4A-F and 5A-F questions

[Sarwat]

Hey guys, first time posting here...I have a 1988 corolla sedan with a carburated 4A-F. The engine is using up a lot of oil, about 1qt every 600 miles and the oil is getting really dirty. I did a compression test and the #2 cyl was only 90psi which bumped up to 130psi after squirting some oil in it. The rest of the cylinders are around 140 and 150. I'm guessing I need a ring+valve job. The oil consumption is high when I drive the car to work (70 miles a day) which is mainly 70mph drive on the freeway the whole way, no traffic. My wife can drive the car for several weeks and the oil stays clean and doesn't go down very low, she only drives about 6 miles a day and drives on surface streets, not going over 50mph.

I called some used japanese engine places and found that they recommend putting in a 5A-F (which to my knowledge never made it to the US) which is a direct replacement for the 4A-F. It seems there's not many used 4AFs around anymore. So here's what I'm thinking:

1. put a 5A-F in place of the 4A-F but it won't pass the smog so I'll have to rebuild the old 4A-F before its time to get the car smogged.

2. don't bother with the 5A-F, just build the 4A-F and some how manage without the car for whatever long it takes to rebuild the 4A-F...but I want to do the rebuild myself to learn but this will be my first engine rebuild with no prior experience....

3. drive the car until it quits, then send it to the junkyard and buy another car...but I lose the opportunity to learn to do a rebuild

anyway, thinking out loud here...has anyone rebuild a 4A-F, maybe documented the procedure anywhere ? I have the Haynes Manual but would love to read or see pics of a rebuild by one of you guys and learn from your experience ? second question, is there a place I can buy an engine rebuild kit that comes with all the seals, gaskets, rings etc ?

Would love to hear what you guys suggest.

Thanks.

[celica/camry]

ok.....i blew the bottom end of my celica w/4a-fe (only diff between 4a-f and 4afe is carborated (f) and injection (fe) ) and the jap place sold me a 5afe engine...only major diff between the 2 engines is the 4a is a 1.6 the 5a is a 1.5...but everything else is the same...also i was told the engine was supposed to be more fuel efficiant but i have higher flowing injectors than stock

[Sarwat]

Thanks for the reply celica/camry. So did everything hook right up without the need for splicing wires or modifying engine mounts etc ? I'm also concerned about hooking up the smog devices for the california smog nazzis.

That also brings me to another question, what about the replacement parts for this motor ? for e.g. if I wanted to put a new timing belt/waterpump misc seals on a 5AF before putting it in my car will the same parts and part#s from the 4AF will work ?

I was quoted $300 for a used 5A-F (in stock) and $400 for a reconditioned 4A-F (subject to availability).

Thanks again, you guys certainly know your stuff!

[Sarwat]

Just came across this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2402507088&category=67 70

How can a fuel injected engine be a direct replacement for a 4AF (carburated) motor ? If it really is, I'd rather go with that.

[celica/camry]

it should be but i would ask a good mechainc or the engine company u contacted (you may want to ask more than one place or mechanic ) but if you were to get parts you just say for the 5a..its the same as getting parts for the 4a..only difference is the internal bore is smaller (i doubt that you would be buying rods rings and a shaft after your new engine purchace)

[4Aaron GE]

The 4A-FE is a direct physical replacement for the 4A-F, however you will need to make some modifications to your fuel system and engine electronics.

[REN69]

First of all.. where do you live??? are you in the GTA?? there's a few places that do engine swaps, and it would probably be cheaper to get another engine than rebuilding the one u got.

[VZV21]

Since dealing with CA smog nazis...other alternatives are the 4A-GE from the MR2, or the 4A-GE from the Geo Prizm GSi

[Sarwat]

Thanks for the tips guys. I live in Los Angeles.

I think I might just go with a 5A-F since everything bolts right up to it from what I understand, if it doesn't pass smog (not due until Nov) I might just part out some of the car and donate the rest.

[Xenon]

Sarwat, I guess you should go with 5AFE because you're not looking for performance or speed! You're looking for reliability and economy. I was going to recommend the 4AFE, it's another good reliable engine (what I have in my car). But if it's not available, then I guess you should just pick that 5AF up..

Good luck..

[Sarwat]

Thanks Xenon, but just like it says under my name, I'm a noob when it comes to engine swaps etc I just don't want to deal with having to convert a carb'd car to a fuel injected one. If that was the case I'd put a 4AGE (I used to have a first gen MR2 in full blown race trim, roll cage, suspension etc it was an ITA car) with a 130k abused track miles on it when I sold it. From what I hear it is still alive and well after changing hands a few times in between, still on the original motor!!

[Flashmn]

howbout a 4E-FTE?

[Sarwat]

Originally Posted by celica/camry

ok.....i blew the bottom end of my celica w/4a-fe (only diff between 4a-f and 4afe is carborated (f) and injection (fe) ) and the jap place sold me a 5afe engine...only major diff between the 2 engines is the 4a is a 1.6 the 5a is a 1.5...but everything else is the same...also i was told the engine was supposed to be more fuel efficiant but i have higher flowing injectors than stock

OK, so I'm picking up the 5A-F engine next weekend and had a couple of more questions. Can I use the 4A-F head on a 5A-F block ? (just curious)

Also the place said that I'd have to swap in my intake and exhaust manifold since the japanese engines' intake and exhaust won't pass the emissions test, so the question is do the intake and exhaust simply bolt on to the 5A-f ? The engine place says so but I don't really trust them.

Thanks.