4EFEJay

Ok will do. Wasn't sure if it would be welcome over here on the starlet forum Is there a dedicated place for non-starlet builds? The whole TRD thing is bit of a Con tbh. They are all imported as standard GT86's and then if the owner ordered a TRD one, the TRD kit is applied and added at Port when they arrive in the UK. So chassis, and all mechanical is the same. It's literally different wheels, different exhaust backbox and a body kit! Then they charge £6k for the privilege. But they were limited to only 250 in the country of each colour. (White and black). And you do get a certificate to say its official TRD. In Japan the TRD actually comes with different brakes, suspension and intake. But as with most import things in the UK we get a very watered down version. My car started off life as a standard GT86 and then a year after ownership I managed to get Toyota GB to allow me to have it all fitted and turned into a red TRD. The handy thing is the Official TRDs actually have higher Tax Band. Where mine doesn't as it's registered as a standard GT86. I'm hoping the tyres work well. I'm relying on the fact the starlet doesn't weigh anything and most the tracks i'll be on are good grippy tarmac tracks with no major bumps. So they should last a while and the starlet should never be putting them under any serious stress. Looking into it, they do 2 compound of rubber. a Track and Street. Luckily I got Street as what I can tell they don't require as much heat in them, and can also retain the heat longer. The track compound has higher grip level, once its hot! But on a sprint we're not allowed tyre warmers or warm up laps. So you have to have some grip at the first corner on a pretty cold tyre.

Yeah, I've got one of very few! They didn't import any red TRDs in for customers to buy. You could only buy the TRD in white and Black in the UK. But Japan did make some Red ones. I think Toyota UK bought one Red TRD over which has now been sold to someone somewhere.. And my one was converted overhere, I managed to convince them to import me a Red TRD kit and all the extras in red and then Toyota fitted them all for me. 320hp is more than enough! But i'm more forging for longevity and reliability. 320hp is the absolute limit of the stock engine. The conrods seem to be a bit hit and miss on how long they'll last at that power! but also forging means we can lower the compression ratio of the pistons and bring the boost in lower. There's pros and cons, but mainly for longevity! And as its a weekend toy we are chasing power a little bit now! When I start breaking things like driveshafts and gearboxes i'll stop! Yeah all TRD stuff is actually tested, some of it on the Nurburgring but all of it comes with stastical evidence and facts about the benfits of fitting. which is nice, as its not just parts for the sake of parts. Or weight for no benfit! Back onto the Starlet.... I bought a set of Nankang NS-2R tyres today for it. They seem to get really rave reviews and are on par with AD08s and R888 it seems. And for the price seemed like it was worth a try....

Yeah the griffon is nice! Although never seemed to reach sale. As with all Manufacture 'go faster' departments the extras are silly prices! I managed to convince Toyota GB to let me do a one off red TRD and they were only ever letting black and white ones into the country. Also unfortunatly none of the special editions or projects had any major engine work. A couple had high flow exhausts and oil cooler for track sessions but all had the 200hp output. Which tbh is enough, a lot of people moan about the lack of power but it's light and feels super agile! Although I supercharged mine to 320hp so can't speak. Now waiting for a forged engine to come back to turn the charger up! But the stock car is still fantastic and super fun with 200hp!

Ok, if you're interested. Didn't wanna come over here and take over with GT86 stuff I'll get a collection of pics and put them in one post for anyone interested. Can add me on FB too if you're interested. /jayashleysmith

Mines one of the only few Red TRD ones in the UK. The TRD helps a lot, and then the addition of 18" black wheels on lowered coilovers is mean.

I've noticed that a lot of Starlet seem to have JEG as the last 3 letters in the numberplate? Lots of on ebay for sale, lots i've seen on the road, including my one? Is it something relevant or just coincidence? Never noticed it with other cars before? I know a lot of import Jap RX7 came with EMO plates when they came into the UK. Anyone know anything of all the JEG numberplates?

Yeah, I think the coilovers will be the biggest improvement. I'm going for handling and braking to win! Rather than out right power. Idea of this project is to get better at driving, not rely on loads of power. Thanks for the GT86 love! It's a fantastic car! Unfortunately worth a little too much to me to track and risk! And with all the mods i've done i'd be too upset if I lost it! And never think you're too young! They'll also drop in price over the next couple of years! Just don't start modifying them! That's an expensive game.

