Looking At Starting In Rollas

[diymark]

Hey,

 

I've been thinking of getting a Corolla - most likely within the KE30 to KE70 region as I don't like the look of the newer ones lol.

 

Anyway I've got a few questions as this is all new to me so please bare with me - any help is appreciated!

 

1. What are common things to look for/avoid when looking at a rolla when I'm planning to buy it? What things commonly need fixing/repairing/changing on them?

 

2. Is it realistic to get (relatively easily) 100KW/Ton power to weight ratio in a KE30/70? That means around 70KW (80KW with me it in hah)? This is because I believe cars start to get "fun" at around 100KW/ton and above and was trying to achieve this in a rolla - is this realistic or have I completely lost it?

 

3. I'm 80% sure I would get it turbo'd if keep the 3/4K. I was planning on a inter-cooled blow through setup. For this I understand I need to build a box around the carb or if I have Webers I can seal them up and pipe it straight onto the carb inlet. I would also require a fuel pump that increases pressure with boost increase (forgot the proper name), BOV, Boost controller, etc. Am I right in all of this? For the piping/brackets/etc Ill just make it as I have a lathe/mill/mig.

 

4. How much boost can I run without ill effects? I've been hearing 6 psi and other have been saying 10 psi? What's the correct amount I can run on stock internals?

 

5. I suppose I could just stick in a 4age and get more power than a turboed 3/4K right? How would I go about getting a different engine for a rolla? Just keep checking the wreckers? (This is a a very noob question - this is my first "project car" and I wouldn't have a clue where to get spares for a "old" car like a rolla).

 

6. Any other engines that are as "drop in" as a 4age and have reasonable power?

 

7. Probably the noobest question yet - how can I get spares to replace broken stock parts? Just get them off another rolla? Can I buy them at say Repco? (Ducks for cover)

 

8. Getting a less powered engine like a turboed 4K instead of a 4age would be "better" for me as I can then have a BOV just for shits and giggles (looks funny to have a BOV in an old rolla!).

 

Sorry for sounding...well, sounding so dumb! This is all new to me and this is my first project car and have literally no idea.

 

What I want to achieve with this rolla is firstly just to get one to mess around with lol and when I get sick of that (if ever) I will be to try and squeeze some power out of it and still keep it in stock/original condition cosmetically (beside fix up the basics - I want it to look like original used condition if you know what I mean). And then be able to have some fun at the lights! Ie get a few laughs with mates trying (and failing) to drag commodores and then give riced P platers the shits when a 30 year old car beats their excel. Thats explain my aim for 100KW/Ton as it will beat 60-70% of cars on the road.

 

Yet again - thanks in advance for any guidance/help.

[The_Lab]

1. No! Its not unreasonable.

 

2. Completely.

 

3. I wouldn't bother stuffing around with the 4k. Just go a DET motor.

 

4. I don't think I would push past 6 on stock internals but I can't really say much as I have never turbo'd a 4K.

 

5. Well 4age is the easiest way. Along with a locker, decent steering wheel and some skill :y:

 

6. People put CA18DE, CA18DET, SR20DE, SR20DET the options are endless. Saw a ke55 with a 1j which is hell insane.

 

7. Buy a cheap spare. Who cares about RWC or rego. $100 from some old gran pa. They pop up all the time.

 

8. Don't be stupid. 4age with straight pipes sounds sooooo much hotter than some monza BOV from autobarn.

Edited November 5, 2009 by The_Lab

[rob83ke70]

toyota engine dammit!!! 4ag, 4agte, 4agze, 7ag hybrid, 7agte hybrid, 3tg, hell put a 1mz-fe or a 2gr-fe, or best still a 2zz-ge (should you be able to find one) in it!!

 

Robert.

[jono1986]

One of my bosses says a 304 will go in, with a little tunnel work. Another boss said an 18rg something would be awesome, then another boss said some sort of fiat motor that revs out a million revs or something. The lesson i learnt here, choose an engine and stick with it, everyone has a different opinion

[rob83ke70]

I really don't understand, if you want to use a nissan engine, why don't you put it in a nissan or datsun?? If you have a toyota, keep it toyota! much cooler that way! and easier to get parts for!

 

Robert.

