need info for a 4AGZE rebuild

jameys18 · 09-05-2009, 10:26 PM

I just bought a 88 SC MR2 that has 318K miles on it and a bad rod bearing. It's pretty obvious that at this point the car needs a rebuild. Thus the reason for this thread!!!!

In the end I want a MR2 that is faster than stock while still being dependable, and has amazing handeling.

I have been out of the import world for quite a few years now and although i've owned 4 MR2s in the past i have never worked on one. (all mine ran flawlessly). So if any one has a guide or can shoot me in the right direction please do!

If i'm going to pull the motor and trans out of the car to do a rebuild what parts should i buy instead of stock parts to improve performance and what should i leave stock?

Should I rebuild myself and learn as i go or save and pay a shop to rebuild it. I am pretty good mechanically, i just dont know anything about MR2's.

I just want to make sure I do the best i can with it while i have the motor out since it will be soooo much easier to work on.

jameys18 · 09-06-2009, 03:10 PM

Where can I get a rebuild kit for my 4agze? I'm going to need a new crank, rods, and possibly new pistons as well.

The engine has 300k. Will I need to bore the block due to wear and if so where can I get bigger pistons

weapon5 · 09-07-2009, 12:37 AM

Don't quote me but I would look for 4age parts and as for pistons just make sure they are low com and not high as your is a sc. get lighter pully. That all I can tell you. rare find for one of those cause I been looking for one lol anyways I didn't give you much info or info you already know sorry bro Good luck

donnyavery · 09-07-2009, 12:23 PM

here is a link to the place i got my parts for the last 4agt(z)e build they dont list the ze motor kits you have to call them but they list every thingRace Engineering, Inc - 4AG

Jackstand Queen · 09-07-2009, 04:26 PM

Here's a link I posted on rebuilds

http://www.mr2.com/forums/general-ma...s-garbage.html

Despite the content of that link, I'm in the middle of a rebuild. About the best I can throw together is an engine with the equivalent of about 100k miles wear on it, or more. Toyota's came out of the factory with 1/2 of 1000th of an inch of oil clearance on the bearings. A sheet of paper is 3 thousandths thick. For a machine shop to achieve the factory standard is not likely.

I'd invest in some mircrometers and use plastiguage to measure your engine parts fitment.

Horsepower improvements depend on your budget, and the smog regulations where you live. So performance recommendations will have to wait until you tell us more about your situation.

jameys18 · 09-07-2009, 09:20 PM

Does any one know a reputable machine shop in the South East? preferably around atlanta, greenville, etc

traintech86 · 09-07-2009, 10:12 PM

you'd probly save money and trouble by just getting a new gze imported.

sckidpad · 09-07-2009, 11:26 PM

I bought a used 89 gz motor(used from japan) for $700 and its still running. All I did is changed the head gasket and got a valve job. Probably had more than 150,000 miles on it.

Jackstand Queen · 09-08-2009, 12:24 AM

used Jspec engines are a very good route to go. They can get pretty technical with wiring, ECU, and ignitor changes. However these engines are around 20 years old too. You ought to change out all the seals and gaskets on a jspec, before installing.

mr2tim · 09-08-2009, 05:15 PM

Looks like your getting some sound advice on the engine aspects.

Since you've been away from Mr2's You may wish to check on the c-52 as a replacement for the E-51. (info in our archives) I just about gagged and fell over when I got my last super-inflated Toyota OEM parts rebuild quote on the E-51 from SE Toyota. My total cost for the parts conversion to the c-52 was $400.

Also if you have deep pockets there is a 6 speed conversion nowadays which I have seen in England via email.

Here's hoping you don't need to do any of this work and your 300K tranny is useable, I got 280,000 miles on my S/C clutch BTW.

I'm voting for the JDM engine swap in lieu of headaches and tons of time investment with a rebuild.

Keep us posted & good luck!