Quite a big update as not been around for a while and managed to get a fair bit done over the weekend. Worked on the car pretty much flat out last weekend. Got all the suspension on and fitted. BC BR Series with custom 4kg / 4kg spring rates. All went to plan and no major Pain in the ass moments. Other than trying to get the old bolts off! Most of them were rusted on to a point of never moving again! Lots of heat, release spray and leverage! Eventually got them off and the new ones going on was easy. Havn't gone crazy with the lowering it as didn't want to upset the geometry too much and havn't fitted an adjustable pan hard rod yet. Kept it to a max of 20mm drop. Slightly lower on the front to give the car a rake to try get rid of some understeer. Its booked into Fensport on the 24th March for full alignment, corner balance and brake lines, discs and pads to be fitted. Also removed the head lining as it was losing me around 1.5 inch head room when wearing a crash helmet. And weight saving of course! And since fitting the Removable steering wheel the horn didn't work. So had to move it to a dedicated button on the dash, mainly for MOT reasons. Removed the passenger door car and replaced with plastic to comply to regs. Was surprised at how much weight there was in the door cards and arm rests! Still in progress, waiting for the resin to dry and then will trim to the door size. Pretty much ready to go now. Just need tyres. (If anyone wants to sponsor me a set of tyres i'd be grateful! ) Pair of Sparco boots ordered too. Took it for a quick test drive, all seemed fine but going to wait until Fensport do their magic with alignment and corner balancing before I really give it some testing! All 3 of my cars parked up: Daily, weekend and track

Just purchased some new BC Coilovers with custom springs weight to take into account the weight loss. Should be here this week.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/131714438495?

Yeah, Barkston heath became bit of a problem as ti was an active airbase and we would never book with confidence the day we were using it, it would be shut for some military training or something! It was also a crazy tight circuit! Your closest one is probably Snetterton then? Which will be the best this year as its the last one which includes the big party final event! Usually involves a fair bit of drinking (After the racing of course) and a massive laugh!

Official dates for the Sprint Series have been released. So this will be the main outings for the car. Probably with a few track days in between / day before to learn the course.

Yeah, i'm gonna just hook up a horn button on the dash.

Surley that's all a lot more hard work than just getting a £5 air bag canceler resister. Which i've fitted and works perfect.

It has to have an MOT, and it has to pass scrutinising on the day. But nothing major. There's also certian regs around things like if you run a cage vs not running a cage on what you can and can't do. But its pretty open! Everything i've done so far puts me in Pro Class without a cage. Although i'll be going for a cage which then means I can remove things like door cards and trims around the driver. Checkout the regulations on the TSS website. Although they will be updated for this year for addition of the 1.33 Class.

Awesome thanks! That's what I thought. Just found it odd they supplied a black wire that doesn't do anything! Yeah! That was my trouble with my GT86. So the starlet is the car i'm not bothered about. Although I will probably get a bit attached to it lol For me its more down to value if I write it off!

It's probably the safest form of track work. You're on track on your own. No other cars on track whilst you're setting your lap time. You can drive as fast as you feel comfortable with and always be in reach of beating your own target. There are all types of people, mums and daughters doing it for a laugh right up to pro drivers. Worth it!

Need a bit of advice. Didin't think it would be complicated when I bought it, but since it's arrived i'm a bit confused. Its the airbag canceller kit from daemon tweeks. It looks like this: So my understanding was that you just take the red wires and push them in each wire of the air bag cable in the car. However the black wire confuses me. Its just a wire with a female spade terminal on. Where does this go? do i need it? Thanks

http://www.toyotasprint.com/ This year they have introduced a new class for upto 1333CC NA. Which basically means our class will have other Starlets, Yaris's and maybe some others in. The main thing with TSS is the community and the amount of fun we have at each round. It's a really laid back series. The points system works really well and means you always have someone around you competing, in your class or not. Come along to one thats close, spectators are welcome and free! Cost is pretty modest for the amount of track time and no mad crazy regulations to stick to! Basically, build a car. get out there. find what time your setting, chase the next person. Pretty much everyone comes home with a trophy throughout the year at some point. I used to do a few rounds in my GT86 but thats to precious and worth to much to risk on mad track sessions now! So thats where the starlet came into play. Really looking forward to it.

Just need to get a set of coilovers! BC are looking to be the option, they sponsor the Toyota Sprint Series, so might be able to get bit of discount. Interesting, I did look into this option. I just need to make sure I can counter steer if end up losing the rear a bit.

I agree! I would never run one on a daily! It kinda fits in a stripped out starlet though on track. With helmet on and racing its actually all little off putting not having a rev gauge to know where abouts you are and mis shifts etc. Especially with helmet on perception of noise is sometimes messed up. And Because Race car. We have a test at Snetterton on the 27th Feb providing I get the brakes and suspension sorted. Otherwise first race is on the 2nd April at Blyton Park.

Looks an awesome colour! Bet that looks epic under street lights! Nice build. GT seats are so much comfier! I nearly went this route. But decided to go for a full race seat instead!

Fitted the rev counter yesterday. Works sweet. Little on the big side. Because Race Car. Rev limited can be set anywhere from 2k to 11k rpm. And the backlight can be one of 7 separate colours. Not bad for the price! Easy to fit. Mounted with bolts through the dash. And the rev wire comes off the diagnostics box.

I'd be interested in these too, but like others can't takes a chance if they don't adjust. I can't believe someone doesn't have time to put a c spanner on the collar and give half a turn? As long as the collar rings move I'd buy them

I just bought a OMP TRSE off deamon tweeks, and for the money it is very nice! Not driven the starlet as a daily or long journeys. But I can't see it being uncomfortable. Very nice seat to be in.