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Revision as of 03:29, 28 August 2007

The Toyota 4A engine variations are a popular swap into Datsun 1200s. These are 1600cc engines, so are a significant upgrade in terms of cubic inches alone. However, it is the DOHC 4AGE that shines with impressive power. Also notable is the 4AGEZ supercharged engine from the Toyota MR2.

NOTE to newbys: Beware of mentioning rotary-powered or Toyota 4AGE-powered 1200s. Some club members may get offended! But really, these are also excellent engines that fit in fairly well. Just don't tell anybody ;-)

Counterpoint: The 4AGE weighs the same as the better engine... Nissan's CA18DE. The CA18DE is 200cc larger, has bigger everything. So you can get away with the same mods as a 4age and get more power.

The biggest thing that has to be done was a fabricated header, because the 4A manifold is large and does not clear the LHD steering box. You may not have any trouble with a RHD car.

1 Swap Overview
2 Source for Engine
3 Gearbox
4 Differential
5 Projects
6 Swap Notes
7 Discussions
8 Photo Index

Swap Overview

The conversion isn't bolt-on its all fab work:

Engine mounts
Gearbox mount
Custom cooling system pipes
Custom exhaust

No one sells a "kit" to fit the 4AGE into a Datsun 1200.

FWD 4AGE's use a distributor which ends up in the 1200 glovebox and heater/demister box. This means modifying all that. That isn't easy. It's almost always a FWD engine in Australia, unless you can get a Japanese RWD AE86 Engine.

Source for Engine

RWD 4A Engines

AE71 was the 1983 Corolla, with carbureted 4AS SOHC engine.
AE85/AE86 was the last RWD series (1984-1986) with fuel injected DOHC 4AGE engine

Toyota Twin-Cam

4AGE 16V engine is arguably one of the best 1.6 litre motors ever put together. 75KW to 100KW power ratings. The suzuki g13b or g16b weigh 15kgs less than an a15. At around 80kgs the nearest rival is the 4age at 130kg. 108 rwhp from a stock 4AGE.

4AGE 20V engine: 120 kw.

4065

4AGZE: factory supercharged motor with about 135KW. It has stronger con-rods and pistons fitted as standard, thus more suited to forced induction without much change. They are 25kgs lighter than a Nissan CA18DET engine. Most people take off the supercharger and place on a turbo for much better performance and then loosely call it a "4AGTE".

Formula Atlantic 4AGE puts out 240 bhp.

Gearbox

Use the gearbox that came with the engine. Don't try to fit it to the Datsun gearbox, because the Toyota box is much stronger.

There is just enough room for the t50 in a Datsun 1200 manual tunnel. The 1200's speedometer cable screws straight on.

T50 tranmission is less expensive than the Supra W55 box & plenty strong enough for the 4AGE. They've been putting them behind 5 litre Holden & Ford V8's for years. The w55 conversion for 4AGE is $1000-up (for new parts), not including the w55 itself. Don't have to cut the tunnel, put in a T50 5 speed, just cut off the two mounts in the tunnel, cleanly and the box fits perfectly.

T50 is good to handle the torque from a 4AGE, but not from a 4AGZE (supercharged engine). A turbo conversion should be OK at low boosts. Otherwise you'll need a stronger tranmission like this one:

[1]

For drag racing, an automatic is fastest. Use Ford C4, or Toyota Trimatic. Both require custom bellhousing.

Since this is not Datsun-specific, For more details, search http://www.toyota-mods.org/ or visit http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Pit/9975/dataBySubject/Gearboxe s.html

Differential

The AE86 rear live axle assembly is strong, and bolts into the Datsun 1200. Put the whole thing in there, and use the Toyota wheels while you're at it.

Projects

DatsunDonnie

Donnie in Victoria, Canada has a fantastic 4AGE-powered 2-door sedan:

Had it at the drags the other night-15.95@86mph sound good? 7100 RPM through the traps!

Donnie used the stock Datsun 1200 radiator.

Kululadotgroen

In Rooihuiskraal there is this one:

Jason's 1200 Coupe

Out of Vancouver, WA:

Toyota 4AGE DOHC engine
Toyota T50 5-speed
Corolla EFI fuel tank is in the back compartment
77 Corolla SR5 rear with LSD pumpkin
175/70R-13 tires

3Rotor

See all pics from 10936 - 10947, starting with:

Wogboy

Turbo conversion

The clutch is original datto 1200. I used the datsun clutch fork and cut the opposite side of the bellhousing on the t50. Then is used the toyota thrust race, ground down the datto clutch fork to clear , then welded a couple of allen keys(strong steel) to reinforce the clutch fork. The result was the sweetest clutch action I have ever felt. Lucky but amazing.So I have a mechanical clutch.