n00b question about engine swap

[ky5]

First of all I'd like to say I'm sorry, I've googled all day/night looking for information, but Haven't found any that really went over well with me. So I figured ask the pros.
I just picked up a 1984 Corolla SR5 for $600.

The good:
-It runs
-It drives
-Solid floor/frame
-Body is workable
-Standard
-IT WAS CHEEEEAP

The bad:
-Front fenders are rusted
-Some body rust under doors
-Sunroof is M.I.A
-Has 4A-C engine (Slow)

Now here's my n00bie question.
My car 1984 sr5, It's NOT a GT-S, and I realize it has it's mechanical differences. So my plan is buy JDM motor and SWAP.
I've looked around, found a local JDM dealer with this engine.
http://www.japanpowerinc.com/engine_...4AGE_BLACK_TOP
Now here's my question.. I've read some places that 4A-GE will just pop right in, no questions asked. I've also read. tranny must be swapped/modded, along with many other things.

Q: WILL THIS MOTOR DROP INTO MY 1984 SR5?
A:?

Q: What kind of obstacles/mods am I looking at if I decide to swap a 4A-GE silver/black top?

Again sorry if this is a dumb question. I'd love to hear an answer that's more specific to my case as opposed to someone on google who has a 1986 corolla GT-S... Because well... that's not what I have.

Thanks in advance!

[ariel_86]

Originally Posted by ky5

Q: WILL THIS MOTOR DROP INTO MY 1984 SR5?
A:

a 20v blacktop or silvertop will "drop" into your car but getting it running won't be simple. My advice is to spend a little money to make sure the car keeps driving and enjoy it for a while before you start looking into making this a bigger project. You'll need to save your money to do it right.

Originally Posted by ky5

Q: What kind of obstacles/mods am I looking at if I decide to swap a 4A-GE silver/black top?
A:

Off the top of my head, here is your list of obstacles:
- you will need a RWD exhaust manifold, and will need to modify it to fit the 20V head
- pound or cut in the firewall for clearance for the distributor and cooling
- run the water lines
- swap the gas tank for a GTS tank and run a return fuel line
- modify the wiring for the engine/chassis to accept the 20V wiring & ecu
and that is just to get the motor in the car and running. I'm sure there is more to do aside from that, but that is just what I can think of.

If you are really serious about this, than get on to Club4AG.com and look around (search or just click through all the forums). An '84 SR5 is not significantly different from a '85-'87 SR5, and there is surely a writeup on there that will tell you how to do this.

Beware, this is not for the faint of heart or mechanically inept.

[HatchBackKid]

Don't forget you'll also need a GTS bellhousing and slave cylinder. The 4ag swap is popular because the engines are pretty easy to source, but don't count out your 4a-c. You have to understand that A-series engines are going to be fairly underpowered. Instead of spending a bunch of cash on a GTS swap, you could get a nice downdraft carb and turbo the 4a-c for close to the same, if not more, power than a 4ag (at least a 16v). I just did a 20v swap from a true GTS, and it was a pain, and I didn't have to contend with all the swapping that you're going to have to deal with. I would rebuild the SOHC, jet it, and turbo it.