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The Toyota 4A engine variations are a popular swap into Datsun 1200s.
Contents |
About
Toyota 4A engine series are 1600cc engines, so are a significant upgrade in terms of cubic inches alone compared to the Datsun A12 or A14. However, it is the DOHC 4A-GE 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.
| Datsun A15 | 4A-FE | 4A-GE (Gen 3) | 4A-GZE (AE101) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bore | 76 mm | 81 mm | 81 mm | 81 mm |
| Stroke | 82 mm | 77 mm | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Displacement | 1488 cc | 1587 cc | 1587 cc | 1587 cc |
| Power | 81 hp (60 kW) | 89 hp (66 kW) | 138 hp (103 kW) | 168 hp (125 kW) |
Although some have been able to extract more power from the 4A-FE. The upside is that they are very easily obtainable and so are parts. They are a narrow angle DOHC (single sprocket) cross-flow alloy head with a cast iron block.
- 4A-GE (wide angle DOHC) Come in 5 flavours ranging from 86kW (Gen 2) up to 121kW (Gen 5) 20 Valve.
- 4A-GZE supercharged. Some use this motor and its fuel system and computer for a turbo setup although simply replacing the cast pistons with forged items in a 4A-GE will yield the same result (except that an aftermarket ECU will be needed). The advantage over the supercharger is that boost can be variably controlled using and adjustable wastegate or boost controller. A supercharger has a fixed design boost, although aftermarket overdrive pulleys are available. They don't like to be spun more that around 8000 rpm as the teflon coatings on the roots can melt.
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.
20V 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.
Front-wheel-drive 4AGE uses a distributor which ends up in the 1200 glovebox and heater/demister box. Modifying all 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
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 factory forged pistons with later variants with ceramic coated tops, suitable for forced induction and perfect for aftermarket turbo as well. The con-rods and crank are the same or similar to 4age. (eg early AE92 4agze has larger rods). The 4agze smallport head will also come with oil squirter pistons, another good thing for cooling high performance setups. This std setup is strong enough for +200kw hence the reason people grab them for turbo setups with no reason to upgrade pistons, rods or the crank. 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". If you were hunting for max power, then a 7afe block with 4agze internals, turbo and some other mods would bump it to a 1.8L, also known as the "7agte". Maximum powered 7agtes can reach +300kw at the wheels with custom pistons, crank & rods.
Formula Atlantic 4A-GE 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 transmission 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.
Or if you live where W55 is cheap (South Africa) use the R900 conversion bell housing
T50 is good to handle the torque from a little 1.6 liter 4AGE, but not from a 4AGZE (supercharged engine). A turbo conversion should be OK at low boosts. Otherwise you'll need a stronger transmission like this one:
Toyota W gearbox
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:
Clutch & Flywheel
OPTIONAL - lighten flywheel
Differential
The AE86 rear live axle assembly is strong, and is narrow enough to fit under a Datsun 1200. Put the whole thing in there, and use the Toyota alloy wheels while you're at it.
AE86 is the RWD Toyota Corolla 1983-1986 (E80 series). The most desirable rear axle is from the GTS model (AE88) with disc brakes. Some were fitted with LSD, but if not TRD sells one. This model came with 14" alloy wheels instead of the 13" common to most AE86. It also had the stronger T282/T284 differential.
Projects
Ruda's 11-sec Bakkie
Zoom 153
4AGE STREET ELITE DATTO white ute 'DATOOW' "Third time's a charm" page 20
in its third incarnation Simon Vella's 1200 Ute is a stunning showcase of a well thought-out performance package that goes, turns stops and looks damn good doing so
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 Cape Town, South Africa 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
Randoli
4A-GZE conversion. Use EMS ECU and removed the MAF sensor
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.
Normo's Ute
(now sold)
gearbox crossmember
Swap Notes
- http://www.toyotaturbo.com/1200datsun.htm
- http://www.users.bigpond.com/vidore/toyota_4age_engine.htm
- http://www.club4ag.com/faq%20and%20tech_pages/4A-GE_technical_specifications.htm
- http://www.club4ag.com
Engine Mount Left
Engine Mount Right
Sump Fitment
The 4A has a front sump oil pan, actually shorter than the a12, so you can position it lower in the chassis.
front clearance
rear clearance
Air Inlet
Engine
Gearbox
Shifter
Water pump hose
Radiator
Water bottle
Pedal Boxes
Brake booster
clutch pedal
right mount
Discussions
* Datsun 1200 (4agze TURBO)Conversion * 4331 4AGE into Datsun 1000
Photo Index
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