Corolla/Prism Fun?

4cylndrfury wrote: I had a 95 with the 4afe. 1.4 liters is not much to work with, especially in a sedan. But to be honest, a set of wrapped fleabay headers, an axleback muffler, some good rubber, brakes, a strut tower bar, and advancing the timing made the thing fun as hell. Momentum driving to be sure, but very rewarding for very cheap. I had planned on a lighter flywheel and lighter valve retainers to help it rev. But before I got a chance, the thing began to leak fuel from the tank and several of the hard lines, ad it was gonna cost too much to fix. A 4ag swap with the rest of what I mentioned in a 90s body would lead to hoonage on the finest level. The later 98-02 body was better looking IMHO than the 93-97 in the AE101 iteration, and also had better corrosion resistance - if you can find one cheap (and you really should), Id go that route...

Certainly isn't. That's why you had 1.6.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Also, if you go a little older, like... early 90s, you can get these and the Prism both with the 4age. And well... i don't think i need to say more.

I did a lot of research on AE92 models (88-92) and the only ones with a 4AGE is the FX16 hatch and GTS Coupe.

I had an '89 Wagon that I was planning to swap the 4AFE out with a 4AGE but it rotted out before I did it.

For all AE92 and AE101 corollas, the 4AGE is a direct swap. IIRC it uses the same wiring harness.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Also, if you go a little older, like... early 90s, you can get these and the Prism both with the 4age. And well... i don't think i need to say more.

I did a lot of research on AE92 models (88-92) and the only ones with a 4AGE is the FX16 hatch and GTS Coupe. I had an '89 Wagon that I was planning to swap the 4AFE out with a 4AGE but it rotted out before I did it. For all AE92 and AE101 corollas, the 4AGE is a direct swap. IIRC it uses the same wiring harness.

Prism GSI.

I still think the 7afe 20v hybrid would be my personal choice along with a good tune

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote: I had a 95 with the 4afe. 1.4 liters is not much to work with, especially in a sedan. But to be honest, a set of wrapped fleabay headers, an axleback muffler, some good rubber, brakes, a strut tower bar, and advancing the timing made the thing fun as hell. Momentum driving to be sure, but very rewarding for very cheap. I had planned on a lighter flywheel and lighter valve retainers to help it rev. But before I got a chance, the thing began to leak fuel from the tank and several of the hard lines, ad it was gonna cost too much to fix. A 4ag swap with the rest of what I mentioned in a 90s body would lead to hoonage on the finest level. The later 98-02 body was better looking IMHO than the 93-97 in the AE101 iteration, and also had better corrosion resistance - if you can find one cheap (and you really should), Id go that route...

Certainly isn't. That's why you had 1.6.

iFail

4cylndrfury wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote: I had a 95 with the 4afe. 1.4 liters is not much to work with, especially in a sedan. But to be honest, a set of wrapped fleabay headers, an axleback muffler, some good rubber, brakes, a strut tower bar, and advancing the timing made the thing fun as hell. Momentum driving to be sure, but very rewarding for very cheap. I had planned on a lighter flywheel and lighter valve retainers to help it rev. But before I got a chance, the thing began to leak fuel from the tank and several of the hard lines, ad it was gonna cost too much to fix. A 4ag swap with the rest of what I mentioned in a 90s body would lead to hoonage on the finest level. The later 98-02 body was better looking IMHO than the 93-97 in the AE101 iteration, and also had better corrosion resistance - if you can find one cheap (and you really should), Id go that route...

Certainly isn't. That's why you had 1.6.

iFail

iTease, iTease.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote: I had a 95 with the 4afe. 1.4 liters is not much to work with, especially in a sedan. But to be honest, a set of wrapped fleabay headers, an axleback muffler, some good rubber, brakes, a strut tower bar, and advancing the timing made the thing fun as hell. Momentum driving to be sure, but very rewarding for very cheap. I had planned on a lighter flywheel and lighter valve retainers to help it rev. But before I got a chance, the thing began to leak fuel from the tank and several of the hard lines, ad it was gonna cost too much to fix. A 4ag swap with the rest of what I mentioned in a 90s body would lead to hoonage on the finest level. The later 98-02 body was better looking IMHO than the 93-97 in the AE101 iteration, and also had better corrosion resistance - if you can find one cheap (and you really should), Id go that route...

Certainly isn't. That's why you had 1.6.

iFail

iTease, iTease.

iKeed iKeed

Interesting thread. A short time ago, this GM guy obtained a 2000 Corolla that needs engine work or a engine replacement (1.8). auto trans, pw, pl, factory alum wheels, and power sunroof.

Can get a 20v blacktop for like... $700 from certain engine importers

Its number one export is revs and noise.

