4A-GZE Swap - More Details?

[clumzy]

My 86's got a bad motor with poor compression. I'm considering the engine swap possibilities and I've taken a read of MotoP's GZE swap article. I know a few Canadians have had this done and I'm trying to get a feel for what the cost and involvement would be.

In comparision to just a straight 4AGE swap how much more would the GZE swap be? What about difficulty of the swap?

[toymaniac]

ask Jover on this forum or rolla pat on toyotec.a1v.com its a french board but we all talk english!

[DerekDorifto]

Jerry,


Budget 1000$ for the engine itself with no harness or ecu from Lucky Star - cheaper if you can locate one else where, remeber you get what you pay for...

Of course, you'll need the corresponding AFM / MAP + ecu, harness and have it rewired, intercoler piping and a front mount of course. Don't forget an uprated clutch assembly, GZE coil ignitor, fuel pump, electric rad fan, upgraded rad as well. How do you get all these? Well you can buy a clip from Jarco upfront, collect each component over time, or buy a complete MR2 SC donor car like I did and part it out (and hopefully break even).

These are the minimums for the swap, I hope you have a suspension first that is capable of handling this engine - LSD would be highly recommended. Stock GTS exhaust is too small and will also restrict performance. Spend your money on suspension first and get it ready for the motor, or else you'll have a motor but won't be able to push the car to it's potential performance. It's important to yourself what you want to do with this car - Use it as a daily driver? Project car? Track car? The GZE might sound appealing but if the car is intended as a beater then why bother with the expense, especially when replacement 16v 4AGE motors are easily purchased for under 500$ and straight replacements.

Applewood Automotive in Mississauga is capable of the swap Jerry, call them 905-275-1919 and let Louis or Ullyses know that Derek referred you.

I also have one 4AGZE MR2 SC AFM ECU for sale with the relays and speed controller, email me privately.

[clumzy]

Derek,

Thanks alot for the info, that's exactly what I'm looking for. A breakdown of the considerations I should take including some time frames, of course cost and fun factor.

For me I'm am going to be driving the car in the winter but I'll be using it as an all-year-round car so I definitely want to keep it in good condition and build it into a fun car. The suspension is something that I'm going to have to address over time but the engine, being the heart of the car, will drive my "seriousness" about the car.

My fear is that I will do a 4AGE swap or rebuild next year, drive it for 1 year and realize that I should have spent double to get some serious guts into the car. I'm assuming that a 4AGE swap will cost ~$1200 and a rebuild upwards from there (how much?). I was thinking that a GZE swap would be in the way of $3000 but it's starting to sound that it's alot more than that.

In any case I'm just thinking aloud now, and it's a year off so I have some time to consider the possibilities. Thanks for the input

[DerekDorifto]

Do the 4AGE swap with your friends if you don't want to spend the money upfront, then put the money that you would've spent towards what you really want. 16v 4AGE's are cheap, I've given them away for free before. Buy a parts car and cannabalize it...

[redunderwear]

Originally Posted by DerekDorifto

I've given them away for free before

:o ??? explain

[DerekDorifto]

I-gave-an-engine-away-for-free... While I was at it, I also gave away a complete harness and transaxle with the engine.

[goodcookiedrift]

quote:
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Originally posted by DerekDorifto
I've given them away for free before
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??? explain

really! whats the big deal? 4ages are a dime a dozen...if i like you i'll give it to you for free otherwise, throw me a bill and its yours.....

[driiift_hachiroku]

Hey Nick, I might take you up on that offer some day.

Clumzy, I recieved your email, but unfortunately didn't have the time to reply.

Anyway, I have a 4AGZE, but I bought the car with it already. Over a month ago I blew the motor on the way to Shannonville (Hot day and a motor that already had a lot of blowby as well as a faulty head gasket are the culprit).

Although I didn't install it myself, I do understand from other's experiences that such a swap takes a lot of careful work, and resources. it is very important that you get the proper harness and ECU. The most painstaking element is extending the wiring harness, as well as fabricating the piping for the coolant as well as the intake/sc/ic.

For an AE86, you'll have to turn the TB elbow the other way (towards the front), as well as have the SC outlet pointing the other way. This enables you to front mount the IC.

All in all, it's a job that I'm not ready to tackle myself, but if you have the $$$$, I'd take it to a professional. As I know, the 4AGZE can be a moody motor if it's not done right. I've had my share of problems, but I'm sure with the right steps, someone can do it to their car and have good, usable, and reliable power on tap.

I would talk to Luis, or Ulyssis at Applewood Automotive: 905-275-1919 and tel them that Jover sent you. There are other shops around, but I find their work to be exceptional, and yet they are fair with pricing.