1989 Toyota Corolla FX-GT

[Barark]

Hi Everyone, My user name is Barark, i have a white Toyota Carolla which is destined for the track, upon doing work on the body and driving it to and frow i noticed a bit of smoke on the high RPM rev range (5-7k) the oil level also fluctuates upon RPM being three quarters full under high revs and falling to halfway on idle.

Mechanic says 6months in the engine tops.

1989 Toyota Corolla FX-GT
4A-GE
AE92-0162969

The engine goes well, i think very well for a 1600, However i was interested to hear from a mechanic on the north shore that i can get a 1600 race style NA engine that does 11,000rpm. I would love to hear anything you guys might think, and any feedback you might have as to what you think could be good for the car.

Summary :
Need new engine or maybe re-condition.
1600cc in size
Prefer NA engine

[Leon]

What is your budget?

[Barark]

3-5k i guess, i could save for longer if i need more money.

[Truenotch]

You can build a pretty good 4AGE for 4-5K.

My preference would be to start with a Smallport Redtop 4age and rebuild it with:

Cams, valve springs & underbucket shims,
Quad throttle bodies,
ported head,
More compression (Pistons or skimming),
Balanced rotational mass,
Link or other aftermarket ECU

Otherwise a blacktop is a good starting point - see Acesnipers project thread for the best way to do this.
viewtopic.php?t=58379&highlight=ae101

[nzae86]

3-5k i guess, i could save for longer if i need more money.

If you want an engine that is going to pull anything like 11k rpm , 3-5 k may buy some of the fittings for the dry sump setup, I would aim for a engine that produces good power at about 8500 - 8700rpm , with a good set of pistons , cams and head work all balanced and built with attention to detail . Otherwise start adding more zeros to your budget !
Also making the car stop and handle would be the first investment .
My 2 cents

[Bling]

I don't understand the oil level fluctuating at different RPM, how can you even check that?

Drive it till it blows up I reckon, 6 months might turn into 2 years if you're lucky Gives you time to save anyway.

[sergei]

I don't understand the oil level fluctuating at different RPM, how can you even check that?

Drive it till it blows up I reckon, 6 months might turn into 2 years if you're lucky Gives you time to save anyway.

I think oil level fluctuation at different RPM is very normal.
pump spins faster = more oil is being pushed around.

[Barark]

I do agree to drive it till it blows i just really wanted some education on different engines as i know nothing at all about toyota ones. Thanks for all your help, does anyone also know a trustworthy mechanic?

Auckland

[fuel]

perhaps you are meaning oil pressure is fluctuating, which is perfectly normal. The faster the engine spins, the higher the oil pressure will be. As long as the oil pressure is within the specified limits at certain rev ranges then it's ok. Smoke at high rpm could just be over-fueling. is there any noticeable knocks or noises coming from the engine either on idle or revving? Does it use any oil (ie checking it dead cold on a flat surface)? is coolant getting into the oil and vice versa?

[Barark]

no noises, however it does leave 2-4 drops of oil on the ground everytime you park up, i just thought this was ok for 240,000km. maybe a total of half a liter every 6 months.

[Truenotch]

It's a 4age, they all smoke at high RPM when they get up in the K's... and they dribble oil from brand new. I'd say it has a decent amount of time left in it.

Smoke in the high RPM is probably tired rings and the oil pressure sounds perfect to me... if you can trust a factory gauge.

[fuel]

sounds like a normal 4A-GE then.

[Barark]

Sounds good where can i sign up for some racing

Is there anyone in or around auckland involved in racing or trackdays that i could befriend?

[Truenotch]

Where do you live?

[Barark]

Sounds good where can i sign up for some racing

Is there anyone in or around auckland involved in racing or trackdays that i could befriend?

Edited

[Truenotch]

I think there are a few clubs up there.

http://www.aucklandcarclub.org.nz/

Most are listed here:
http://motorsport.org.nz/Links/links.htm

[Barark]

im a little bit put off by the fancy cars, is there a down to earth club around?

[B1NZ]

Sounds like you are talking about the factory oil pressure gauge on the dash, Perfectly normal do to that, Im not even sure that mine even registers much at idle, depending on revs it wil move.

Its a 4age, you should put a bet down with your mechanic that it will last longer than 6months.

Mine is smoking and burning oil, has been raced for the last 7 years and has done 250,000+ km's and still runs.

Before me it had 9 careful teenage male drivers

[frost]

Drive it till it blows up I reckon, 6 months might turn into 2 years if you're lucky Gives you time to save anyway.

its been almost two fukin years!!!!!
im still waiting for my 4age to die.


Barark: welcome,
i think your mechanic is just drumming up work, 4ag engine has always smoked a little in high revs. i would use the money for good suspension for your car,

[Bling]

I don't understand the oil level fluctuating at different RPM, how can you even check that?

Drive it till it blows up I reckon, 6 months might turn into 2 years if you're lucky Gives you time to save anyway.

I think oil level fluctuation at different RPM is very normal.
pump spins faster = more oil is being pushed around.

Yeah I understand oil moves around inside an engine. I was moreso asking how they checked the level at certain RPM levels Can you explain that one?


Anyway, sounds like its sorted, mechanic needs some work

no noises, however it does leave 2-4 drops of oil on the ground everytime you park up, i just thought this was ok for 240,000km. maybe a total of half a liter every 6 months.

Half a litre? Mine would use that driving to the dairy and back. Its never dropped a drop though. So to summarise, that's not even considered oil usage for a 4age. 4L between services, now THAT is usage