Lauren's 1985 Kouki Trueno

[Lauren]

A quick bit of history on me, I've owned three MK1 MR2s, 2x SC's that were modded and the second one was stripped out. I also had an early MK1 MR2 (1986) that I restored. I've raced MR2s and RX8s and used to work for a trackday company. There's not much I haven't done with MR2s and even met my Fiance 9 years ago due to MR2s! I still run an MR2 club (IMOC-UK).

Finally, after oh so many years I've taken the plunge and got myself an AE86. I've wanted one since I first saw one back in 1983! I have given up a 2 year old (had from new) Panda 100hp to go for this, so the AE86 is my daily driver and I use my car a fair amount for work(!).

So for me I wanted a clean car that doesn't need too much work, though I know that pretty much every AE86 needs something doing to it and it is an old car of course.

I also wanted aircon and power steering. I test drove a 20v Levin without power steering and unfortunately it's just too heavy for me. In the end I found a pretty clean 1985 Trueno GT Apex with working aircon and power steering in a fairly light state of tune (or so I thought!):

Anyway to save boring you to death here are some pics:

Okay got some pro pics done by a friend of mine:













There is loads more to talk about regarding the car, but will stick up more details later.

Spec is TRD blue dampers and springs all round, 4-1 manifold with Tanabe Medallion cat back system. I've added a K&N also.

Interior is stock, apart from Bride seat and my old suede Sparco wheel (back from the MR2 days) that I've added.

Popped the cam covers off to check the belt and found these:



Engine has a flat spot at 2.5-3K. Though resetting the ECU (more of which later) seemed to cure it for a couple of weeks. Cam timing is set at 106 inlet and 113 exhaust. Took the cam covers off and found HKS 264's.

Car also apparently has a 2 way diff. There is some diff whine and it is certainly tight enough.

[Lauren]

Had a look at the ECU and found this:







If anyone can shed any light on this I'd appreciate it. Trouble is that it's not like I can get it mapped or anything, so may go for the option of sticking in a stock ECU and using whatever is the current popular choice in piggyback ECU's. Used to be dastek (unichip) but not sure what the current flavour of the month is.

The car runs very smooth and does not seem to have the regular 7599rpm rev limit, though I don't rev it over what I can see (ie 8K).

[Lauren]

After re-setting the ECU we found it cleared the flatspot. It then returned a couple of weeks later.

Did an error code check:
Hmm, flat spot seems to have come back again.

Error codes:

5 Oxy sensor open circuit
6 RPM signal/no-signal to ecu from distributor ("ne" or "g") after engine has been cranked: distributor/circuit; starter/signal circuit; igniter/igniter circuit; ECU
10 Starter signal (no "sta" signal to ecu until engine speed exceeds 800rpm): vehicle is push started; ignition switch/circuit; ECU. Not a real problem unless it recurs.
11 Switch signals: TPS idle switch off; neutral start switch off (automatic transmission in Drive); A/C switch on; A/C switch/circuit; A/C amplifier; TPS/circuit; neutral start switch/circuit; ECU

Have reset the ECU again to clear the codes. Last time we did this the engine seemed absolutely spot on.

Checked the oxy sensor and it is was giving a very weak signal, so think it's on it's way out. Fortunately we had a spare one lying around so once I get a gasket for it, we'll put that in. I'm hoping at the very least it'll improve the MPG from an average of 23!

[Lauren]

Am also going to get some minor body repairs done as well as get the small amount of rust around the rear pockets treated. Then the car will be off to chassisclean.co.uk for dinitrol treatment.

[Lauren]

Have come to the conclusion that the aircon could be better. It's struggled today as it's just not cold enough. Am currently looking at the options as I know it is an R12 based system. There do seem to be alternative legal refrigerants I can use, so have contacted a local-ish company that does classic Jags etc, see what they come back with.

[Lauren]

Was just putting a bigger washer on a bolt to hold the undertray up and noticed that the front struts have RCA's.

In other related news, brakes have all been ordered, from three different suppliers, what a PITA. So far have rear discs, just awaiting the rest.

[Aram]

Nice car mate!

What brakes did you look for?

[Lauren]

Cheers.

I went for standard discs all round, Mintex 1144s on the front and stock pads on the back.

[Lauren]

Okay have fitted the new oxy sensor.

All checked and it's switching fine.

Also put in the stock ECU. Car seems to drive the same. Most notable difference was the rev limiter back in effect which felt a bit weird, but probably shows that I've been revving a bit past it on occasion.

Otherwise it feels smooth enough, if anything it feels more peppy at the lower end.

Will stick with it for a week, check economy/drivability etc and see what I think. The stock ECU can handle 264 degree duration camshafts apparently so it ought to be able to cope with it.

[Lauren]

A little bit of beardage today. Decided to change the wheel arch extension that I've had since I got the car!

I replaced with a new OEM one I managed to get via my local Toyota dealer.

Replacing it wasn't that bad, got the old one off easy enough. Putting the new one on, I had to use a standard nut to bolt the frontmost fixing point as it was just too awkward to get the longer nut on. Took me about ten minutes to get the first three bolts on and about about 40 minutes to get the last one on! Still, got there in the end and it smartens up the rear three quarter no end. :+: