89 corolla sr5 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

blackphoenix38 · 08-21-2009, 06:20 PM

I just picked up a 89 corolla sr5. EFI engine, automatic with 92,000 miles on it. it needs a little work but not much. is there anything i should look for in these cars at all? i've heard nothing but good thing things about them. also, is it even worth it to mod this engine. thanks

TonkaTom · 08-21-2009, 09:32 PM

PICTURES PLEASE.
They are good cars.

blackphoenix38 · 08-22-2009, 06:56 AM

nees to be cleaned up a little, bit it seems like a great little car. i'll be working on it the next few weeks to get it up and driving around

Donald · 08-22-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackphoenix38

I just picked up a 89 corolla sr5. EFI engine, automatic with 92,000 miles on it. it needs a little work but not much. is there anything i should look for in these cars at all? i've heard nothing but good thing things about them. also, is it even worth it to mod this engine. thanks

First thing I would suggest is check the trunk after a rain storm (or use a garden hose) to see if you have leaks. If you do, then you will need to seal around the tail lights, and or, the screws that hold the trim at the bottom of the back glass.

Another suggestion I would make is, when it is time to replace your shocks, get KYB brand.
That will be the easiest, cheapest, most appreciated upgrade I can think of.

Except for that, it's mostly the regular maintenance items.

Engine mods will depend on what you want.
You could do an engine swap. There is a swap guide in the READ ME section at the top of this forums front page, that lists the possible engines to install.
You could turbocharge it. Jmaz has done that to an engine like yours.

***REN69*** · 08-22-2009, 03:34 PM

that makes no sense... it says EFI but it's carbed?

Looks like someone replaced the motor with a 4AFE and kept the carb? Either that or the valve cover was replaced with one from a 4AFE.

retiredat44 · 08-22-2009, 05:39 PM

with that low milegae there isn't need to replace anything,, why do people say replace stuff when it's got so low mileage??

That's wonderful it's got so low mileage..

It is possible to have some items with rubber that is weather exposed to be getting old, but most everything in that car has to be in very good condition.. you really got a great deal!

btw, check to see when/if the timing belt has been replaced,,, that's about the only thing besides oil that might need chaged..

Ghostyman · 08-22-2009, 05:40 PM

Also has the tube from the heat shield to the carb intake. And a weird shelf-thing on top of the heat shield. I'm curious what this car's history is.

First thing you should do to the car: How-To: Disable the door chime

Ghostyman · 08-22-2009, 05:46 PM

... and that wing is questionable. If you like it, more power to ya.

Are those white painted Miata wheels?

It's been painted. Stock SR5s had black bumpers and rubber side trim.

Can't see for sure but it looks like the exhaust isn't stock.

Hmm... painted Miata rims, big wing, louder exhaust, automatic tranny & stock engine...

How old was the previous owner?

blackphoenix38 · 08-23-2009, 09:03 AM

i have all the paperwork for this car, including the origianl dealership window sticker for when the guy bought the car. as far as i know i'm only the 3rd or 4th owner. but it's sat for the last year or so in someones yard not really being moved. it is a carb engine, so i'm not really sure why it has a efi valve cover. i'll check over all the paper work i have again. does anyone have pics of a carb engine and what it's suppose to look like. thanks

Ghostyman · 08-23-2009, 10:06 AM

Here's a stock 4AF engine with blue vacuum hose, red fuel line, and a painted carb cover.

Donald · 08-23-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald

First thing I would suggest is check the trunk after a rain storm (or use a garden hose) to see if you have leaks. If you do, then you will need to seal around the tail lights, and or, the screws that hold the trim at the bottom of the back glass.

Another suggestion I would make is, when it is time to replace your shocks, get KYB brand.
That will be the easiest, cheapest, most appreciated upgrade I can think of.

Except for that, it's mostly the regular maintenance items.

Lucky you. You got an EFI model.
Engine mods will depend on what you want.
You could do an engine swap. There is a swap guide in the READ ME section at the top of this forums front page, that lists the possible engines to install.
You could turbocharge it. Jmaz has done that to an engine like yours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by REN69

that makes no sense... it says EFI but it's carbed?

Looks like someone replaced the motor with a 4AFE and kept the carb? Either that or the valve cover was replaced with one from a 4AFE.

Dang! When I replied before, I was at work and couldn't see the photos

Can you see out the back glass with that spoiler on there?
There was one like that on the back of my son's Civic, but he took it off. I couldn't see a darned thing with it in the way.

blackphoenix38 · 08-23-2009, 02:44 PM

yeah i can see out the back, it's not to bad in person. also, as you noticed in the photos, i don't have that intake hose to the carb. why is there a hose going to the exhaust heat shield connected to the intake hose? i've never seen that before, although i have had a carb engine in years as well.

i think someone down the line just swapped a efi cover on it. not a big deal i guess, it fits and everything seems to be working fine.

Donald · 08-24-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackphoenix38

yeah i can see out the back, it's not to bad in person. also, as you noticed in the photos, i don't have that intake hose to the carb. why is there a hose going to the exhaust heat shield connected to the intake hose? i've never seen that before, although i have had a carb engine in years as well.

i think someone down the line just swapped a efi cover on it. not a big deal i guess, it fits and everything seems to be working fine.

Yeah, the original cover was probably corroded and they decided to swap it instead of going through the trouble of cleaning and painting.

That (missing) hose is to get warm air from around the exhaust manifold into the carb, to promote fuel atomization while the engine warms up. That way it becomes more responsive earlier in cold weather.

blackphoenix38 · 08-24-2009, 05:41 PM

ahhh i see. thank you. also, i have those hose or pipe coming from the cat back into the engine bay.. what is that for? do i really need it. i may do a custom exhaust and i don't want to mess things up.

Donald · 08-24-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackphoenix38

ahhh i see. thank you. also, i have those hose or pipe coming from the cat back into the engine bay.. what is that for? do i really need it. i may do a custom exhaust and i don't want to mess things up.

That is also a part of the emission control system. What exactly it does I am not sure. I guess EGR maybe?
My 89 Tercel had one of those on it, but I had to do an engine swap immediately after I got it. The new engine never needed it so I just cut the tube and clamped it shut.