[LittleRedSpirit]

1. Rust is the main killer on older rollas. Just look for something comparatively low in mileage. Something with a 4k will usually need a nuke to stop it.

 

2. 100KW/ton is easy enough to achieve, a worked 4age, sr20, 3sge, or ca18 would do it.

 

3. Not a whiz with turbos, sorry.

 

4. Unsure, ask Taz RX, lol.

 

5. The 4age will bolt straight in with ae71 mounting parts into a ke70. You can us a 16v 4age setup for rwd from thw importers, usually from an ae86, otherwise you will just find it best to get a half cut.

 

6. No, maybe 7afe, but will have fitment issues most def.

 

7. Forsale section here, wreckers, repco, whatever.

 

8. Yawn

[Jason]

See PM

[Taz_Rx]

4. Unsure, ask Taz RX, lol.

 

lolz.

 

10-12 psi should be fine on a daily driven, stock internal 4k. And then you could still punch it up to 15-16psi for say a trip to the local drag strip. I've boosted then to over 20psi (now have proof of this with my ECU data logger - 22.5psi) and never even busted a ring land..... yet!

Its all really in the tune. Make sure its got adequate fuel and make sure the timing is right. :)

 

5. I suppose I could just stick in a 4age and get more power than a turboed 3/4K right?

 

Obviously my opinion on this is a little biased but I think that this is one of the major misconception on this forum.

a 100kw 4AGE has that power AT THE FLYWHEEL. So by the time you get it to the wheels you're looking at around 50-70rwkw, and there's members rides threads here that will show you this.

Now compare that to say philbeys 5k with dual webers etc....... he made around 59rwkw IIRC. So around about the same power as a 4AGE from a thats from an NA K SERIES. I make a very confortable 100rwkw on about 10psi and I'm still using stock internals.

Wind the boost up a bit more as has Madrolla68 and you're looking at anywhere up to 160rwkw (19.5psi)....... which frankly is power that any mild 4agte owner should be happy with!!! :yes:

[altezzaclub]

Rust is the first killer, then being thrashed by young guys!

 

So you will have to look inland for an auto in overrated condition, & expect to pay about $2k. Buy an auto if you're going to do work on it, they never get thrashed!

 

You could look around the old age homes in your area and leave notes on windscreens.. I've got a few cars that way.

 

Ours was pretty straight, just little dings in the front guards from a narrow driveway I think, and had absolutely no rust holes or bog. It was just developing rust worms under the paint on one side, so after a strip & respray it should be good for thirty years. That was $1800 for 110,000km.

 

There's an old couple own a overrated flat-front a block away here in Orange, but I haven't spoken to them about selling it.

[philbey]

Now compare that to say philbeys 5k with dual webers etc....... he made around 59rwkw IIRC

 

68rwkw.

Edited November 9, 2009 by philbey

[diymark]

All good Ideas and info everyone!

 

It seems from my research and reading that the corollas are starting to cost a fair bit - mainly for the reason that people want them to fix them up I guess.

 

Also after thinking some more I don't think Ill be doing like a full restore project - yet. What I'd tend to do it firstly thrash it (haha its a corolla, your meant to do this anrt you?). I'd keep it in some what original condition (fix rust and obvious problems) and then rebuild the stock engine and turbo it. I see it as an "easy way out" to just drop in a new (different) motor. I you want a new motor, why not just use the car that had that motor originally? As Rob said, lets keep it a Toyota.

 

Then once all this is done Ill probably get sucked into this project then end up stripping it down and respraying it and the fixing up the interior, brakes and suspension.

 

Lastly does anyone have any links to sites/info re-guarding places I could get spares (either original or performance)?

 

Oh and Taz Rx, what motor did you get 100rwkw with 10psi boost? And that motor is rebuilt? or original? (I'm thinking rebuilt?)

Edited November 9, 2009 by diymark

[oh what a nissan feeling!]

tazrx, you give a bloody convincing arguement.

 

+philby that is damn impressive! off to find your thread now......

[Taz_Rx]

Oh and Taz Rx, what motor did you get 100rwkw with 10psi boost? And that motor is rebuilt? or original? (I'm thinking rebuilt?)

 

No not rebuilt. Just an internally stock 5k with the D-dish pistons and a 3kbp head to drop te CR. Click "Tar" in my sig for the that project thread. :cool: ......It is an EFI K btw.