Interested in a cheap and reliable but fun car? One you can build? Well, hit the jump.
Speed Academy has some ideas — check the video below.
Or you can check the transcript, cleaned up via AI and edited by a staffer, below.
Transcript:
0:00
We’re starting with installing what we think is one of the best intakes for the FA20 on the market today.
0:05
Let’s take a look here.
0:10
We just found our first hack job. Look at that.
0:21
Welcome back to our Continental Tire-supported My First Car series, where we’re building what we consider the perfect first car for a young driving enthusiast. We’re aiming to keep it budget-friendly enough to be a realistic first build.
0:40
After removing the black vinyl wrap from this 2017 Toyota 86, we noticed the paint on the bumpers, side skirts, mirror caps, and front fender canards was either rough or mismatched. So, we sent them to our friend Richie for a quick respray, giving us time to give the rest of the car a thorough cleanup. And it definitely needed it.
1:03
Quick engine bay cleanup complete. It was pretty filthy, and since we’ll be working in here, it made sense to clean it up first. Now, we’ll start installing one of the best FA20 intakes available today.
3:57
Installation of the AF Powered Teada Momentum cold air intake system is complete. This system claims 9 horsepower and 10 ft-lbs of torque — a notable improvement on the FA20 — and a 54% increase in airflow. It’s impressive how intake systems have evolved over the last 25 years; now you get CFD-designed molded intake pipes and airboxes instead of the old days of cutting holes in airboxes and adding cannon filters.
4:45
We didn’t connect the intake sound tube because we wanted to enjoy the natural note of the FA20.
5:07
Next up is upgrading the exhaust system — a popular mod for young enthusiasts. But 40-year-old me advises 20-year-old me: don’t cut out your catalytic converter like I did in my youth.
6:09
We’re installing a high-flow catalytic converter from Remark, along with 2.5-inch mandrel-bent piping. Remark’s quality and fitment are excellent, as we saw on our STI build. This is not just for aesthetics; it actually improves flow.
6:46
The exhaust system is Remark’s Elite Spec version, featuring a large central resonator. This keeps the tone sensible — not obnoxiously loud — while still offering a good exhaust note. Factory mufflers are huge, so this setup with two smaller mufflers and a resonator balances sound and performance.
8:28
Here’s the cold start. It’s loud at first, but once the procedure finishes, the idle is reasonable, with a pleasant tone and no rasp common in louder systems. The intake adds some additional noise, creating a balanced, enjoyable sound.
10:40
Oil change complete. We used Valvoline’s Restore and Protect to clean the engine internally. A cautionary note: always check for double gaskets on oil filters, or you could end up with a major oil spill — learned that the hard way back on my first car.
12:28
We checked the wheels and tires. The current setup has a 1-inch spacer, and the wheels are Koenig Ultra Grams in carbon bronze metallic: 18×8.5 up front, 18×9.5 in the rear, with a square setup of 255 tires all around. Clearance on the front is tight, so coilovers would help if more camber adjustment or spring diameter changes are needed.
13:08
While inspecting the suspension, we found multiple hack jobs: crossthreaded bolts, extra washers, and improvised fasteners — clearly put together just to get the car sold.
15:40
We replaced the front strut and spring top hats with a Koni Yellow Sport and Eibach Sportline spring combo. This setup lowers the car about 1–1.2 inches, maintains adjustable damping, and is simpler than coilovers. Proper torque and ride-height considerations prevent preloading the bushings.
21:04
For the brakes, we avoided cheap rotors and pads. Tires and brakes are crucial for safety, so we installed Pro Series OE+ rotors and pads for quiet, low-dust performance.
26:38
The wheel and tire package is finalized with Continental ExtremeContact Sport O2 tires. These provide excellent dry and wet grip for performance driving. For those prioritizing longevity and comfort, Continental’s TrueContact Tour 54 is a strong all-season option with an 80,000-mile warranty.
28:26
The wheels are Koenig Ultra Grams, 18×8.5 front and 18×9.5 rear, with a staggered setup. Clearance on the front is tight near the strut, which may require coilovers for more camber or smaller-diameter springs.
30:19
We hoped to show the completed bodywork in this episode, but the body shop is taking longer than expected. The staggered wheel setup looks good, giving the car an exotic sports car appearance.
31:08
Thanks to Continental Tire for supporting the series. Share your first car story on their landing page for a chance to win a free set of Continental tires. We’ll see you in the next episode with the finished car.
Speed Academy is a website and YouTube channel based on making things go fast and enjoying cars. Peter Tarach and Dave Pratte are the forces behind Speed Academy.
The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.
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