engine swap across generations - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

KRB64 · 05-09-2010, 06:26 AM

From searching this forum I've learned that my 4A-FE will swap with any other 4A motor. But what about a 4A-FE from a '93 which is the next genereation?

on my1990 wagon, I lost a cylinder, rebuilt the head and replaced the gasket but #3 is still dead. Piston head looks fine so I guess I broke a ring. I'd rather swap out the motor than pull and rebuild at this point.

My question is this: The engine is a JDI 4A-FE. Am I limited to a 1988-1992 4A- or will other generations be a direct bolt in? I've found a 1993 with low miles but the body changed that year and I assume the engine, wiring, etc did too, enough to require some customizing/modafications?

Just because the block will drop in, will all the wiring and plumbing be a direct swap too?

My other option is that I found a 1989 wagon with low miles and a 4A-F, decent shape. I'd consider selling the 1990 for the '89 because I hate the automatic seat belts more than I like fuel injection!

Thanks for any insight,

Blof-fan · 05-09-2010, 06:39 AM

Mechanically, it will pretty much be a straight bolt in job, including the plumbing.
Wiring etc is a different story and will probably have changed with the new generation aswell.

But if you can get your hands on the wiring loom and ECU etc aswell and swap that with the engine, it will work

KRB64 · 05-09-2010, 07:27 AM

Thanks.

Its on Craigslist. Its advertised as just the motor and tranny. I'm waiting to hear back from him.

Would all the wiring I need be in the engine bay and just disconnect at the firewall?

eage8 · 05-09-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRB64

Thanks.

Its on Craigslist. Its advertised as just the motor and tranny. I'm waiting to hear back from him.

Would all the wiring I need be in the engine bay and just disconnect at the firewall?

even with the wiring I don't think it'll be a direct plug and play. the harness goes into the firewall where it plugs into the ECU and a bunch of dash connectors which will probably be different between the generations.

it also plugs into the fuse box which then plugs into the headlights and stuff which will also be different.

you could just send phoenixtuning.com your old and new harnesses and he'd redo the wiring for you.

a 4AF wouldn't be a direct swap either, you would have to drop your fuel tank and remove the high pressure fuel pump because the carb only runs at 6 psi of fuel pressure and has a cam driven pump.