The transmission is out of the same 180SX. The casing was modified to fit the newly enlarged AE86 tunnel (i.e. he pounded it like it owed him money) and a Exedy clutch set with a 5kg flywheel, Nismo solid shifter and locked differential ensures all the torque makes it to the tarmac. Besides the MCN tranny mount, Darren fabricated a custom lightened and balanced one-piece prop shaft to adjust to the shorter Corolla body. To get the newly swapped setup singing, a HKS F-CON in conjunction with a GReddy Profec B boost controller and custom fuel system (MCN Sport SSB aluminum tank, Sytec FSE fuel pump and filter, stainless lines) was tuned to 340hp at the crank-milder than a So Cal winter when compared to the typical field of 500-plus ponies of D1.
So when Darren took out the brawny, American-muscled likes of Hubinette and gave RB-powered Nomuken a run for his monkey money, you know focus was on the chassis setup. The entire frame was seal-welded by MCN Sport and propped with a nine-point rollcage. Combine the weld-work with Largus, Race Spec and Tein bars and the Corolla causes Volvo engineers to tuck their Swedish tails in shame. Darren's own MCN Sport front coilovers, Drift springs and camber plates along with Tokico HTS shocks, TRD and Powerflex bushings give the newly reinforced chassis improved dampening. As for setting up the alignment, a horde of Tein, Ueo Style, T3 and Whiteline adjustable goodies give Darren full flexibility, and a Quaife RHD quick rack improves steering input.
Surprisingly, one of the few things that you wouldn't expect to be stock are the brakes. Utilizing new AE86 calipers fed through custom hard and Goodrich brake lines, the Black Diamond slotted rotors and Project Max 900 pads are the only things that keep the Toyota from tapping the wall. A Vertical Hydraulic handbrake assists in smoking up the 16-inch Falken FK452s wrapped in Rota wheels during US adventures. It should be noted that back in Ireland, Darren sparks up rubbers from his other sponsor, Hankook.
Like a Protestant in Dublin or a cold pint of Guinness in a pub, most of the stock Hachi interior is gone. The only things left are the OMP seats standing on FIA brackets, OMP Corsica steering wheel, Williams harnesses, Nismo shift knob, Varley Red Top battery and a set of Defi gauges. Darren fabbed up a custom console chock full of aircraft switches, and sprayed the cabin an Audi A8 Silver to match. The exterior was also painted, but in a contrasting Imperial Blue sheen. But before the blue coats were applied, a Vertex body kit, CBY fenders, fiberglass hatch and TRD wing were all fitted to the Levin. Kouki Redline taillights, headlights and inner foglights lend the AE86 the revised J-touches.
Sitting down and talking with the 22 year-old Darren was refreshing. A drifting celebrity for years back home, his continued passion for the sport of drifting and the AE86 was a stark contrast to the layers of built-up jade permeating our scene. And the amount of respect and homage he pays to both US and Japanese competitors speaks volumes for his character. Rolling Stateside for the first time with his boys, Darren summed up his experience. "It was a dream come true to be able to come here and compete. We've seen D1 at Irwindale for years and it was just amazing, we thought we'd never get here." And now that he's here, you can be sure the rising star of Darren McNamara will only get brighter.
By Carter Jung
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