ancullen

A new Sprinter will NOT come in at under 1,000kg. Yes it could be done using modern materials, even on a bigger chassis like that of the Impreza, but lightweight materials are expensive. This will either be under 1,000kg and over $35,000 (for a basic model), or over 1,100kg and under $25,000 for a basic model. The basic model WILL come with a 1.5L engine, and I would presume it would have a 2.0L engine for a performance version. IF we get the new Sprinter here (assuming it gets built), I would put a substantial bet on it costing over $30,000 for a basic model, but that basic model would come with a 1.8 or 2.0L engine. The 1.5L engine will be the basic Japanese model - remember they get 1.4L engines in their Auris/Corolla while we only get the 1.8L (thank goodness). I agree that the EL15 motor is more likely than the EJ15, as the EL15 is what Subaru are rumoured to be using for their RWD sportscar their developing along side the new Sprinter. The EL15 has DOHC, which even if it's not providing more power, is more 'sporty' sounding (for advertising purposes) than only SOHC. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota do end up using their own engines for the Sprinter and leaving Subaru to use boxers. The boxer layout is too iconic for Subaru. Therefore any magazine reviews of the vehicle are going to mention Subaru drivetrain, which I'm sure wouldn't settle too well with Toyota. The 1NZ-FE would make sense as a basic motor for the Sprinter, moving up to the ZR-series of engines for the more sporting models. My bet is on a 3ZR-FAE powered version as the top of the line for Toyota as it has 158hp (118kW) and 196Nm, which should do if they can bring the weight in at under 1,200kg. Assuming the same percentage power and torque increase as the TRD Aurion has vs. the standard Aurion (240kW & 400Nm vs. 200kW & 336Nm), then a TRD Sprinter could potentially have 142kW and 234Nm. Of course, the Aurion only has a fairly mild tune, so it wouldn't be at all surprising if these figures were more like 150kW and 250Nm. In a 1,200kg car that's going to provide quite good performance. Of course, it could also end up costing around $50,000. :( 1.5L engine will be for Japan (and Europe). Markets like Australia and the US would be more likely to have a 1.8L engine as the minimum. Of course, it will cost close to $30,000 once it gets here. Probably more like $35,000. It will be marketed as a sports car after all, and will probably be intended to fill the gap left by the Celica.

The assumption was made on a few website that the 1.5L 1NZ-FE would be used. HOWEVER, if Toyota are already planning on using a Subaru platform, with RWD transmission (AWD minus some bits) then it would seem logical that they use the EJ15 as it's available ready to go. The price of 1.5 million yen would be for a basic model. It would seem HIGHLY improbable that Toyota would release an AE86 successor but only have it as a car weighing 1,100kg (if they get it down that much) and with only 120hp (not that they'll bother to tune the 1NZ-FE for that much).

For now...

Toyota are looking for a non-Japanese manufacturer to purchase - it should be Lotus. It would fit in quite well with Toyota's operations, and would cost bugger all. It would allow Toyota to bring back the MR2 by component sharing with the next gen Elise/Exige. Obviously a Lotus version should be lighter, more powerful, and more expensive though. They could also co-develop a new Esprit replacement, except make it front-mid engined and use it as a base for a new Supra, with a less powerful variant as a new Celica. Esprit: 230kW 2GR-FSE, sub-1,200kg, $120,000+ Supra: 200kW 2GR-FE, approximately 1,450kg, $65-70,000 Celica: 150kW 4GR-FE, approximately 1,400kg, $45-50,000 The platform could be shared with the IS-series of Lexus, or possibly with the proposed new sub-IS class of Lexus, therefore keeping costs, size, and weight down. And we get a new Celica and Supra out of the bargain!

And those photos were stolen from elsewhere. If you're going to use photos from elsewhere, it's probably a good idea to put the correct reference - otherwise you might get in a bit of trouble. The picture you used from my article was originally used in Japanese magazine, Best Car. The magazine also created a different design for a potential new Sprinter/Trueno, one that I feel looks a lot better. A website, 7tune, also did a design of their own. I feel theirs is far superior to the Best Car designs, but the tail end could use a bit of refinement. The rest of the car looks much more agressive than the Best Car proposals though. If anyone's interested in reading the whole article, please visit www.rollaclub.com. The article is displayed on the home page. I think it would wear a Sprinter or Trueno badge. The bumper look is a little lame, they need to do the bottom half of the doors black as well to fit in. Plus I liked two tone on the 80's cars, mainly since my first car was two tone I very much doubt it would be badged AE86. It would be in the same spirit as the RWD Levin/Sprinter/Trueno's that can be traced back to the KE11 Sprinter. And I agree that the black bumpers look ugly. Check out the RollaClub article to see more proposed designs.

