About me

I’m not what you would call the average car modifier.  I'm now in my mid 60s and have been retired from work for a couple of years.  A pair of dodgy knees has prevented me from doing most work on the car so I have to pay to get things done – doesn’t stop me from trying on occasions.

Why did I do the engine transplant?

It was a combination of things 

• My previous car had been a AE92 Toyota Corolla GTi with the 16v 4A-GE engine producing 129bhp but my current car, an AE111 Corolla SR, only had 109bhp and I was missing the extra power and torque.
• Adrian Smith at Fensport had put a 2 litre turbo 3S-GTE engine from a Celica GT4 into his Silver AE111 Corolla but that had essentially been a one off job requiring lots of fabrication and lots of man hours to get it right.  I didn’t want that level of complexity in a daily driver so Adrian suggested the 4A-GZE instead.
• I had recently joined the Toyota Owners Club (TOC) and have seen some posts there saying that good low mileage 4A-GZE engines were getting difficult to locate.
• At the time my car insurance was due for renewal.  When I contacted the broker and asked how much extra I would have to pay for a 4A-GZE conversion outputting 165bhp they said about £100 a year. 
• A friend who I had worked with for 10 or more years had been researching his family tree and found that all the males on his side of the family had died from heart problems before they were 60 years old.  He had jokingly said that he would be next to go and within two weeks he had had a heart attack and passed away in March 2003.  As he had been only two years older than me it made me contemplate my own future a bit………if I was going to do it, it was going to be soon.

So the die was cast.  I phoned Fensport and ordered a 4A-GZE AE101 Levin front cut – they recommended Kevin Clarkson at S & M Services in Droitwich to carry out the transplant.  I talked to him about the conversion – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Thanks to

• The enthusiastic guys at Hinds Garage in Barry have been great to deal with.  I've known one of the mechanics there for quite a few years, Steven has owned an E11 and an E12 Compressor which he highly tuned.  This is now my go-to place for work on my Corolla.
  
• I’m very lucky to have been directed to Kevin .  He’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Toyotas and has probably done most things on his own cars that you might want to do on yours. 
• Fensport supplied the front cut and lots of other parts together with help and advice. 
• Merlin Motorsport have supplied me with parts and advice.
• John at Merlin directed me to Track Developments who have sorted out my front suspension problems.
• Mark Harrison at Owen Developments supplied and fitted the Aquamist water injection system and also supplied, fitted and mapped the MoTeC M4 EMS.
• Mark pointed me to Stealth Systems in Southampton who provided me with a proper exhaust system.
• I must also thank the parts department of the Toyota main dealer in Newport who always want to know what’s happening with my Corolla when I go there for parts and never give me any hassle.
• But the biggest thanks have to go to my wife who has been as enthusiastic as me when it comes to “getting it right”.