Bluetop rebuild ideas

hexapus · 06-04-2009, 06:52 AM

Ok, so after months without my car, a blown head-gasket, loads of engine drama, and more smoke than a coffeehouse in Amsterdam, I've finally sourced a decent replacement motor from a corolla GTS (redtop, yay!). 110Kmi on it, which is half that of my original, and not a bad deal for $150 (even included a new clutch!)

So, that leaves me with a spare bluetop with 225k on the clock sitting around. I'd scrap it, but what fun is that? I'm going to snag a $50 engine stand from Harbor Freight, throw the sucker on my back porch, and wrench on it in my spare time.

I'd like suggestions on the awesomeness that would be possible here. It'll be a nice, leisurely build, seeing as how I'll have a running car again, and I'm looking for the best possible bang-for-buck mods, hopefully getting me as close to 200HP as possible.

I haven't looked at it carefully yet, but it's out of an 87, so let's assume, for the sake of argument, that it's sporting the 7-rib block, and we can go from there!

Some ideas I've played with are turbocharging, megasquirt, port-and-polish, etc...etc. But I'm shooting for a decent backyard rebuild for best performance that I can get out of this motor. I will send what I have to out for machine work, but extra points for DIY suggestions! Since there's nothing really at stake, I'm willing to try your craziest ideas!

Ready? Go!

hexapus · 06-15-2009, 10:29 PM

Update...lied to about the replacement engine's condition, and it's as bad, if not worse than the original engine. *facepalm*

I can't win. I can't win.

toyotaspeed90 · 06-25-2009, 03:58 PM

when you buy a redtop from someone, make sure it's a 90 or 91... otherwise you're still just buying a bigport.

your best bet would be to go the way of 7age.... or you will have to just do a rebuild with high comp pistons (stock or higher comp), shave head, big cams... might get you to like 150-160.... if you want more then the route would be boost.... either way will require at least a piggy back computer if not standalone.

06-04-2009, 06:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
hexapus No Skills Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 43 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Bluetop rebuild ideas Ok, so after months without my car, a blown head-gasket, loads of engine drama, and more smoke than a coffeehouse in Amsterdam, I've finally sourced a decent replacement motor from a corolla GTS (redtop, yay!). 110Kmi on it, which is half that of my original, and not a bad deal for $150 (even included a new clutch!) So, that leaves me with a spare bluetop with 225k on the clock sitting around. I'd scrap it, but what fun is that? I'm going to snag a $50 engine stand from Harbor Freight, throw the sucker on my back porch, and wrench on it in my spare time. I'd like suggestions on the awesomeness that would be possible here. It'll be a nice, leisurely build, seeing as how I'll have a running car again, and I'm looking for the best possible bang-for-buck mods, hopefully getting me as close to 200HP as possible. I haven't looked at it carefully yet, but it's out of an 87, so let's assume, for the sake of argument, that it's sporting the 7-rib block, and we can go from there! Some ideas I've played with are turbocharging, megasquirt, port-and-polish, etc...etc. But I'm shooting for a decent backyard rebuild for best performance that I can get out of this motor. I will send what I have to out for machine work, but extra points for DIY suggestions! Since there's nothing really at stake, I'm willing to try your craziest ideas! Ready? Go!

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06-15-2009, 10:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
hexapus No Skills Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 43 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Update...lied to about the replacement engine's condition, and it's as bad, if not worse than the original engine. facepalm I can't win. I can't win.

06-25-2009, 03:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
toyotaspeed90 No Skills Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 379 Thanks: 0 Thanked 29 Times in 29 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	when you buy a redtop from someone, make sure it's a 90 or 91... otherwise you're still just buying a bigport. your best bet would be to go the way of 7age.... or you will have to just do a rebuild with high comp pistons (stock or higher comp), shave head, big cams... might get you to like 150-160.... if you want more then the route would be boost.... either way will require at least a piggy back computer if not standalone.