The Professional (Black AE86): Miguel’s AE86 is the last, but definitely not least car included in this list. The work he’s put into his version is more like what you’d see from a professional show car. Miguel managed to keep the spirit and feel of Toyota’s iconic Corolla, but in a way that only a few signature Toyota hallmarks let you know it is an AE86. The most notable change is what’s been done to the body. A RunFree front bumper and fiberglass fenders and Vertex side skirts and rear bumper completely change the way the AE86 looks. The front bumper in particular, gives the car a mean-looking face that’s all the more accented because, unlike his brothers’ AE86s, Miguel’s is a Trueno with the trademark flip-up headlights.
The jet black paint job exudes a sense of professionalism in the sense that you know it could wow show judges but wouldn’t be something out of place in any mall parking lot. It gives the car the rare distinction of being great, both as a daily driver and a kick-ass show vehicle. But when you pop the hood, it’s evident that Miguel’s AE86 isn’t just some daily driver.
The car features a 1JZ-GTE engine that can pump out 522 horsepower thanks to modifications including Ferrea oversized valves, HKS 272 cams, Titan Motorsports cam gears, a Tial 50 mm blow-off valve, 800 cc fuel injectors and a Haltech Platinum Sport 1000 ECU. Miguel also ensured that his exhaust performance matches his engine, with a similar custom stainless steel exhaust made to Billy’s, paired with an NTO Motorsports down pipe and a Megan Racing carbon muffler. The car uses an automatic transmission but does feature a one-piece custom driveshaft along with a Detroit TruTrac LSD.
On the performance front, suspension upgrades were made to the front and rear struts and springs using QA1 parts and a Techno Toy Tuning aluminum four link and panhard bar. For Miguel’s aesthetic choices, customized J Line 16RL3 wheels in BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW tires give the car a visual enhancement that matches the cars seething demeanor.
>A quick glance inside and the distinct black and green color scheme reminds you of the Degeneration X WWE wrestling team from the mid-90s. Specifically, re-upholstered black leather Sparco racing seats, green Takata harnesses, and a green roll cage really stand out. Adding to the DX feel, the engine bay is painted the same candy green as the roll cage.
Miguel’s AE86 is the most design-focused project, but all three cars have a definite charm and each bring something different to the table.
These three different takes also show just how beloved the classic AE86 is. There’s near-limitless potential if they are treated with the same amount of passion that the Escoto brothers have for Toyotas.
Photography by Kevin Choi
ESSENTIALS
Model: 1986 Toyota Corolla (AE86)
Built by: Miguel Escoto
Location: Beltsville, MD
Engine: 3.0L 1JZ-GTE
Horsepower: 522 hp
ENGINE / PERFORMANCE
- Ferrea oversized valves
- Titanium retainers and keepers
- K&N air filter
- MVP Motorsports fuel rail
- Aeromotive fuel press regulator
- Walbro internal fuel pump
- Bosch 044 external fuel pump
- HKS 272 cams
- Titan Motorsports cam gears
- Treadstone intercooler
- Tial (50 mm blow-off valve, 44 mm waste gate
- Haltech Platinum Sport 1000 ECU
- 800 cc fuel injectors
- NGK spark plugs
- Lexus IS 300 ignition wires
- Toyota twin turbo head gasket
- ARP head studs
EXHAUST
- Drewgo turbo manifold
- NTO Motorsports (custom 3-in. stainless steel exhaust, down pipe)
- Megan Racing carbon fiber muffler
DRIVETRAIN
- >Custom 1-pc. driveshaft
- Detroit TruTrac LSD
- Moser Engineering axles
- ARP flywheel bolts
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
- QA1 (front and rear struts, front and rear springs)
- Techno Toy Tuning (aluminum four link, panhard bar)
- Sub-frame connectors
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES
- Custom J Line 16RL3 3-pc. wheels – 18x8.5 (f), 18x10.5 (r)
- BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW tires – 215/35 R18 (f), 255/35 R18 (r)
- Aerospace Components (four-piston brake calipers (f))
- 1-pc. slotted front rotors
EXTERIOR
- MIPA paint (black, clear)
- Vertex (side skirts, rear bumper)
- RunFree (front bumper, fiberglass fenders)
- CBY rear wheel flares
- Koito HID headlights
- JDM Redline tail lights
- LED corner lights
INTERIOR
- Autometer (boost gauge, mini shift light)
- World Motorsports boost controller
- NGK wideband kit
- Sparco Sprint seats
- Takata four-point harnesses
- Re-upholstered black leather seats
- Cusco roll cage (painted candy green)
AUDIO / MULTIMEDIA
- Kenwood head unit
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