Part 1: 4A-GE Big Brain & COPs upgrade (ECU & Coil on plug conversion)

The engine in the Corolla FX16 is getting some major upgrades. I received a package from Barry at MRP for the 4AGE in the AE82. I remove the existing distributor, spark plug wires, igniter and coil. I install the new ECU and wire it into my existing wiring harness. I also wire in the coil on plug harness. The installation didn't go as smoothly as it could have, but they weren't too big of issues to deal with. The engine wouldn't start after installing the ECU and I had to diagnose why. Testing fuel, spark and ignition timing led me to the solution. The Link ECU was one rotation off and it was a simple tuning fix. If you're thinking about upgrading your 4age to a standalone ECU, you'll enjoy watching me stumble through the experience :D Be sure to subscribe so you can see part 2 and the dyno tuning of the Link Atom X G4X ECU.
ECU, COP conversion kit sourced from MRP in New Zealand www.mrpltd.co.nz/
Installing:
Link Atom X G4X
Blacktop Harness Patch Kit for Link ECU
1NZ Coils
COP harness
COP Mounting Plate
Distributor cover
Bosch wideband o2
Innovate LC-2 - Sensor controller
MUSIC CREDITS:
Mike Relm - Rescate
Bad Snacks - In the Atmosphere
Mike Relm - Plex
Otis McDonald - Thirty First Dream

[@jjrosaria]

Omg. Finally!!! I’m from NZ! You should visit and look at our jdm stuff sometime!

[@sushpants]

Justin Rosaria I’m planning on hopefully going sometime next year. You guys have some awesome stuff with really friendly people!

[@liam6514]

Lol a bunch of prius' and Honda Jazz's all you see these days

[@derwhalfisch]

@@sushpants oh mate i might have my FX-GT blacktop'ed by then :o meet you in AKL

[@streetwiseburger]

@@liam6514 Honda Jazz and Subaru Forresters everywhere

[@D.J.Bass_E]

@@sushpants I need you to give me some tips to tune the idle of my FX 16 4AGE 16V. sometimes it is hard to start in the morning. When it turns on it stays running at 1,500 RPM and when it is already hot it works very well. I imagine it is a coolant or temperature sensor. please help.

[@warwolf715]

Yes, we New Zealanders love our 4A-GE's! Because gas is expensive here, we like to make little engines roar with power! I think you'll love what our little country has to offer.

[@sushpants]

I'm planning on visiting when travel is okay again :D

[@wayniefrazer9723]

@@sushpants bro how much well one be for my black top

[@aryanderek109]

sorry to be so offtopic but does anybody know a trick to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid forgot my password. I love any tricks you can offer me.

[@castielmekhi5063]

@Aryan Derek Instablaster :)

[@aryanderek109]

@Castiel Mekhi thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@netlenin_film]

Я блин думал у меня галюны попёрли, пришлось переслушать) давно слежу за каналом и как владелец вагона на 4аге выражаю респект, на чистом русском) удачи

[@acorpirk]

Я даже второй раз пересмотрел, думал показалось))

[@sushpants]

спасибо ребята!

[@_synthdeny_1829]

@@sushpants я тоже не мог ушам поверить)))

[@akeelhassanvideo]

The best thing about your videos is the detail and logical progression through the video. Always entertaining and insightful for us 4AGE lovers!

[@sushpants]

Thanks Akeel! I hope the process helps people out.

[@mr.eervianlesmana9263]

@@sushpants .Is this kit also available for 4age red top/16v?

[@jonnyke7090]

Shout out to Barry at Manon racing products! His parts have saved my 4age 20v bt! N2 tensioner is awesome and anybody having problems with jumping the cambelt should definitely get it.

[@sushpants]

Barry is excellent!

[@noahbranscum3513]

Beautiful. I was really worried this conversion would be far more difficult. You don't understand the amount of people you help that have these engines that find so many 404'd threads (like me!) you're a lifesaver Sush, Thanks and I can't wait to see it driving!

[@sushpants]

The patch harness makes things a lot easier and the coil harness was relatively easy. I’ll have a follow up video after the install is done to go over everything you need to do the conversion and what I did.

[@kumosoae]

i don’t think i love watching any car related videos more than yours

[@danvorobiov]

На моменте "Всё хватит" я застыл, а после "Давай прокручивай" челюсть медленно пошла вниз... Неожиданно:)

[@farooqmss]

And I was like, it must be the EFI fuse you pulled earlier :D

[@sushpants]

Haha, I checked that fuse about 5 times while I was diagnosing!

[@hollisjacobsen627]

me too! first thing I thought of. Glad you got it going in this video :)

[@farooqmss]

@@sushpants :D I had a similar scenario with my corolla e80, after putting the harness back it wont budge. Wasted time with all the connections and what not, at the end it was EFI or Engine Fuse I have punished it by pasting it on my garage wall 😀

[@HamzaIbrahim]

That's a really clean setup! Sweet. I bet it feels nice to get it running with the ECU.

