What is the 1989 GT-S Twin Cam motor

[Sturdavj]

1989 Corolla GT-S Twin Cam; I am still doing the research on this motor, To see if this motor is worth re-habilitating. I am thinking I would drop the drive train in my 86 Corolla DLX, to use as a sleeper

I have a friend at work, who picked up this car. Drove it for a while. One day on the freeway, on the way home from work the car started to make some noise and began losing power, after he took the next exit the engine stopped running and would not restart. Had his father in-law help him tow it home. Car has not started since. I asked him if it was low on oil, he said yes but that there was not any dash indications. He said he thought that it got hot and that is where the problem lies. The noise thing has me wondering... spun bearings ??

The girl he bought this car from told him her father had pulled the motor and pumped up the intake/cams? and possibly the exhaust.

I asked him to check and see if he could find contact information so I might check the details to see what was done.

.

[SCT]

The motor in the GTS is a 4AGE 16V "Red Top". If taken care of, even with abuse up to a certain extent, any 4A motor is very reliable. If he said he has done cam mods and exhaust, likely the car has definately been abused.

You can do a motor swap with other 4AGE motors that are readily available, kinda. The 4AGE 20V or the 4AGZE

[Sturdavj]

What models would find the 4AGE motors that are readily available, kinda. The 4AGE 20V or the 4AGZE ?

Any idea on price range ?

Thanks for the info

[SuperRA]

Originally Posted by SCT

The motor in the GTS is a 4AGE 16V "Red Top".

I believe in 89 the 4AGE was a "Big Port" also know less accurately as a "Blue Top"

If it says "TVIS" on the intake manifold, then it definitely is a "Big Port"

[REN69]

for a second I thought it was 2002... this info is available all over the internet.

I bet the timing belt blew... if so, all you have to do is replace it, the motor should be fine.

[Sturdavj]

I have not had a chance check it out yet.

I asked him if he was able to turn the motor over, since he lost power and pulled over. He has not, it may even be a dead battery?

The car is about 20 miles from work which makes it about 50 miles from my house opposite direction.

He is going to check it out this weekend and get back to me, he has limited knowledge.

[DahnAE92]

I have a 1983 Volvo 242 DL that had the exact thing happen to it. Alternator stopped bridging power over, stopped charging the battery, etc. It just straight up crapped out. Instead of replacing either part I'd just charge the battery for a day to get a few days work out of it, lol.

Go for the charging system first. Then the timing. ALSO... have you thought that it just might be completely bone-dry out of gas..?

[Sturdavj]

Thanks