Vtec and Toyota 4AGE engine id's

[Dennis Wai]

At 12:03 PM 9/03/97 +1300, you wrote:
>Could somebody please offer some help with ID'ing the different type's of
engine variant's on these two motor's. I know the Vtec 1600 come's in half a
dozen type's from 110 to 160 Hp but I don't know how to ID them. I imagine
there is a serial number prefix or something. I also need to know the three
different spec's on the Toyota 4AGE. This motor come in three variant's. A
110 Hp, 130 Hp and a 170 rare model as well. Yep that's right 170 Hp from
the 16 valve motor. I know that maybe you can ID them from the tappet cover
color but colors or power I am not sure on. Now I also know that later
4AGE's had 20 valve motor's but they were not the 170 Hp motor's and I think
that they were more an economy motor (No dynamic performance). They reason I
need to know is that There are two of us ( one New Zealander and one
Australian) that are possibly looking at fitting either of these motor's to
the back of a old Fiat 850 (700kg). Also while you are here can anybody see
any problem's about running a gearbox backward's. Eg input shaft spun
backward's from original design.
>
>Paul
>
Paul

Toyota released the 4AGE into the NZ market with the introduction of the
corolla GTI and MR2 in 1986. I believe this version produced 88 KW (Guess
what? I'm a metric dude) It can be visually identified by its red cover. In
1988, the next corolla range was released with the GTI version having a
tweeked 4AGE that produced 89 KW (also with red cover - I think?). In 1990,
the facelift Corolla GTI was introduced which generated 96KW, this was
discontinued in 1992 when the current corolla model was released. I own a
'91 GTI (96 kw) which has a distinctive black cover that hides the spark plugs.

As for the 170 hp variant, I suspect that this was the supercharged version
for the japan domestic market - I have heard a little about it, but nothing
of great detail.  

The 20 valve motor was not intorduced into NZ, but with many used Jap.
imports flooding into the country (NZ seems to be the dumping ground for
Japans used cast-aways) some 20 valvers have found their way down under. My
understanding is that the 20 valver provided significant performance over
the NZ new items. 

Cheers

Dennis