[@essenceofsias]

I absolutely love your videos! Can't wait for the next one.

[@bfautomotive4267]

Finally a new episode. Really enjoyed it.

[@lozl]

Thats such a cool kit. Coil on plug so so much better. An supermarket ECU is the ticket to so much tuning fun :)

[@aaronaaa9550]

Love the popping noises when you pulled the plugs

[@noobatnothing]

super excited for you!! been waiting to follow along c:

[@christiangutierrez2787]

This video is quite informative and captivating. Makes me wish I owned a Corolla!!

[@longhairedanon]

Love your content and choice of Gran Turismo-esc background music.

[@essb00]

I'm excited to see the part 2 and see the results after your dyno tunes! I've been thinking about standalone ECU as well for quite some time. This one you used seems to make top of my list. :) Though I still have to decide as well whether to upgrade my 16V red top, or the 20V black top first. :D

[@Geoffvader]

Your videos are great man, I’ve been following them and picking up every lesson learnt! I haven’t gone aftermarket management yet, but Tomei Poncams on stock ECU has been a treat so far!

[@sushpants]

Thanks Jesse! I want to do cams next, that’s going to change the personality of the 4age big time.

[@blakslayer]

Oh Yes i'm very interess to this series ! Can't wait for part II ! :O

[@B_Well32]

Damn that build is CLEAN

[@CoreysZ32]

Time to watch this for the 3rd or 4th time... But this time I am following along with a link ecu and COP conversion! 😍 Hope all is well!!

[@Toyodude784]

Changing the input resistor on the tachometer should get it working again or you can use a tach adapter from msd 8920 i believe is the part number. congrats on getting it started such a wonderful feeling i am a fellow link user as well keep up the good content :)

[@802Garage]

Nice fancy parts you got there! Congrats. Wish I had been there to help diagnose. Sounded like timing off to me from the first start attempt. This is gonna be sweeeeeet!

[@sushpants]

Fancy parts are sooo nice to install :D I figured it was timing as well but for some reason I didn’t think it would be off by a whole rotation.

[@802Garage]

@@sushpants For sure. Until you know about that setting, you're obviously going to chase your tail. I only know about it from other videos on the issue!

[@thejunky1908]

Ahhhhh my fx is still in pieces. I need to finish my harness and get it back together. Thanks for the motivation.

[@sushpants]

The longer it’s in pieces the harder it will be to put back together!

[@Bredmirror]

Ive been looking forward to this.

[@BoogalooShrymp]

Cool upgrades!

[@davidzeb888]

Good job! Beautiful 4age!

[@sushpants]

Thanks DavidZeb

[@CreamGobbler1987]

Great conversion buddy !

[@jo3_8000]

Super clean ae82 gts!

[@zeroswings2]

awesome... happy tuning

[@_Erogaki]

I looove the 20v 4age.

[@ackeamsmith2472]

Love your vids bro I'm a 7age 20v blacktop owner looking to do some stuff on it just putting some dollars together first but your vids just keeps giving me tuns of ideas like that header upgrade you did, upgrade ecu... Just pure fun bro

[@sushpants]

Thanks! 20v is an awesome engine. If you do go with an ECU, get one with more input/outputs than you need so you can upgrade stuff in the future.

[@ackeamsmith2472]

@@sushpants okay thanks appreciate it

[@tjcben1]

Christmas came early lol. Awesome mod choice 👍

[@Izzy-qc7jk]

You’re a legend this is so cool

[@anthonyburgy3432]

this is a super video ! see you next time !

[@stopspin]

New Zealand is the Jdm hub of the world, when it comes to 2nd hand jdm cars. From regular passenger mover all the way to rare Jdm cars. You can import any car from around the world to nz. The point is that they have all the different year models of cars regarding the 4age and the rival competitors cars in that category of car and the models that followed years afterward New Zealand has had a trading relationship with Japan for more than 30years. Their was a time when the FXT-GT corolla was everywhere in Nz. Now its rare car. No other country that I have visited has so much jdm car lots like I have seen in NZ. Its a jdm car guys heaven. Miss being there. Contact their parts suppliers even the car new dealerships like Nissan, Toyota etcetera. They will import/oem parts on behalf of the Jdm market due to the huge support just quote the part number. You should go and see the Toyota Festival in NewZealand its a huge event.

[@willmoua1]

Nice! Been waiting on an update Haha

[@xips1_22raffabintangmaffel3]

Finally you upload again...

[@sushpants]

You’re one of my harshest critics :D I hear your comments every time i’m relaxing.

[@raeeshassiem8937]

Love your vids

[@sushpants]

Thanks!

