The recent announcement of SCCA club spec sounds cool - autox, rallyx, and time trials in the same car! But who wants to spend 10 - 20 - 30k? For whatever chassis they're going to pick? How about a 1993-2002 Corolla that can be had for way less? Yes!
im on a 24 hours of Lemons team that races a '97 automatic Corolla. This One! The thing is a tank! Between our teammates, we now have 4 Corollas and are starting a series we're calling the Central Florida Corolla Cup and we're inviting anyone that wants to join. Our plan is to have some laid back fun tossing around cheap cars at autox, rallyx and maybe time trial events around FL.
here's what we've come up with for "rules":
-1993-2008 Corollas (or Prizm models)
-normally aspirated (engine must be from 93-08 US model corrolla)
-suspension, intake, exhaust are open to modification
-no internal modifications to any driveline components
-gutting the car is fine
-must retain windshield, working lights and stock body (no carts or fender cutting)
-200tw tires or anything above.
so what do you guys think? Anyone want to join us?
the Lemons car and my personal car both have these Amazon coilovers. They work great for the price point. I'm not saying they're the required suspension, but if you show up with Motons or something crazy, we'll ridicule you!
Current Corolla Cup lineup:
me:
Britt:
David:
Stephen:
Geo prism, the rebodied GM version eligible? I have a line on a 93 right now.
If the answer is yes, I need team members!
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Geo prism, the rebodied GM version eligible? I have a line on a 93 right now.
If the answer is yes, I need team members!
Yes! The prizm is in! Mine is actually a Chevy prizm.
Lof8 - Andy said:
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Geo prism, the rebodied GM version eligible? I have a line on a 93 right now.
If the answer is yes, I need team members!
Yes! The prizm is in! Mine is actually a Chevy prizm.
Okay, who's interested here in central Florida?
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Lof8 - Andy said:
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Geo prism, the rebodied GM version eligible? I have a line on a 93 right now.
If the answer is yes, I need team members!
Yes! The prizm is in! Mine is actually a Chevy prizm.
Okay, who's interested here in central Florida?
I've got one positive reply for the team search so far.
Anyone? Anyone?
aw614
HalfDork
6/28/23 1:23 p.m.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Lof8 - Andy said:
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Geo prism, the rebodied GM version eligible? I have a line on a 93 right now.
If the answer is yes, I need team members!
Yes! The prizm is in! Mine is actually a Chevy prizm.
Okay, who's interested here in central Florida?
I've got one positive reply for the team search so far.
Anyone? Anyone?
It's honestly tempting for autocross and trying out rallycross.
I am tentatively in. My 318ti is going to be down for a while for stage rally prep. I just need to sell something first so my wife doesn't hate me.
Looking around on facebook marketplace suggests a bunch of manual Geo Prizms at good prices. Finding the right motor (or at least not the wrong motor) looks a little tougher.
In reply to ojannen :
Don't be scared of the early cars! The later 1zz cars have a bit of a rep for oil consumption. We now have 3 of the early cars in the group. Introducing a 5th member of Corolla Cup, David.
Oh geez... This is tempting.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Geo prism, the rebodied GM version eligible? I have a line on a 93 right now.
If the answer is yes, I need team members!
They were made in the same factory, the main difference is the badge they stuck on. And the air filter housing, for some reason.
You gonna be at Sebring on Saturday?
I like where this is going!
I suspect that most will seek out a 5 speed manual but if someone does look for an automatic know that there was a 4 speed auto and a 3 speed auto. The tell-tail is that the 4 speed has an additional button on the stalk to turn off the over drive keeping the car to only 3 gears.
In reply to John Welsh :
The one that has been offered to me to buy appears to have the three speed automatic. Is there a reason for avoiding one of the two automatics?
racerfink said:
You gonna be at Sebring on Saturday?
I won't be. My Corolla won't be track ready for a little bit yet. But I do plan to take my e36 to the firm on Sunday.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to John Welsh :
The one that has been offered to me to buy appears to have the three speed automatic. Is there a reason for avoiding one of the two automatics?
Our Lemons car is a 3 speed auto. It's currently the most track-prepped of the gang- gutted, track alignment, race pads, etc - and I'd put money it's currently the fastest around a track.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to John Welsh :
The one that has been offered to me to buy appears to have the three speed automatic. Is there a reason for avoiding one of the two automatics?
For this racing purpose I have no answer as to if 3 speed or 4 speed would be better. For commuting, the 1999 epa ratings are:
3 Speed: 24/26/30
4 Speed: 25/28/33
33 hyw rating is 10% better than 30 mpg
In 2001 and 2002 VVT was introduced and the rating for '00-'02 are:
3 Speed: 25/27/30
4 Speed: 26/30/36
36 hyw rating is 20% better than 30 rating
They used the three speed as late as 1999? Somehow I thought they stopped using it with the 4AFE engine.
IIRC, they liked to die because they had a separate differential fluid, with a check/fill plug that was remarkably difficult to access, to the point where nobody knew it was there until the diff bearings failed. The thing would still drive but you could rock the inner CV joints up and down a fair amount.
I'm not in central FL, but I'll be watching this, as it sounds exactly like my cup 'o tea. Also I gave away my 97 prism 11 years ago with 280K miles on it. (I got it at 30K) and last thing I heard, it's still being used by the guy that got it from the guy I gave it to.
Tom1200
PowerDork
6/28/23 11:51 p.m.
Back in the 90s I raced a Corolla in a class called IT Toyota.
Late 70s early 80s Corollas on budget suspension; it was hilarious fun.
Man I wish I was local. This sounds like a hoot.
Been wrenchin. Got my ride height and alignment set. Replaced both worn out axles ($30 each on rockauto), put some fresh redline in the trans, ordered some brakes. Corolla #5 got his running a lot better after finding the distributor out 180 degrees.
