Revving Through History: The Story of Toyota's 4AGE Engine

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Please give me a title for this : In the golden age of Japanese automotive excellence, the 90s, Toyota solidified its position as a reliable car manufacturer and ventured into the world of performance cars. As carbureted engines gave way to electronic fuel injection, Toyota needed a successor to their flagship 2T-G engine, leading to the birth of the legendary 4AGE engine. From its initial release in 1983 to its iterations in motorsports and various models, the 4AGE engine remains a favorite among enthusiasts. Let's delve into the details of this iconic powerplant that has left an incredible mark on the racing scene, and car enthusiast alike.
So lets start at the beginning, When the 4AGE engine got released by Toyota the engine was one of the first Japanese mass-production DOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder engines on the market. Unlike its predecessor, the 2T-G, which utilized twin side-draft carburetors, the 4AGE incorporated electronic fuel injection. Toyota's engineers focused on maximizing performance and efficiency, leading to the engine's exceptional design.
Now the first-generation 4AGE found its home in the Toyota Corolla AE86, one of the most iconic Japanese cars of all time. And im sure you all recognize this car, if you don’t do I have the cartoon for you. Anyways unfortunately after the AE86 Toyota did something stupid, you see This was the last time the 4AGE engine powered a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, as subsequent Corolla models transitioned to a front-wheel-drive layout. The 4AGE-equipped AE86 gained immense popularity, partly due to its impressive power-to-weight ratio and legendary handling. And of course the fact that it played in important role in initial D also helped boost its popularity in recent years.
But there is actually a lot more to this engine. This engine is proper cool, and we will go deeper into all the small things that make it special. One of the things that make this engine so iconic is the sound, and To enhance the 4AGE's performance and sound, Toyota sought the expertise of Yamaha Motor Corporation in developing the engine's cylinder head. The collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha resulted in the distinctive induction noise that enthusiasts have come to love. And when Yamaha build something it always sounds insane I mean This same collaboration also played a role in creating the exhilarating exhaust note of the Lexus LFA's V10 engine. As time went on the 4AGE engine underwent several iterations, each with its own unique characteristics. The most powerful 16-valve version, nicknamed the "Red Top," featured a smaller intake port cross-section, eliminating the need for the T-VIS system we just talked about. Now this red top engine produced 128 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque, which doesn’t sound like a lot these days, but remember these little cars weight almost nothing, so it made for one fun little car.
Then Toyota did something cool and introduced a Supercharged version of the engine. This engine was, primarily featured in the first-generation AW11 Toyota MR2. With 145 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque, the supercharged variant provided a significant power boost compared to the naturally aspirated 16-valve version. Now the added supercharger made the 4AGZE engine cool, but you see the petrol heads wanted the engine for something else. You see the 4agze had stronger internals which could handle boost a lot better. Which meant that this engine was perfect to use for turbo conversions. Anyways enough about tuning there is one more iteration of the 4Age we have not covered yet. The silver top of the 90s. Now with the silvertop Toyota revamped the 4AGE engine's cylinder head, transitioning to a five-valve-per-cylinder configuration. The result was the "Twin Cam 20", which featured Toyota's Variable Valve Timing system (VVT) on the intake cam These mods increased the stock power out put to 160HP which really isn’t bad. But unfortunately this engine was only sold to the Japanese market so we never got them.
#4age #toyota #JDM #Engines

[@orestistsotras3230]

Also don't forget the 7AGE. The 7A didn't have a performance version (aka have a G in it's name) but it was a 1.8L version of the 4A engine, so you can bolt a 4AGE head onto the 7AFE block and get a 1.8L 4AGE, and thats what's called a 7AGE. Best done with the 20V head for obvious reasons

[@TheMcstevester]

Did you just say 20 valve?

[@luwaynexbutter9609]

16v head would be a better option

[@86Spain]

important to mention that all those videos with high induction noise are cars with ITBs, on stock 4AGE you can only hear the exhaust and the shims tickling xD the TVIS (variable length intake system) makes for a much smoother powerband curve, so its almost impossible to feel when the butterflies are open or closed, as opposed to HONDA V-Tech, where you can feel and hear it, and is the same as Toyota VVTI (variable distribution) annnd i would have mention the yt channels you took the videos from apart from that, great video overall

[@offgridas]

My girlfriends 96 Levin has a blacktop 20v, and she also has a silver top in the shed she's building. It good fun, especially because we live on windy roads in the middle of nowhere

[@SidewaysGts]

"My girlfriends 96 Levin has a blacktop 20v, and she also has a silver top in the shed she's building" Your girlfriend sounds awesome. Is she single?

[@rjung_ch]

Once again many thanks Chris! 👍💪✌️

[@donovanhean4999]

Thank you, Chris. An, Awesome Video!

[@Nathan69834]

if memory serves, the 7 rib block was sought after for its strength....and the late 90s Carolla rsi and rxi had 20v black tops in South Africa

[@rjung_ch]

Yamaha has been so helpful for some car brands. If you look at the R1 motorcycle engine, it's clear they know what they are doing! The LFA is a beautiful beast. Saw one in Germany at a road stop, what a lovely car.

[@ChrisVSCars]

Ive heard a few in person and let me tell you. The sound. It makes you heart pound, and gives you chills

[@rjung_ch]

@@ChrisVSCars yes, that's so true.

[@sekhmet7774]

In the future I want to put a 4AGE in my EE90 liftback, the 2E engine it has right now is in good condition but I think it would be awesome.

[@DS007sn]

1:26 MR2 be like: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@faultyserver2087]

my aw11 said :(

[@DS007sn]

@@faultyserver2087 another fellow aw11 owner, congrats

[@hereforthecomments1818]

The corolla rsi/rxi had a 4age 20v blacktop, you didn't mention that when you showed the engine but spoke about the silvertop 20v

[@feral4mr2]

Been a 4ag owner of many guises and enthusiast for 28 years now. Love them! Nugget of an engine!

[@seattimeheroes]

Love my 4age, you have to drive a light car with one to truly appreciate them!

[@jadenspires1891]

Toyota is such a majestic manufacturer 🥰 Also you should consider doing a video about the gas turbine powered Chevrolet semi trucks from the 1960s

[@_jake70]

Man I don't see you crediting the content you've used for your video

[@nhutnguyen0721]

Lol. Don't call Toyota stupid. Lol. After fwd they became the world giant.

[@rallyeluke]

The original 4age was bland, honda's d16a9 was better in my personal experience. Blacktop 20v on the other hand is great

[@isaachammond2901]

once you get into 4ages, 16v>20v

[@SidewaysGts]

@@isaachammond2901 "once you get into 4ages, 16v>20v" Can be. Depends a lot on how far youre going with things and what youre spending off the bat. But its worth noting it takes quite a lot of money to get a 16v to make the kind of power a 20v does from the start, let alone if the 20v is modified at all. Just a set of cams in a 20v can make quite a bit of power (as far as 4ages are concerned), and take even more work for the 16v to hit. When absolute peak power is concerned, a big port 16v is typically the way to go. But were talking a motor probably seeing 10k + rpms, A similarly modded 20v will typically fall behind this, *but* id still rather have a 20v in my car if im honest. While the 16v will probably make more peak power (roughly 5-10~ more WHP if were looking at the nutty end of things), the 20vs tend to make power across a wider RPM range. Unless youve got a super close ratio transmission, that sees you shifting at 10~ k rpms and grabbing the next gear at 8-9000~, the wider power band of the 20v is typically (imo) better in an actual car. But that said theyre all awesome.