Easiest and cheapest swap besides same engine...?

OldSkool · 07-13-2008, 01:56 PM

The reason is this: I want something easy and cheap so I can really pump up
this engine or the swap engine without spending most of the dough on a swap.

I HAVE: A 1987 sunroof and it appears to have...
silver valve cover and black lettering???
MAF sensor (I'm sure on this one)

I believe this makes it the 87.5 or more desirable version.

The big Q is this, is there a larger displacement 4 cylinder that is a near bolt-in?
What is needed for the 3s engines? (links or the quick and dirty version, please!)
Planning on an NA swap initially.

supraguy@aol · 07-17-2008, 02:03 AM

What i've read about, and plan on doing myself, is a 7AGE conversion. It requires the use of a 7AFE shortblock, flywheel and clutch, the 4AGE head, lower timing pulley, and pistons, and throw in a 944 timing belt for good measure. The benefit? more low end torque, reportedly as much as 20-25 ft-lbs. The downside? The longer rods of a 7AFE require a bit more restraint at top end- I got the impression that people usually limit themselves to a 6500-ish redline. The engine is found in the 93-98 Corolla, I believe.

If anyone else has corrections to my info, please post it, as I'm not sure about everything here.

LokiRx7 · 07-17-2008, 07:03 PM

The 7A rods are fine up to about 7200 rpm. Anything past 7500 will shortly spell disaster. But it doesnt matter because by about 6K you will have made all the power the engine will make, and should be looking for the next gear before 6500 anyway.

OldSkool · 07-20-2008, 05:07 PM

This would be OK especially as a stock 7A-FE for the short term...
do the mounts and wiring harness match up worth a darn?

LokiRx7 · 07-20-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldSkool

This would be OK especially as a stock 7A-FE for the short term...
do the mounts and wiring harness match up worth a darn?

The 7A-FE sensors and electrical connectors are all different. All the water outlets are wrong on the 7A-FE head. The mounts are the same. If you are going to the trouble to consider a 7A-GE you should do it right the first time.
It isnt worth your time to swap in a 7A-FE, besides itll be easier to do the conversion with the 7A out of the car.

OldSkool · 07-20-2008, 06:58 PM

It's looking like I have a first gen. 4A-GE 3 rib model, so I'll
probably just seek a 2nd gen. 4A-GE and build that to the hilt

midnite · 07-30-2008, 02:07 AM

black top or silver top cheap and easy no mounts modification and the engine sound cool with the 5 valves per cylinder. :-)

Raptor13x · 07-30-2008, 11:18 AM

Easiest- swap in a supercharged 4age

Second easiest - 20v 4age

mr220v · 07-30-2008, 02:38 PM

20v might be easier in an 85-86 depending on if you get a gze body harness or not.

In any event, 20v's are cheaper than gze's.

TurboSlut · 08-12-2008, 08:13 PM

5s swap, it may not be the easiest but is the cheapest (besides the 4A motor)

mr220v · 08-13-2008, 10:04 AM

^Nah, the cheapest swap would be the 5afe. 1.5L and an FE head. $100 at the pullapart, and you don't have to spend money on that expensive welding rod.

LokiRx7 · 08-13-2008, 12:53 PM

Meh, screw the 5A-FE lets just run out and get a used Briggs and Stratton 6 horse. I can pick one up for $20, and I can make mounts for under $50 if anyones interested.

Although youll need to rip the trans out and weld a steel beam between the hubs with a sprocket on it, we'll be using a chain drive....

Itll be close, but with some spray you might edge out those 5A-FE's....

07-13-2008, 01:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
OldSkool Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: B-Town, Indiana Posts: 50 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Easiest and cheapest swap besides same engine...? The reason is this: I want something easy and cheap so I can really pump up this engine or the swap engine without spending most of the dough on a swap. I HAVE: A 1987 sunroof and it appears to have... silver valve cover and black lettering??? MAF sensor (I'm sure on this one) I believe this makes it the 87.5 or more desirable version. The big Q is this, is there a larger displacement 4 cylinder that is a near bolt-in? What is needed for the 3s engines? (links or the quick and dirty version, please!) Planning on an NA swap initially.

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07-17-2008, 02:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
supraguy@aol No Skills Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	What i've read about, and plan on doing myself, is a 7AGE conversion. It requires the use of a 7AFE shortblock, flywheel and clutch, the 4AGE head, lower timing pulley, and pistons, and throw in a 944 timing belt for good measure. The benefit? more low end torque, reportedly as much as 20-25 ft-lbs. The downside? The longer rods of a 7AFE require a bit more restraint at top end- I got the impression that people usually limit themselves to a 6500-ish redline. The engine is found in the 93-98 Corolla, I believe. If anyone else has corrections to my info, please post it, as I'm not sure about everything here.

07-17-2008, 07:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
LokiRx7 MR2 + Flat Black = FAIL Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.C. Ohio Posts: 315 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	The 7A rods are fine up to about 7200 rpm. Anything past 7500 will shortly spell disaster. But it doesnt matter because by about 6K you will have made all the power the engine will make, and should be looking for the next gear before 6500 anyway.

07-20-2008, 05:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
OldSkool Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: B-Town, Indiana Posts: 50 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	This would be OK especially as a stock 7A-FE for the short term... do the mounts and wiring harness match up worth a darn?

07-20-2008, 06:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
OldSkool Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: B-Town, Indiana Posts: 50 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It's looking like I have a first gen. 4A-GE 3 rib model, so I'll probably just seek a 2nd gen. 4A-GE and build that to the hilt

07-30-2008, 02:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
midnite Beams Owners Group Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 125 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	black top or silver top cheap and easy no mounts modification and the engine sound cool with the 5 valves per cylinder. :-)

07-30-2008, 11:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
Raptor13x Legendary Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 3,989 Thanks: 7 Thanked 40 Times in 34 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	Easiest- swap in a supercharged 4age Second easiest - 20v 4age

07-30-2008, 02:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,791 Thanks: 13 Thanked 139 Times in 117 Posts iTrader Rating: (8/100% )	20v might be easier in an 85-86 depending on if you get a gze body harness or not. In any event, 20v's are cheaper than gze's.

08-12-2008, 08:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
TurboSlut No Skills Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	5s swap, it may not be the easiest but is the cheapest (besides the 4A motor)

08-13-2008, 10:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,791 Thanks: 13 Thanked 139 Times in 117 Posts iTrader Rating: (8/100% )	^Nah, the cheapest swap would be the 5afe. 1.5L and an FE head. $100 at the pullapart, and you don't have to spend money on that expensive welding rod.

08-13-2008, 12:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
LokiRx7 MR2 + Flat Black = FAIL Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.C. Ohio Posts: 315 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Meh, screw the 5A-FE lets just run out and get a used Briggs and Stratton 6 horse. I can pick one up for $20, and I can make mounts for under $50 if anyones interested. Although youll need to rip the trans out and weld a steel beam between the hubs with a sprocket on it, we'll be using a chain drive.... Itll be close, but with some spray you might edge out those 5A-FE's....