4AGE Small Port - What to do?!

[FYADUP]

Hey Guys,

I have a 1990 GT-i Corolla Hatch, which has about 28X,XXXkms on the clock, so she's getting on a little.

Apart from this it is in pretty good nick for its age. I've been noticing a wierd noise thats getting increasingly more noticable, when I am on the gas. I can only desribe it as fast rubbing or knocking.

I obviously have been thinking the engine is on it's last legs, but could it be anything else? I mean If I give it a bit of a stick it still seems to go fine and pulls though the revs etc etc.

From this I am asking - Who would be a good, fair priced person to get to check this out? I have used various places for my car in the past and they all seem a little steep, even with charging labour to 'check' the problems in the car. So I want someone who knows their shit, as i know a little, but not to this degree.

From what I have read on the net the 4age's after 1989 came out with the red top which was the most powerful of the 16v's. Called this because of the red writing on the head. But, mine is a 1991 and has red and black writing which is supposedly the earlier model engine?

Also, If my engine is axed, what would you guys suggest me to do? Rebuild this motor, or get something newer and more reliable like a blacktop perhaps? It's basically a daily car and want something peppy, but is also semi economical, which isn't going to burn my pocket.

If anyone could give me any info that would be much appreciated.

Cheers, Jason

[Dell'Orto]

Letter colour on the cam covers is irrelevant, its too easy to change. If your intake manifold doesnt say TVIS its a small port, simple.
Best/easiest option is to just refresh your motor. It may cost a couple of grand, but it drops back in, no wiring dramas, no cert issues and you know it'll be good for another 100,000k's without even raising a sweat.
20v transplant is good for the extra power, but you need to do the wiring and get it certed, and most blacktops will be all well over 100,000k's now, so will be eating oil, rattling and generally only good for another 80,000 k's before they blow smoke like a 2 stroke.

Plus smallports are choice

[QikStarlie]

yeh thats getting up there for a 4age considering they usually have had a good thrashing. either drive it too its doom (may last ages still) and replace with another second hand engine. or preferably rebuild before its too late.
or give the engine to me

noise could be anything, hard to tell without actually listening to it.

yeh red and black writing is smallport. easiest way is to look at the inlet manifold. ribbed top with no tvis = smallport


edit : i fell asleep atthe keyboard for awhile there..

[FYADUP]

Yer its a ribbed intake small port.

Yer was thinkn rebuild as its a bit of fun for day to day driving and I wouldn't get $&#$% all if I sold it either.

I see you're not in Aucks, but any suggestions on rebuild places? Is it better to source the parts myself and then take it to a place or?

[Dell'Orto]

Nah they're more likely to look after you if you just drop the motor to them. Parts are where these places make their money, its not on labour.

[QikStarlie]

yeh, probably just grab tgp gasket kit from mark. as you'l save a bit on that. rest builder should be able to sort you out on.