SIgh.. Engine gone..., now what... Options

[DmVinny]

Ugh... Well got the call from the mechanic apparently my connecting rods are shot which probably effected my cam... so he said it'd probably be cheaper to replace the engine... he wants $1400 to put in another 7afe... gonna be hell trying to get that type of money now especially with no vehicle to take me to my day job and night job... dunno if its worth going the 4age route either has the cheapest i found a 4age with alternator, starter, manifolds,ps, ecu, 5spd tranny and harness is $945.. And I am not sure what else I am going to need to finish the swap parts wise and money wise...

Im pretty much screwed... btw if I do come up with money to do this it will be the 3rd engine in this car =(

[Rjb23]

I have a 7afe that I'm taking out of my car because I'm putting in a 3s I'll sell the engine and tranny for $400 plus shipping.

[DmVinny]

Can someone give me a list of parts I need for a 7afe to 4age swap so I have an idea of price range I'm looking at... Putting another 7afe in to me is just a waste at this point.

[DmVinny]

bump!

[Coomer]

Searching will yield what you'll need for the swap. Do you know how to swap and engine in mechanically and do the wiring yourself? Swapping in a 4A-GE will require a significant amount of custom wiring and will most likely cost far more than swapping in a 7A-FE, unless you're doing it yourself.

[dabbill]

You can find jap imported engines with like 20 to 30k miles on them for 500 to 800$. If its a 7a-fe or a 4a-fe its just a direct swap, no changeing of wires or any thing else. I had to drop a 4a-fe in to my car when i threw a rod in my 7a-fe. The 4a seems to have a little more low end power, but little less top end power then the 7a, but you probly wont notice it. Oh and the swap is pretty easy if you have basic mechinec skills. Took me about 4 hours to pull my 7a out and about 3.5 to 4 hours to drop in the 4a engine.

This post has been edited by dabbill: Aug 3, 2005 - 2:40 AM

[DmVinny]

Well I have a friend who owns a mechanic shop, I got about $1800 to $2200 to spend on it thanks to my boss... just need to consider my options, the 7afe gave me no luck twice... so I mine as well try for some more horsepower... just wanna know if the funds I have are enough to cover it... I can probably do the swap myself but having two jobs dont leave me much time.

[Kwanza26]

Well I have a friend who owns a mechanic shop, I got about $1800 to $2200 to spend on it thanks to my boss... just need to consider my options, the 7afe gave me no luck twice... so I mine as well try for some more horsepower... just wanna know if the funds I have are enough to cover it... I can probably do the swap myself but having two jobs dont leave me much time.
[right][snapback]319873[/snapback][/right]

That really should be a questions you ask yourself. Just consider you'll be spending extra $$$ on various little things here and there... and you'll want to refresh whatever engine you get before simply "dropping" it in. In a 4AG's case... you'll then need custom wiring and other parts.

7AFE Example (note: much of the refresh is optional... but highly reccomended):
7AFE= 300-800 dollars
timing belt= 15-30 dollars
various gaskets= 20-50 dollars
Headgasket= 20-80 dollars
water pump= 40-70 dollars
drive belts= 15-20 dollars
fluids (oil, trans, coolant)= 20-30 dollars
clutch kit (optional)= 80-200 dollars
Shop labor= 60-120 per hour (7AFE swaps usually call around 7 hours R&R [R&R=remove and replace])

4AGE Example (again, refresh is optional):
4AGE 16V (bigport or smallport)= 300-500 dollars
or
4AGE 20V (silvertop)= 500-800 (blacktop)= 800-1500
Various parts (coil, ignitor, AFM, etc...)= 150 dollars +
timing belt (toyota only)= 28 dollars
various gaskets (need custom cut or rare/expensive 20V gasket sets)= 20-100 dollars
headgasket (can use 7AFE gasket on 20V)= 40-120 dollars
waterpump= 40-70 dollars
drive belts= 15-20 dollars
fluids (oil, trans, coolant)= 20-30
clutch kit (optional)= 80-200 dollars
shop labor (excluding wiring work)= 60-120 per hours (same R&R as 7AFE)
wiring work= 300-1000 dollars

Gives you an idea how much a custom swap can run... and gives you an idea how much a replacement can run.

[DmVinny]

Thanks Kwanza is the wiring your discussing pretty much the ecu? cuz i could probably do the wiring for that... Coomer what did u pay for your 20v and how did u get it?


This post has been edited by DmVinny: Aug 3, 2005 - 4:26 PM

[FAQdaWorld]

wiring involves, ecu, sensors, relays, vsv's, and all sorts of crap. You think its simple till you see the whole mess. I may have some pics of my wiring before it was done professionally, it was quite a mess i assure you.

[DmVinny]

Hmm.. what did u pay for it to be done professionally?

[DmVinny]

and if I needed parts for it, can I use typical 91 corolla gts as my base engine for sensors? since i manage an auto parts store during the day i get parts pretty cheap.

[DmVinny]

Ok guys come on please help me out here, I scoured the net till my eyes went crossed I have yet to find a good how-to on a 7afe to 4age silvertop conversion in detail... I dont want to put another 7afe into my car... $2200 is all I got... and I need to know what EXACTLY i need...

Here are some questions;

1. I can get a 4age silvertop 20v for $970 shipped it includes, 5spd tranny, ecu, p/s, starter, alternator, manifold, will $1200 (remainding money) be enough to have a shop to the install?

2. What sensors, solenoids and stuff do I exactly need? can any be used from the 7afe.

3. Links to 7afe wiring diagrams , 4age silvertop diagrams.

4. Clearance? will it clear all around my bay.

5. Do I need custom axles?

6. Anything else I might not have asked. Please, please! I cant go too long without a vehicle, otherwise I'm screwed financially (loose my jobs).

BTW, Toysport has a 4age silvertop conversion package... it says it inclused engine with harness, afm sensor, ecu, coil/igniter, transmission..

so would that eliminate alot of stuff i need? and is it worth $1250?


This post has been edited by DmVinny: Aug 3, 2005 - 9:57 PM

[Rjb23]

Ok guys come on please help me out here, I scoured the net till my eyes went crossed I have yet to find a good how-to on a 7afe to 4age silvertop conversion in detail...  I dont want to put another 7afe into my car... $2200 is all I got... and I need to know what EXACTLY i need...

Here are some questions;

1. I can get a 4age silvertop 20v for $970 shipped it includes, 5spd tranny, ecu, p/s, starter, alternator, manifold, will $1200 (remainding money) be enough to have a shop to the install?

2. What sensors, solenoids and stuff do I exactly need? can any be used from the 7afe.

3. Links to 7afe wiring diagrams , 4age silvertop diagrams.

4. Clearance? will it clear all around my bay.

5. Do I need custom axles?

6. Anything else I might not have asked. Please, please! I cant go too long without a vehicle, otherwise I'm screwed financially (loose my jobs).

BTW, Toysport has a 4age silvertop conversion package... it says it inclused engine with harness, afm sensor, ecu, coil/igniter, transmission..

so would that eliminate alot of stuff i need? and is it worth $1250?
[right][snapback]320217[/snapback][/right]

There is no how to on the internet on how to do the 7afe to 4age conversion.

yes it will fit in the engine bay fine.

Your better off buying a clip than just the engine, and if your pressed for time you might as well just swap another 7a in, it will take a minimum of 2 weeks to swap it in.

[DmVinny]

Welp, I went to the mechanic today, he said he could do it all for $1300, but said its not worth it... So I'm sticking with the 7afe, he's gonna put all new internals in so if I decide to turbo it...