i have a '97 DX 1.8L 7A-FE, completely stock. i was wondering if there's any modifications i could do to my current engine that would boost torque in the 1,000 - 3,000 RPM range? i wanted to know because i do about 95% of my driving below 3,000 RPM's.
if anyone is going to bother suggesting an engine swap, i've searched for that on here quite a bit, and i can't find anything with much torque in that range without a turbo or supercharger. but i'm not closed off to ideas for engine swaps.
or jus swap motors. Opt for a 4AG or even better 3SG
I took a look at the 4a-ge already, and from what I've read in a few of The threads around here, they don't develop very much power until you're above 3,000 RPMs. I know that the 3sg isn't a direct bolt-on as far as mounts go. How much fabrication does it require?
i don't mind doing that. what would need to be done?
higher compression pistons, reground cams, and the engine management/fuel injectors to go along with it. ~$1500-$2500 to do it right depending how much labor you do yourself. it requires pulling the engine and having the cylinders honed. You'd want to replace all the bearings and probably the con rods too..gaskets, seals, timing belt, etc etc etc
You're looking at exceeding the value of the car probably.
higher compression pistons, reground cams, and the engine management/fuel injectors to go along with it. ~$1500-$2500 to do it right depending how much labor you do yourself. it requires pulling the engine and having the cylinders honed. You'd want to replace all the bearings and probably the con rods too..gaskets, seals, timing belt, etc etc etc
You're looking at exceeding the value of the car probably.
ok. where would i be able to find high compression pistons? would the engine management/injectors have to come from a different engine, or would that be a performance part?
also, would the rods, bearings, and timing belt be aftermarket, or stock?
i don't really mind exceeding the value of the car. i'd rather have this car, than a newer, aerodynamic hill with wheels and drive-by-wire.
How do you perform a leakdown test? Under both both city and highway driving there is no leakage of any kind.
You need to Google "leakdown test". It basically means filling each cylinder with compressed air and seeing how much leaks out. By performing the test with the piston in different locations you can determine whether any leaking is caused by bad rings, scored piston walls, or valves that don't fully seat properly.
It's like a more informative version of a compression test. A compression test is basic test that can tell you about the health of the engine. But if any cylinder shows low(er) compression than other cylinders, you can do a leakdown test to help pinpoint the issue before opening up everything.
You need to Google "leakdown test". It basically means filling each cylinder with compressed air and seeing how much leaks out. By performing the test with the piston in different locations you can determine whether any leaking is caused by bad rings, scored piston walls, or valves that don't fully seat properly.
It's like a more informative version of a compression test. A compression test is basic test that can tell you about the health of the engine. But if any cylinder shows low(er) compression than other cylinders, you can do a leakdown test to help pinpoint the issue before opening up everything.
*sigh* man, i feel like a noob now, lol. thanks for the advice though.
if you're asking where to get these parts from then I'm sorry, you're probably in over your head and shouldn't be doing this yourself.
yeah, i am only a college student after all. this is my first car, and the only things i've learned are either from you guys, my dad, or my service manuals. i know i'm being a little too dependent here and i know that's not really allowed. and for that i apologize.
It's not that, it's that you'll get stuck at getting the engine out and not really understand why you're doing what you're doing other than 'someone said so', so if and when a problem crops up you'll be at a total loss to figure out what's wrong. It's not like a video game, you don't just bolt things into the engine.
Not to mention it's your only car, getting into engine work like this is MONTHS of down time if you're doing it in your spare time.
It's not that, it's that you'll get stuck at getting the engine out and not really understand why you're doing what you're doing other than 'someone said so', so if and when a problem crops up you'll be at a total loss to figure out what's wrong. It's not like a video game, you don't just bolt things into the engine.
Not to mention it's your only car, getting into engine work like this is MONTHS of down time if you're doing it in your spare time.
yeah, i guess my eyes were bigger than my stomach lol. i'll admit that i'm a novice at this kind of thing, but i AM pretty confident doing anything short of major internal engine/transmission work. although that probably leaves me with next to nothing for achieving my goal, doesn't it?
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