Mecha

Maximilian Priesch

The Sega Digitizer System, a tool used by graphic designers in late 80s/early 90s. At least 3 versions were made : Digitizer System I, II and III.

You know how much I love these things, and I hope you do, too. Here is another great AE86 showcase brought to us by StanceNation; feel free to check the source for the full article and pictures. Takanobu Sugahara’s first car ever was one of these beautiful Toyota AE86’s, but after having sent it off, he missed it dearly and hoped he would one day find another Trueno that would be his. Six months ago, Takanobu-san was brought together with a stock ‘85 Sprinter Trueno Apex CP2. It’s like something out of a fairy tale story!

Takanobu-san said that his favorite thing about the automobile was its engine. He noted that you couldn’t tell by just looking at the exterior, “but it’s fast!” The vehicle now has a more powerful “red-top” 4A-GE power-plant from the Toyota AE92, as well as having ported the motor, added a metal head-gasket, big valve kit, Escort 82.5 cast pistons, Toyota Vitz lifters, Toyota AE111 connecting rod, individual throttle bodies, TODA Racing high camshafts (IN 304, EX 288), TODA Racing adjustable camshaft pulley, and a Freedom computer for proper tuning. This Japanese dream also features a TODA Racing lightweight flywheel, SECTION racing clutch, and a TRD 2-way differential.

The biggest challenge for Takanobu-san was dialing the fitment and cutting the stock body to make way for one of his favorite parts of the automobile, Crystal Body Yokoyama (CBY) over-fenders. Cutting the stock body wasn’t difficult, it simply pained Takanobu-san to bring himself to cut the body of such a beautiful car. Once done with that, finding a proper tire size was a problem. Takanobu-san stated, “They didn’t fit and so I have bought brand new sets of tires 3 times. Even then, the tire still rubs, so I’m currently working on sorting out the front suspension.”

Also concerning the stature of the vehicle, Takanobu-san has added a TRD short-stroke suspension from AE92 shock cartridges and Swift 8K springs coilovers up front. In the back, this AE86 sports Tokico HTS dampers with TRD 6K springs. He also put on adjustable control arms for the front and rear , and reinforced the tie rods up front. In the future, to eliminate the tire-rubbing problem, Takanobu-san plans to add a Nissan Silvia suspension.

Beneath the brilliant CBY over-fenders are amazing Work Meister CR01s Takanobu-san chose. They are 16×9 on all four corners with an impressive yet efficient offset of -51 up front and -66 in the rear. All around the car are 195/45R16 Toyo Proxes tires. Other exterior work includes adding a Duce front bumper, CBY side-skirts, Aero Master rear bumper, and FRP bonnet with bonnet pins.

Takanobu-san says people overlook his seats; custom wrapped Recaro SR3's—wrapped in denim, ecsaine, and carbon leather. Other interior modifications include an ATC steering wheel, Alpine speakers, Pioneer door speakers, and Toyota navigation system. One thing to notice is the lack of gauges. Despite having a fully tuned enging, Takanobu-san wanted to keep his interior free of gauge clusters. Future plans for the interior include wanting to wrap the door cards, rear seats, and headliner in the same fabrics and patterns as his Recaro seats.

I congratulate Takanobu Sugahara on the incredible AE86 he has crafted as well as the many difficult feats he had to overcome. I know only the best is in store for the future of this automobile. Here is the modifications list:

Bodykit: Duce front bumper Crystal Body Yokoyama fender flares, side skirts N-Design side flap Aero Master rear bumper FRP bonnet, bonnet pins

Wheels: Work Meister CR01 F 9J 16 -16 R 9J 16 -31 35mm spacers in front and rear Auto Staff wheel nuts Tires Toyo Proxes T1R 195/45R16

Suspension: Front TRD 92 short shock Swift 8K springs coilovers Rear Tokico HTS damper TRD springs 6K Arms Front section pillow adjustable lower arms, pillow tension rods, reinforced tie rods Rear pillow adjustable control arms, lateral rods

Engine: 92 kouki base TODA Racing high camshaft IN304 EX288 TODA Racing adjustable camshaft pulley Toyota Vitz lifters BIG Valve, cut seat rings porting metal gasket Escort 82.5 cast piston AE111 connecting rod balanced AE111 4 throttle funnel type Freedom computer

Drive line: TODA Racing lightweight flywheel, SECTION racing clutch TRD 2way LSD maker unknown exhaust manifold, and exhaust

Interior: Recaro SR3 denim, Ecsaine, carbon leather ATC steering wheel Alpine speakers, Pioneer door speakers, Toyota navigation system