4AGE swap into 85 4WD

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SynthDesign
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My tercel:: The General, 85 SR5 w/ Sunroof,Olive Drab paint, Black Interior, custom steel bumpers, Barto BC lift, 1.67L BUILT 3AC w/ Weber Carb. 346,000 miles and counting since restoration
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by SynthDesign »

For all our sake, I hope the transmissions can take these swaps.
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Lil Beast
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My tercel:: 81 tercel sr5 GTS (4age RWD and 4WD application on build up for the moment) now im running a 3a with weber 32 dmsa 100,corolla gts front suspension, sway bar and steering, troush exhaust
Location: Oliver B.C. Canada

Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by Lil Beast »

It is one of my big concern too! My little brother is a mechanical engineer for bombardier in the transmission department and I talk to him about biffing one up, so I got to send or bring him a tranny so he and the tranny guys (kinda sound funny tranny guys eWwwwww anyway) they gonna look at it and see what kind of magic can be pulled! Of course if you throw 10000$ at it anything is possible but he is my brother and he makes gears for a living, so he'll see if something is possible on the affordable side! I don't know how long it will take to even just get a "go or no go" answer. But I'm just throwing this out in the blue like that, they might be a possible hope espacially if orders can be made possible to save on cost! But before I talk to much!
Dont let your eyes to fool you!!!

Labine R.
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by Petros »

There seems to be a general consensus that the the trans can take up to about 100hp, but these trans are pretty durable, they tend to wear out after many miles, rather than break up. As the parts wear eventually pieces break off, and that is when the trans is done.

I am thinking that a stock 4age (about 116 hp, but our special exhaust system may affect that), with a good Tercel4wd trans it should be fine if the oil is always fresh and run a 50/50 mixture of synthetic and regular gear oil. Perhaps add a wear additive as well. There are also auxiliary trans coolers, but that is only an issue if you dive it hard all the time (like in racing, or in desert off-roading). So I am not sure that is going to help the strength.

There is a company that can heat treat all of the gears to make them harder, they claim it will make them unbreakable. You would have to send the gear parts to them and they heat treat them and send them back. I suspect this would add about $1000 to the cost (and a complete overhaul should cost about $1000 by itself, parts and labor not counting remove and replace). I would hate to go through a lot of transmissions, but on the other hand, spending upwards of $2000 for a more durable transmission is tough pill to swallow (especially for a daily driver), but might be worth it if indeed it make the trans hold up to the 4age power output.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
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Lil Beast
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Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:25 pm
My tercel:: 81 tercel sr5 GTS (4age RWD and 4WD application on build up for the moment) now im running a 3a with weber 32 dmsa 100,corolla gts front suspension, sway bar and steering, troush exhaust
Location: Oliver B.C. Canada

Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by Lil Beast »

I like the idea of the trans cooler, it does get 45C+(in the shade) in the summer where I live. It gets pretty gross!
Dont let your eyes to fool you!!!

Labine R.
larry mcgrath
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My tercel:: 83 tercel v20 B/T (The ROCKET)98 toyota t100
Location: Wilds of Montana

Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by larry mcgrath »

Stabed the engine didnt fit need mod the rear of pan,about 1/2" every thing else looks real good ,the ex header should be interesting Geee thanks for the words of encouragement about the Tranny ,this is going to be a highway car not a racer ,drifter ,hill climber : :( :( Looks wild :mrgreen: need to shim cross member lots of room pass side ,plenum has lots of room , enough room for both a/c lines to clear.All accessorys fit nice.with all weight on the car it's stance is the same.Larry :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Lil Beast
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Posts: 308
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:25 pm
My tercel:: 81 tercel sr5 GTS (4age RWD and 4WD application on build up for the moment) now im running a 3a with weber 32 dmsa 100,corolla gts front suspension, sway bar and steering, troush exhaust
Location: Oliver B.C. Canada

Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by Lil Beast »

Ever heard of NKK stage 1 clutch? I am looking up for a clutch! Found that nkk one at NAPA could be in in few days, but tech line was closed! I'll know more tomorrow! I've seen that you took a SPEC stage 3, was thinkin of stage 4 maybe! 3,4,6 pucks is available. For the same price! There is the centerforce dual friction that interest me a lot but 400$ pretty much the same for the SPEC shipped here! NKK is at 243$, got to do what Larry did with the flywheel so much more option for clutches!

How do you think the spec will hold? Dilemma got the money now so it's time before I spend it!
BTW I've seen only one post somewhere that the guy claims the NKK stage 1 it's a better alternative than exedy! On a corolla GTS. And I think they make the disc for ACT. But it all seems speculation to me! Can't really find anything official about them! Tech line tomorrow, I'll see!
Dont let your eyes to fool you!!!

