Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Xephoz
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 3:49 am

Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby Xephoz » Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:36 am

Ok, I don't know if there is a thread like this, but I wanted to know the different variants of the 4-A series engines. I am pretty new to these, and I see some cars that have "Blacktop", "Silvertop", 16V and 20V engines. If anyone could help fill me in, that would be great, thanks!

jdm86gtz
Club4AG Expert
Posts: 307
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:13 pm
Location: Ireland

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby jdm86gtz » Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:17 am

Someone was nice enough to make this

Image

Xephoz
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 3:49 am

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby Xephoz » Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:52 am

Wow that helps, thank you

burdickjp
Club4AG Expert
Posts: 343
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:39 pm
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby burdickjp » Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:12 pm

That's not entirely correct. For instance, the 7 rib bigport engine was put in AW11s from 1987-1989.
That also doesn't cover the 4A-GZEs.
Pursuing the ideal

Jeff Lange
Club4AG Enthusiast
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:04 pm

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby Jeff Lange » Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:17 pm

burdickjp wrote:That's not entirely correct. For instance, the 7 rib bigport engine was put in AW11s from 1987-1989.
That also doesn't cover the 4A-GZEs.


The years are mostly correct, they just didn't include the AW11 with the Gen 2 listing.

The production dates are not always accurate though, as they often kept using an engine type until the next model year for export models.

Also late bluetop engines have 7-rib blocks with the smaller 18mm/40mm internals. All other 7-rib blocks have the larger 20mm/42mm internals.

Jeff

jdm86gtz
Club4AG Expert
Posts: 307
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:13 pm
Location: Ireland

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby jdm86gtz » Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:03 am

burdickjp wrote:That's not entirely correct. For instance, the 7 rib bigport engine was put in AW11s from 1987-1989.
That also doesn't cover the 4A-GZEs.


Haha you are a hard man to please.
For the original question from a 4AG noob that picture surely should suffice.

User avatar
oldeskewltoy
Club4AG MASTER
Posts: 2180
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:44 pm
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby oldeskewltoy » Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:09 am

I'd use that as a BASIC guide only....

Reason - in some cases these engines are now 30 years old! There have been SOOOO many of them screwed with that finding everything original can be pretty rare sometimes.

It is best when dealing (understanding) these engines that you look at the major components.

Heads:
16V - 2 types, large port, and smallport. Largeport: TVIS equipped, 9.4 to 1 compression in MOST countries (10 to 1 in a few - NOT the US, or Japan) Smallport: 1990-1992, only fwd unless modified, 10.3 to 1 compression
20V - 2 types membrane(aka blacktop) and no membrane(aka silvertop). No membrane engines were the first version, only available in Japan, replaced shortly later by the membrane version which was the last performance head built for the "A" engine.

Blocks:
There are about 6 or 7 different castings, but it can be narrowed down to 3 types, 2 with straight oil pan sides - 3 rib, and 7 rib, and then there is the 20V blocks, also 7 rib, but these have a notched oil pan side - intake side back by #3 cylinder

Crankshafts:
there are just 2 OEM cranks: early type - has 40mm rod journals, later type has 42mm rod journals

Pistons:
There are 7 types ( 5-16V, 2-20V):
N/A pistons -
16V 9.4 to 1 (2 versions one with 18mm wrist pins, one with 20mm wrist pins)
16V 10 to 1
16V 10.3 to 1
20V 10.5 to 1
20V 11.0 to 1

S/C pistons -
16V 8.0 to 1
16V 8.9 to 1

Connecting Rods: 4 types
1983 till sometime in 1987 - 40mm big end/18mm small end - about 459 grams
1987 till sometime in 1991 - 42mm big end/20mm small end - about 526 grams
1991 till 1995 - 42mm big end/20mm small end - about 514 grams
1995 till production end - 42mm big end/20mm small end - mass of rod is lighter, and slightly redesigned (maybe someone can fill in the mass)


I hope that helps some......
OST Cyl head porting, - viewtopic.php?f=22&t=300

Building a great engine takes knowing the end... before you begin :ugeek:

Enjoy Life... its the only one you get!

Xephoz
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 3:49 am

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby Xephoz » Fri Mar 14, 2014 10:04 am

Ok I was confused at first, but that explains a lot. Someone needs to make a diagram or something haha

Jeff Lange
Club4AG Enthusiast
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:04 pm

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby Jeff Lange » Sat Mar 15, 2014 12:13 pm

Adding a bit of information to what was posted, 7-rib 16V blocks from from smallport-equipped engines had an external oil drain hose from the back of the head to the block on the RH rear of the engine, the heads are also obviously so equipped. GZE smallport 7-rib blocks have the knock sensor boss tapped in a different spot than N/A engines. Not big issues and there are several other castings, but I would update the Blocks section as follows:

Blocks:
16V 3-rib block
16V 7-rib block without oil drain (straight pan)
16V 7-rib block with oil drain (straight pan)
20V 7-rib block (notched pan)

Pistons:
N/A pistons -
16V 9.4:1 (18mm and 20mm wrist pin versions, used in largeport)
16V 10.0:1 (18mm and 20mm wrist pin versions, used in largeport)
16V 10.3:1 (20mm wrist pin, used in smallport)
20V 10.5:1 (20mm wrist pin, used in silvertop)
20V 11.0:1 (20mm wrist pin, used in blacktop)

S/C pistons -
16V 8.0:1 (20mm wrist pin, used in largeport)
16V 8.9:1 (20mm wrist pin, used in smallport)

Connecting Rods: 4-types
1983-mid 1987 (exact month depends on vehicle and destination country): 40mm big end/18mm small end - about 459 grams (used in largeport 16V only)
late-1986(GZE)/mid-1987-02/1991 - 42mm big end/20mm small end - about 526 grams (used in largeport 16V and smallport 16V)
02/1991-05/1995 - 42mm big end/20mm small end - about 514 grams (used in smallport 16V and silvertop 20V)
05/1995-end - 42mm big end/20mm small end - lighter, don't know exact weight (used in blacktop 20V only)

Jeff

User avatar
rick q
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:35 pm
Location: Qld Australia

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby rick q » Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:40 pm

This may be of some help :- http://www.billzilla.org/4agstock.htm

phanist
Club4AG Expert
Posts: 437
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:57 am

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby phanist » Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:22 pm

lol what about the 4AC and 4Afe engine those aren't the 4A series? or just 4age series

Jeff Lange
Club4AG Enthusiast
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:04 pm

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby Jeff Lange » Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:36 pm

phanist wrote:lol what about the 4AC and 4Afe engine those aren't the 4A series? or just 4age series


Yeah, there are a couple of 4A, one 4A-F and 2 4A-FE engine variations as well, not to mention other versions sold outside of North America.

Not as much interest in those engines though, to be honest.

Jeff

User avatar
Rogue-AE95
Club4AG Expert
Posts: 493
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:03 pm
Location: Tampa Bay, FL

Re: Different Variants of the 4-A Series

Postby Rogue-AE95 » Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:51 pm

Jeff Lange wrote:
phanist wrote:lol what about the 4AC and 4Afe engine those aren't the 4A series? or just 4age series


Yeah, there are a couple of 4A, one 4A-F and 2 4A-FE engine variations as well, not to mention other versions sold outside of North America.

Not as much interest in those engines though, to be honest.

Jeff


And for those 4A-FEs, there are two intake manifold designs for the first gen. The earlier '88-'89 design, and the '90-'92 design.

Let's face it, we could put together a magazine with all the A family engines and their variants :lol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_A_engine
'88 Corolla All-Trac x2 (manual, auto)