Mazda_Power
07/13/2005, 08:39 AM
Some friends and I are in the planning stages of our race car. We aquired a 1994 Geo Prizm LSi. If some of you aren't aware the Geo Prizm is the Toyota Corolla's long lost twin that was separately from birth stop reading this post because you might not be able to help me. I'm looking to go fast on no budget. I know my way around junkyards and I'm pretty good with interchangability. For instance the Prizm LSi is the "upper class" model of the Prizm and it comes with a 1.8L engine instead of the 1.6L. That's a pretty good start since you can't make power without displacement. At this point don't be led astray, we aren't going all motor, we're turboing it. It's just that if you have 2 containers, one a pop can and the other a milk bottle the milk bottle will accept more fluid. It doesn't matter if you are boosting or not. Anyway back to the point. The 1.8L found in the Prizm is designated in Toyota land as the 7A-FE, which basically means it is a 1.8L with an economy head (16V Twin Cam with the ports staggered differently than the perfomance head, the GE). As far as I can tell the 1.8L grew in heigth from the 1.6L, the 4A-FE. So parts from the 1.6L motor would be interchangable. Which leads me to what I want to do.
Pistons
Toyota made a supercharged MR2 in the late 80's. It wasn't all that powerfull (about 145 hp), but it does have the engine designation 4A-GZE (meaning: 4A - 1.6L Block, GE - Performance Head, Z - Supercharged). The MR2 has 8.0:1 compression (good for forced induction) and I'm counting on them being forged as well.
UPDATED: THESE ARE FORGED.
Connecting Rods
I'm currently looking into the supercharged MR2 for connecting rods under the assumption that they will be a little stronger than Prizm OE. I'm not sure if the stroke is increased via crank or connecting rods. I'm hoping though the crank that way I can still use the 7A-FE block (1.8L). Toyota cranks are generally robust so it should handle some power. I haven't looked at this one personally, so we'll see.
Head
There is a motor in Japan sold in both the Levin and the Spinter Trueno called the 4A-GE. The block is the same as older 4A-GE that we got over here, but Toyota decided to do some updates on theirs to compete with Honda. The latest JDM 4A-GE features a 20 valve head design (3 intake 2 exhaust), Independant Throttle Bodies, and Variable Valve Timing. Instead of spending a bunch of cash on a heavily ported 16V head we'd rather find one of these on EBay for cheap. I've seen them go for $200-$300.
Injectors
I think we're going to have to go with 650cc injectors, but we might be able to use 550's to start with. The 2nd Gen Turbo II uses 550cc top feed injectors for it's primary ignition system. They are cheap and relitivly inexpensive and require very little modifications to fit. I think we can get a set for $80.
Intercooler
As we are trying to get away cheap on this one we are looking towards the junkyard. A few things that look like they would work well are the Isuzu NPR, Superduty, and Evo intercoolers. The Superduty has 3" inlet/oulets so it's overkill, but still an option.
Fuel Pump
Evidently a 93+ Twin Turbo Supra fuel pump is a drop in affair. That flows about the same as the Walboro 255 lph. These can be found for $50 or so.
Headgasket
Since wer'e new to tuning engines with any real power we'll probably opt for a Toda headgasket (even though NAPA might work). They retail for $180.
Turbo
This is a tough one. They aren't too common in the junkyards. The best I've found is a Garrett Super 60 (.60/.60) out of an old T-Bird. I think it's a little small. Diesel turbos (that I've seen) approach 1.00 A/R, that's WAY too big! Fisting anything is bad, turbo's especially! Unless of course you could flow that much, which we can't. So we don't know what kind of turbo to run. I guess whatever is cheap and has a .65-.75 Compressor A/R would be an option. Maybe an older diesel? Mercedes maybe? Check Volvo's and Saab's. Normally they are small, but you'll never know what you'll find.
Turbo Manifold and Charge Pipes
These will have to be custom made. You might be able to get a used TRD turbo manifold, but I doubt you could get it for less than $1000.
BOV
We're converting the Toyota MAF to a GM based MAP system, so open air BOV's are OK. :D I'm bidding on a 1st Gen DSM BOV. They can be crushed to hold up to 30 psi. Price: $10.50 as of now.
Fuel and Spark Control
We are going to try and adapt Megasquirt II to the car. We are going to swipe a Ford EDIS-4 system out of an Escort to control spark. We are going to use the Megasquirt system (which uses mostly GM sensors) to monitor MAP. That'll eliminate our MAF sensor.
