This is a 1984 Toyota Corolla SR5 Hatchback. In Japan, it's the equivalent to the 85, powered by a carbureted 1.6L SOHC 8-Valve 4A-C engine.I rescued this car, it was a tragic story of an automobile headed for the crusher on trumped up charges of not being wanted... a lie simple and pure. But I found him. A diamond among dirt clods.
For as long as I've been into cars, and I'm afraid to say, my spurring into post 1970s automobiles was Fast and the Furious, though I have progressed since, so don't be afraid that I'm going to double clutch my Integra or my Corolla.
Now, let's talk about the car. The 4A-C creates over 70 horsepower, however, only 60 horsepower reach the wheels. Compared to the 4A-GE in the GT-S that puts nearly 100 horsepower to the road. But it can be brought to that level, and I don't see a reason why you should throw out a the car's engine, it's heart, it's soul, for the simple fact of wanting to be Mr. Dorifto.
The car's engine can be brought up to the GT-S performance with mild modification. Paradise Racing makes a 4A-C Power Pack that comes with a Weber 32/36 Downdraft carb, specially ground Schneider Camshaft, and double valve springs all for $650. And that should be enough to raise the cars performance considerably. And since I'm in Idaho where emissions laws aren't spoken of, I can issue black smoke out the exhaust in voluminous amounts and no one could care less.
The suspension can be set up on my SR5 the same as it could on the GT-S, so my car has the potential of identical handling and with the addition of a complete GT-S rear end in the car, I could have the rear-wheel disc brakes, LSD, and higher rear end gears.
Headers were made for the engine at one time, however because of lack of demand the company, S&S, stopped production, so headers are non-existent for this engine, unless you want to have your own made or are lucky enough to find some used S&S headers that someone is selling.
In the long run, I'd like to get the head ported and polished, get some upgraded pistons and rods, just beef this thing. It's all about enabling. Why would I want to change the car's engine, it's very personality, when it could run like a scalded cat with a little help?
And as far as aesthetically, I'm going to get the damaged interior panels and tears in the vinyl from sitting in the sun for too long replaced. Get the seats reupholstered, repaint the car in it's original paint scheme, Silver/Black, and just get this car back to it's former glory. It feels so good to set in and in the short times I've driven it, I've been in heaven.
I officially love this car. I can't wait to have kids so they can underestimate it in 16 years, haha.
It's exciting to see the beginning of construction of this car. Money permitting it should all be complete in a year or two.
That's all for now. Thank you.
