The Sunday News
Motoring with Lovert Mafukure
The first mention of a 4A engine, the mind races to bring about a Corolla image. Yes, most of the Corollas have the 4A FE engine and other models like the Raum, Spacio, Marino etc share the same engine but the 4A FE is not the centre of attraction today, the center of attraction today is a 4A GE motor. It’s worth taking note of the fact that it shares the same block with the 4A FE but with different heads. This is the most powerful of the 4A engine line up and you will find it in the most subtle looking car — the Toyota Carina GT.
The FE is tuned for a balance of power and economy and GE is tuned for performance so I hope this helps you on your next buy. JDM on the other hand stands for Japan Domestic Market and refers to all these cars we import from Japan that were meant for the Japanese domestic market but they find their way here through the backdoor and not the authorised dealers.
Perhaps you would ask what is so special about a 4A GE motor? Last week we looked at the 2JZ engine and its talent among others is that it can produce and handle lots of power with its bulletproof design. Now, the 4A GE motor is special too, it is the engine in Mano Zevgolis’ Toyota MR2 and that MR2 is the first car in a long time in Zimbabwe to run a quarter mile within the 10ish second bracket. Now you get the picture right? Of course Mano’s is a 4A GZE with countless modifications and a lot of money inside it but the point is that it’s a 4A GE! We have to give credit where its due, Toyota outdid itself and one wonders why they are no longer producing them . . . maybe it’s just me stuck in its glorious past.
You may ask what 4A GZE is? Well, there are about three variations of this motor, the 4A GE, the 4A GE 20v and the 4A GZE. The 4A GE is the 16 Valve twin cam naturally aspirated engine while the 4A GE 20v is obviously the 20 Valve engine that has 5 valves per cylinder. The 4A GZE has a super charger bolted on and produced upto 170hp and its just a 1600 motor!
Impressive! Can someone please tell me again that there is no replacement for displacement! There you have it folks, the current 10 second car in Zim is a 4A GE Mr2 and its a 1600 motor. Not just any 1600 but a 4A GZE and not all these muscle cars can even keep up.
The carina GT 96 model has the same 4A GE 20 valve motor, which is naturally aspirated with an added intake valve per cylinder. That means it has 5 valves per cylinder which are good for a cool 160hp cutting off at about 8000rpm. The only difference from the GZE is that it’s got no supercharger. That is just too impressive for a 1600 motor with no turbo. That is the very reason most enthusiasts around Zim are doing 4A GE swops in most of these Datsuns. On the racing scene I know of a couple of cars with the 4A GE and these include the MR2 Mark 3 as I have mentioned that its already on its way to be the fastest on the quarter mile so far, The AE70 Corolla which gives Subarus a real headache and the famous Stylin Auto Nissan 1400.
So, back to the Carina, the model in question here is the 96-00 model. The particular model we are looking for is the GT model. It’s the one with the infamous 4A GE 20v motor. The Carina GT doesn’t look so much like a sporty car although it was meant to be. Most of them came with a body kit to complement the GT status and they do look the part but most of all, what attracted me to them like a fly trap was the 4A GE 20 valve motor. I have always had a subtle fascination about these small power plants — small but packing a serious punch.
In proper Japanese fashion, the Carina’s 4A GE married a 4-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual. In 1998 a 6-speed manual with a short shift kit was introduced. You wouldn’t think that car came packing like that, would you? You would think it’s just another daily driver for mum to take the kids to school and do her errands. Its only weakness was maybe a front wheel drive otherwise; it would have been an easy spinner considering it delivers almost the same power as the 3S GE on the Toyota Altezza. If wishes were horses I’d have that AE70 set up reintroduced but car manufacturers always have a way of disappointing when it comes to design. Very soon cars are gonna be as boring as flying on a plane all in the name of saving the planet, a price we are all gonna have to pay I guess. Till next Time — keep it JDM!
Feedback: [email protected]/www.facebook.com/automartzimbabwe