I have an ST205 Rallye Group A (#77). The original rim was a 16x7.5". The stud pattern on all five stud Celicas was 5x100. I believe the offset on the GT-Four was +32, whilst the standard ST204 was +45. These figures may be the other way around though, I'm not certain. My Celica currently has 17x8.0" C-One SA70 rims, which look WAY better than the standard GT-Four 3-spoke rims.

Well, I'm mainly targetting NT users, however interstaters are welcome to come. Hell, we don't discriminate against non-Corolla drivers, I suppose we could be especially open minded and try not to discriminate against those from interstate. On a side note, we have already gone up to thirteen cars definitely attending, with the possibility of five others. This is going to be MASSIVE. We are also definitely going to be holding a motorkhana at the end of the cruise. This will mean that the cruise will end at Hughes WWII Airstrip. Here's a list of cars currently signed up to be coming: Corollas ZZE122R Seca AE92 Hatch AE92 Seca (x2) AE86 AE71 Non-Corollas Holden Barina 5-Door Datsun 1200 Coupe Series 1 RX7 LC Torana Mitsubishi Galant VR4 R33 Skyline GTR Proton Gen2 EP95R Starlet

We already have eight cars coming on the cruise. Any Toyota Owners Club members want to join in? Remember, we don't discriminate against non-Corolla or even non-Toyota members.

The NT division of RollaClub (www.rollaclub.com) will be holding a cruise on either Saturday November 19 or Saturday November 26. It will depend on when the majority of people wish to go, but will most likely be on the 19th. Everyone is welcome to join the cruise, even if you don't drive a Corolla, though we do wish to get as many Corollas involved as possible. On our last cruise we had Corollas ranging from AE71 through to ZZE122R. For this next one we're trying to extend that range (a ZZE123 would be nice).\ If you're interested, head to www.rollaclub.com for more details, or simply post a reply under this topic.

The stroker kit available for the 2ZZ-GE is simply a 1ZZ crank. And the big bore kit available for the 1ZZ-FE simply uses 2ZZ-GE pistons and sleeves. See here for details. And just to be picky, a 2ZZ-GE stroker would not be a 3ZZ-GE, it would be a 5ZZ-GE as Toyota already make a 3ZZ-FE and 4ZZ-FE (1.4L and 1.6L capacities respectively) for use in European market Corollas where the 1ZZ-FE is not offered.

Hey, I just bought an Ascent too (picked her up today), except mine's a 2004 model with about 22,500k's on the clock. Came with Sportivo spoiler, muffler, alloys, and suspension, so it's a bit different to the basic model. Sounds pretty nice without being loud at all. And she's metallic black so she looks mean. So I'm also the proud owner of two Rollas, my ZZE122R and of course my little KE55 with 4A-GZE :D.

Thanks Rosscoe. Now I just have to save some cash to get the motor. Then I've got to find one, which will probably be more difficult than saving the cash!

I'm going to be there (not racing unfortunately). I'll be in the pit with the blue LC Torana coupe (the one competing in the lapsprints). I'll be wearing a bright orange polo shirt with 2004 Rejex Rally written on the back. Feel free to come and say hi and talk about my Corolla with me.

I was using my other half's 98 model Starlet in a motorkhana the other day, and it got me thinking about how to make it a bit quicker. It did fine round witches hats, but could use a bit more power. I'm not really interested in using the 4E-FTE, simply because everyone does that, but also because the turbo coming on boost would be a pain when motorkhana-ing. I'm thinking the best conversion would be to use a 5E-FHE. It'd give me 50% more power, would drop straight in (unlike a 4A-GE), and could potentially be made to appear as the standard motor (not entirely sure on this though). Has anyone ever done it? I suspect there'd be a few 5E-FHE motors available from when people have done 4E-FTE engine swaps. Anyone got any comments/suggestions?

Hi Everyone, I just joined the club. On Sunday 27 March, there will be a Family Fun Day at Hidden Valley. As part of this there will be drifting and lap-sprinting sessions (3 of each, 30-minutes per session). There will be some cost involved in competing, approximately $70-80 to go in just the drifting OR the lap-sprinting, or for under $100 you can enter both. If you don't want to risk life & limb & car, but still want to watch, there will probably be an entry fee ($5). There will be a BBQ & drinks can be bought at the track. Please head on down to check this out, as it should be a great day. And if you do decide to come, I will be there (probably in pit-lane) with my recently purchased 1981 KE55 Corolla CS sedan which is running an AE101 4AGZE as well as some other goodies. This will be my first outing on the track in this vehicle, and my first outing on the track in a RWD drive vehicle, so it should be fun (or should that be funny) to watch. Email me if you have any questions. Or head on over to my website at www.geocities.com/ancullen and leave a message in my blog section (select 'About Me' from the navigation bar on the left, then select 'My Blog'). Adam