Car Review: SUPERCHARGED Toyota Corolla EE80 Hatchback

Welcome to Home Built NZ's first car review!!! This week we are showcasing a very light and very cool little Toyota Corolla EE80 Hatchback. This car is a build in progress and is being built by Glen Taylor and Stephen Gray.

The build came about because Glen needed a car more suitable for street sprints and autocrosses than his Nissan Skyline R32 sedan drift car which is a bit too wild for the narrow streets and cone courses. You can check out his Skyline by clicking here.

Glen and Stephen pulled out the old anaemic 65 BHP 1.3 litre 2E-LU engine and installed a 1.6 litre 4AGZE Supercharged engine out of a wrecked Toyota Levin GT-Z. The Corolla now has around 165 BHP to play with and the engine is matched with the factory five speed Levin gearbox with LSD. The factory intercooler is retained as it provides efficient cooling already.

The exhaust is a lovely 4 to 1 manifold with a side exit straight pipe exhaust in true race car fashion.

The flare guards were originally off an AE86 but they fit the Corolla and actually look quite good. Here are some close up shots of the guards:

The wheels are Rota Alloys and are shod with super sticky Toyo Proxes semi slick tyres. These wheels look good on the Corolla and are ultra lightweight.

The interior is fully stripped out and features a basic metal dashboard that has only the essential dials.

Also present is a deep dish steering wheel that looks perfectly in place in the spartan interior.

A Racepro drivers seat is also installed to provide extra support while roaring 'round the race track.

A lightweight battery has also been fitted to bring the weight even further down.

The roll cage was handmade by Glen and looks absolutely perfect. The cage will add more body rigidity and obviously keep the driver safe. Another ingenious creation is the custom mounting of the radiator in the boot of the car. The floor also has a vent cut out of it so that the air can flow into the radiator.

This car is awesome for two reasons. 1. It is original and unique. 2. It's a retro Toyota!!! This Corolla looks like it is going to be an absolute animal on the track and is so different to other modified Toyota's as it is all Home Built.

I would like to thank Glen Taylor and Stephen Gray for allowing me to review the Corolla and wish them good luck with their build.

Specifications

• Car: Toyota Corolla EE80 Hatchback
• Engine: Toyota 4AGZE 1587cc Supercharged
• Power: 165 BHP
• Torque: 210 NM
• Weight: Approximately 700 KG
• Suspension: BC Adjustables all round
• Wheels: Rota Alloys
• Tyres: Toyo Proxes semi slicks
• Interior: Deep dish steering wheel, Racepro drivers seat, custom dashboard, full roll cage