Member SuperDave

Corolla Sportivo (RunX) with the 2zz-ge engine, the same engine and gearbox used in the newer Lotus Elise and Exige. Toyota claims a run of 8.4s to reach 100kph, which is wide of the mark. This is proven by the car being able to pull low 15's stock down the strip. I think I would be able to pull off a 14s pass, albeit a very high 14, if I was into drag racing.

The track times listed here have all been done on economy tyres, Yokohama C.Drive to be precise. I now have the new Adrenaline tyres from Bridgestone. Early use is showing promising results of 1s faster a lap in similar conditions, while not being at their optimal tread wear. I may not be able to see how much faster I can go on street tyres as I am budgeting for a set of Dunlop semi slick tear-your-freckle-out grip. I am hoping to give the s2000's, that all run semi's, a run for their money while only having coilovers and grippy tyres. Not a bad effort considering Toyota just threw a good motor into a Corolla chassis.

Speaking of the Chassis, it is a little soft without the bracing, especially the rear. which is like liquorish. The TRD rear strut is the second best money spent so far. The Cusco Zero 2's was easily the best money spent so far. The best set of coilovers available for the Corolla. The ride on the street is smooth and compoased. Poor quality road isn't a problem, however shopping center car parks are. The suspension is still stiff enough to allow for a very good setup on the track.

The next area in need of improvement once the suspension and chassis improvements had been made was the brakes. I researched many of the big brake kits and decided that for the money spent I would not gain the lap time. So I decided on brake pad options. I chose the Endless SSS pads, made for the Celica ZZT231 since they use the same calipers, due to their high heat range, good coefficent of friction and no metal content. These were ordered from Nengun and was happy with their services and recommend them to everyone.

This then leads onto the next area in need of improvement, obviously once I get the sticky black hoops, the engine. The engine from the factory is strong and pulls hard from 6000 to the 8200rpm fuel cut. Outside of this, especially between 5000 and 6000rpm, the engine has a torque hole. This hole is reduced by the factory close ratio gearbox which is well matched to the engine in both daily driving and on the track. 

Now to talk about engine management. The APEX Power FC was a great mod. Not worth the money on a stock car however I don't car as the car has been transformed. Driveability has improved dramatically, and not to mention a nice 20kW gain at 6200. Else where gains varied from about 1kW to 5kW, but need to remember the rest of the engine is stock and it is only a 1.8L.

The car and driver are the 2008 Lakeside Sprint Champions in class (NA 4 cylinder)