[@gedas3419]

I'd have loved the video of cars dyno run with injectors cleaned, before ecu. But it was also waited moment. Cheers

[@scottbuji186]

Way to go with the link ecu, ive installed a standalone maxxecu and had to grind a tooth on the crank sensor fr the trigger and home signal fr it to work .

[@sushpants]

My install was a little easier because I was able to retain the distributor trigger.

[@matthewkinney5474]

yay! new video :D

[@shaneynereneyne4493]

Very nice man! Thank you so much or wing detailed. You make it look easy! So when installing a ecu like the link. The hardest part In wiring it is finding that switched 12v for the plugs?

[@TheGenaplus]

Не ожидал услышать родной язык. Королка топ!

[@shanik1818]

я тоже удивлен)

[@gri4a141]

Я просто охренел тоже))

[@sushpants]

и я удивлен :D

[@yaropolkpugovkin4621]

Давай блог на Русском

[@ricepony33]

Double check the 02 sensor, I’d personally use the one that came with the wideband unless you know otherwise

[@sushpants]

They were both identical Bosch LSU 4.9’s but I ended up installing the one that came with the LC-2 controller anyways :)

[@critico1966]

looking forward to see power results, BTW, is this Elise powered with 2ZZ? what a pair!

[@MrSinester100]

In my country I've seen them use the old ignition coil and igniter to run the tach

[@dariusaquisay3628]

NICE !

[@Lezgothen]

Yesssss

[@ThexXxXxOLOxXxXx]

High revving 20valve absolute racing car engine MashAllah

[@mlgpro-ep7jy]

What do you think of the 92-95 fx? It was only sold in Japan but some was imported to New Zealand.

[@joshuasewell173]

Lovely work. Technical question. For an aftermarket ECU I’ve been told you need an igniter between the coil (not coil on pack) and the ecu… is this also the case for the coil packs you used? Are you running any hardware between the coils and the ecu? Don’t want to melt my ecu. That would be very sad. Thank you! Sweet little rig you got :)

[@shaneynereneyne4493]

Also would love to know

[@CMAutohaus]

Is the engine running off a smallport dizzy only? No trigger wheel on the crank? Hoping to do standalone and ITBs on my ae86 soon. That rally got me itching to tinker with the car again

[@sushpants]

It’s only running off the 24 tooth distributor. No trigger wheel on the crank. Which standalone and ITB’s are you thinking about doing? Haha, you should try my FX16 out!

[@blacksblade]

Can you post the link for all the item in the box including the innovate lc-2 sensor controller and a pictorial for making all the connections

[@Ninjaturtlemadness]

Hey mate... Just came across your channel! Regarding the coil on plug conversion, do you have to go wit hthe link ECU route with it?!?! Or can the coil on plug conversion just be done on its own?!?!

[@krisae111]

AmpEFI makes a voltage tachometer adapter axm-100, you need to make the tachometer working on these old toyotas, you have the same problem i had back when i put COP on mine, just back then i didnt know what to do about it.

[@innerspace56]

You are a lifesaver. Great suggestion! These older tachometers need that unusual spike in voltage and most ECU's do not send the correct weird spike out from their "tach" output. The AXM-100 is the solution.

[@benardsiwo333]

Very nice how much will it cost me to get cops harness and brain for me to upgrade mine

[@rashidhirsh5841]

Hello Sushpants! FINNALY after so much time I just bought a 4AGE20vBT. Your Corolla videos where one of the bases to make that purchase. You go on so much detail on everything and you list everything you use in the description....but there is something missing... where did you got the 4AGE20vBT manual? Also, I am getting every mod you do in my engine!

[@blacksblade]

I have the exact same setup as you, however, could you provide a wiring connection diagram of where you made you connect that I can follow. Mine is a 1999 Levin BZG Blacktop 20v, I would also like to know where to find the pure tach signal wire.

[@ebra.him000]

That's the same problem I'm facing with my ae71, can't get the tach to function even with an autosport converter

[@_ash__li]

Will all the modifications have to pulled off when it comes time to smog the car?

[@IneRtia01]

Would you mind sharing the offset #'s. I couldn't get mine to start up on cops, exactly like how yours was on this video. Currently running fine with the distributor on Adaptronic.

[@user-fb1ox9cd8f]

Круто, у самого 4age Black top на катушки переведен. Подсмотрел как их красиво можно закрепить) Давай хоть какой нибудь видос на русском) Мы ждем)

[@generalassembly7051]

How do you configure and wire in the Innovate LC-2 - Sensor controller to work with the atomx ecu

[@anthonywendt5834]

Bad ass

[@carlosacuna3]

Became a big fan of yours when I saw that you have a 4A-GE 20v underneath that hood. I have been meaning to ask how do you get that to pass smog since you're in CA? I have an 89 MR2, wanting to do a swap but I really want to remain true to the 4A-GE. Wanting to know what's involved to make this possible. Thanks

[@CrazyCamo]

Get any insight into your mr2 question? I'm rebuilding my 89 mr2 right now. I was thinking that a cop system with this would be pretty good. Clean up the engine bay a little.

