Guest Feature - Andre Soares AE86 Levin

Do you remember day dreaming about owning an Hachiroku? Watching countless hours of Initial D and Best Motoring dazzled by the square looks and sideways handling of the old Corolla AE86? André Soares used to be that person, until he started living the dream.




In 2008, with a few thousand euros on his pocket and ready to take on the challenge of owning a legendary piece of Japanese metal, Andre headed to Oporto to lay his hands on his own Hachiroku.



After three years, many thousands of euros down the drain, as he says, and lots of burnt rubber, the 1985 Hachi still sports the original black paint and some newer scars, patina if you’d like.



Although it’s been through many track days and drift days the car still copes with the daily commute and grabs a lot of attention, despite the wear and tear. “Sometimes people leave a note on the windshield with intentions to buy the car off me”, says Andre, unable to avoid laughing at the situation. “Who’d want such a piece of crap?”



Said “piece of crap” has, however, been the biggest money pit the 24 year old has ever owned. Almost every aspect has been upgraded or changed in some way since he bought the car stock three years ago.



However, according to Andre, there’s still lots to be done, starting on the engine. “I need more power, I’ve been thinking that an SR20 conversion could be a good idea”, says this speed freak who also plans to use it only on the track in the near future.



Well, he’s off to a good start and his plans are good. I bet we will hear much more from this Portuguese project in the future.



Spec List:
stock engine 1.6 twin cam 16v 4AGE 111hp 147nm



mods
solex locks
OEM ambar turning lights
OEM Radio Brackets / Mounts
Pioneer DEH-4000UB CD Tuner with Rear Aux-In and Front USB-In
Focal 100 CVX 10cm
old school license plates
Motul90PA lsd oil for transmission
drift button from T3
Brembo rotors Front brakes
ferodo brake and clutch oil dot 4
4 konig B Bomb 15x7.5j et0 pcd 4x114.3 from T3
2xtoyo proxes 4 195/50/15 back tires
6xtoyo R888 195/50/15 front tires
HKS radiator cap
KOYOrad R0747 53mm is 20% - 30% more efficient
TRD shift knob
TRD short shift
new kaaz 2 way lsd and Bearings
silicone radiator hoses
bmc cda 70-140 intake
remove oem viscous fan
thermoelectric fan with temp valve form ac of a renault megan 1.6 petrol
new megan racing coilover damper kip ae86 8kg on front 6kg on back
new ajustable panhard bar from T3
new Roll Center Adjusters from t3
now change to negative camber Roll Center Adjusters by Mendes sport
2x s13 zenki 15 wheels
Red line tail lights
2 yellow fogs on front from some Renault
kouki front grill clear levin style
exedy racing clutch stageII kit
Tri bar AA for the front from T3
4x VQ20 denso plugs
fuel pressure at 3bar
Walbro 255 LPH
4kg new flywheel xtd (oem wights 8kg)
magnecor racing wires 8.5mm
cusco bar to the back
goodridge stainless steel braided brake lines
ferodo racing ds2500 front pads
project mu D1 speck rear pads out now wit EBC pads
zenki model with kouki look
55mm exauht pipe with 60mm muffler
waiting for 4x 15x9 et0 rotas BM8



Gancalo Reis Bispo.
Massive thanks go to our Corolla Brotherhood Guest Blogger, the Very Talented Goncalo Reis Bispo. Also check out his Flickr page for his fantastic photography.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greis_photography/