some parts

Hey man, long time. I'll be sure to do so.

[Note]

Might be selling this car.

[Note]

Awesome journey
Gl with whatever u do!

Thank you, I'm hoping to keep the car, but life may have other plans in store.