4A-GE MK1 Engine 4A-GE Upgrades

stlkid2008 · 11-23-2009, 10:02 PM

Ok so I just bought an 86 MR2 not too long ago so I'm not too savvy on these cars or motors right now. I was wondering if there are any simple perfromance upgrades that I can do that aren't going to break the bank. Any advice would help.

Thanks

ebouwman · 11-23-2009, 10:54 PM

How many miles are on it?

Before you touch the engine though, see about getting a rear sway bar from an 85, thats what i did. It's more bang for the buck than spending that much money on the engine.

IDon'tKnow · 11-23-2009, 11:23 PM

Start here: Bill Sherwood's Modified 4AGE Page

And then realize that for all the money you are going to spend trying to milk NA hp out of the 4AGE, you are better off going another route.

Probably the most common upgrade, an inexpensive homemade intake setup like the one in this Thread.

IDon'tKnow · 11-23-2009, 11:25 PM

Good luck and Welcome.

stlkid2008 · 11-24-2009, 09:52 PM

Its got 231 thousand miles so i know its lost quite a few since it was new. Im just looking to get it somewhere back around the factory rating.

ebouwman · 11-25-2009, 04:19 PM

Thats a lot of miles...

I would just do the cold air intake, beyond that you'll be spending lots of money on it for little gain just like "IDon'tKnow" said.

But you can go in and do tune up stuff, that can actually make a pretty big difference. Spark plugs, wires, distributor rotor and cap, all that stuff.

What i found made a big difference in my 2 was doing the valve clearances, that was a real pain to do but made my car run better, and improved my top end.

Beyond doing these things you'll start to spend too much imo

stlkid2008 · 11-26-2009, 01:43 PM

Ok, thanks a lot guys

Xenon676 · 11-26-2009, 02:51 PM

From all the research I have done on 4AGE's its really a wonder guys bother, especially the guys who race with them. Engine Swap is the best thing IMO for street performance. 3SGTE =

Capt.Evergreen · 11-26-2009, 04:55 PM

4aze - supercharger + turbo + tuneing = fun time 1.6

scottohno · 11-27-2009, 11:55 AM

+1 for the sway bar. if you want awesome handling go to an eibach pro kit, kyb gr2 strut cartiges, and the sway bar kit from twosrus.com. if you want power out of the motor, do an intake, exhaust, and maybe some came. but with cams youre breaking the bank. all depends on what you want

IDon'tKnow · 11-27-2009, 12:43 PM

Run to the parts store and buy yourself a compression test kit. Your motor might not be worth putting money into. If it has +230k miles on it you might just be better off hunting for a swap; I doubt any basic modifications are going to get you even back to factory original let alone an improvment.

I would think that doing a GZE or 20V swap would be in your best interest.

stlkid2008 · 11-27-2009, 03:17 PM

Is a motor swap something that can be done in a driveway?

IDon'tKnow · 11-27-2009, 03:34 PM

If you have to ask, the answer is no.

ToyotaTechGeek · 11-27-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlkid2008

Is a motor swap something that can be done in a driveway?

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDon'tKnow

If you have to ask, the answer is no.

but also depends on the driveway; it would suck to work on a macadam driveway

stlkid2008 · 11-28-2009, 05:45 PM

Well like I said, I'm just wanting to do a couple small simple things as this is going to be my run around car to and from work and going other places. My main toy is my 91 K5 blazer, so I dont want to put too much money into it just now so the 4A-GE will be in it for a while.

YellowJacket · 11-28-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlkid2008

Ok so I just bought an 86 MR2 not too long ago so I'm not too savvy on these cars or motors right now. I was wondering if there are any simple perfromance upgrades that I can do that aren't going to break the bank. Any advice would help.

Thanks

There are some basic maintenance things you NEED to do and learn in order ensure you dont trash your car and blow the head gasket. Dont mess around with the cooling system if it has a problem. Address it immediately if it has any leaks or problems with overheating....

