Upgrade or replace 3A-LU

[RoadskiN]

Hello everybody. I have a 83 Corolla 4spd (AE81) with a 3A-LU engine in it and it seems to lack power...I want to keep the car because the body/chassis is immaculate. However the performance needs an upgrade.

The question is, shall I upgrade my current 3A-LU engine or shall I take it out and put a 4A-GE in there instead?

If I upgrade, what can I do to it and what parts do I require from where?

If I change the engine, will the 3A engine mounts fit a 4A-GE? What will I need to aquire/change in my car as it is?

I have about $2k at current

[Adamal]

I'd go with a 4AGE.
There is next to NOTHING in terms of aftermarket support for the 3A engine. You'd have to get stuff custom built, which probably wouldn't be cheap.
I don't think the engine mounts should be too much of a problem as the AE85/86 is the same chassis, just different engine (Other irrelivent stuff too)

[RomanV]

The first letter of your chassis code designates which series of engines will fit in your car.

eg. AE81, AE86, AE92, AE101 All have 'A' series engines. (4AG, 4AF, 3A, etc)

So I believe all of the mounts are the same, for the same series engine. So long as you get a RWD 4AGE it will bolt up to the mounts.


I would imagine that if you want to go the 4age route, you will need a new motor and gearbox, as well as the ECU, loom, etc. etc.

Its getting a bit hard to find RWD 4ages and t50 gearboxes these days however! (when I say 'hard to find', I mean they are getting more expensive!)

My personal suggestion: Get a different car.

[RoadskiN]

My car is FWD by the way. I was thinking about a blacktop (assuming it fits)

[CozmoNz]

yeh, blacktop would fit.

why dont you get the engine, build it up.... then drop it in with the 3a dies?

Blacktop head
Blacktop Block
Silvertop rods
Ze piston's
blacktop throttles
big mofo turbo.

[Adamal]

why dont you get the engine, build it up.... then drop it in with the 3a dies?

Good plan.

[RoadskiN]

I could do that, but I don't think my 3A-LU is going to die anytime soon. It's only done 108000kms (cambelt replaced at 101000) and is still running perfectly fine, theres never been any oil leaks etc on it. Theres no rust in the engine bay and the block is dry as a bone. Problem is that it's not very powerful.

[dohca]

who cares?

drive it until it dies, other option might be rejet the carb, get some extractors made up and a decent cam