Labine R.
Lil Beast
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Posts: 308
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:25 pm
My tercel:: 81 tercel sr5 GTS (4age RWD and 4WD application on build up for the moment) now im running a 3a with weber 32 dmsa 100,corolla gts front suspension, sway bar and steering, troush exhaust
Location: Oliver B.C. Canada

Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by Lil Beast »

Well phoned in the tech line for the nkk stage 1 and they could not give me a rating! How do they manage to put stage 1 then?
Looked into the centerforce dual friction unavailable anymore! I swear 2 days ago I could find it and today nadda WTF? I'm telling there is days like that, cause I want to have something done, nothing happen!
Looked into ae86 clutches! Not much more advance, unless I go with those e-bay unknown brand like gripforce,F1,xtd,xtr, ect... Wich I can find mainly bad reviews only, thru forum! Won't bet my money, I leave this to others! Other known brand like exedy and act are as pricey or way more than the SPEC!
I could get an ACT tomorrow here for 700+ WHAT! Don't need it that fast!
So had a itchy finger and anxiuos mind! Looked at a SPEC stage 4, AGAIN, couldn't resist, my finger had an itch so bad that it went and scratched itself against the buy now! 353.45$ shipping inc.
So SPEC stage 4 with 4 puck disc it is? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Probably a month wait but it's done! If I could of found a cheaper good clutch for ae86 would of used the difference to get the ring gears pressed off the 3ac flywheel and on the 4age flywheel ! But another time! Hopefully not too soon, budget reaper!
Dont let your eyes to fool you!!!

Labine R.
SynthDesign
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My tercel:: The General, 85 SR5 w/ Sunroof,Olive Drab paint, Black Interior, custom steel bumpers, Barto BC lift, 1.67L BUILT 3AC w/ Weber Carb. 346,000 miles and counting since restoration
Location: Seattle WA
Contact:

Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by SynthDesign »

@Lil Beast,
The Centerforce Dual disk set up is available still. When I called, it was $1400 w/ the flywheel. You have to use their flywheel as it's proprietary to the clutch system. The dual disc set up for the 4age will work w/ our transmissions because it is smaller than a stock Tercel flywheel and only requires a starter gear swap. A bit spendy though, but gives you the opportunity to run a hydraulic through-out bearing and clutch master setup. I think the whole setup ended up being over $2k USD.


I'm getting itchy to finish up my Tercel. I just got the engine back in my MR2, and once it's running , can resume this project.
Vintage and Classic Toyota; Have you loved your Toyota today?
2016 Toyota Tacoma Quad Cab LB TRD OffRoad
2005 Toyota Sienna, work van
85 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd (The General)
85 Toyota Tercel GTS 4wd (4AGE Swap)
85 Toyota MR2 (Blu)
83 Mazda RX-7 Mariah Widebody
Lil Beast
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Posts: 308
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:25 pm
My tercel:: 81 tercel sr5 GTS (4age RWD and 4WD application on build up for the moment) now im running a 3a with weber 32 dmsa 100,corolla gts front suspension, sway bar and steering, troush exhaust
Location: Oliver B.C. Canada

Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by Lil Beast »

Well this is good to know! But maybe next year, just went to a meeting this weekend with the motorsport association in my region and. New safety regs are on, helmet and neck pretection changed, to get the new stuff im looking at close to 2000$. Man this is really cause since im a kid i want to race cause all these cost are killing me? Who would tought i would i'll throw over 15000$ into a tercel! Lol just the safety issue will cost me half of that but i guess it's alright considering its gonna keep me alive! This weekend i saw a miata taking off the turn doin 4 flying barrel roll before he hit the ground then smashed into a tree the car is totaled nothing good left on the car and the guy came out with a broken toe lol! Was a good race weekend altough had a lot of fun! You can check some of it pn youtube its Knox mountain hillclimb race 2012
Dont let your eyes to fool you!!!

Labine R.
erognmo
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by erognmo »

cool project =) I'm planning a 4age swap too.
My plans include a bigport, yamaha R1 carbed, with mild cams and 2 1/4 custom exhaust. grinded crank , and fresh bearings , rings valves , to keep it simple, a complete rebuild.. hopefully completed summer -13 ,

i've done tons of research already, cant wait to start this project. =)
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Petros
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by Petros »

welcome to the list erog,

it has been done, follow these pages to find out what needs to be done. Not sure carbs are a step in the right direction for the 4age. Modern EFI is very reliable and very low maintenance compared to carbs, especially motor cycle carbs.

Where are you at?
Last edited by Petros on Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
larry mcgrath
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My tercel:: 83 tercel v20 B/T (The ROCKET)98 toyota t100
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by larry mcgrath »

erog-mo just swaped v20 B/T to 83 sr5 was worth the trouble to wire up ecu ,driveability is worth all the extra work ( look i galery for larrys tercel gets a v20 b/t.It was worth the trouble. Larry
erognmo
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by erognmo »

AWESOME LARRY... =)

I live in the northern part of Norway.. =) regarding carbs.. Yamaha R1 carbs is similar or the same as yamaha snowmobiles use.. they work fine from -30c to +10c Conversions like this can be found in several ford escorts mk1/mk2, cosworth 1600 engine and 4age have the same construction, bore/stroke, valve angles and so on.. r1 carbs has vacuum controlled needle and is easier to tune than webers/dellortos and so on..
AND it's something different =)

ok, i've read most of the thread..
i think i'll stick to my plan. I have the engine, i've found carbs for 150usd +/- , i'll use the fuelpump from a bike (low pressure/high flow) , custom header will be made by a friend, 4ac distributor and msd 6al ignition,
and u guys have made the recipe for the flywheel.. ;)


my car does not have AC or PS , more space/less trouble..

Todays headlight mod ;)

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GLet71
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by GLet71 »

Sweet headlight! How'd you go about fitting it in there, and where did it originate from?
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erognmo
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Re: 4AGE swap into 85 4WD

Post by erognmo »

It's the original headlight
Remove the glass, remove the reflector , paint the grey boring plastic and the bulb-cap =)
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