What to do with an AE92

[solitaire]

Hi Ladies & Gents.

My ae92 is on its last legs... it needs some attention and as my mr2 is about the leave the garage, the ae92 will go into it.

Have seen a few posts around and a few project pages where people are getting really keen on making huge modifications to a car where the "sell it and buy a supra" arguement seems to be where the smart money is.


So - I am keen for some opinions, if you have the time.

I have a more or less standard 1990 ae92 Levin with a smallport and have a huge emotional attachment to this car, but its not practicle enough to be a daily and not fast, rwd or mid engined enough to be my fun car.


But, I do not want to sell it - it is probably worth well under a grand and i still think they are really beautiful cars. I keep thinking "if only it was rwd" and then stop myself as I do not have the skills/knowledge to do it.

Things I had considered:

1. 4agze it
2. 7agze it (already got a turbo mr2, would like something different)
3. Make it rear wheel drive (have no idea how much it would cost but I am guessing it would ruin the handling characteristics and be way more trouble than its worth?)
4. Just rebuild the very tired engine it and make it the best damn stock ae92 it can be. (boring - it would not get driven)
5. Build a lotus 7 kitset and use as much as I can off the levin.

Ive owned it for 130,000ks and it has been absolutely rock solid (although very tired now)

Any suggestions I have not thought of? Time would not be a factor...

[Crampy]

Sell it

[solitaire]

Sell it

Yeah, aggree that is the smart thing to do...

Unfortunately can't bring myself to do it.

[1I1]

Put a rotor in it (thought i'd get in early )


I would have said make it real tidy and original but as you said it would be boring and it's not likely to get the colt following of the older K-series and AE86's..

[Crampy]

Sell it

Yeah, aggree that is the smart thing to do...

Unfortunately can't bring myself to do it.

just rebuild it then and keep it nice.

[Stu-]

Could go to a fresh blacktop setup for a bit more power, general tidy up without going overboard and just drive/enjoy it. Will be reliable and fun to drive. It wont be worth selling, nor is it worth chucking heaps of money into it. Sentimental attachement will be worth far more than the 1k or so you will get for it.

[Bazda]

Put 500hp into it.

[deaf_rattle]

just put a 20v into it.
then upgrade brakes and suspension and done.

Dont go overboard.. thats what the mr2 is for.

My old ae92 was a hell of a fun car to drive.

[solitaire]

Put 500hp into it.

If only i had your skill Barry

[Crampy]

Buy my TEIN coilovers for it, plus the Whiteline rear sway bar.
New bushes all round and she'd be a goer.

[Crampy]

My old ae92 was a hell of a fun car to drive.

Still is

[themaleman]

wat about a 4agze with a sc14 on it? or just sell it and get a gtz

[xsspeed]

BTCC replica

[Dell'Orto]

Restore it to 100% factory spec and hide it in a garage for 30 years, it'll be worth something then

[NOLAW]

i like the lotus 7 idea, i know an old guy who built on of those and its running a 4age with side carbs etc, sounds sweeeeet and goes like the clappers!!! feels like your sitting in a crazy lil go-kart coz your so low to the ground

[Stott69]

Put a rotor in it (thought i'd get in early )

And rwd it!

[eskimo]

Go with the lotus/fraser 7 kit set option. Ill be building one as soon as I can afford to buy the base kit. Mind you there wont be much you can use of the AE92

Or drop a 20V BT in it, upgrade the suspension & brakes and tires gut the inside and use it as track car as deaf_rattle mentioned

[metal_sean_head]

I also vote 20v. I wish i could do this to my ae92. They are hella fun to drive. IMO

[deaf_rattle]

i may know of a ae91 sedan with silvertop 20v that maybe pulled apart soon... should grab the loom etc to make your conversion even easier.

im yet to see you hooning around Robin! want to see it again..

[gasman]

put my engine into it.