[@zerohikari2685]

Yo Sushpants where did you get your original coil lead wire that went to the igniter? Did it come with your blacktop? Could I buy it off you still have it?

[@jacksonbermingham2168]

Was juat think havent heard from u in awhile

[@sushpants]

The diagnosing took some time and being a one man crew meant it took a little longer. Thanks for sticking with me ^_^

[@blacksblade]

Where did you get your 100mm trumpet

[@uuuaaaaaa]

An MSD 8920 will get that tach to work! ;)

[@lguser3327]

Could I get some tips on what to do to make my 4a GE go faster without going turbo

[@pitolamadrid6430]

Where did you buy the full ecu kit can you please tell me because i really need it .

[@wayniefrazer9723]

Would love to have one for my black top as well how much will it be

[@djfrankieflowers]

I’d like to know if I can do that upgrade on a 1998 Corolla E11 with a Starlet Glanza V ep91 4efte turbo engine.

[@blacksblade]

please upload the wiring guide for the ign connection

[@SimonTrent8000]

i have a 7age 20v running a link g4x. share how you setup the fueling and vvt?

[@adriancastellanos101]

I think you might've just solved my problem there at the end mentioning how the tach is managed by the distributor. Maybe someone can help me put more thought power to this. My car developed a misfire recently right? 99 toyota celica gt the one with the 5S-FE and I ended up changing distributor cap, and the coil plug that runs to the igniter and it solved the misfire but RARELY my tach will act up and bounce around. Think my distributor might be trying to hint to me his time is up?

[@rickbosak8861]

Adrian Castellanos I had a similar issue. Turned out to be the coil which would only act up when it heated up

[@blacksblade]

I figured out the wiring, but car only star for a second then died, how can i fix this.

[@yuhmudda9863]

did u see any gains after it was tuned?

[@haewien]

Wouldn't it be a better idea to drill two holes into that mounting plate instead of modifying the _original_ valve cover? Not my car I know, just asking.

[@bajanboyhood]

How did you run vvt with a link atom?

[@Youtubelombocustoms50]

hi what coil pack did you use thank you

[@Yuki_404]

Damn, wiring always looks so confusing. But I'm glad it runs ^^

[@sushpants]

Oh, it was confusing! Reading wiring diagrams to find out which wire went were gave me headaches. I’m going to have a follow up video for people that want to do the same install with a breakdown of everything they’ll need to do it.

[@Yuki_404]

@@sushpants Oh that's great, thanks for putting in the effort. Perfect opportunity to learn something, I'm looking forward to it :)

[@Hbn182]

Will this kit work with usdm 16 valve 4age? My distributor looks different than yours

[@EmilioShack1982emilioRoman]

Where did you source the 12v for the Coil on Plugs?

[@JBRI94]

HI men, what spark plug do you use?

[@h4xor1701]

why not drill holes in adapter plate instead of grind the rocket cover??

[@user-up3qe7sh1y]

Hello, how is the device working.. stable? I also want to change ..

[@PILIINX]

You should relocate the battery to the trunk.

[@sushpants]

While I was installing these upgrades I kept starring at the big chunky battery and decided I didn’t want it in the engine bay. I priced out a battery relocation kit and switching to a lithium battery. So it’s gonna happen!

[@t.i.o.motorsports243]

@@sushpants before you buy anything to relocated your battery Take a look to the "gravity" brand lithium batteries

[@blacksblade]

requesting complete wiring guide

[@Uncutclimbing]

You can get a tacho booster relay. I can send you a link to one if you need it.

[@denniz7917]

Could this be done on a 4A-F engine?

[@luisa.7021]

Just occurred to me 4cyl has 4 less cyl to compression test then an 8cyl. Little thing but makes sense lol.

[@lenchan2852]

When doing a COP conversion there is no need for a crank trigger wheel?

[@sushpants]

You retain the cam position sensor from the distributor which is how the ECU knows the engine position. You usually see a crank trigger wheel for RWD 20v swaps because they have to remove the distributor altogether due space limitations.

[@shaneBoss]

Can I find the kit on eBay are Amazon and if I can what type up

[@miguelprinsloo9820]

How much is that for the whole coil pack kit

[@Gripen047]

Why did you decide on the 1NZ COP kit vs. the R35 COP kit?

[@sushpants]

I’m keep it NA and don’t need that crazy of a coil like the r35’s. 1NZ’s should be perfect. It can always be changed to the r35’s if I did go forced induction.

[@minhongkoo5168]

where can get the base map ?

[@ninjabongtoker1]

wish you could do this on 7afe