TO refurb an 89 Corolla SR5 questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

retiredat44 · 08-20-2009, 11:21 AM

TO refurb an 89 Corolla SR5 questions.

1)Seats: to refurb the seats and make them like new, how much?
2)New Rack for the steering: $300.00 plus labor?
3)Doesn't need a new engine, doesn't smoke, clutch still good. But, if a new engine was put in, I suppose it would have to be the original model engine, because of California smog laws.. Wonder if there is another model engine with more horsepower that could be put in and pass smog laws.. wouldn't mind 150 hp. The 90 HP engine is a bit slow..

no other fixer ideas needed, as I am an old fart and my wife doesn't want anything else either,, just a decent car. It doesn't need a new stereo, either ,, just thinking of the benefits of restoring this car or buying a new one sometime hopefully soon..

ideas for restore,, (taking an old beat up car and making it nice again..)

Donald · 08-20-2009, 12:40 PM

Price of the steering rack sounds about right, maybe less for a rebuilt one from an auto parts store.

You could probably find some seats in a salvage yard in good condition for about $45-50 each (depending on the prices in your area). Sedan seats will work.

If your car was fuel injected, a good and easy engine upgrade would be a 7A-FE from a '93-97 Corolls DX.
It is a 1.8litre that only puts out 115 hp, but it also puts out a whopping 115 lb/ft torque at only 2500rpm.
It would make your car feel a lot more responsive around town, lots of low speed pull.

Since your car isn't fuel injected, it might not be worth the expense to you if you aren't going to do the swap yourself. This swap, or just about any other, will involve wiring harness, ECU, fuel tank and fuel lines, since all the enginee that would be an upgrade are going to be fuel injected.

Ghostyman · 08-20-2009, 01:09 PM

In Cali, you can swap in any engine from a later model. That opens up any post-89 Corolla engine to you (as long as it was offered in the USA). That's one reason I'm electing to do a 3SGTE swap into my Celica rather than my Corolla.

retiredat44 · 08-20-2009, 07:39 PM

I can't do the engine work, I would have to have it done at a garage/shop.. Besides being in extremely bad health, I live in a home with a homeowner association and you cannot scratch your nuts without people stabbing you in the back.. and they report you like the Nazi Brown Shirts..

back in the day I would have done it all.. I know how to machine, rebuild, and do everything and have done everything.. now changing a spark plug could be the last time I breathe..

retiredat44 · 08-26-2009, 12:51 PM

I see that I have already recieved some answer about some engine choices in this thread.. and about the answer with 7A-FE engine (isn't that engine known for wearing out very fast and burning oil?) also it has only 115 hp..

For those that have the knowledge on the engines and swaps..

What model engine and trans (complete with transaxles and wiring..) including ECU and California smog... could be swapped into an 89 Corolla SR5 with more horsepower than the original 90 hp engine with 5 speed stick...

it would be nice if say there was a slighter newer model engine with more than 130 hp that has the same motor and trans mounts, same wiring harness connections for everything and the ECU too and pass California smog..

I know there is a newer engine that is 1.8 liter.. but is there one with 2.0 liter for Corolla? How many horespower is the 1.8 liter.. are there higher performance models of these engines ? Or are they all the same but with different trans?

I suppose this stock engine (which does not burn oil and runs fine.. but has 350,000 miles..) could be rebuilt and just left stock.. but would just like to consider the options to pull a few more horepower out,, not sure if it would pass smog with an aftermarket turbo added.

I don't want to experiment. I would need off the shelf parts. no fabrication.

I know I could see if a higher performance cam is available, higher compression pistons, the usual rebuilt engine options.. with the California smog I think the options are very limited.. or just swap in a new/rebuilt short block with the head rebuilt, and a few new parts.. and still only have 90 hp..

This old 89 Corolla is either going to be a junker when the engine finally goes or can be a rebuild.. which is cheaper than a new car..

I am not sure when this all will happen, it could be in 1 year or in 4 years..
just thinking about this when it's time..

Donald · 08-26-2009, 04:00 PM

The 1-ZZ and 2-ZZ are the newer 1.8 engines that I think you are refering to. I am also intetrsted in those engines, but until now I haven't been able to find where anybody has put one into an AE92 body.

http://www.spyderchat.com/enginedetail.htm

http://spyderchat.com/1zzfe.pdf

http://www.toysport.com/technical%20...tech_notes.htm

These engines are different in having the exhaust coming out the back of the head. That is where lies my greatest doubt about installing one into an AE92.

blackphoenix38 · 08-26-2009, 07:29 PM

don't junk the car, i have the same year and model you do. i'll take it if you decide to part with it.

i think you may be able to swap the efi head onto the carb engine for a few more horses. you may want to get that confirmed though. other then that, your in a tough spot with all the smog laws.

Donald · 08-26-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackphoenix38

i think you may be able to swap the efi head onto the carb engine for a few more horses. you may want to get that confirmed though. other then that, your in a tough spot with all the smog laws.

No, I don't think so.
I think the difference is in the fuel delivery system not in the head.

datsa · 08-27-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredat44

I can't do the engine work,

back in the day I would have done it all.. I know how to machine, rebuild, and do everything and have done everything.. now changing a spark plug could be the last time I breathe..

Given your health and automotive abilities, perhaps, buying another Corolla would be cheaper. If you still want a 6th generation Corolla, they are not that expensive; if you look around you may be able to find a used fuel-injected model for perhaps less than a full engine swap, assuming you are going to have someone else to the swap for you.

As my brother says about my obsession with these Corollas, "You are married to your wife, not to that car." Good advice.

Donald · 08-27-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datsa

Given your health and automotive abilities, perhaps, buying another Corolla would be cheaper. If you still want a 6th generation Corolla, they are not that expensive; if you look around you may be able to find a used fuel-injected model for perhaps less than a full engine swap, assuming you are going to have someone else to the swap for you.

+1

Unless you are particularly attached to this current car.