Dudeman Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Hi everyone! Very new to site. I am not sure how people will take me not owning a true Toyota, yet i trust people wil be very accepting of my Geo "Hybrid" I won a 1995 Geo Prizm, which is outfitted with a 4A-FE I would like to drop in a 4A-GE Blacktop. OK for the questions. Anyone know if it is a direct drop-in? Will it run on US octane? (93) If you own a 4A-GE, compared to my 4A-FE, will a 17year old looking for more power to learn with be satisfied? (Just how differently does it feel when im used to 105?) Thanks a bundle! P.S: I hope i posted this in the correct forum, as I am a little overwhelmed with all the choices! Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leighcm Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Welcome to the site! And yes, you are in the correct forum. A Prizm is basically a Corolla, with some minor differences. I'm not sure what to tell you about the engine swap...that's a question for Stevelaw or Fidgets. However, the horsepower difference may not be worth it. You could upgrade to something faster like a Celica for roughly the same cost as the motor, assuming you don't get too new of a Celica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudeman Posted April 19, 2006 Author Share Posted April 19, 2006 Thanks! Well my mom is the "owner" of the vehicle, and she does not want me swapping out cars right and left. I figured this was the best decision, as I have a limited budget, and really can't deal with a turbo or supercharger right now. Nor do I have the knowhow. Besides, I have been planning this with the intention to make this a "sleeper" . This swap might be "not worth it" for a driver used to a turbo, but what about someone used to a stock Prizm?.... Beacause this is my first vehicle, and by no means am i used to power. Im not looking for a full blown street racer, due to money constraints and lack of time. However I am interested in a little more power and also an engine with much less mileage. So my question is, is this the best drop-in possable, and would it be worth it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leighcm Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Thanks!Well my mom is the "owner" of the vehicle, and she does not want me swapping out cars right and left. I figured this was the best decision, as I have a limited budget, and really can't deal with a turbo or supercharger right now. Nor do I have the knowhow. Besides, I have been planning this with the intention to make this a "sleeper" . This swap might be "not worth it" for a driver used to a turbo, but what about someone used to a stock Prizm?.... Beacause this is my first vehicle, and by no means am i used to power. Im not looking for a full blown street racer, due to money constraints and lack of time. However I am interested in a little more power and also an engine with much less mileage. So my question is, is this the best drop-in possable, and would it be worth it? What about some easier mods...intake, exhaust, etc.? It would be cheaper, and may produce close to the same power. Check around the internet for mods by HKS, Stillen, TRD, Rod Millen, Greddy, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudeman Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Well my engine currently is at 175000. So i figured this is a good idea rather than just dropping in a turbo. This way I get more power,and my mom is happy. Also the car will be around for a lot longer (body is almost perfect) and it will probably have a pretty good chance of being re-sold in the future. This will probably be the first 6 speed geo prizm in the country. Like you said, before I found out about the potential for this drop, I was looking at mods to the current engine. But in order to get a 50-60 Hp increase I would be looking at a turbo setup, running me over 1,000. Running boost on an old engine might be ok, but when money is VERY scarce, it is not really the most concrete idea. Also the engine really has no aftermarket market. While I already own a ram air intake, a turbo would require custom fabricated items which would, as you know get very costly. The engine only revvs to 6000 too, and i like rpm's :P Having to hit fuel cut in order to get going quick is not really my style. I think looking at it from a standpoint of a 60hp increase, and a 6 speed tranny, it is a vast improvement. Am I wrong? While it may appear I do not apreceate/respect the responses Leighcm, they are from a standpoint of a person driving a car with considerable power :) So Thanks, and it is a help to get some input! TTYL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leighcm Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 It sounds like you've done your homework...and 175k makes it easier to sacrifice the old motor. How much have you found a new engine for? Will you be able to do the swap yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudeman Posted April 22, 2006 Author Share Posted April 22, 2006 Well the engine prices seem to vary. On Soko.com They are selling a blacktop for i believe $900 with tranny. On ebay, there are over 15 Blacktop's a couple with 6speeds. Now im fairly certain the 4A-GE will drop in, but the six speed tranny makes me worried. I really would love that 6speed :) I assume if it drops in all i will have to do is cut the shift plate? The 6-speeds cost roughly $1200 shipped. As far as swapping the motor. I have no experience, but this is %50 the reason I want to do the swap. I want the experience. Myself and two of my friends (one has done 2 swaps now) are all swapping our engines at the begining of the summer (not all at the same time :) ) I realize this is a huge job, and this is the reason I want to be sure I will be happy with the power. All I want is a little more to learn on , and the ability to maybe suprize some poeple who are unsuspecting :) Hey, thanks again, TTYL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinmaTsunami Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Well the engine prices seem to vary. On Soko.com They are selling a blacktop for i believe $900 with tranny. On ebay, there are over 15 Blacktop's a couple with 6speeds. Now im fairly certain the 4A-GE will drop in, but the six speed tranny makes me worried. I really would love that 6speed :) I assume if it drops in all i will have to do is cut the shift plate? The 6-speeds cost roughly $1200 shipped. As far as swapping the motor. I have no experience, but this is %50 the reason I want to do the swap. I want the experience. Myself and two of my friends (one has done 2 swaps now) are all swapping our engines at the begining of the summer (not all at the same time :) ) I realize this is a huge job, and this is the reason I want to be sure I will be happy with the power. All I want is a little more to learn on , and the ability to maybe suprize some poeple who are unsuspecting :) Hey, thanks again, TTYL Having said you have a 4a-fe, then I would suggest looking into swapping in a 7a-fe. It has almost 200cc over the 4a and roughly 15 more hp. That being said, there are more mods available for the 7a. I'm running a 4a with a header, high flow cat, high flow muffler, short ram intake, ngk denso iridium plugs, 10.2mm wires and I'm probably running 115-120 hp (optimistically) And if you are dead set on a turbo, then I suggest looking at these. sfx Performance has kits that are decent prices. You'll still have to check fitment though. Anyway, I hope this helps you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.