1985 Toyota Corolla With F20C Power Is Sweet Sacrilege

Trend Continues

For various mysterious reasons, there are quite a few classic Toyota models out there powered by Honda engines, and it's pretty unclear why. Whether it be the fact that the F20C is a common powerplant that's easy and relatively affordable to obtain or perhaps just a desire to do something different, S2000-powered vehicles like this 1985 Toyota Corolla recently featured at MotorTrend just keep popping up.

Photos: MotorTrend

Daily to Show Car

Ka Wong - the owner of this particular build - has had it for well over a dozen years, which is the first time the car was featured in Super Street. It has gone through quite a few changes over that period after Wong used it as a daily driver initially, though as is often the case, it soon blew up into a full-blown show car.

Photos: MotorTrend

Finding the Way

Wong likes taking his Corolla out to the canyons for a little spirited driving regularly, so he was soon on the hunt for a suitable upgrade under the hood. I watched a Hot Version video and saw King Keiichi in a Corolla with an S2000 engine swap that he said he really enjoyed," Wong said, and that inspired him to do precisely the same thing.

Photos: MotorTrend

Beefed Up Powertrain

Wong went to JSP Fab for the parts he needed to pull off the cross-brand swap, but this isn't just some stock swap. Rather, the F20C mill was treated to an HKS 3037s turbo, RC 750cc injectors, and JSP Fab's own downpipe, exhaust, and intercooler piping. That power flows to the rear wheels via an S2000 6-speed transmission that's been fitted with an OS Giken twin plate clutch and lightweight flywheel.

Photos: MotorTrend

Upgraded Underneath

Underneath, the suspension was enhanced with GReddy Type S coil overs, UEO Style front LCA inner and outer tie rods, a JSP Fab custom crossmember, Prothane bushings, a 4-link set, and Nagisa Auto Shakitto plates. Braking is handled by a host of Endless parts, and the classic Corolla rolls on Volk Racing TE37V wheels.

Photos: MotorTrend

Inside the Cabin

Inside the cabin, this build features another laundry list of upgrades that includes Bride Vorga seats with Takata 4-point harnesses, a Nardi Deep Corn steering wheel, Racepak digital dash, a J's Racing titanium shifter, NRG pedals, titanium steering wheel hardware, and much, much more.

Photos: MotorTrend

Best One Yet?

Ultimately, Wong's latest Corolla makeover completely changed the way it looks, perhaps more so than at any point during his long period of ownership. To us, at least, it's also in perhaps its ultimate form at this point, though perhaps we say that with a bit of bias over the source of its powerplant.

Photos: MotorTrend

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