There’s by no means been any scarcity of AE86-centric tales on Speedhunters. From SH Storage venture updates and have vehicles to visits to 86 specialist outlets and occasion protection, the Hachiroku has at all times been very nicely represented. The fixed celebration of this humble, rear-wheel-drive Toyota from the Nineteen Eighties speaks volumes.
Amongst all of the AE86-based builds we’ve featured, Driftworks’ LSX V8-powered Trueno stands out as one of many wildest. With a decade since Bryn Musselwhite’s characteristic, there’s no higher time to revisit this tire-destroying machine than this week’s throwback publish.
2014 Function
Begin with a space-framed NASCAR-inspired race automotive. Add a clear, avenue and drift-ready AE86. Throw in a full-race LSX motor. Then fabricate the crap out of them till they morph into one.
What do you get? Driftworks’ earsplitting drift machine constructed on the legendary seems of a Hachiroku!
Nearly… As a result of it’s much more difficult than that. However don’t stress, for now, let your thoughts wander and also you’ll be amazed the place it could actually take you. In the event you’re a purist you may not like this choose’n’combine strategy to automotive constructing, however in case you’ve obtained a heartbeat I defy you to not crack a smile whenever you hear a race-tuned V8 bouncing off the limiter while tyre smoke spews from sacrificial rubber.
You don’t simply come across a construct like this, so let me let you know how I got here to be mendacity on the bottom taking photos like this one. Oh, and there’s a video later you’ll positively need to see…
Driftworks is a reputation that needs to be acquainted to many Speedhunters. The UK-based enterprise – born from a again bed room concept – is fuelled by the drive and willpower of its founding companions Phil Morrision and James Robinson.
That enterprise has seen exponential development within the decade since its founding and is now internationally acknowledged. All through all of it, the fellows have stayed true to the mantra of getting enjoyable and never getting too hung up on what others are doing. That’s to not say they ignore what’s happening around the globe: they watch with eager curiosity – after which do what they need, with an occasional dose of hooligan thrown in.
So it’s this innate skill to know the principles of drifting and all its related legend, folklore, delusion and approach that permits them to place one thing just like the ‘DW86′ collectively.
The blokes have discovered and respect the historical past of the game. They’ve additionally constructed sufficient competitors vehicles to know that in present-day drifting you want energy – and plenty of it.
The early days have been stuffed with S-chassis shells and SR motors, however when the S15 that they debuted in 2008 was bought, it marked a turning level – taking an enormous step forwards whereas revisiting their roots on the identical time. In any case, you don’t simply get up one morning and construct the worlds most badass AE86!
With enterprise success got here the flexibility to construct wonderful dream vehicles.  So when Phil noticed a operating ASCAR on the market within the UK at a really low cost value, he jumped on the alternative. The ‘ASCAR’ collection was an try at NASCAR-style racing in Europe, and like all collection that fizzle out, the competitors vehicles it left behind have filtered by means of the secondhand market searching for a house.
As a lot enjoyable as a roundy-round race automotive may be, it was by no means going to cross tech inspection for a collection just like the British Drift Championship, which is the place Phil spends most of his aggressive seat time. As I witnessed firsthand on the BDC’s early-August Lydden Hill spherical in south east England, the number of weapons individuals carry to the observe is unbelievable. However one easy rule amongst just a few others retains it attainable – no bulkhead modifications.
So with a race-bred V8 and an entire bunch of rear-wheel drive {hardware} to deal with, what to make use of as a donor? Oh it wasn’t this race-bred V8 although, that will be method too easy….
That is the place historical past is available in to play, as a result of Phil and lots of the fellows related to the early days of drifting within the UK (like the remainder of the world) took their inspiration from Preliminary D and the long-lasting AE86 Trueno. On the identical time the ASCAR confirmed up, a clear however non-original Trueno sat within the nook of the Driftworks workshop. So it was actually solely a matter of time earlier than anyone mentioned ‘what if?’
On that notion, Phil went straight subsequent door to see Craig Taylor and his band of proficient fabricators and mechanics. Dyno Torque is liable for a big proportion of the LS V8 swapped vehicles within the UK and round Europe, and in case you watched that clip I pointed you in direction of a second in the past you’ll have seen Craig’s personal 1000hp-plus twin turbo RX-7 wrecking tyres too.
