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okay s12 vs a 86 corrola

Started by cutter67 · Jun 21, 2012 · 11postsSMF 2010–26

cutter67Jun 21, 2012, 9:10 pm · #1

Red everything i have been able to find out about the SE and Turbo model the SE has always been quicker but you are right it's up to the driver. if the cars within a second on the track with professional drivers out on the street it will come down to the driver

elicansmileJun 21, 2012, 10:40 pm · #2

I was gunna say. WTF? Turbo? what about the SE... It's got 160 hp / 170 torque. Great for launch. I bet I could beat a stock ae86 and I have an auto.

radoublelyJun 25, 2012, 1:59 pm · #3

I've driven an sr5 before, it was pretty sweet I gotta say, and I think stock for stock I'd take the corolla on the track... HOWEVER... The s12 sits wider, it squats more... Modded vs. modded, the s12 is easily the better choice. The first thing the s12 needs is suspension suspension suspension. It's heavier weight makes it more difficult to change momentum (because there's more momentum), however, the wider stance is going to give you more stability in the corners in the long run.

The SE may be a bit nose-heavy, but that's not right away a bad thing. Once you start adding power, a little nose weight is what you need. You should be starting your throttle on as you enter the apex of the corner, that puts the weight on the rear tires. A balanced car like the corolla is going to start to understeer more at that point and requires feathering the throttle off and on in order to keep the car balanced, while the slight addition of nose weight in the SE-s12 keeps the steering naturally neutral as you throttle on.

The s12 is made to be aggressively driven, with full coilovers it requires harsh treatment but that's part of the fun of it. A modified s12 platform literally begs you to assault late-apexes with early throttle-ons. The modified gt-5 corolla, while balanced, demands a more laid-back stance behind the wheel. What fun is that? I'll admit, that in a pendulum-slide situation, the corolla will be easier to handle for beginners, but once you learn to use the more aggressive s12 setup, you'll be happy you did.

dkdsilverJun 26, 2012, 3:03 pm · #4

id say first thing it needs is an lsd 2way diff cuase other wise you will be one tire firing ftL lol

radoublelyJul 1, 2012, 4:58 am · #5

dkdsilver on 03:03:50 PM / 26-Jun-12id say first thing it needs is an lsd 2way diff cuase other wise you will be one tire firing ftL lol

That's what she said ;)

cory matthewsJul 21, 2012, 11:17 pm · #6

Power to weight ratio is a good measure of performance but it isn't necessarily a better measure than 1/4 mile because of all of the other factors that have been discussed such as launch and gearing.
For my stock 4 cyl S12 I don't worry about what cars it is faster than because the fact of the matter is that it is not a fast car at all. I appreciate a lot of its other qualities such as the 29-30 MPG and all the looks I've been getting.
I appreciate that my AWD turbo Galant is quicker than many cars out on the street, but most non-enthusiasts who could care less about cars have faster cars than the S12.
But I guess it is interesting to see which car was better in its day.

elicansmileJul 22, 2012, 12:41 am · #7

cory matthews on 11:17:57 PM / 21-Jul-12Power to weight ratio is a good measure of performance but it isn't necessarily a better measure than 1/4 mile because of all of the other factors that have been discussed such as launch and gearing.
For my stock 4 cyl S12 I don't worry about what cars it is faster than because the fact of the matter is that it is not a fast car at all. I appreciate a lot of its other qualities such as the 29-30 MPG and all the looks I've been getting.
I appreciate that my AWD turbo Galant is quicker than many cars out on the street, but most non-enthusiasts who could care less about cars have faster cars than the S12.
But I guess it is interesting to see which car was better in its day.

Good outlook. :)

rednucleusJul 22, 2012, 12:42 am · #8

Love your attitude

Slideways87PandaAug 11, 2012, 4:33 pm · #9

i would take a S12 over a AE86 anyday.

RallymodellerAug 11, 2012, 5:17 pm · #10

Slideways87Panda on 04:33:09 PM / 11-Aug-12i would take a S12 over a AE86 anyday.

To tell the truth, same here. And it's not for lack of opportunity; I have had the chance several times for AE86s and turned them down every time (once when I had my old 200SX back in the 90s). I dunno, the S12 just fits me better. I prefer the driving position, I like the feel of the car on the road, and so help me I like the uniqueness. AE85s/86s almost seem to be bellybutton cars these days, while S12s are getting a little thin on the ground.

And as regards the driving style required, I agree. The S12 likes to be horsed around the corners, and having owned and raced Volvos that suits me just fine. Every AE86 I've ever driven felt too fidgety and delicate for my tastes. And while the S12 has the feel like I could add lots of horsepower without sacrificing much, the AE86 almost seemed to be too razor-edge for that treatment. I should say that this seems to be true of every '80s Nissan and Toyota -- '80s common-chassis Celicas and Supras have the same jittery feel, while S130s and Z31s are more "solid". While I am seriously considering a 5.0 HO swap for my S12 next year, I would never even think of doing a V8 into an AE86, at least not without a roll cage as well.

Slideways87PandaAug 12, 2012, 2:50 pm · #11

the AE86's are super pricey these days at least they are in New Jersey, i could buy like 4 S12's for what it would cost to buy one AE86 lol