AE82 Plans

[DigitalPho3nix]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to post this here in case I have not thought of anything or forgotten something important!

I will be buying a Corolla soon (most likely the AE82 Twin Cam). I have big plans for it! It will double as my daily driver and an *occasional* club event race car. I will probably mostly do Hillclimbs, and Super Sprints for the time being. The main theme of this car will be 'quality street and racing car on a low budget'.

First on the list is a full fluid change. Possibly even a radiator flush if things looks really grubby.

I plan to update the suspension almost immediately. I have heard alot of good things about Whiteline products in the AE82, so I was thinking of going with a full new set of suspension from them. I am after a 'sports' oriented setup, so reduced ride quality doens't matter much to me. However, are there any better options/combinations that any of you guys have used that would be better for my application?

I will probably need a big front strut brace, and an adjustable rear sway bar also to stiffen the car up a bit until I deem it necessary to put in a bolt-in roll cage.

While I have the suspension in pieces, I though I would upgrade the brakes a bit. I think I would go with AE92 Series 2 SX front and rear discs with some good street/track pads. For a car this light, I think that would be sufficient braking power? Obviously, I would need to have bigger wheels by this stage. I was thinking of some ultra-light 15" wheels (2nd hand will do) with some really good rubber to keep weight down.

If I have some cash left over, I'll get a 2nd hand race seat with holes for a future harness and rails and put that in place of the driver's seat. It might be worth putting a new seatbelt too.

I'll need to get a fire extinguisher, and a helmet also before I go racing. But these can come later.

I probably won't do a whole lot to the engine just yet. Probably just a shielded pod filter and full exhaust system when I get the money.

I plan to do most of the work myself to cut down on labour costs.

Thoughts and comments? Criticism is welcomed, but please make it constructive!

Chris

[Vios-GT_07]

it's worth a chat with Ross a.k.a. casino kid on these forums.. he's got exactly the same thing u're after except his is more bunky..

[Jorrs]

whiteline sell packages, Shocks, springs, strut brace, swayabrs, though you will only be needing a big fatty on the back which whiteline make for you,
how is the clutch and box in it ?
perhaps a exeddy heavy duty to take the punishment,

[DigitalPho3nix]

whiteline sell packages, Shocks, springs, strut brace, swayabrs, though you will only be needing a big fatty on the back which whiteline make for you,
how is the clutch and box in it ?
perhaps a exeddy heavy duty to take the punishment,

Yeah good point, I will need a better clutch at some stage. I will probably wear the one in there out first though before replacing it.

[DigitalPho3nix]

Ok, turns out Whiteline don't make the shocks anymore or sell the Handling Packs they used to for the AE82. They still sell the Control springs though and strut braces and sway bars.

Looks like the bolt in Whiteline suspension can't happen. Who has good experiences racing with certain brands and models of shockies?