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1989 Corolla Engine swap


mentalbreakdown00

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
1,255
City
Tallahassee, Fl
Vehicle Year
1995
Transmission
Manual
Ok guys, my old 89 corolla is starting to have carb issues, I cannot find anything on swapping on a weber, nor can I find anything about swapping a newer drivetrain in from an OBD2 vehicle. I would rather swap in an OBD2 because of ease of diagnosis if I go an engine swap route, any ideas are welcome. :beer:
 
Is this a RWD Corolla, like a SR5 or GT-S? I think by 1989 they were all FWD, even the coupes.

Maybe do some research and see if anyone has swapped in a new motor from the last generation Celica GT-S or a current Corolla/Matrix XRS or a Pontiac Vibe GT.

There are a few Toyota motors out there in the 1.5L-1.8L range. See what will work.

.
 
Try a 91-92 Corolla 4AFE 4-cyl, or up to 1993 in the Corolla Wagon. I've had really good luck with that engine. It should be bolt in. Has fuel injection. It does not have ODB-II.

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This is a 4AF I believe it is a corolla wagon. The same year car has fuel injection on a lot of models, I would like to go fuel injection, but a simple carb swap would be easier. It is FWD by the way. I almost know that a 4AFE intake and all would bolt onto my engine and swap harnesses, but would like to find if anyone has done a Carb swap to a weber or the like. I tried to join a couple of toyota forums, but the admins even after 3 days havent sent me anyhting. Weber does not have a carb listed for my exact car, but it's the same adapter for the older RWD toyotas, but I have a transmission cable to worry about.
 
Well couldn't you swap in a 4AFE into the place of your current 4AF? It's the same motor only fuel-injected. So my guess is that it should bolt in and change the wiring harness and computer.
 
would you happen to know what transmission you have? if you could find out i would cross reference with the transmission and engine from the 1995 tercel. the tercel is obd2, DOHC, 5 speed, and i believe the engine code is 5efe or 1.5l. the engine in those things are nearly invinceable. 270,000+ nad she's only need an alternator and water pump as far as the engine goes and 1 clutch has been put in. very tough engines if i do say so myself.
 
It is a 3 spd trans, thanks for the links to the webers, but as always those are all manual trans. There is a TV cable that I have to contend with to use a weber, and no one seems to know what to do with it. I can bolt on the 4AFE stuff, but would like an overdrive trans, and OBD2.

Thanks for the help gentleman, keep it coming..
 
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try installing an older Focus engine that has OBDII, like the 2.3 FWD.
Junked Focus' are everywhere, so it should be an easy transfer as far as parts go. Just need the engine/tranny and drive system.
 
Because I don't want an escort engine/trans in a corolla, I would rather have an escort than go through that.
 
Well, still waiting on these forums, I am trying to find out about either a weber carb swap with an auto, or I may have to buy a donor car that is FI
 
Anyone know what carb kit from weber physically bolts onto this thing? Weber doesn't list one. I think I have figured out how to make the TV cable work if I can find out what kit bolts on. The other forums no one has still replied...
 
Would anyone be interested if I do a tech write up and do pics of a carb rebuild for this thing? After all options were weighed, the rebuild kit can be had for $30, and solenoids if needed about $80 each. Rebuilt carb $460 up, adapting a weber= custom fab work, plus cost of weber. Adapting to EFI at least buying another car plus all the swap time.
 

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