4age Conversion.

[x744]

Hey guys, i got a few questions to ask and dont tell me to search because i have and it just doesnt make much sense :/?

I own an AE71 and id just like to know:

First of all, whats the difference between bigport and smallport?

Should i get a 20v or 16v?

How much would be a good price to pay for everything?

Parts that i need with an AE71 :)

Thanks heaps in advance<3

[shift_rook]

There's so much covering this already. First of all what is your budget? A price for 'everything' can be hard as it's hard to find it all for sale unless it's a wrecked car, will you be taking it on yourself?

[x744]

i dont think ill be doing it myself tbh, i dont have the knowledge :/ but there isnt much of a budget, if i was to but a written off car with a 4age in it, what else would i need? just the rwd inlet?

[shift_rook]

To pay a mechanic to put in in for you and do all the wiring i'd be budgeting 3-4k including parts, can be half if you do it yourself. Smallport NEEDS cut and shut intake manifold due to never coming in RWD configuration. Is the AE71 Manual or AUto? May be worth messaging me.

[the witzl]

16V Bigport has big ports, and is older. And slower.
16V Smallport has smaller ports, and is more modern.

When doing either 16V engine conversion, it will cost you around $2000-3000, depending on how much you can do yourself, and how thrifty you are in buying parts.

20V is much more expensive to convert into a RWD configuration. You will usually need to go for aftermarket ECU, have to get special water outlet adaptor plates, convert the distributor to a CAS, and a few other stuff arounds.
This is more of a $4000 conversion, maybe more.



Of course, if you know exactly what you are doing it can be done cheaper - but i dont imagine you fit into this category.


EDIT: getting someone else to do it will cost a lot more, unless you find someone who is willing to donate their time to do a backyard job at a discount rate.
I've done it a few times before, and charged around $1000 labour on top of parts costs for the privledge.
PM me for more info.

[Matt]

Difference between the engines

Bigport - ~86kw
Smallport - ~100kw
20v - ~120ishkw)

How serious are you about doing this? 4-5k on this conversion isn't unusual to spend if you pay someone to do the lot.

[AJPS]

small ports are the pick of the bunch taking everything into account

[Jimmee1990]

If you don't have a budget and you can't do anything yourself, I think that kinda puts engine conversions out of the picture. Far cheaper option to buy an already converted car as long as it's been done well. Also, JDM AE86 bigports are actually rated at 98kw FYI.

[the witzl]

for area under curve (ie, full range of power output, not just peak power), the smallport is the best of the 16v motors.
its also my no.1 choice for bang for buck n/a 4ag conversions, especially in the lighter KE70/AE71.

[timbo]

Agreed. My smallport keeps up with silvertops, quicker than a bigport on 272's and those late model Corolla Sportivo's! I'm not ragging on anyone here either! Fully rebuilt and all it has is bigport cams, TRD 0.8mm HG with a slightly shaved head, TRD copy headers and 2.25" mandrel bent exhaust and a decent cold air/filter set up.

[s13 james]

if you have cash do a blacktop:rolleyes:,need rwd water crap,cas,blank off plates,ecu to run quads properly, but itll be awesome

[El-GringoDRF774]

Im doing the cnversion on mine atm and so far its been $2200 i have a jdm big port but im still after quiet a few parts, Im doing it myself also =) fun but costly ide rather buy my s13 back and build it but cant stop now lol =)

[s13 james]

end of the day it costs money to play cars

[timbo]

end of the day it costs money to play cars

Couldn't agree more, but as time goes buy you start working out how to do and buy things cheaply, or at least I have!

[x744]

so wouldnt it be cheaper to buy say an ae92 or whatnot with a 4age inside it? and take it out and just get the rwd conversion parts?

[Matt]

Cheapest definately is fwd car, remove engine and cut n shut the manifold.

Run all fwd water pump, cooling etc. and have a thermo fan. That is assuming you aren't doing a 20v.

[x744]

beautiful ! thats exactly what im going to do, cheers matt

[blake.]

I did the smallport convertion in my ae71 but used jdm rwd cooling gear. Was alright but a lot better once I had 4:77's and a haltec.


Though I wouldn't do a 4age convertion agen. Depends on what you want tho. Just not enough power and reliability, so I'm going down the sr20 path now.

[x744]

oo, how much did the jdm rwd gear set you back? and why not? arnt they quick?

[blake.]

I spent almost $1000 getting it all from Toyota, including alternator brackets.

They are quick, can beat V6 vt/vx's and 5L vs's, but I want more, a lot more.

Pretty good when your on your p's tho.

