Purchasing/planning

[Sam93]

Hi, my names Sam, I'm 19, first year apprentice mechanic. I'm new to the forum, and to corolla's, to the extent I haven't actually purchased one yet. Thats why I'm posting here though. I'd like to get a bit of advice if possible, and opinions.

 

I'll give you guys a general run down on what I have planned of the finished product

 

Engine (swapped after I get onto opens)

4AGE (turbo'd?)

or SR20VET

 

coilovers (I've heard one has to swap out steering and brakes etc, but not 100% sure on what is exactly required to not have to weld them in)

quad lights

slightly stretched tyres, nothing excessive

fender mirrors

rims with a machined and polished lip, with tasteful dish

chrome bumpers?

 

and depending on whether it takes the daily or the full out drifter path, possibly fully stripped interior, welded rear doors, fully caged, possibly tube framed

 

iuno, it depends on what the future holds for me

especially in regard to funds for the project haha

 

But yea, any advice or opinions regarding the choice of engine or whats required to put coilovers in would be greatly appreciated

 

Also any tips on what I should look out for when buying the car itself would be good too :)

[altezzaclub]

Sooo... what car was that we were talking about?? That seems to be the one little detail missing in your plans.. The 5-link rear end version or the Roman cart-spring one?

 

Ah- probably a Ke70. In that case all the conversion stuff has been covered in here many times, you will learn most by sending a PM to someone who has built what you want.

 

However buying one, well, get one from inland so its rustfree, even if you have to travel a thousand Km for it. ...and probably an auto as the manuals have been thrashed more. I wouldn't buy one on here, but that's just me... get a dead stock granny car even if it takes 6months.

 

A cheap one is worth less than $1000 and a really nice stock one is worth under $2k. Don't pay more than that and drive half a dozen if you can to get a feel for a good one. I've seen nice ones go into the wrecking yard because they weren't needed any more, or something mechanical broke and they weren't worth fixing.

 

This one cost us $1800 from a dealer.. expensive, but good.

 

http://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/42407-the-girls-ke70/

[Jono.C]

Yeah I'd assume ke70 as he said quads. and chrome bars as ke70s were the only rwd corolla without

[Sam93]

yea, derp I did mean to say KE70 haha

[B.L.Z.BUB]

Look for rust, spare wheel well, rear arches, full filler area, under and above the tail lights, behind the rear wheels. lower corners of the rear window, basically the whole car from the rear doors back.

 

If its for the track just buy anything, if its for the street and you want something nice, hunt around for a good shell.

 

Try to find an AE71 if you are going 4AGE.

[Sam93]

I'd prefer to get something running until I can go turbo. I don't want to be spending money on an engine when I'm just going to have to spend twice as much to convert it, when i could just buy the turbo with it cheaper if I wait.

 

I'm more focused on setting up suspension (replacing all bushings and washers after converting to 86/s13 suspension etc..)

Basically making it drive nicely before the power goes in