Disclaimer: I don’t know much about engine swaps and all, but here’s what I may want to do with my ‘88 MR2 when it comes time to restore it.
I was planning to do a 4A-GZE swap, which returns about 30-50HP than the standard 4A-GE engine if tuned properly (not sure if MK1a models like yours even has the 4A-GE in the first place).
You can always go ahead and try to find the legendary 20V 4A-GE engines that are rare and expensive.
The third way is to swap SW20 engines (3S-GE or 3S-GTE) into your AW10/11.
About the cost, the engines themselves on eBay cost about $1,000-$2000. I’m assuming labor is going to cost a lot if you’re going to have someone else do it for you, but I would say add another $1,000 to the cost of the engine, totaling about $3,000 total.
Again, I don’t know much about swaps, as I’m going to pay someone to do it for me if I wanted to swap. The above ways are just what I plan to do, and may not suit your needs and requirements. I wanted to stay original with my MR2, so I prefer the 4A engines. If you wanted to swap the famous 2JZ or LS engines (not even sure if you could do it), I don’t know anything about them.
Good luck and have fun swapping! Sorry if what I said wasn’t very specific and unprofessional. :)
perfect comment sir
A cheap upgrade for the Aw11 is a 5sfe. Same power as the supercharged engine and they are cheap to come by. A set of Webber cams and header, adjust the timing and you are hitting 130hp to the wheels.
That’s a pretty measly gain from the factory 110hp.
5sfe is cheap but not easy as the engine mounts don’t fit and have to be replaced properly, then it would be not that much more money to go 3sge or 3sgte. 4agze or turbo swapped gze would be the easiest as it is plug and play. Turboing the na 4age is also easy, parts are very cheap. Internals can withstand about 0.6 bar of boost if tuned properly, the billzilla can help you. If you are planning to be fast in the corner the 20v blacktop 4a is the one to choose as it is way lighter than any other option - ive on my way to get the blacktop in. If you don’t have the wiring and ecu its not that easy but mechanically its plug and play in everything but the starter, daihatsu can help out with that.
I would go turbo.
The stock 4AGE is supposed to be able to take ~10psi of boost daily on the factory internals. Correct engine management is a must, with this engine I would say standalone or dont try anything.
Reliable TD04 turbos can be acquired for cheap brand new: ~$250-300
Log - style manifolds are low cost as well: $60
Buy Megasquirt for engine management: $300
Plumb everything up and you’re pretty much done. At 10psi 160-170hp could be expected, which would be an absolute blast in an AW11
how much would a shop charge for this, i dont trust myself enough to put a turbo in.
Comments
Disclaimer: I don’t know much about engine swaps and all, but here’s what I may want to do with my ‘88 MR2 when it comes time to restore it.
I was planning to do a 4A-GZE swap, which returns about 30-50HP than the standard 4A-GE engine if tuned properly (not sure if MK1a models like yours even has the 4A-GE in the first place).
You can always go ahead and try to find the legendary 20V 4A-GE engines that are rare and expensive.
The third way is to swap SW20 engines (3S-GE or 3S-GTE) into your AW10/11.
About the cost, the engines themselves on eBay cost about $1,000-$2000. I’m assuming labor is going to cost a lot if you’re going to have someone else do it for you, but I would say add another $1,000 to the cost of the engine, totaling about $3,000 total.
Again, I don’t know much about swaps, as I’m going to pay someone to do it for me if I wanted to swap. The above ways are just what I plan to do, and may not suit your needs and requirements. I wanted to stay original with my MR2, so I prefer the 4A engines. If you wanted to swap the famous 2JZ or LS engines (not even sure if you could do it), I don’t know anything about them.
Good luck and have fun swapping! Sorry if what I said wasn’t very specific and unprofessional. :)
perfect comment sir
A cheap upgrade for the Aw11 is a 5sfe. Same power as the supercharged engine and they are cheap to come by. A set of Webber cams and header, adjust the timing and you are hitting 130hp to the wheels.
That’s a pretty measly gain from the factory 110hp.
5sfe is cheap but not easy as the engine mounts don’t fit and have to be replaced properly, then it would be not that much more money to go 3sge or 3sgte.
4agze or turbo swapped gze would be the easiest as it is plug and play. Turboing the na 4age is also easy, parts are very cheap. Internals can withstand about 0.6 bar of boost if tuned properly, the billzilla can help you. If you are planning to be fast in the corner the 20v blacktop 4a is the one to choose as it is way lighter than any other option - ive on my way to get the blacktop in. If you don’t have the wiring and ecu its not that easy but mechanically its plug and play in everything but the starter, daihatsu can help out with that.
I would go turbo.
The stock 4AGE is supposed to be able to take ~10psi of boost daily on the factory internals. Correct engine management is a must, with this engine I would say standalone or dont try anything.
Reliable TD04 turbos can be acquired for cheap brand new: ~$250-300
Log - style manifolds are low cost as well: $60
Buy Megasquirt for engine management: $300
Plumb everything up and you’re pretty much done. At 10psi 160-170hp could be expected, which would be an absolute blast in an AW11
how much would a shop charge for this, i dont trust myself enough to put a turbo in.