7a-fe rebuild ??'s

[miller02806]

Would love to keep my Corolla around for another 200k. Why not? Its paid for many times over with reliability and sheer awesomeness. Its not fast, but its peppy and a great car for a daily driver. I have a 1998 3000GT VR4 with upgraded turbo's for my need for speed addiction. But I don't drive that everyday.

So my 7a has about 165k on it. Still runs fine, but I am thinking of pulling the motor and having the whole thing rebuilt. What I need is some suggestions as to what I need to change. What would you have the engine rebuilder do while its out? Is there any potential in the head for maybe 5 extra hp? Just wondering if I should have any machining of the head done while its out. Will I need new pistons or anything like that? I want to put all new gaskets in it and make it as close to possible as it was new. Ideas?

[cipher93]

If it ain't broke don' fix it. Why rebuild a perfectly good motor? There aren't any really any after market parts for it or much machining you can do for more power anyway that would be worth it without changing other parts. You want speed drive your 3000GT like you said.

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by CJRocker

If it ain't broke don' fix it. Why rebuild a perfectly good motor? There aren't any really any after market parts for it or much machining you can do for more power anyway that would be worth it without changing other parts. You want speed drive your 3000GT like you said.

[speedy25]

Hahahaha! I have a GT as well!

Do a leakdown test to see if you really do need the engine refreshed. You may be surprised and find it doesnt need rebuilt. replacing rubber engine parts like oil seals and VSS are usually all that needs attention.

-Pete

[miller02806]

Well you are all right. Just a thought I wanted to put out there. Maybe I am just used to the American cars my parents had with cars over 100k. They fell apart. Not so with my Corolla. I can't kill it. Sometimes it sits for months on end. Then when I need it, it always starts. Runs good too. Great little car. It just amazes me sometimes.

My VR4 on the other hand not so much.

[1jzdreamer]

Originally Posted by miller02806

Well you are all right. Just a thought I wanted to put out there. Maybe I am just used to the American cars my parents had with cars over 100k. They fell apart. Not so with my Corolla. I can't kill it. Sometimes it sits for months on end. Then when I need it, it always starts. Runs good too. Great little car. It just amazes me sometimes.

My VR4 on the other hand not so much.

I guess the VR4 learned too much from its sibling, the talon/eclipse. All the guys I know modding them here say the same about them.
All ive ever had to do on any of the 4/7afe's is valve stem seals. Speedy25 is right, all the rest is fine for a long time.