Lola - Ke55 4a-gze

[ancullen]

Bought the silvertop from BJ.

 

Yep, basically the more money, the faster you go. You can set as many rules and restrictions as you want, but whoever has the most cash is always going to have a better chance of winning races. You could make it so everyone has to use the exact same type of car with the exact same setup, down to even the same tyre pressures - whoever has the most money will just push the car as hard as they can, crash in a few races, win the rest - they'll be able to afford replacements more easily.

 

Interesting to note that the Hidden Valley lap record for a (legal) IP car was a 1:19 done by Dave Cheetham in the RX3. It had been beaten by two other cars, but one was running illegal fuel and the other didn't count for some reason. At the V8's last year, the AE82 hatchback with the 3S-GE BEAMS motor was doing 1:18's in qualifying. There is SOOOOO much potential for a car to set a new IP lap record! If a driver can come from interstate, with a car that's not necessarily setup up right for the track, and with the driver not a regular at that track, then a local should be able to develop themselves and a car to beat that time. I'm amazed one of the rotaries (none of which are turbo, mind you) or a V8 IP car hasn't been able to better 1:18.

[ancullen]

Slight change of plans (shock! horror!). I'm now thinking that the silvertop engine is the best solution in the TA22 IP car, as it is in better condition. It means I need an ECU and loom for it, but I may have a way of sourcing these - possibly.

 

I was going to use Lola's 4A-GZE for the 2009 season, but that would mean I wouldn't be eligible for any placings, so it would seem pointless. Plus I don't want to try and have to source a restrictor for it - I know someone up here has just got one for an STi and it set them back $600 to make their car slower. :hmm:

 

I'm also really wishing that the TA22 was an RA23/RA28 - then a 3S-GE/3S-GTE conversion would have been really easy. I could do the same to the TA22, but since a 4A-GE conversion is going to be so straight forward (easily installed, I've got the engines, etc) I may as well stick to that idea. Considering a 4A-GTE/7A-GTE option, but a straight up 4A-GE will be fine initially to get me into IP, and I can always upgrade later. Probably race with the 4A-GE for a few years and build up a 7A-GTE on the side. :y: I figure that 300-320hp (flywheel) should be quite achievable from a restricted 7A-GTE, even with Darwin's climate, with very strong mid-range torque. In a car as light as a TA22, that will be HEAPS of power, and assuming I can drive well enough, I would think it would be enough to get close to the current lap record.

[Pure-SX]

Sounds like you got some work to do there Adam :y:. If you want a microtech and loom for the 20V you know who to talk to :hmm:.

 

So are you going to compete in anything this year? Or just help out save some dosh and hit the races running next year?

[ancullen]

Saving money this year, though I plan on entering the GT-Four in one drag and one circuit event this year. The other benefit is that I help NAMSC out all year, then I don't feel so bad about not being able to help at circuit racing next year. Will probably still run the motorkhanas next year though, so I keep giving back to the club rather than just taking. :hmm:

 

And I would love to be able to buy the Microtech off you, but I don't have the funds. Will probably have to settle for a stock ECU for 2009 (& possibly 2010). I could get Lola's Microtech retuned, but REALLY don't want to.

[ancullen]

Adam is a sad panda today. :bash:

 

I have realised that I don't have room or money to keep Lola anymore. I need both of these valuable resources to get my IP car built, so I will be parting out Lola. I'll keep her engine and transmission for the IP car, but swaybars, springs, and various other KE55-specific parts will be sold.

 

I had hoped I'd be able to hang onto her for a play car, but it's just not feasible in my current situation.

 

Not sure what will happen with the shell. It's in pretty good condition, with only some very tiny rust and slight surface corrosion in a couple of places, but trying to sell her or even give her away may prove difficult. So she may end up going to Sims Metal. :yes:

 

Could we all have a moment of silence please?

[furryfrog]

:lmao: always a sad day when u realize its just not possible to hold on.

 

look on the bright side its going to help you also. :dance:

[ancullen]

Yeah. It will make it worthwhile if I can do a low 1:30 at Hidden Valley in my first outing in the TA22. Lola has achieved a 1:35, and since then I have learned noticeably better racing lines, plus the TA22 will have semi-slicks and better suspension.

