93 ST Question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Rockin93ST · 09-26-2005, 01:20 PM

I've always dealt with older American vehicles, so imports are all new to me and I'm looking for some good (fairly cheap) ideas for my 93 ST. I'd like to get a little more power and life out of my little car and I'm not sure where to start. The engine has about 165K on it and I've tossed around the idea of doing a motor swap, but I'm not sure if this is something I need to worry about yet. But I don't want to spend a lot of money on this engine if I'm going to have to replace it in the near future anyway. I've got a fairly decent working knowledge of how things operate, I'm just not sure where to start on this one. Any help/advice/ideas I could get on this one would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

moparman · 09-26-2005, 01:48 PM

hey sounds like we are in the same boat. I just got a 93 ST. and like you i have been working on american stuff all my life. I don't know the first thing about inport stuff. does yours have the 1.6 in it? maybe we will both learn some good stuff on this site.

Ben

Rockin93ST · 09-26-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moparman

hey sounds like we are in the same boat. I just got a 93 ST. and like you i have been working on american stuff all my life. I don't know the first thing about inport stuff. does yours have the 1.6 in it? maybe we will both learn some good stuff on this site.

Ben

She sure does have that rockin 1.6L in her. Whoo....Look Out!

I just ordered an air intake for her. Figured that was a decent little start. I don't want to do too terribly much because bottom line is she's an automatic and you can only do so much for an auto... But I'm still looking for ideas....

boosted gt · 09-26-2005, 07:28 PM

theres not really much you can do to the st motor( 4afe) that is cost effective. normal intake/exhaust mods help but it will still be slow( although faster than a stock st that pulls next to you

) i have a '90 st that im leaving stock. im just gonna drive the hell out of it and enjoy the reliability and mpg

Dr Tweak · 09-26-2005, 11:14 PM

#1 most cost effective mod: engine swap.

Rockin93ST · 09-27-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Tweak

#1 most cost effective mod: engine swap.

LOL, of course, but I wouldn't want to do that much work to something that I'm not 100% happy with elsewhere anyway (ex. she's an auto....) Any other little ideas though?

david in germany · 09-27-2005, 05:04 AM

Guys don't let the 4afe fool you, it is a grat little engine. I have the same top end as a stock gts (135mph) with mine and it does it quickly too. have a custom exhaust built at an exhaust shop but it would be best not to go over 2" pipe with the st ( I think the stock is 1.5")
You can get a header from a corolla to fit and an intake will fit from most companies.
I have actully broke the tires loose in 3 gear on the autobahn in mine. I also had a friend that had a 50 shot of NOS on his that roasted his tires at 120mph when he hit the button. The car has potential but there are very few companies that support it with aftermarket parts...

One of the first things you should check on the car is the exhaust manafold, They will usually crack after about 80k miles (pull the heat shield and look for any carbon build up)
When I replaced mine I spent about 2 weeks, off and on dremmeling the new manafold smooth on the inside, and believe it or not it brought up the responsiveness of the throttle.
Have fun!
David

Dr Tweak · 09-27-2005, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin93ST

LOL, of course, but I wouldn't want to do that much work to something that I'm not 100% happy with elsewhere anyway (ex. she's an auto....) Any other little ideas though?

Okay then, #1 most cost effective mod: Engine swap with auto/manual conversion

http://www.phoenixtuning.com/ Check out the links.

#2 most cost effective mod: Turbocharging.

In my opinion, nothing else is worth the money.

ST185 · 09-28-2005, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Tweak

Okay then, #1 most cost effective mod: Engine swap with auto/manual conversion

http://www.phoenixtuning.com/ Check out the links.

#2 most cost effective mod: Turbocharging.

In my opinion, nothing else is worth the money.

^^^^^
Boost addiction

Snafu · 09-28-2005, 03:48 PM

Who's got a boost addiction??? oh... wait... I do.

The 4AFE is a wonderful engine once it meets boost. I would look into that. PM me if you have questions/are interested.

-Colin

90celicaGT-S · 10-01-2005, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Tweak

Okay then, #1 most cost effective mod: Engine swap with auto/manual conversion

http://www.phoenixtuning.com/ Check out the links.

#2 most cost effective mod: Turbocharging.

In my opinion, nothing else is worth the money.

thats a cool site is that your shop dr. tweak?

fredk · 10-01-2005, 04:46 PM

put a 4age in it

Dr Tweak · 10-01-2005, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90celicaGT-S

thats a cool site is that your shop dr. tweak?

Yeap

90celicaGT-S · 10-02-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Tweak

Yeap

if u didnt live so far away from me i would take my car to your shop when im ready for my swap.

hachi-rocu · 10-02-2005, 01:36 PM

A 4age would probably be a cheap swap than a 3sgte because it should bolt right in. You could also go for a 4agze. Both these motors came in the first MR2 and the corolla GTS (hachi-rocu) they have tons of aftermarket for them and a nice 8000 rpm redline.