Are they the same? KE70 & AE86

[MickStephens]

G'day everyone,

Im new to the forum and new to Corollas. Holden fan here, but will be getting my hands on a 1981 (I think thats the year) KE70 Corolla soon'ish. No idea about anything on these cars.

I see heaps of info on the AE86 in regards to engine conversions and suspension upgrades etc.

My question is, from the firewall forward, are these two cars the same? If not, what are the major differences besides the body panels, front grill and headlights etc.

Reason for my question is, if I'm reading about AE86 conversions and upgrades on suspension etc, can I apply the same knowledge to a KE70?

Thanks for reading.

Cheers, Mick

[maxhag]

Alot of parts are interchangable, but some things are not just bolt in, , the bodies/chassis/floorpans are slightly differant, apart from the obvious things.... Most things are a simple change over tho..

Suspension mounting is the same between the 2 vehicles.
With the right selection of parts, engine conversions between KE70/AE71/AE86 can be a bolt in affair

[MickStephens]

Alot of parts are interchangable, but some things are not just bolt in, , the bodies/chassis/floorpans are slightly differant, apart from the obvious things.... Most things are a simple change over tho..

Suspension mounting is the same between the 2 vehicles.
With the right selection of parts, engine conversions between KE70/AE71/AE86 can be a bolt in affair

Thanks for the info maxhag. I was unsure if I was wasting my time reading all the AE86 advice and info haha...

[Matt]

There are allot of differences in the parts, but as max said u can make allot of ae86 stuff fit into a ke70. An ae71 is allot more like as it shares the same engine / gearbox as an ae86.

If you are wanting a 4age powered ke70, i'd suggest buying an ae71 as it is allot easier to convert. Ke70's have cable clutches, where as the AE86 is hydraulic. Panel wise they simply are vasltly diferent and nothing is really interchange able.

Suspension wise, get ae86 knuckles, struts, hubs and lcas and it'll work in an ae86

[LittleRedSpirit]

The ae86 gearbox crossmember does not fit ke70. Its possibly the only thing that doesnt bolt accross from under the car.

[MickStephens]

If you are wanting a 4age powered ke70, i'd suggest buying an ae71 as it is allot easier to convert. Ke70's have cable clutches, where as the AE86 is hydraulic

Very good point, however, the main reason why im getting into the KE70 is that the car I may be getting is FREE. Just an opportunity to be handed down a one owner car with low km and minimal damage. If I wasnt offered this car, I wouldn't be buying another project hahaha...

[Big T]

The ae86 gearbox crossmember does not fit ke70. Its possibly the only thing that doesnt bolt accross from under the car.

This is incorrect. You catch the 2 front holes on the bracket. I run an ae86 gbox xmember in my ke70. The stock ae71 xmember only uses the 2 holes anyway.


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[maxhag]

The ae86 gearbox crossmember does not fit ke70. Its possibly the only thing that doesnt bolt accross from under the car.

Not really, there are a fair few things..

Examples; a AE86 tailshaft centre bearing wont bolt up to a KE70, front handbrake cables differant, etc etc etc... Lots of stuff