[x744]

thats good, think you'd stand a chance against a supra or s2k? and yeah im still on my l's so it should be a decent car, i mean 1.6 is good on fuel too

[slipn]

I spent almost $1000 getting it all from Toyota, including alternator brackets.

They are quick, can beat V6 vt/vx's and 5L vs's, but I want more, a lot more.

Pretty good when your on your p's tho.

You can still buy this 4age stuff from Toyota?

[AJPS]

You can still buy this 4age stuff from Toyota?

most of it, but it cost a lot and they arent making a lot of stuff anymore so once its gone...

still have a fair bit tho

[AJPS]

oo, how much did the jdm rwd gear set you back? and why not? arnt they quick?

dont get a 4age if you want to race other cars in the drags or want to go 'quick'

they are a great engine, even by new car standards (in same class) - reliable, revvy, responsive, nice power delivery and good to learn to drive (not as in L plates) as in learn how to drive with low power and they suit the car perfectly - not too much you need big brakes/diff/clutch etc - awesome in the hills

most people that use them now are to fit into a specific motorsport category or to retain originality/ease of conversion/legality/pplates

but if youre buying it to beat supras and s2000s you will be dissapointed

if you want to beat them turbo it, but that comes with its own set of issues

[x744]

nah i just want to slide around on the track and make sure it moves more than the stupid 4ac LMAO.

Im just after a little more power and seeing as it wont cost that much it should be okay i guess. The ae71 should get me through my red p's :)

[blake.]

As Dave said they aren't 'fast', 'fun' would more suit it.

Not a chance one will beat a s2k or supra in ba form, hence the reason Im going down the sr path.

If you ever want to have a look at my car in the flesh and see how a 4age performs let me know and we could meet up.

[x744]

sure thing mate, id love to meet up see how it goes! 0420 230 088, hit me up when you get a chance brother :)

[the witzl]

personally i wouldnt bother buying a complete AE92 with the 4age engine in it.
THe only parts you need are the complete engine will all ancillaries bolted on, wiring loom and ecu.
THe entire rest of the fwd car is useless, except the remote thermostat housing, which you can get from pick n payless for like $20.

[Matt]

The value of the car now it's much of a muchness to buy a complete car or just an engine

[lolwat]

buy 500 FWD corolla, remove everything you need/want, scrap it for 150-200
$300 4a, enjoy finding one for that(thats not completely fucked)

[the witzl]

Good luck finding a non fooked sx or gti corolla for less than $2k.

[lolwat]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/merrylands/cars/1991-toyota-corolla-sx-seca-4age-100kw-ae92-ae93-wrecking-only/1004757000
boom wrecking one

there are like 5complete on gumtree all under 2k

[the witzl]

yep i know the merrylands guy, he wants over $800 for engine loom and ecu... i think maybe with a C52 gearbox.
Bit steep for an "unknown" engine.

i can only find 3 on gumtree in sydney region, for $2000, $2500neg and $3999.
Thats a LOT to pay for a 4age long motor - cos thats all you need to convert a KE70/AE71/AE86.


But hey, im just some bloke on the interwebnets. :D

[x744]

hmm, so how am i supposed to get one?

[timbo]

Jon and I picked up a smallport with everything, except gb, for $450. I've torn it down and it is amazing, block is so clean inside and the head isn't too bad either, just needs more elbow grease.

[the witzl]

You just gotta lookand be prepared to buy when the right one pops up

A bit of luck doesn't go astray either :)

[Skylar]

I got my 4a from a ae82 I bought from pickles damaged vehicle auctions. Bought an auto ae82 fx-gt for 300 bucks, parted the rest out and got 295 bucks back. $5 motor. BOOM.

[timbo]

^ Haha, that is awesome. I guess it's also a gamble if you buy a motor already out of a car, I was lucky that I saw the state of the AE93 that it came out of. Reasonably high k's but completely nana spec, sheep skin covers etc!

[meadan]

Yeah, just keep trawling the internet.

If youre happy to tow a complete car it will be much easier.

I bought a complete ae92 sx hatch for $300, it just had no radiator, shifter and a crap load of rust. Stripped the car, kept the engine and made about $300 on it.

[x744]

meadan where'd you find it? cause thats exactly what i'd do, my neighbour has a car trailer and my dad as a landcruiser hahah

[lolwat]

gumtree, ebay

[x744]

hey guys, is $650 for a complete silvertop a good buy?

[AJPS]

nah i just want to slide around on the track and make sure it moves more than the stupid 4ac LMAO.

Im just after a little more power and seeing as it wont cost that much it should be okay i guess. The ae71 should get me through my red p's :)

you can slide with the 4ac

its great to learn with to be honest

[lolwat]

yes