09-05-2009, 10:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
jameys18 No Skills Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	need info for a 4AGZE rebuild I just bought a 88 SC MR2 that has 318K miles on it and a bad rod bearing. It's pretty obvious that at this point the car needs a rebuild. Thus the reason for this thread!!!! In the end I want a MR2 that is faster than stock while still being dependable, and has amazing handeling. I have been out of the import world for quite a few years now and although i've owned 4 MR2s in the past i have never worked on one. (all mine ran flawlessly). So if any one has a guide or can shoot me in the right direction please do! If i'm going to pull the motor and trans out of the car to do a rebuild what parts should i buy instead of stock parts to improve performance and what should i leave stock? Should I rebuild myself and learn as i go or save and pay a shop to rebuild it. I am pretty good mechanically, i just dont know anything about MR2's. I just want to make sure I do the best i can with it while i have the motor out since it will be soooo much easier to work on.

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09-06-2009, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
jameys18 No Skills Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Where can I get a rebuild kit for my 4agze? I'm going to need a new crank, rods, and possibly new pistons as well. The engine has 300k. Will I need to bore the block due to wear and if so where can I get bigger pistons

09-07-2009, 12:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
weapon5 Some Skills Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 95 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Don't quote me but I would look for 4age parts and as for pistons just make sure they are low com and not high as your is a sc. get lighter pully. That all I can tell you. rare find for one of those cause I been looking for one lol anyways I didn't give you much info or info you already know sorry bro Good luck

09-07-2009, 12:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
donnyavery body tech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: berwick pa 18603 Posts: 663 Thanks: 23 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	here is a link to the place i got my parts for the last 4agt(z)e build they dont list the ze motor kits you have to call them but they list every thingRace Engineering, Inc - 4AG

09-07-2009, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jackstand Queen Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 840 Thanks: 75 Thanked 64 Times in 60 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Here's a link I posted on rebuilds http://www.mr2.com/forums/general-ma...s-garbage.html Despite the content of that link, I'm in the middle of a rebuild. About the best I can throw together is an engine with the equivalent of about 100k miles wear on it, or more. Toyota's came out of the factory with 1/2 of 1000th of an inch of oil clearance on the bearings. A sheet of paper is 3 thousandths thick. For a machine shop to achieve the factory standard is not likely. I'd invest in some mircrometers and use plastiguage to measure your engine parts fitment. Horsepower improvements depend on your budget, and the smog regulations where you live. So performance recommendations will have to wait until you tell us more about your situation.

09-07-2009, 09:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
jameys18 No Skills Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Does any one know a reputable machine shop in the South East? preferably around atlanta, greenville, etc

09-07-2009, 10:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
traintech86 Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Yokosuka, Kanagawa Japan Posts: 1,802 Thanks: 27 Thanked 47 Times in 43 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	you'd probly save money and trouble by just getting a new gze imported.

09-07-2009, 11:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
sckidpad No Skills Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I bought a used 89 gz motor(used from japan) for $700 and its still running. All I did is changed the head gasket and got a valve job. Probably had more than 150,000 miles on it.

09-08-2009, 12:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jackstand Queen Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 840 Thanks: 75 Thanked 64 Times in 60 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	used Jspec engines are a very good route to go. They can get pretty technical with wiring, ECU, and ignitor changes. However these engines are around 20 years old too. You ought to change out all the seals and gaskets on a jspec, before installing.

09-08-2009, 05:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
mr2tim SUPERcharZed ToyZ RacZer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,789 Thanks: 8 Thanked 118 Times in 111 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	Looks like your getting some sound advice on the engine aspects. Since you've been away from Mr2's You may wish to check on the c-52 as a replacement for the E-51. (info in our archives) I just about gagged and fell over when I got my last super-inflated Toyota OEM parts rebuild quote on the E-51 from SE Toyota. My total cost for the parts conversion to the c-52 was $400. Also if you have deep pockets there is a 6 speed conversion nowadays which I have seen in England via email. Here's hoping you don't need to do any of this work and your 300K tranny is useable, I got 280,000 miles on my S/C clutch BTW. I'm voting for the JDM engine swap in lieu of headaches and tons of time investment with a rebuild. Keep us posted & good luck!