Toyota 4A-GE

The 4A-GE is a DOHC in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine from Toyota with 16-valve technology and a displacement of 1.6 l (1587 cm³). From 1983 it was mainly used in the Corolla series, but also in the MR2 AW11 and the Celica . The cylinders are numbered from 1 to 4, starting with the toothed belt. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. The motor consists of a block of cast iron and an aluminum cylinder head . It was the first engine that Toyota equipped with a timing belt for the camshaft drive.

development

From OHC to DOHC

The 4A-GE is basically the further development of the OHC engines of the 2A and 3A series from Toyota. A 4A variant with OHC , called 4AC, was also offered on the American market . The Twin Cam 4A-GE is actually a mass production of the Ford Cosworth BDA twin cam racing engine. The 4A-GE has the same bore / stroke dimensions (81 mm × 77 mm), and the same valve sizes (29.5 mm and 25.5 mm). In some 4A-GE versions, there are also great similarities in the shape and dimensions of the cylinder head.

TVIS

The TVIS (Toyota Variable Induction System) is a variable intake geometry from Toyota, which is mainly used in the 4A GE engines. Each cylinder is supplied by two intake pipes, one of the intake pipes is closed by a butterfly valve at low speed. At 4650 revolutions per minute, the valve, which had been closed until then, opens and the motor has more air throughput. This system is controlled by negative pressure. The use of the flaps enables the most homogeneous possible torque development over the entire speed range. The TVIS system can also be used to differentiate between the different versions of the 4A-GE.

16 valves

The 4A-GE is available in several versions. From May 1983 to 1991 only the 16-valve versions were built, after that only the 20-valve 4A-GE were built until around 1998. Basically, these are differentiated on the basis of the intake geometry. Engines with the TVIS (Toyota Variable Induction System) have between 116 and 124 hp and have a pressed piston pin with a diameter of 18 mm and a crank pin diameter of 40 mm.

The 16 valve engine were basically installed in these vehicles.

AA63 Carina 1983.06–1985 (only in Japan)
AT160 Carina 1985–1988 (Japan only)
AT171 Carina 1988–1992 (Japan only)
AA63 Celica 1983-1985
AT160 Celica 1985-1989
AE82 Corolla saloon, FX 1984.10-1987
AE86 Corolla Levin 1983-05-1987
AE92 Corolla 1987-1993
AT141 Corona 1983.10–1985 (only in Japan)
AT160 Corona 1985–1988 (only in Japan)
AW11 MR2 1984.06-1989
AE82 Sprinter 1984.10–1987 (only in Japan)
AE86 Sprinter Trueno 1983.05–1987 (only in Japan)
AE92 Sprinter 1987-1992 (only in Japan)
AE86 / AE92 Corolla GLi Twincam / Conquest RSi 1986–1993 (South Africa)
Chevrolet Nova (Based on the Corolla AE82)
Geo Prizm GSi (based on the Toyota AE92 chassis) 1990–1992

20 valves

Fourth generation "Silver Top"

The further development was the fourth generation of the "4A-GE" and was built from 1991 to 1995. The engine was recognizable by the silver valve cover with chrome-plated lettering. This is where the nickname "Silver Top" came from. This engine was characterized by a completely newly developed cylinder head with five instead of four valves per cylinder. It also has Toyota's variable valve timing (VVT), which is located on the intake camshaft. Thanks to the improved timing, it enables an increased compression ratio of (10.5: 1). The intake system was also changed.

General information

4A-GE 20 Blacktop

The further development of the 4A-GE ended in the so-called silver and blacktop variants (recognizable by a silver or black valve cover with the corresponding inscription). In the 20-valve engines, the bore and stroke of the 4A-GE were retained, but the cylinder head on the intake side and one valve per cylinder were enlarged, and the compression was also steadily increased. Furthermore, the TVIS intake geometry was dispensed with, and Toyota built in individual throttle valves and adjustable camshafts (VVT). The Silver-top version has a power output of 160 hp at 7200min ^-1 , where the black-top version due to an even higher compression of 11: 1 a power output of 165 hp at 7800 min ^-1 has. The Silvertop was found in the Japanese version of the Corolla E10 (AE101), and the Blacktop was the last 4A-GE in a Corolla, the E11 (AE111). The differences between the two versions are not only to be found in the compression (10.5: 1 to 11: 1), the Blacktop has more lift on the inlet camshaft, lighter pistons, connecting rods and crankshafts and 45s were installed as individual throttle valves (Silvertop 42s) . The Blacktop is therefore best suited for vacuum tuning, the Silvertop is also suitable for a compressor or turbo setup (special pistons or shorter connecting rods required for less compression).

compressor

A special version of the 4A-GE is the 4A-GZE. This is a 4A-GE, but it is charged by a compressor. In contrast to the 20V and 16V variants, the GZE has a reinforced crankshaft, different connecting rods and pistons to reduce compression (all in a reinforced design). The supercharging is switched on and off by a small clutch which is on the belt pulley of the supercharger (like an air conditioning compressor), depending on the load and how the control unit is tuned.

Beliebt ist das Umbauen der GZE-Motoren auf Turbolader, eine Variante, die nie ab Werk angeboten wurde.

Racing

The 4A-GE was also used successfully in motorsport. In the Formula Atlantic 4A-GE engines were used, which deliver between 220 and 240 hp with a 1.6 liter displacement without charging. The in-house tuning company of Toyota TRD (Toyota Racing Development) played a major role in the development of this engine .

vehicles

The Toyota 4A-GE engine was used in both front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars. The models in Europe are the Corolla generations AE82GT, AE86, AE92 and the mid-engine sports car MR2 AW11. The engine was also in the third and fourth generation of Celica, in the AA63 and AT160. Outside of Europe, all other Corolla generations were also delivered with at least one 4A-GE variant.

In Europe, mainly the hatchback models of the Corolla generations were sold, only the AE86 made it to Germany as a notchback coupe and to Austria as a liftback coupe.

The hatchback models such as the AE82 GT or the AE92 were only available with front-wheel drive, while the coupe variants were mostly sold with rear-wheel drive. The coupe variants with both drive types are only available in Japan.

The AE86 in particular has become very famous with the advent of the drift scene. For almost all Corolla, however, the relatively high engine speeds and low weight compared to today's cars make them a lot of driving pleasure. In their design, the 4A-GE engines are comparable to the VTEC engines of the Honda Civic and CRX series.