GT-S/MR2 tranny comparison

[MickMack2112]

I'm looking to change out the transmission in my '89 Corolla GT-S (the c-50 i believe?). I was wondering if the tranny in a first gen MR2 attached to the 4AGE is 100% identical to the one in my corolla. My car has the 4age in it. Would the swap be a direct bolt-in, or are the shift linkages or anything else different?

Thanks!

-Mike

[Ghostyman]

EDIT: NVM, I was thinking of the 3SGTE transmission. I'd guess that the main difference is the shift linkage will be on the opposite side.

[SCT]

I would assume so, they did use both C50 and C52. I think it had extra linkage/ pivot points since the trans is in the rear for shifting but trans should be the same.

[jmaz87]

i've been told it's easier to use the "tire" tranny's case and just use the donors gears... lot of work still but beats fliping linkage

[Blof-fan]

Both the Corolla AE92 GT-S and the MR2 AW11 use the C52 gearbox with the 4A-GE engine. But since the engine in the AW11 is mounted 'the other way around' the shift linkages are on the other side of the gearbox.

I believe it can be modified. But why not just use a FWD C52 gearbox? I think that would be easier

[jmaz87]

since we are talking about trans i figure we could talk about axles...

C-50/52 use the same standard axle 4afe or 4age

from what i understand
E-52(GZE) uses same outer but V6 Camry Inner?

20v equal length???

[Donald]

Originally Posted by Blof-fan

Both the Corolla AE92 GT-S and the MR2 AW11 use the C52 gearbox with the 4A-GE engine. But since the engine in the AW11 is mounted 'the other way around' the shift linkages are on the other side of the gearbox.

I believe it can be modified. But why not just use a FWD C52 gearbox? I think that would be easier

Not just any C-52 will do. The ones mated to the 4A-FE have a taller final drive ratio. I think something like 3.75:1, whereas the ones mated to the 4A-GE have a 4.23:1 ratio.

The 4A-FE gearbox will make the weak low end torque of the 4A-GE feel even weaker.

The bad thing is that there is no way that I know of that you can tell the difference except see it attached to the original engine, and even then, it might have been changed before.

[eage8]

a few things.

Your GT-S has a c52.

early AW11 MR-2s have a c50, late AW11 MR2s have a C52 (AW11 = first gen) I'm not sure what the switch date was, I think 87 and up were C52s? but I'm not positive.

jmaz: most 20Vs have C56s which came with equal length axles in which you can run double drivers side axles (and the middle bar thing) but you can also just run standard C50 or C52 axles. that's what I have in mine.

[eage8]

Originally Posted by Donald

Not just any C-52 will do. The ones mated to the 4A-FE have a taller final drive ratio. I think something like 3.75:1, whereas the ones mated to the 4A-GE have a 4.23:1 ratio.

The 4A-FE gearbox will make the weak low end torque of the 4A-GE feel even weaker.

that's because they ones on the 4AFEs are C50s

[Donald]

Originally Posted by eage8

that's because they ones on the 4AFEs are C50s

My understanding is that if it has two starter mounting bosses it is a C-52, front and back sides. The C-50 only has one.
The '92 sedan I had, had two starter mounting bosses.

When I get home I will post the link that I got the information from.
It is already on here but I don't know where.

[Donald]

Originally Posted by eage8

that's because they ones on the 4AFEs are C50s

My '92 Corolla sedan had a C-52 mated to a 4A-FE.

If it has two starter mounting bosses, it is a C-52
The C-50 only has one.

I was wrong about the ratios. It is 3.722:1, and 4.311:1

Read here:

http://www.wcengineering.com/articles/toyotatrans.html

[Blof-fan]

Same info is also on my own site

And yes, the 4A-FE was mated to the c52 aswell. You are correct with the differences in final drives.

[jmaz87]

I have a C-52 (91 4afe sedan)
and i'm almost positive the final drive is about 4.3 because if it was lower i'd probably be able to hit close to 150mph

right now i'm red-lining at around 140ish (just got GPS to find out)

My point being i would RATH:R have the lower final drive because if you have any power at all your shifting more than driving and run out of gears way to early...

[Donald]

Originally Posted by jmaz87

I have a C-52 (91 4afe sedan)
and i'm almost positive the final drive is about 4.3 because if it was lower i'd probably be able to hit close to 150mph

right now i'm red-lining at around 140ish (just got GPS to find out)

My point being i would RATH:R have the lower final drive because if you have any power at all your shifting more than driving and run out of gears way to early...

The final drive ratios were chosen to match and optimise the different power bands of the two engines.

The GE engine has weak bottom end torque but revs very high so the 4.311 is good for that.
The FE has more low end torque and doesn't rev as high hence the 3.722.
The 7A-FE has even better bottom end torque with even lower top end, and it has the same final as the 4A-FE, but a taller 1st gear. It takes longer to run out of 1st, gaining more speed before you need to shift to 2nd.

You can make your 4A-FE powered car launch faster with the 4A-GE gearbox, but you will need to shift quicker too. You will run out of 1st gear real quick.

I Think it is best to keep the gearbox matched to the engine it was setup for to best utilize your power delivery.

The 5th in the 4.311 is equal to 4th in the 3.77.
I found that out when I swapped engines.

4A-GE gearbox = 3700 RPM at 70 MPH in 5th
7A-FE gearbox = 3150 RPM at 70 MPH in 5th / 3700RPM at 70 in 4th.

[jmaz87]

I understand why Toyota "Intended" each final drive

All i was saying is for any Power Adder application a 'lower' final drive will help traction especially during hard shifting...

nothing like having to try to control lots of power AND shift constantly... I doubt any stock app would be worth the time of swapping transaxles.