I've just looked at putting the same combo into a MG Midget (I also have a Morrie). It's not that easy I'm going to go back to my 20 valve 4AGE which would fit even better into the Morrie than the 16 valve which also fits.
I have a Starlet block which I have been lining up against the T50 4AGE gearbox. The top left bolt hole and dowel fit fine and it looks like the input shaft lines up pretty well also. However none of the other mounting holes line up and the large side web of the block passes across where the starter motor should go. Overall the Starlet block looks about an inch too short otherwise it's close. Also I think the engine mounting options are not that great as the threaded bosses are not in a great spot and could interfere with the turbo and other ancilleries. I can't confirm exactly as I have a bare block. Flywheels look very close in depth and clutch is same size but I believe the 4AGE has an 8 blot crank and the Starlet has a 6 bolt so if it's out a little you will struggle to interchange anything. Other wise it would be a magic combination. Having said all that there is a guy in Pakistan that has done it with a Celica T50 box and an adaptor plate but he has no useful photos of the plate and no templates. I'm looking at the 5EFE block option but this will probably work out dearer if want still turbo, not as strong and I expect the extra stroke comes form the block above the gearbox mounts. Waiting to hear if those boxes are interchageable which will confirm.
It is also probably not feasible in the Morrie even if you sort those issues as the water plumbing is all off the rear of the motor and will foul right on the crossmember above the transmission tunnel. I have not seen any info or heard anyone who has converted the water flow to RWD and given the motor never had a RWD variant it's probably not possible. You have to run pipes to the front but of course you do not have the clearance.
There are web sites that cover the 16 valve 4AGE conversion into the Morrie and I think the 20 valve could be even easier.
The only real issue with the 16 valve is getting the water fitting on the back of the head from a RWD engine as you can use either the fWD or RWD version depending on availability.
The 20 valve also has most plumbing from the rear of the head but there are several posts from people on this forum that have investigated the various ways of converting it back to esentially the same as the RWD. Sam Q has been in on this as have I. I can't remember the topic heading but have a dig back.
The reason I think the 20 valve would be better is that it's still a tight fit with the right fitting on the 16 valve but you can get the back of the block almost clear with the 20 valve especially if you go with an aftermarket ECU and ditch the dizzy completely. You may stil ahev to work out where the dizzy sits if you want to retain it but I think it will sit above the crossmember if you do something with your battery (Like move the battery tray further across to teh passenger side or to the boot)
The exhaust headers on the 20 valve look they will come out in a pretty good spot as well although I think the 16 valve is similar. If you go with either 4AGE make sure you keep as low a diff ratio as possible, at least 4.3 or 4.5. I would also swap the diff to say an Escort one which from memory is the same width although you'll have to deal with the stud pattern or get Marina hubs for the front. While you are at it get Marina torsion bars as I believe they are slightly stiffer and are also height adjustable (within a small range)
Given this is a Toyota forum PM me with you email address and I'll see if I can dig out some of the older web addresses I used to give you some more info.
You can try the G13B option from the Suzuki Swift as mentioned but I think you'll find it's dearer than sourcing a 4AGE package. You need the motor and then the box from a Suzuki Sierra 4WD. I know when I looked at this for the Midget it certainly was a dearer option especially if you want a 5 speed and you have to buy it all from a wrecker and importer. Also remember these are only cable clutch so you have to make that change as well but this is not difficult if you go to a pendulum pedal box from a Datsun or something which is normally doen with a A series Datsun conversion. Don't bother with one of these, these days however in my opinion unless you are really looking to do it on the cheap.
Thu, 14 April 2005 13:16
