AALAWS Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Hey Guys I am wanting to get work underway on my engine build (first timer) and am looking for some advice/experience/direction... I have a KE25 I am restoring and have a complete 20v Blacktop 4age in the shed. //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/49951-alasdairs-1974-ke25-corolla/ I had a BZ Carib with the BT and really enjoyed driving it and found you get the best out of it in the high revs.... I figured with the much lighter corolla it would be better to sacrifice some of the higher revs with the lower range grunt of the 7AGE (As I don't really intend to fang around ringing it out all the time......maybe once in a while ha ha) Either way I anticipate I'll be buying SAMQ's RWD water kit, COP's, ECU, new pistons, rods etc maybe new cams? springs? Hell, I don't even fully grasp what half of all this stuff means, just well read ha ha. I don't want to go OTT, but want to do a really good job......honing? porting? polish? (thanks Gran Turismo) I'll be getting professional help, while also doing as much as I can with proper guidance. I know it will come down to "what i prefer" but as a noob, what's the better option? Rebuilding the BT with some go fast bits........or a 7AGE.......with some go fast bits?? It'd probably cost the same to do it either way I imagine? Yours sincerely, Noob looking forward to building his first engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UTERUS Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Just get the Blacktop in the hole with stock ecu and get it running. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AALAWS Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 Just get the Blacktop in the hole with stock ecu and get it running. Won't be ready for an engine for a looooonnnnnnnng time........plus has done 260kms and will need a refresh anyway so may aswell make it better...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatestben Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 +1 for 4AGE, 7AGE needless expense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyteler Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 If you want a motor that operates best down low, you don't want a 4AG (or 7AG) get something serious. My suggestion would be a mildly tweaked 4AG and live in upper regions of your rev counter. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I had a ke20 with a bluetop, made the 4age feel extra fast even compared to something light like a AE82. Just chuck in the stock blacktop and work out development and rebuilds later I think. Focus on making the conversion look great, being practical and everything working. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AALAWS Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 If you want a motor that operates best down low, you don't want a 4AG (or 7AG) get something serious. My suggestion would be a mildly tweaked 4AG and live in upper regions of your rev counter. I wasn't particularly fixed on the down low benefits.........what tweaks do you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyteler Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 some slightly more aggressive cams, exhaust, improved ignition system, the 20V blacktop will be ITBs won't it? So unlikely to need much done there I would have thought. Maybe an ECU on there for frittering with data and you're golden. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Best value for money on this conversion is probably aftermarket ECU,I would forget working the motor for now NA is expensive. Just build a nice big airtbox for the ITB's, exhaust and headers and tune and drive it. It will be a blast like this. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Then later on slap a small turbo off the side of it for best bang for buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AALAWS Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 Then later on slap a small turbo off the side of it for best bang for buck. would you recommend stronger internals incase of going turbo down the track or will new stock ones be ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AALAWS Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 some slightly more aggressive cams, exhaust, improved ignition system, the 20V blacktop will be ITBs won't it? So unlikely to need much done there I would have thought. Maybe an ECU on there for frittering with data and you're golden. Best value for money on this conversion is probably aftermarket ECU,I would forget working the motor for now NA is expensive. Just build a nice big airtbox for the ITB's, exhaust and headers and tune and drive it. It will be a blast like this. yeah itb's for sure.........good to know it doesn't need too much. I'm still considering stripping it down for a clean/refresh the gaskets etc/paint.....balance crank/lighten flywheel etc.......all still good stuff to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I'm giving like a low enthusiasm old man responses but as you are doing basically a full resto you have your hands full with the body. Doing all that stuff in your list could buy you a spare blacktop 4age to sit in the corner of the shed. Save all the money and do some basic maintenance on the current motor like seals and cambelt, they will rev to 8k+ all day long with high km's they just use some oil usually. Buy that aftermarket ECU and learn to tune the stock engine when you get that far it will be the best bang for buck for learning and making the conversion easier. Slotting in a built motor down the track is fuck all, getting it going the easiest and economical way possible should be goal one, get that cert and re-evaluate once you actually drive the thing. I know pondering all this engine shit is the best part of a build but you need to channel this energy into panel work haha Unless you have like $30k put away for this build then ignore me and go nuts. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AALAWS Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 I know pondering all this engine shit is the best part of a build but you need to channel this energy into panel work haha yes I'm a dreamer.......ha ha and there is a lot of panel work. Everytime i'm down the shed I see the motor and think I should be getting on with that too. What you say (and a few others) makes sense now, stick one in and build an awesome one in the background later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Roman Posted May 24, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted May 24, 2016 In the scheme of things its cost neutral to buy a standard motor to get it going. Because you sell it again when you swap the good motor in. Biting off more than you can chew is the #1 reason why projects fail. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoozin Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Biting off more than you can chew is the #1 reason why projects fail. So much truth 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celica RA45 Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 ok std black top like they say ,with electric water pump with std ecu from a manual ,plus t 50 box with close ratio set .plus T series from ae86 ,this will make it about 830 kilos ,also bolt in a ae86 xmember and rack and steering column while you are at it that should liven it up with its brakes etc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Goes hard for what it is, will ring true. I miss my blacktop and that was in a heavier FWD platform. Stock power will put a smile on your dial easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingbrick Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 David is so correct there. Also. Why modify 4age for more power when there's more modern and powerful motors already available...it's not a cost thing because cams/all the other bits are expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kpr Posted May 25, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted May 25, 2016 ^ You forget you're on oldschool, the home of polishing turds 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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