Where To Start Tuning A 20v?

[richardAE111]

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice on how to get more power from my 4A-GE 20v blacktop in a japanese spec ae111 corolla levin?

I have already got a power filter and a straight through system giving it 3 or 4 extra brake maybe?

Is a new ECU a good start? I have also been recommended independant throttle bodies (with CAI (don't know what this means, maybe someone could tell me))

And is that whats meant by 'having the throttles running open'?

Money as always, is the problem, are these expensive tuning options? If so, anyone got any suggestions for something cheaper?

Thanks

[Bibbs]

Throttle boddies (TB's) means you have no intake (just little flutes on the intake) .. not a huge power gain, but a load of throttle response.

CAI - Cold Air Induction - basically having a filter and hosing/piping to get cold air from the bumper into the engine without heat soak.

For TB's you'll need a new ECU. Have a look at this months Banzai for a 4age running ~250bhp.

(and as a PS, drop your siggy size, pics must be a MAXIMUM of 60pix)

[richardAE111]

i think a cold air intake is a start (something i can afford) :)

in getting throttle bodies though, will that decrease torque? (like a similar effect in getting a lightweight flywheel, increases response but decreases torque)

will a new ecu (without TB's, just exhaust system and CAI) increase power, or should i add a few more modifications until i get a new one? Had a look at AEM's plug and play EMS, looks very nice

*reduced the size

[irishmac]

ok mods for BHP.

just a few

1. new air filter, the bigger the better

2. exhaust system cat back or manafold back

3. ECU can be bought for £200 from www.trdsales.co.uk

4. fuel pressure regulator

5. new ht leads

6. new higher capacity spark plugs

7. TRD race head gasket

8. new racing head bolts to aid compressions on pistons

em cant think of anything else of hand

that will do for a start then your getting int fine tunning and more expencive parts and harder to get ones too.

oh and the ultimate BHP gainer is the TRD or TOM's supercharger. easier again just buy a new TOM's race spec engine also available at www.trdsales.com

[Zuban]

Um.. does the blacktop 4age already not come with individual throttle bodies??

either intake/exhaust/cams + ecu

or

turbo/supercharger/4agze conversion

imo

[Flat Pack]

All 20V 4AGEs do indeed have individual throttle bodies as standard :)

In fact I agree with everything Zuban said, once you're done with the standard exhaust and induction upgrades it starts getting expensive. Either bigger cams (might as well do the limited amount of porting there is to be done on a 20V head while you're at it) or forced induction.

Both of which will require a new ECU.

I know of someone trying to get a BMW MINI supercharger running on a silvertop 20V, which sounds quite interesting... They're pretty cheap on eBay as one of the Cooper upgrade packs has a bigger supercharger in it. He's already using an Omex 600 ECU though.

[ae111sr]

Here are the throttle bodies

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/uploads...9_279_11365.jpg

You could always try the Blitz turbo kit but it is expensive

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/uploads...9_279_45396.jpg

[irishmac]

yeah the 2 lads are right it does come with quad throttle bodies. that is why it is so difficult to get that engine superchiped. but like i said on the trdsales site there is an ignition ecu controler that plugs in afgter the ecu its self. as for the exhaust that can be even more expencive than anyone thinks. the levin 20v engine has one of the most expencive manafolds about. it is a duel twin branch unit that goes into a second section there they start to join and a thrid section where they finaly join befor hitting the cat. then there is the back section.

so like i said for those 8 options they are less the cheapest and more the easiest one to find. parts for the levin are so hard to get its not funny. just do a serch on yahoo or google, youll see what i mean.

as for the supercharger that is the ultimate way of getting your bhp up and its also the most expencive. you need the supercharger unit itsself then you need to get the new manafold, ecu needs remaping, cables, pully, belts. but i think that can all be gotten from tdrsales for about 2grand maybe 3.

if you really have the cash go for the 1.6 or 1.8 tom's racing spec engine from the same place.

just a quick question for you guys, well for those of you in the uk. im going to london end of april and i want to know is there anyone to get good priced alloy wheels. im looking for a deal.

[richardAE111]

thanks for all the replies

from what ive heard the most cost effective power gain is fitting a new ecu, extra 20-25bhp, the standard ecu is quite conservative so this seems to be the best option, might just get that and finish up

i would not be into putting two to three grand into a 20v to get a extra 40bhp, much rather save it up until i can get a mr2 turbo or something similar

and in relation to turbochargers and superchargers, fitting them to a 20v i've heard can be pretty risky cause of light internals and high compression ratio so everything has to be replaced, way too expensive for me!!

the omex 600 seems to be a popular choice for throttle bodied cars so i'll have a look into that, although the place where i had planned to get it fitted i have just heard have blown up many a car (180sx, gt turbo,crx sir to name a few) apparently they have no idea what they're doing when it comes to ecu mapping (overfuelling, running lean etc) so ill have to keep searching....

[*rollaboy]

i would not be into putting two to three grand into a 20v to get a extra 40bhp, much rather save it up until i can get a mr2 turbo or something similar

and in relation to turbochargers and superchargers, fitting them to a 20v i've heard can be pretty risky cause of light internals and high compression ratio so everything has to be replaced, way too expensive for me!!

arias now make a low comp forged piston for the 20v, complete with flycuts for all valves. basicly, power costs money, and on an engine like the 20v, big power costs very big money.

you need to be spending 2 grand at least if you want any gains that are worth talking about.