Transplant for 86 Corolla

[BevanChick]

My brother has an 86 Corolla hatch.

Something bad happened to it the other week, and its fairly buggered, and its going to cost $1500 to fix.

He is wondering whether it could work out around the same price to do an engine transplant instead, and wondering how easy this would be.

He doesn't want to go crazy and put in a 4AGZE or a 20 valve or anything, as he's still keen to have minimal insurance hassles and the like.

The main thing I need to find out is
a) where to get an engine
b) rough cost
c) ease of installation
d) availability

He wants to get his car back on the road sooner rather than later, and I am also in Townsville, so things would be easier if I could find somewhere semi-local to source one, to save on transportation costs.

Any help would be appreciated guys!!

Thanks! :)

[THE ASH]

Is it already 4A-GE powered? What's in it?

[BevanChick]

Buggered if I know...its just the standard carbie engine....

[Forg]

The parts are all bolt-in, so it shouldn't be all that hard if you can wield a spanner and trace a wiring diagram (4A-GE engine-bay harness will be quite different), but you'd want a half-cut at the very least to get all the parts. To get one rego'd in NSW, I was told I'd need to swap-in the suspension & brakes out of a Twin Cam (GTi brakes would be better, if they fit, but when I asked there was no such thing as a GTi yet - and remember that you need the rear brakes as well) ... and also remember that if he does it all to factory specs then he doesn't need an engineer's certificate.

[80DGY]

Don't take my word for it, but I *think* it's a 4A C

[T]

you should be able to do a 20v conversion for around $2-2.5k.

T

[BevanChick]

Sorry, maybe my first post was confusing, he is looking to transplant the STANDARD engine in there, he's not at all interested in changing the engine.

[THE ASH]

Huh? Do you mean his is dead & he wants to swap in a reco one? Thats a piece if piss if you have the gear. I thing there is an exchange motor mob locally, Engine repower centre??? Jap motors can probably 2nd hand motors too. I'd price a fully reconditioned one first, it shouldn't be too dear.

[Forg]

I reckon a used, original engine would only be a few hundred dollars to buy. The only dilemma he might hit is that they're getting so old that they might be hard to find in good nick; and I doubt many would get imported (but, you never know).

[Billzilla]

Jeez, I gave my old 4A-C away to a friend ...

[hotgemini]

Does this friend want another one?

[Earl]

Hotgemini, I need a paperweight if you've got a 4AC to give away.

Hang on, no, might need something a little heavier to weight down that bit of paper.

Bevanchick. You know he really wants at least a 4AGE.

[80DGY]

haha I think Sparky is more interested in where his next carton of beer is coming from moreso than a 4AGE :D

Although I wouldn't mind driving his car with a ZE or a 20V :)

[BevanChick]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'll pass them on to him.

Yeah he's not at all interested in cars...so he just wants any old engine, as cheap as possible!

[noogy]

Or you could transplant in a 4afc from an early model ae92 (or holden nova).

It would be a carby -> carby conversion, so no new fuel pumps/computers etc would be needed, and it would also have more power (and less kms) than a replacement 4ac engine. It would be a little more expensive, considering most people give away 4ac's as paperwieghts, but still worth considering imho....

[Grumpy Rooster]

I'm sure there would be a few people on Toymods who would be giving them away like Bill. :)

[HoonBoy]

I think this would of been sorted out almost three years ago....

[Forg]

Woah!!
Is that the Thread Resurrection Of The Century, or what?!?!

[HoonBoy]

and all done without a search engine! Someone give that man a medal!

:rolleyes:

[Grumpy Rooster]

Shit. I didn't see that. :rotflol:

[Tirlista]

there are thread necromancers amongst us

[FatBoy]

Well the guy is probably due for another new engine by now so let's remain helpful...

[80DGY]

haha nah, he's onto a different car now :)