Transmission
The 20V 4A-GE from Japan comes with a 5-Speed or 6-Speed LSD equipped transmission that bolts directly in. We might use a 5-Speed non LSD from a Corolla GT-S until then. Cost of Corolla transmission: FREE.
So that's it. If you find any problems or if you find something for sale or in a junkyard that you think that I might be able to use go ahead and post. Also if you have any comments or you just want to give me lots of money to buy the best of everything go right ahead an do so.
POST AWAY!
Pistons
Toyota made a supercharged MR2 in the late 80's. It wasn't all that powerfull (about 145 hp), but it does have the engine designation 4A-GZE (meaning: 4A - 1.6L Block, GE - Performance Head, Z - Supercharged). The MR2 has 8.0:1 compression (good for forced induction) and I'm counting on them being forged as well.
UPDATED: THESE ARE FORGED.
Connecting Rods
I'm currently looking into the supercharged MR2 for connecting rods under the assumption that they will be a little stronger than Prizm OE. I'm not sure if the stroke is increased via crank or connecting rods. I'm hoping though the crank that way I can still use the 7A-FE block (1.8L). Toyota cranks are generally robust so it should handle some power. I haven't looked at this one personally, so we'll see.
Head
There is a motor in Japan sold in both the Levin and the Spinter Trueno called the 4A-GE. The block is the same as older 4A-GE that we got over here, but Toyota decided to do some updates on theirs to compete with Honda. The latest JDM 4A-GE features a 20 valve head design (3 intake 2 exhaust), Independant Throttle Bodies, and Variable Valve Timing. Instead of spending a bunch of cash on a heavily ported 16V head we'd rather find one of these on EBay for cheap. I've seen them go for $200-$300.
Injectors
I think we're going to have to go with 650cc injectors, but we might be able to use 550's to start with. The 2nd Gen Turbo II uses 550cc top feed injectors for it's primary ignition system. They are cheap and relitivly inexpensive and require very little modifications to fit. I think we can get a set for $80.
Intercooler
As we are trying to get away cheap on this one we are looking towards the junkyard. A few things that look like they would work well are the Isuzu NPR, Superduty, and Evo intercoolers. The Superduty has 3" inlet/oulets so it's overkill, but still an option.
Fuel Pump
Evidently a 93+ Twin Turbo Supra fuel pump is a drop in affair. That flows about the same as the Walboro 255 lph. These can be found for $50 or so.
Headgasket
Since wer'e new to tuning engines with any real power we'll probably opt for a Toda headgasket (even though NAPA might work). They retail for $180.
Turbo
This is a tough one. They aren't too common in the junkyards. The best I've found is a Garrett Super 60 (.60/.60) out of an old T-Bird. I think it's a little small. Diesel turbos (that I've seen) approach 1.00 A/R, that's WAY too big! Fisting anything is bad, turbo's especially! Unless of course you could flow that much, which we can't. So we don't know what kind of turbo to run. I guess whatever is cheap and has a .65-.75 Compressor A/R would be an option. Maybe an older diesel? Mercedes maybe? Check Volvo's and Saab's. Normally they are small, but you'll never know what you'll find.
Turbo Manifold and Charge Pipes
These will have to be custom made. You might be able to get a used TRD turbo manifold, but I doubt you could get it for less than $1000.
BOV
We're converting the Toyota MAF to a GM based MAP system, so open air BOV's are OK. :D I'm bidding on a 1st Gen DSM BOV. They can be crushed to hold up to 30 psi. Price: $10.50 as of now.
Fuel and Spark Control
We are going to try and adapt Megasquirt II to the car. We are going to swipe a Ford EDIS-4 system out of an Escort to control spark. We are going to use the Megasquirt system (which uses mostly GM sensors) to monitor MAP. That'll eliminate our MAF sensor.
Transmission
The 20V 4A-GE from Japan comes with a 5-Speed or 6-Speed LSD equipped transmission that bolts directly in. We might use a 5-Speed non LSD from a Corolla GT-S until then. Cost of Corolla transmission: FREE.
So that's it. If you find any problems or if you find something for sale or in a junkyard that you think that I might be able to use go ahead and post. Also if you have any comments or you just want to give me lots of money to buy the best of everything go right ahead an do so.
POST AWAY!