Do you have any issues with your 86? If its running great, then with the age on your engine, I would leave it alone and keep fresh oil in it. Make sure the cooling system is running tip top, and then enjoy driving it while you fix any interior or exterior cosmetic items.

Outside of the engine upgrades, since these are a "canyon carver" first and a race car second, I think you could really put money in the suspension and get your biggest gains there.... poly bushings, for example. Cheap but with big gains.... thats a start.... the more you tweak your suspension, the more fun the car will be.

stlkid2008 · 11-28-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowJacket

There are some basic maintenance things you NEED to do and learn in order ensure you dont trash your car and blow the head gasket. Dont mess around with the cooling system if it has a problem. Address it immediately if it has any leaks or problems with overheating....

Do you have any issues with your 86? If its running great, then with the age on your engine, I would leave it alone and keep fresh oil in it. Make sure the cooling system is running tip top, and then enjoy driving it while you fix any interior or exterior cosmetic items.

Outside of the engine upgrades, since these are a "canyon carver" first and a race car second, I think you could really put money in the suspension and get your biggest gains there.... poly bushings, for example. Cheap but with big gains.... thats a start.... the more you tweak your suspension, the more fun the car will be.

The car doesnt have any overheating problems what so ever. Im pretty sure the motor is solid except for a small exhaust leak somewhere, its got a slight tick to it. Sadly the clutch is starting to go out, started slipping a little on me today. I have read somewhere that in 85 toyota stopped putting rear sway bars in the cars but continued to manufacture the struts with the tabs still on. How do I know if my car has the tabs on it? Would addin the rear sway bar make much of a change in how the car corners? How hard would it be to get a hold of one?

YellowJacket · 11-28-2009, 08:10 PM

Not too hard to find... I see them under $50 if you do find one on a part out...
Good to hear its solid... you probably have a crack on the #4 runner on the exhaust manifold... most of them do.
If you dont have tabs you can buy 87-89 MKI Rear Sway Bar Retro Tabs at twosrus

Otherwise they look similar to this

Twosrus tabs: Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2

Aftermarket sway bar $175 from ST Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2

and either way you would need the endlinks. $99 Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2

So you see, it can be expensive.... You can get the whole bushing kit for $100 bucks or so with a BIG improvement if you are stock.
Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2
Those can be a chore slightly to put in... depends on if you rent the right tools from Autozone, or have somene do it....

stlkid2008 · 11-29-2009, 10:46 AM

Ok cool. Thanks a lot for the info.

scottohno · 12-03-2009, 12:45 AM

are the ST swaybars red? is there a color option? god forbid i should paint them myself

oh. and can i see where you mounted the swaybar bushings under the car?

and its $100 per pair for those... eesh. ima need $500 for the sway bars to get put in and another 105 for the bushings...eesh

11-23-2009, 10:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
stlkid2008 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	4A-GE Upgrades Ok so I just bought an 86 MR2 not too long ago so I'm not too savvy on these cars or motors right now. I was wondering if there are any simple perfromance upgrades that I can do that aren't going to break the bank. Any advice would help. Thanks

11-23-2009, 10:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC Posts: 1,600 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	How many miles are on it? Before you touch the engine though, see about getting a rear sway bar from an 85, thats what i did. It's more bang for the buck than spending that much money on the engine. Last edited by ebouwman; 11-23-2009 at 11:07 PM..

11-26-2009, 02:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Xenon676 Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 140 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	4AGE / lots of parts = CASH for little HP gains From all the research I have done on 4AGE's its really a wonder guys bother, especially the guys who race with them. Engine Swap is the best thing IMO for street performance. 3SGTE =

12-03-2009, 12:45 AM	#20 (permalink)
scottohno control your hose Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fox Lake, IL Posts: 5,100 Thanks: 43 Thanked 93 Times in 83 Posts iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	are the ST swaybars red? is there a color option? god forbid i should paint them myself oh. and can i see where you mounted the swaybar bushings under the car? and its $100 per pair for those... eesh. ima need $500 for the sway bars to get put in and another 105 for the bushings...eesh Last edited by scottohno; 12-03-2009 at 01:01 AM..

