Breaking the Mold

The name of the game is respect. If you prove yourself worthy of playing with the big dogs, you'll earn respect and power. Falter, and you'll be ridiculed for the rest of your life. Allen Lugue of Simi Valley, Calif., and his recently debuted AE86 are a true force to be reckoned with. Already causing a stir on the 2005 show circuit, both builder and vehicle have been receiving praise and envy from competitors and spectators alike. Lugue took the road less traveled in 2001. Purchasing the vehicle from an older couple, the AE86 served as a daily driver for two years. Numerous engine problems, unfortunate collisions and blatant stares from onlookers plagued the AE86. Lugue became discouraged and was torn between selling the car and scraping it at the local junkyard. After much soul searching, Lugue was motivated to turn the badly oxidized and dented eyesore into something that would rival cars from Japan's D1 Grand Prix.

For months Lugue researched and contemplated AE86 body kits. Eventually, he contacted Japanese manufacturer RUN FREE. (Perhaps the true Japanese name was lost in its English translation.) Regardless, this quality body kit is in high demand in both Japan and the United States. Lugue used a RUN FREE front and rear bumper, side steps and fiberglass rear gate. The company's front replacement wide fenders and oversized rear fenders allow tuners to shoehorn larger offset rims and meatier tires. Installation and painting was done by the professionals at M1 Autobody. After weeks of painstaking molding and fitting, not to mention custom shaving the rear side marker, the vehicle was prepped and slathered in a custom '02 Subaru gold. Finishing off the AE86 is a RUN FREE carbon-fiber hood, and Kouki taillights, grille and front bumper lights.

With the car well on its way to aesthetic perfection, Lugue turned toward power modifications. First up was the engine. It's safe to assume most '86 Corolla owners are aware that their haggard and worn-out 4AG engines will--if they haven't already--kick the bucket. Lugue is no exception. He fell victim to a blown engine and decided to use his resources to track down and purchase a redtop JDM high compression 4AGE engine. While the engine was being prepped for installation, Dan of Danstoy in Norwalk, Calif., was asked to build a custom equal-length race header and trick custom intake manifold.

Before the slow engine reassembly process began the redtop received a set of HKS 264-degree lift and duration camshafts and cam sprockets. Spent gases exit though an HKS hi-power cat-back exhaust. Cold, dense air is routed to the engine though an Injen Technology intake. During inclement weather, a Koyo radiator and Silk Road radiator shroud provide consistent temperatures. Older vehicles lack proper voltage grounding. To remedy this problem, an HKS circle earth ground wire was installed to provide multiple grounding points between the engine and chassis. Danstoy provided a full-face metallic clutch while an HKS lightened flywheel reduced parasitic drag. Final show-quality pieces include an HKS limited edition D1 radiator and oil caps.

Handling and suspension are top priorities for many of the top drifters in Japan. Lugue took into consideration their words of wisdom when building his hachiroku. Working alongside Washington-based Silk Road USA, Lugue secured a set of Silk Road Spec-RMA8 coil-overs for all four corners. To stiffen up the hachiroku's unibody chassis, a Silk Road front tower bar and front triangle bar were installed.

Handling was also addressed. Silk Road rear control arms, pan hard rods and Do-Luck front and rear sway bars were added. This AE86 has the hottest footwear in today's drifting world. WORK Equip 03, sized 15x8.5-inch (-6 offset) up front and 15x9.5-inch (-9 offset) in the rear, adorn all four corners. Mated to them is a set of ultra sticky Toyo Proxes T1-S, the weapon of choice for many drifters in the professional circuit today. Peeking through the front and rear spokes like the perfect shoelaces are a set of Rotora slotted rotors. Finally, Rotora steel braided lines improve pedal feel and braking.

Turn your attention to the interior. You'll notice the simplicity and no-nonsense approach. Replacing the once-torn and mangled factory seats are a set of Bride Zeta III buckets from LOT USA. Lugue called upon Kreative Auto Interior of Rosemead Calif., to fully restore the panels and rear seating with Bride micro-fleece fabric trim. The final outcome? An ultra-clean JDM look. Providing safety when slideways are TEAMTECH four-point harnesses. Lugue quickly shifts through the gears thanks in part to a C's short throw shifter and HKS limited edition D1 shift knob. Access in and out of the seat was simplified. Simply pull back on the SPLASH/RAPFIX quick release and remove the NARDI deep-corn steering wheel. As an added feature, this quick release has a safety lock to guard against unwanted hands behind the wheel.

Lugue thanks Koichi Yamashita, president of RUN FREE; Kaoru Tomita of Tees Corporation; Toshi Takeuchi of Chuso Ltd.; Bun Fukuyoshi of LOT USA; Koji Takasu of WORK Wheels Japan; Jonathan Hsu of Do-Luck USA; Keiichi Koga of Boom Enterprise; J.D. Recto; Victor Reyes; Dan of Danstoy; Kurt Tucker; Lawrence and Karim of Silk Road; Stan Chen of Toyo Tires; Arthur Lugue of Autoart; Paul and Edgar of C2 PowerHaus; Koko of Supertuning; and lastly Max of Illegal Garage. Without their help and dedication, this project wouldn't have been possible.

What does Lugue have in store for the rest of the season? Rumor has it he is talking to undisclosed sources to land a Formula Atlantic engine for his car. Other rumors point to a full TOMEI buildup with individual throttle bodies and 300-plus horsepower. Whichever path he chooses we can be assured this hachiroku is one deadly ride.