steering, suspension and brake upgrades te7x liftback

[Teun]

Hi Guys,

Since I drive quite a lot of classic rallye's I'd like to upgrade some things on the old rock'n'rolla.
My car is a 2T powered DX with drum brakes at the rear and the non-rack & pinion steering at the front.

The most important one in my mind is (front) brakes, since the solid discs don't inspire much confidence.
I've read about swapping over AE86 stuff, but is this valid for my steering/suspension setup?

Second is the suspension, after some 30 years everything is getting a bit old, and since I'll be replacing dampers anyway, why not upgrade. The ride height for starters is close to rediculous, so a I wouldn't mind dropping it an inch or 2 all round. What are some good affordable options to do this?

Finally, the steering. I'd like to have a bit of extra lock if there is an easy way of doing that. not just for the added lock, but also to quicken up the steering a bit. Is this possible with the recirculating ball stuff without swapping the whole thing out?

In the end it seems that swapping the whole front suspension and steering for something like the AE86 one seems like a good idea if the mounting points are the same. However, keep in mind that on this side of the ocean AE86's are very rare and shipping something as large as all that across the ocean would probably be outrageously expensive.

[Warren]

Ditching the recirculating ball is the best thing you can do.

Convert to AE86 front cross member and steering rack. you will need to slot the engine mounts or make new ones. And then adapt the steering column. Best upgrade in my opinion.

[Teun]

Ditching the recirculating ball is the best thing you can do.
Convert to AE86 front cross member and steering rack. you will need to slot the engine mounts or make new ones. And then adapt the steering column. Best upgrade in my opinion.

Thanks warren for the response.

I thought something like that was the best option (As I mentioned in the last part of my post) AE's however are difficult to find around here (Netherlands) any other cars that share the same setup? (AW11?)

And "adapting the steering column" how should I view that? I'm not much of a fabricator, mainly in the sense that I wouldn't like to mess up my steering for obvious reasons

[BOBLOOK]

For the front coilover you can check this company Ciolovers they have a kit that mount to toyota struds. Wide spring rate options choice.

For the brake http://www.grp4fabrications.com sell complete bolt on kit for the ae86 struds.

Did you check if Jasper may have something ??

[corolllin]

check any junk yards around there??

also, If you can find a ae70 corolla. the one with the 4ac engine. that will come with a rack and pinion setup.
you can take the whole crossmember and that that will bolt right into your frame. you will just have to get some engine mounts. that should be it.

and from there, you can find a aw11 rack and bam steering angle!!


as for brakes. dude the stock e7 brakes really are not that bad!

but you know the drill, if you can find 86 gear, then use it!

[Estebot]

Dwarf car places sell awesome Toyota brake setups. Even floater rearends. I use parts from these guys in our dirt cars such as spools etc.
dwarf cars use Toyota rear ends and front hubs and rotors etc.
http://server100.lfchosting.com/peterdm ... cc46a4f8b8

[Teun]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll go and save up for some front setup goodness.

In the mean time, could I use AE86 shocks and springs on my current setup? or doesn't this fit?

[Teun]

It seems AE86 shocks/springs wouldn't fit from the image Boblook posted for the steering box type setup.

Just to be clear, the inserts and springs will not fit my TE?

[BOBLOOK]

It seems AE86 shocks/springs wouldn't fit from the image Boblook posted for the steering box type setup.

Just to be clear, the inserts and springs will not fit my TE?

Ae86 Shock/springs do you mean oem or ciolover ??

[Teun]

OEM shocks/Springs at this point. Maybe I can find some Koni's and a bit lower springs or something to start with.
I'm liking the Rallydesign site by the way!