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11-23-2009, 11:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
IDon'tKnow but I can find out. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC Posts: 392 Thanks: 6 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Start here: Bill Sherwood's Modified 4AGE Page And then realize that for all the money you are going to spend trying to milk NA hp out of the 4AGE, you are better off going another route. Probably the most common upgrade, an inexpensive homemade intake setup like the one in this Thread.

11-23-2009, 11:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
IDon'tKnow but I can find out. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC Posts: 392 Thanks: 6 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Good luck and Welcome.

11-24-2009, 09:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
stlkid2008 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Its got 231 thousand miles so i know its lost quite a few since it was new. Im just looking to get it somewhere back around the factory rating.

11-25-2009, 04:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC Posts: 1,600 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thats a lot of miles... I would just do the cold air intake, beyond that you'll be spending lots of money on it for little gain just like "IDon'tKnow" said. But you can go in and do tune up stuff, that can actually make a pretty big difference. Spark plugs, wires, distributor rotor and cap, all that stuff. What i found made a big difference in my 2 was doing the valve clearances, that was a real pain to do but made my car run better, and improved my top end. Beyond doing these things you'll start to spend too much imo

11-26-2009, 01:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
stlkid2008 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Ok, thanks a lot guys

11-26-2009, 04:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Capt.Evergreen that guy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ATL GA Posts: 439 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/100% )	4aze - supercharger + turbo + tuneing = fun time 1.6

11-27-2009, 11:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
scottohno control your hose Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fox Lake, IL Posts: 5,100 Thanks: 43 Thanked 93 Times in 83 Posts iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	+1 for the sway bar. if you want awesome handling go to an eibach pro kit, kyb gr2 strut cartiges, and the sway bar kit from twosrus.com. if you want power out of the motor, do an intake, exhaust, and maybe some came. but with cams youre breaking the bank. all depends on what you want

11-27-2009, 12:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
IDon'tKnow but I can find out. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC Posts: 392 Thanks: 6 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Run to the parts store and buy yourself a compression test kit. Your motor might not be worth putting money into. If it has +230k miles on it you might just be better off hunting for a swap; I doubt any basic modifications are going to get you even back to factory original let alone an improvment. I would think that doing a GZE or 20V swap would be in your best interest.

11-27-2009, 03:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
stlkid2008 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Is a motor swap something that can be done in a driveway?

11-27-2009, 03:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
IDon'tKnow but I can find out. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC Posts: 392 Thanks: 6 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	If you have to ask, the answer is no.

11-28-2009, 05:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
stlkid2008 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Well like I said, I'm just wanting to do a couple small simple things as this is going to be my run around car to and from work and going other places. My main toy is my 91 K5 blazer, so I dont want to put too much money into it just now so the 4A-GE will be in it for a while.

11-28-2009, 08:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
YellowJacket 1985 16v NA 6-speed Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 415 Thanks: 8 Thanked 31 Times in 24 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Not too hard to find... I see them under $50 if you do find one on a part out... Good to hear its solid... you probably have a crack on the #4 runner on the exhaust manifold... most of them do. If you dont have tabs you can buy 87-89 MKI Rear Sway Bar Retro Tabs at twosrus Otherwise they look similar to this Twosrus tabs: Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2 Aftermarket sway bar $175 from ST Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2 and either way you would need the endlinks. $99 Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2 So you see, it can be expensive.... You can get the whole bushing kit for $100 bucks or so with a BIG improvement if you are stock. Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2 Those can be a chore slightly to put in... depends on if you rent the right tools from Autozone, or have somene do it....

11-29-2009, 10:46 AM	#19 (permalink)
stlkid2008 No Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 22 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Ok cool. Thanks a lot for the info.