 

I really just need to decide which engine I'm going to use in it. I've got an AE82 bigport, AE101 silvertop, and an AE101 4A-GZE. I have the stock ECU for the bigport, but it doesn't have compression on cylinders three or four. The silvertop doesn't have an ECU. The 4A-GZE has a Microtech MT-8, but I'm uncertain about whether I want to compete in the over-2000cc class, and I don't know if the supercharger will be effective with a 36mm restrictor. I could use the Microtech on the silvertop, but I don't know if Microtech will put a new base map on it and I don't really want to go through getting it retuned again.

 

At this stage I'm leaning towards the 4A-GZE due to the simplicity of getting the car ready. I can always run the car for a couple of years with this engine, and build the 20v on the side. The option of going turbo on the 4A-GZE is available, and I could expect up to 340hp (engine) with a restricted 4A-GTE, but I'm unsure about this too. Meh, time will tell what happens. I had heaps of plans for Lola and looked what happened to those. :dance:

[Jono]

do you want to sell me the rear swaybar for the ke55 (assuming its a BW diff) with all its mounting brackets?

[ancullen]

Sure do. PM me with an offer. :dance:

[ae174agze]

the mt8 wont be able to get retuned

i reccon bang it in a drive it for a few lapsprints

[ancullen]

Not going to build a car just to lapsprint it. I could take Lola out to do that. :dance:

 

Meh, I'm going to take a close look at the SC12 on Monday to measure the inlet orifice. Might dodgy up my own restrictor until I can afford to build a good engine - either a 4A-GE screamer or a 7A-GZE/7A-GTE torque monster. :lmao:

[ancullen]

Started pulling Lola apart yesterday. I have removed the front struts with its Kings low springs. Taken off the adjustable lower control arms. Disassembled the Whiteline front swaybar and bushes. I have also unbolted the two rear sections of the exhaust (it's a Lukey muffler as it turns out).

 

After I'd taken the front stuff off with the front of the car on stands, I jacked up the driver's side rear and put it on a stand, and while jacking the passenger side up, the jack shifted and the car dropped off all three stands (and the jack). As the front of the car was fairly high in the air (the stands were on about the second highest setting), the front came down pretty hard. Everything seems okay, but there is a ripple along the driver's side sill - not sure if this was caused by being dropped or if it was there before.

 

While waiting for someone to turn up with a scissor jack so I could get the KE55 back in the air, I laid down under the TA22 IP car for a good think and to try and plan how I would do things. I've decided that I'll need to fit all engine & suspension components before getting the car painted to ensure the paintwork isn't damaged by any cutting or welding we might need to do. Then all of this will have to be removed again for painting. It's a lot of work, but I want to do the car properly. However, I'm thinking it would be nice to get the car on track for one round this year (not in IP, just in lapsprints). So I figure I might put the components in and get the car actually running so it can be tested. There is a round on 7 September, so I'll aim for that one. Knowing me, I might actually have a chance at getting the car out two rounds after that one. :P

 

Also been in touch with some people in the know about the new Eaton superchargers. The R1320 is too big for an IP car as the 36mm restrictor that is required has an inlet surface area only 14% of that of the supercharger itself. :P I'm seriously thinking a 4A-GTE would be a far simpler solution, and I can get a GT28RS very quickly and fairly cheaply.

[ancullen]

Today it has ended. I took Lola to Sims Metal today. :jamie:

 

I still have her engine, bonnet, build plate, wheels and various other bits. However, the most important bits are likely to be sold. I'm thinking of using the bonnet and a spare grill I have to make a tribute to her in my house. I think it would look kinda cool mounted on my wall.

 

Due to my financial situation and a lack of space, time, and interest, I'm selling off my car stuff, and just keeping the GT-Four as my only play thing for the time being. If I get a bit of spare money together, I'm looking at buying a motorbike for a bit of adventure travelling. When I get my shit sorted again, especially financially, I will look into buying another play thing, but it would probably be something like a Clubman, and preferably with a Honda F20C rather than a 4A-GE.

 

This is a bit of a sad day for me, as Lola was my first, and last Corolla. She is the third KE55 I've taken to Sims (I feel a bit evil for this). I have some very fond memories of her and the fun I had, but have been forced to move on. If we could all have a moment's silence for the one we have lost, it would be appreciated.

 

Lola the Corolla - 1981-2009