HachiRoku

Engine transplants, they are quite a debated topic in Lanka. All petrol heads hate it when they see a Diesel engine plucked out of a Toyota van and chucked into a beloved RX7 or when someone puts one into a classic BMW. We hate that kind of defamation. Here's the thing though, there is a right way to do it too! 

In Japan, US or UK when you say an engine swap, it mainly means putting a more powerful engine from the same manufacturer or putting an even more powerful from another. Troll the web and you will definitely see LS1's in Silvia's, 2JZ's in BMW's and even the odd 4G63 in a Mustang!

So why is it such an odd concept over here? Why isnt it done more often? 

Lack of parts would be a start, lack of imagination in peoples minds? Who knows! 

So then why am I rambling about engine swaps in a post with pictures of what seems to be an extremely clean looking Toyota Sprinter Trueno....

Well because its hiding a very dirty secret! 

More on that later though! Lets get back to the roots of this build

Keen eyes would recognize this car from one of our features long time ago. Back then though it was completely different, it was and still is the only original AE86 in Sri Lanka. It wore a Panda costume and had a buzzing little 4AGZE powering its rear wheels. 

But the owner kind of got bored with it, so he decided to go crazy on the restoration and inject some steroids into the humble Corolla. Not to say that the previous motor was slow, but then who could say no to a Turbo? 

Got to love em pop up headlamps! 

I must say that colour choice is quite spectacular! 

Heshan (the owner) is quite the bargain hunter. He manages to find the most coolest things hidden away in the most unassuming places you could think of. Those wheels for example...

Are rare PIAA wheels from Japan, and they are a staggered set too. He took quite some time to find a good set that would accommodate his huge brake calipers! Ooops, I let the cat out of the bag a little bit too soon. 

Nevertheless the factory stance has been improved thanks to a very expensive suspension upgrade. 

Original D2 coilovers help lower the car down. Heshan hopes to go extreme with the camber on the front end once he sorts out some loose ends. 

Loving the side profile. Needs more low though, dont you think? 

Speaking of engine swaps! 

Heshan has gone with the tried and trusted Nissan SR20DET engine. Yes you read that right.

The mother of Nissan 4 Pots in a Corolla? Bonkers dont you think? The 2000cc 4 cylinder turbo charged unit powers Silvia's and is quite a popular platform for drifters, drag racers and track cars. So it was quite the logical choice for Heshan. 

An HKS air filter, Greddy Blow off valve, Front mounted Inter cooler and a few other goodies have been bolted on for good measure too. 

Shot of the manul boost pressure controller. Heshan is still running on low PSI just to get used to the new drive train. Plus the car is still a W.I.P so a few adjustments here and there a required as always. 

But why Nissan? Heshans first choice was a Yamaha Beams 3SGE, sadly parts for those engines are expensive and difficult to come by unlike the SR20. So Nissan it was....

A neat feature is that the FMIC is tucked away sneakily, making sure that other people didn't know exactly what was going on under the power bulged bonnet! 

I mentioned huge brakes earlier.....

I think I need to re correct the word huge. Massive would be a more appropriate terminology. Helping the car come to a grinding halt are the 6 pot calipers from D2 up front. Yes your eyes aint fooling you, I just said 6 Pots! 

The car also has drilled rotors all round and the rear brakes have been converted to accommodate calipers from a Silvia. 

*Drool*

Even the interior has been given a thorough rethink. 

The complete dash and ancillaries have been borrowed from a Silvia. Some of you may not like this, but fear not the factory dash will come back at a later time. Heshan was slightly excited to get the car on the road, so wiring the Silvia dash was a quicker and easier option.

A Hydraulic handbrake is a must, for when you need some tail happy action. 

When going to print, the steering wheel and gear knob have been replaced with better items. Sadly due to a shipping delay they weren't available at the time of the shoot. 

Full bucket Recaro seats are mandatory if you are driving sideways....

And of course a full harness system from Sabelt to keep you in the seat and not anywhere else! 

As far a project car goes, Heshan's bonkers HachiRoku is not done yet. The car will keep on evolving and keep getting better and better. 

I must admit though ,this isn't the first car to get a mad engine swap like this. There is a Ford Capri with a 2JZ engine in town and who knows what else lurks in the shadows. Our job would be finding them and featuring them over here. A big Thank you to Heshan for taking the time off and letting us shoot his car.

Charith Kulasiri