4AFE to Second Generation 4AGE 16v

Engine Production Years
AE92 (90-91)
 

Overview

There are pretty good benefits of swapping towards this engine.  The "A" Family of engines have gone through many revisions; particularly the N/A versions of the 4AGE.  At least for the 16v I have several versions to choose from ranging from 120-140HP across production years.  These are also high reving engines so you can expect (at least within specifications) to net this power around the 6600-7000 RPM range.
 
(Below used under permission by Club4ag)
The first edition 4A-GE, the ones that came in AW11 NA, AE86, AE92 (1988-89) can be distinguished primarily by the head design.  It was the only version that utilized the TVIS system which opened and closed the secondary runners depending on driving conditions.  Some refer to them as "blue hat" due to the blue lettering that were used on the valve covers. However, this designation isn't entirely accurate as early AE92 with TVIS had red letters as well as some other models that used this engine.  These are frequently mistaken for the later generation engines which also used the "red hat" valve covers.  These covers are also interchangeable so it's hardly a way to distinguish these motors that are worked on so much...  The early 8-port TVIS engines are still in demand today for low budget tuning for those who enjoy reaching high rpms with the use of carburetors.  Though the connecting rods journals and pins are smaller than the later models, the components are lighter than the latter motors and in stock form, tends to feel better at the top.  The TVIS when operated properly (factory ECU or via external controllers) can add great deal of drivability in low and mid ranges of the rpm and is effective for using high profile cams and keeping it still streetable.  It still is the heart and soul for many AE86 and AW11 owners, and is by no means a bad engine if engine feel is your pleasure.  A nicely balanced and ported TVIS head can be had for cheaper than any other head with very good results for use on normally aspirated use.

The second generation 4A-GE was introduced in the AE92 in 1989 to 1990 models.  It featured a stronger internals via larger diameter pins at piston as rod as well as more re-enforced block assembly.  The pistons featured higher compression rating giving slightly more torque and peak power output.  This is the main reason most users swap this engine in place of the first generation 4A-GE.  This engine also featured larger injector sizing with spray patterns differing with the first edition.  TVIS was removed as compression rating was upped to give almost as much torque below as the TVIS model with lower compression.  Still, many drivers will notice some decrease in response with this second model 4A-GE as internals were heavier and the absence of TVIS made low end performance sluggish to the feel especially when the peak power seemed to improve enough.

The newly worked internals of the 2nd generation engines also served as the basis for a new type of 4A-GE, the 4A-GZE.  The supercharged cousin of the 2nd generation 4A-GE produced a whopping 21kg/cm of torque at relatively low 4500rpm.  This engine was said to be designed to give the AW11 MR2 unprecedented power of 145ps JIS.  And eventually, a slightly modified one was fitted to the AE92 also. 

Longevity, Reliability & Maintenance Costs

Depending on how old you go and whether you plan to go turbo  in the future will depend on the quality of the front clip that you get from the shop.  From the Club4AG.com messageboards, I have heard stories where people have gotten very little trouble with these engines, even the more older ones.  The maintenance costs are a concern to me because aside from the private part sellers of Club4AG, I may have a hard time looking for the part I may need to keep things like steering pumps from breaking down. 

OEM & Aftermarket Support

Aftermarket support even for this particular engine is limited to a handful of manufacturers.  Some of those manufacturers who continue to live well into the future and continue to sell performance parts to this particular platform of engines can provide some pretty good parts.

• 5A-GE Turbo kit from HKS
• Mikuni Carburetor
• Keihin FCR Carburetors
• Various classes of Camshafts from HKS, Toda, and TRD
• AE111 flywheel from HKS

There are actually more that are listed.  It really depends on the application.  At least for the sake of this article.  My goal is to create a car that can utilize a good amount of power but still have the reliability of a stock engine.

Emissions & Legal Issues

Since it is a naturally aspirated engine.  There shouldn't be too much trouble getting past emissions unless of course you have a J-Spec engine where they don't normally have an EGR (an emissions system that is visible by the emissions checker dude). 

Diagrams and Pictures

Carbureted 4AGE


Cars that use this engine

AE92 (Levin 90-92)

Pros of Swapping with this Engine

One word: Cheap.  The older model you go the cheaper it is but also the more chances you'll come across over natural engine wear.  I also don't have to deal with the passenger mounting problem that some Celica ST owners have to deal with since my engine is an "A" based engine.  The 4AGE has the following positives:

• Higher compression of 10.4:1
• Stronger internals for heavy modifications
• Easily swapped with early model 16V
• Most aftermarket parts shared from first generation 16V
• Simpler non TVIS design
• Good autocross/ street / normal aspiration drag engine base
• Durable
• Can with stand a good adequate amount of boost if FI is done to the vehicle (turbo).

Cons of Swapping with this Engine

Out of the family of 16v 4AGEs you can look at, the highest amount of horsepower you can go for in stock form (at least by paper) is 140HP@6600.  The other problem is the rareness of this engine.  If you're more of an N/A guy (which I lean more away from), then this engine might work for you.

• Lacking in supply, maybe costly in repair or replacement of parts depending on where you buy the clip.  This is a much older engine so there are obvious disadvantages of that.
• Not a great deal of improvement from original 16V technically

Sources Used:

http://www.club4ag.com

Front Clip Links

http://www.venus-auto.com
http://www.jarcoinc.com