It does make me marvel – if Phil didn’t have anyone like Craig subsequent door, would his concepts get so far as they do? Nothing presents an excessive amount of of a problem to Dyno Torque, and the reply is at all times ‘sure’. So with a warehouse filled with components and a few donor vehicles, work started on prepping the shell.
Given the Driftworks product vary and expertise with S-chassis, the entrance finish was configured from a hybrid pile of S14 and AE86 particular components. A few of it has been modified to get it to work, however the internal wings and chassis rails are nonetheless mid-’80s Toyota fare.
Immediately, the distinction in width could be seen. Positive, the automotive is carrying 17×9-inch CCW wheels up entrance, however simply try how far the decrease arms attain in direction of the unique bodyline. Check out this video of the bare prepped shell being pushed for the primary time.
Customized Kevlar overfenders have been fabricated by Magic Aero to completely home the attractive cut up rims. I ponder if Driftworks will find yourself promoting these – it’s a very good look that I wouldn’t thoughts seeing extra of.
Trying on the Trueno from a straight-on facet profile, the spirit of the unique automotive remains to be very a lot evident. Being a fan of the unique automotive it’s one thing Phil was eager to maintain, and why the AE86 wears a TRD N2-type boot spoiler – albeit built-in into the FRP hatch. And did you discover that it’s operating 18-inch tall (and 10.5-inch extensive) wheels on the again? The refined staggered wheel and tyre measurement being very onerous to identify at first.
With the ability to making clouds isn’t straightforward although, and there was a lot extra work to do earlier than the glory… And once I say glory I imply kickass movies! And clouds!
With insane 100mph-plus entry speeds and the potential for 4 determine horsepower, the 30-year-old shell wanted some critical reinforcing. Ready by Dyno Torque and Nickson Motorsport, Phil went for some further house and facet influence safety. The truth that we seek advice from this fashion of cage within the UK as being ‘NASCAR’ is kind of apt!
On the within it’s all enterprise – as a result of this factor has been constructed to win. Cobra Seats added a few of their customized embroidery and color within the signature Driftworks orange hue.
One other scan of the cabinets delivered a Driftworks Nardi wheel to Dyno Torque, however with very trick Cartek wi-fi push-button controls for when Phil engages battle mode. The massive-bore hose you may see on this image and the one earlier than permits filtered contemporary air to feed straight to his helmet.
It’s good for these chase moments when the smoke takes over.
For all of the smoke, thunder and lightning, it’s the V8 get together up entrance that most individuals have been speaking about because the Toyota made its debut earlier within the yr. The unique motor from the ASCAR is lengthy gone although, now changed by this specially-built and freshly-imported 454ci LSX. For people who don’t know, it’s mainly an off-the-shelf race motor sourced direct from Basic Motors’ GM Efficiency division.
With two banks of Jenvey throttle our bodies bolted on high, it not solely seems achingly cool, it additionally kicks out 646hp on the rear wheels. Torque peaks at 640lbs/ft – greater than sufficient to tear the world one other trench with solely 1243kg to propel. That’s moist weight too!
That weight contains 28kg for the 28 litres of Evans waterless coolant that the DW86 makes use of – the rear-mounted radiator proven right here from the drivers facet rear window vent. These black circles are the place the followers have sucked filth in opposition to the core, and sure – at some stage the fellows will most likely clear it off.
However they’re normally too busy doing stuff like this… You understand how you guys at all times ask for video? Nicely, I’m glad to say Phil wasn’t shy at exhibiting us what the automotive is able to. That is what we love.
The commercial property that Driftworks name house is pretty quiet by the top of the day, and it additionally occurs to be a personal highway. So Phil, being the consummate hooligan, needed to give us a present – and there was no method in hell I used to be going to cease him.
Did anyone say burnout? That is the way you get a gap shot just like the one firstly. That is the place clouds come from, children…
In order a lot because the DW86 is about competitors and exhibiting off the merchandise of Driftworks, it’s additionally about remembering why we stand up within the morning: to place smiles on our faces and get a kick out of what we do.
The dual exhausts line up completely to kick up the tyre smoke. Why? As a result of it seems good! And in case you disagree, you most likely must take heed to your internal youngster some extra…
In the event you don’t you’ll danger forgetting easy methods to ask the query ‘What if?’… And if all of us did that it will be an ideal disgrace, as a result of then we’d by no means get to say WTF?!
The Speedhunters
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Bryn Musselwhite
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