SR Power, Quick and Easy

The Corolla’s Toyota 4A-GE engine produced little more than 110 horsepower from the factory and would require too many engine modifications to meet the horsepower targets. Instead, KAAZ chose a Nissan SR20DET engine because it makes power easily, has excellent aftermarket support and can deliver significant horsepower output without upgrading the block internals. After fabricating new engine mounts, the SR20 dropped into the engine bay with little effect on weight distribution.

To stay within budget and time line, the shortblock remained stock. Since an upgraded head gasket was a must, the cylinder head received some upgrades from BC Brian Crower before being bolted back to the block with ARP head studs. The necessary turbo, fuel system and engine management upgrades were put in place before the car was brought to Drift Speed. Resident tuner Koji Arai adjusted the fuel and ignition maps of the SR20 engine. At 20.3 psi, the hubs of the Dynapack dynamometer were spun to the tune of 408 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque.

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V-Mount For Victory

Generating over 400 horsepower produces a lot of heat. Typical front-mount intercoolers reduce cool airflow to the radiator, elevating the possibility of overheating. A V-mount arrangement between the intercooler and radiator allow both heat exchangers to receive direct airflow. A vented hood permits heated air to flow through the intercooler and escape from the engine bay while heated air flowing through the radiator vents under the engine.

Big Brother’s Got Your Back

The AE86’s factory solid axle suspension includes a 6.7-inch rear end that wasn’t meant to support the 400 horsepower generated at the wheels. The simple solution was to adapt a heavier-duty 7.5-inch rear end from a Supra MKII. The MKII rear end handles the power without issue and only required minor modifications to the spring perches to adapt to the Corolla.

A Tough Season

The build was finished just in time for the Formula D season opener at Long Beach. Unfortunately, the tight and technical course layout of the Streets of Long Beach were less than ideal for driver Yasu Kondo to test out a new chassis and the KAAZ Hachiroku was crashed during the practice session. The KAAZ team spent the remainder of the season getting the chassis back in shape for competition. The repaired and refreshed AE86 was back in working order just days before the Formula D Finals at Irwindale, CA. With Yasu back at the wheel, he had the opportunity to shakedown the chassis at the Streets of Willow. Everything seemed in order. At the Finals, Yasu qualified for the top-32 eliminations. In Round One, Yasu faced off against Mad Mike Whiddett. Yasu put on a great show, pushing the Hachi hard in the matchup. Unfortunately, Yasu hit the wall as he was setting up for the second sweeping turn, riding the wall. Team Manager Chris Khankap comments, “This car has had some highs and lows; one of the high points was being voted the best looking pro drift Corolla in the USA. The low point, of course, is that the chassis may be beyond repair.” While the year was a rough one, the KAAZ team demonstrated the perseverance that drives competitors in the face of adversity. Hopefully the team will enjoy a successful 2011 competition season.