I've had LOTS of corollas. Would rather have an older gsi prizm than any newer option. And for the money I'd rather search wider and longer for an old 3tc example than any other for the money.

79-83 corollas remind me in a lot of ways of my e30's.

belteshazzar wrote: I've had LOTS of corollas. Would rather have an older gsi prizm than any newer option. And for the money I'd rather search wider and longer for an old 3tc example than any other for the money.

Can you elaborate? Why the GSi prism? What years do you mean by "older"?

Well, being inspired by this thread, I just got back from driving the family prizm. I haven't touched it in over a year.

I don't care what anyone says. The 1.8L prizms are FUN AS HELL to drive.

This one happens to be in 9.5/10 condition though, so maybe I just think that cars without blown struts, brakes, motor, clutch, transmission, bushings are fun to drive.

Here is my 1990 Prizm LSi that I got back in 1990. Lasted about 6 years before the engine blew. Mainly because of lack of care taken on it. Loved the car, though. The picture was taken around 1991 or so. There are wheels and tires on it. The wheels were painted black and I really wasn't "photo-savvy" with lighting and such.

ProDarwin wrote:

belteshazzar wrote: I've had LOTS of corollas. Would rather have an older gsi prizm than any newer option. And for the money I'd rather search wider and longer for an old 3tc example than any other for the money.

Can you elaborate? Why the GSi prism? What years do you mean by "older"?

GSi's have the 4AGE, which is more fun than the engines any of the newer corollas and prizms came with, imo.

Taiden wrote: I still think the 7afe 20v hybrid would be my personal choice along with a good tune

This can be done?

A handful of people have done it. I chatted on the phone with a guy (I think from Puerto Rico) who essentially did a healthy 7afe with the blacktop head and the appropriate timing belt. I believe it was a 944 belt. He then threw an ebay header on it, whichever one was considered to be the 'most proven'. It was then tuned on a Hydra and he claimed it made ~180 whp and a boatload of torque. I can't remember the pistons he used. His whole thing was that it was a match made in heaven that is beat down by internet hearsay. He told me that if I had the chance I should do it, and ignore the internet stuff about it. The thing that made it worth it, he said, was the tune.

Take all this with a grain of salt as this was just a phone conversation and I never actually saw the setup in person.

for the street the 7aGE would prob be fine... but I recall looking into the hybrid when I was an mr2 guy and a very reputable 4ag builder said it wasn't great for real track use... something about the oiling system not being up to snuff...

when the wife and I got married she had a '91 base prizm... the slushbox trans killed most of what i'd consider fun... especially when the trans died and a good one couldn't be found in the JY (ended up buying a parts car with an engine that had a spark plug fall apart inside the engine)

always thought a 5spd would have made it a lot more fun... but it did do one thing very well... I pulled 30+MPG delivering pizza in that thing... was a good car and simple to work on.

if I was looking for another project i'd consider finding a clean one (even though I haven't seen a clean one in years) and toss in a 20v :)

Loynings makes 260+hp "tall blocks" (Loyning speak for 7AGE) all day long. Also torque levels approaching 180#/ft. All on 270 duration cams

my .02, this thread is engine heavy, what about making it handle?
I ask because i inherited an AE92 wagon that has some of the worst handling I have ever seen (always has too). The thing is too squirelly to drive on the highway. It is reliable as sin and durable since it has survived the past 8 yrs with my dad being the primary driver.

I dunno. My AE92 GT-S 20 Valve handles pretty well, actually. I have Koni inserts and GC Coilovers. I would think that yours may just have worn out suspension.

In reply to Dr. Hess: well koni inserts and GC coilovers probably help alot over stock (likely totally blown) struts.
Maybe I'll toss some cheap struts on it along with some wheels and tires (rocking OE 13" steelies on some old kumho 795s)

I figure any car will handle well with good wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rods, bushings and konis/gcs, counterweighted and a good alignment.

My brother has a 92 w the 1.8l that I used to drive for some time. He had got it brand new so it's been with him the whole time. He has some 250k miles on it and besides oil changes never had to replace ANYTHING until about 3-4 years back when he just got a new clutch and timing belt. The car is bullet proof from what I've seen. Power is adequate with the 1.8l and drives quite smooth. The manual tranny is clunky and not as smooth as alot of the cars of that era, but for what it is it has potential to scoot. My only greif is that when working on these cars is that the engune bay is tight and hard to reach certain areas. It's also a very bland car, inside and out. More of an appliance than a thing of desire. I don't think anything you do to these cars will make them cool. Even the 300hp examples I've been lucky enough to drive and see.

1.8 didn't get put in until 93 IIRC