'94 Corolla Engine Options - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wiccanferret · 07-18-2005, 04:37 AM

I own a '94 Corolla Base with the 1.6 and 3spd auto. It has 224k miles on it, and apparently has a leaky head gasket (the oil usually has coolant mixed into it). I'm debating on the best course of action...and keep in mind, this is going to be something that I'm going to do myself, and I have very little experience doing these types of things...but I'll have plenty of time as this car does not have to be my main car.

I figure I have three options...

1. Rebuild the old 1.6
2. Get a younger 1.6
3. Swap in another motor entirely

I would love the performance that number 3 would provide, but how feasible is this on a '94? Will it bolt up to the 3spd? If not, how hard is it to swap it to the 4spd auto? I want to stay auto because I have two quick 5 spds and I need the auto for my bad knees.

Suggestions?

lifeisviewtiful · 07-18-2005, 09:54 AM

you'll spend about 350 on a new motor which would be a 4afe. if you have a decent budget and time. put an extra 300 with it, and get a 4age silvertop. or if you'e working on a smaller budget spend about the same amount (350) plus 100 more or maybe about the same price and get a 4age 16v. you are going to definitely want to change that 3 spd tranny. if you don't want to swap to manual then try to get a 4 spd at least. check you local junkyard and try to cut a deal. these engines (4afe, 7afe, 4age 16v0 tend to be fairly cheap when you buy them locally.

4Aaron GE · 07-18-2005, 01:34 PM

For simplicity's sake, if you're not that power hungry, I'd go with the 7A-FE (1.8L). The 4A-GE engines all rev to about 8000+, and the 4A-FE ECU won't support that. Once that's done you can also go and get a turbo. However, if you do that, your transmission also needs to be beefed up if you want to torque launch your car.

I know a guy that had a turbo 1.6L that was running 14s before his engine finally blew. Had he finished the run where it did, he would have been in the 13s

wiccanferret · 07-18-2005, 03:59 PM

Ok...you're suggesting the 7A-FE...will that bolt up to the 3spd? Will the 4A-GE, even as a temporary solution? Or will I need to do the 4spd at the same time? Are we talking about fabricating motor mounts and wiring harnesses, or is it all plug and play? Keep in mind, my experience with working on cars at this point is limited to changing alternators and spark plugs...

4Aaron GE · 07-18-2005, 10:51 PM

For the most part, any of the A series engines will bolt up to your transmission. You COULD use a 4A-GE in there, it's got a performance head design, but with a 3 speed, it'll be a dog. The thing is rev happy, but torqueless. And that's if you can make the sensors work right as well.

wiccanferret · 07-19-2005, 02:13 AM

Ok, so is there any method that you can think of that would be relatively simple? Or should I just try to rebuild what I have?

4Aaron GE · 07-19-2005, 10:13 AM

the 7A-FE is basically a stroked out version of what you have now. I don't know what the OEM injector sizes are on it, but as long as they are proportionally bigger, it should run okay on the 4A-FE ECU. Most of the sensors will swap over, or use the same plug. I think there's one extra sensor on the 7A-FE that you don't have, but I don't think it's vital to the engine's running.

lifeisviewtiful · 07-19-2005, 10:16 AM

look around many places should have 7afe's with the 4 spd tranny on them already. imo just go for that application

4Aaron GE · 07-19-2005, 10:25 AM

You need the ECM for the transmission as well then.

wiccanferret · 07-19-2005, 11:47 PM

Ok, what all would I be swapping out with the ECM? Just a chip, or the entire computer assembly? I'm trying to dumb this down for myself so I can make myself a little guide to go with a Chilton's book, and just go at it...

Dr Tweak · 07-19-2005, 11:59 PM

Just do a 5-speed conversion, it's not that hard and costs around $200 for parts if you already have the tranny. And there is no seperate ECM on your auto tranny.

4Aaron GE · 07-20-2005, 02:42 AM

Really? I always thought there was.

/never had an auto

thespud · 07-20-2005, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Aaron GE

the 7A-FE is basically a stroked out version of what you have now. I don't know what the OEM injector sizes are on it, but as long as they are proportionally bigger, it should run okay on the 4A-FE ECU. Most of the sensors will swap over, or use the same plug. I think there's one extra sensor on the 7A-FE that you don't have, but I don't think it's vital to the engine's running.

The sensor you speak of is a Knock sensor. If you decide to run with the 7A, you will need this or the engine will not run as well as it could. It also means you need the ECU for the 7A - or the engine will get confused.

As far as a manual swap goes for the 4A-FE's - The ECU is non-transmission specific. The 4A-GE's however, are. So a manual swap - so long as you kept the 4AFE in there would not be that hard at all.

wiccanferret · 07-21-2005, 01:33 AM

No, no manual. That was discounted far before I ever posted on here, as stated in the original post. I have two '04 Tiburons, one is a 6 spd one is a 5 spd, so there's really no point in my work car being a stick. Besides, I have bad knees and need something I can drive on those days the clutch hurts. Sooo...

To put the 7A-FE in I would need a 7A-FE's ECU, correct? Is this just a chip, or would it be the entire wiring of the car's computer?

Or should I just get a younger 4A-FE and swap to the 4spd auto (which I'm assuming would be as easy as a same part swap)?

4Aaron GE · 07-21-2005, 01:28 PM

Given that there's an additional sensor, you'd probably want the entire wiring harness as well. However, it is possible to run without a knock sensor and . However, It's debatable whether or not the fuel maps will match up well enough for optimal performance.

Screw it. Just grab another 4A-FE and go turbo.

and if you do turbo, don't forget to beef up that tranny.