Denmark

[NoHachi]

Wow Mux! That are some low prices! Mind clueing me in as to where to look?
To anyone with enough funds (and a rust problem) I would highly recommend the sandblasting/zincprimer. You'll be surprised how much rust there remains lurking under the paint. It would be annoying to do a complete rebuild and having the rust return only in a couple of years. Especially mini coopers are renowned for this fact. They need a complete strip and paint every 8 years (to keep'm rust free).

I should warn everyone here in advance on my attitude towards engine modifications. If you already have a lively responsive engine, you don't need MEGAZILLION horsepower. You seriously compromise engine life, theres no way a highly tuned 4A-GE is going to give you even near the 340k km's that the current engine has given you. You put serious strain on the complete driveline and chassis. Anything above 200whp is in effect slaughtering your hachi.
Then there is the addiction problem. EVERYONE needs more horsepower, ALWAYS! Thats because of one of the other problems of HP, nothing gets boring as fast as a couple dozen of extra HP. The reality is usually that you can't safely release the horsepower in city streets without quickly getting buddies with your local law enforcement officer. At the track the car is outperforming you as a driver even in stock form. Adding more Hp only makes for more potential danger and encourages sloppy driving.

If I had the money (and this month I do- see the other thread) I'd invest in things that ad to the character of the AE86. To me that would be a nice paintjob, some serious body weight reduction (GRP/Carbon hatch, wings, doors and hood). A decent pair of brakes (rebiult stock or better). And some SERIOUS suspensionmods that drop the car lower without ruining performance (gotta love that look, must be the fanboi side of me). The lighter car will probably outperform cars with 40-60 more horsepower and it will be a hell of a lot more fun at legal speeds.

Now if you still want to continue on the more HP route, don't be affraid to ask. I have some experience in building engines and boosting them and i'll help where I can.

EDIT: please insert some smilies at your own leasure..its not meant to be TO much of serious message.