Toyota Engine Top Color

[fenderbender]

I keep reading Toyota engines having a "Black Top", "Silver Top", "Red Top". What are these engines? What are the differences?

[ssaloon]

First Generation 4AGE 83.5-87.5
The first generation 4AGE was introduced in May 1983 and remained in production until May 1987. The engine is externally identified by silver cam covers with black and blue lettering, hence they are often referred to as 'blue and black tops'. This generation was produced in transverse form (AW 11 MR2 and AE 82 FWD Corolla) and RWD longitudinal from (AE 86 Corolla GT/Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno and AA 63 Celica). Transverse engines have the throttle body at the flywheel end of the inlet manifold while RWD have the inlet at the pulley end.
This generation features Toyota Variable Intake System (TVIS) which is a set of four butterflies located in the inlet system next to the head. These butterflies are shut below approximately 4500 RPM, effectively blocking airflow to one valve per cylinder, increasing the air speed and thus improving mid range torque. They are opened by the ECU via a small plastic vacuum tank and solenoid triggered diaphragm actuator located under the inlet manifold and open above this speed. The effect is similar to a second throat opening on a carburettor. These engines develop in the vicinity of 88 kW. Depending on where in the world the engine was sold it will have either MAP sensor or Air Flow Meter.

Second Generation 4AGE 87.5-89.5
The second generation engines were released in May 1987 and are identified by silver cam covers with red and black writing, hence red and black top. These engines retained TVIS and remained on the market until May 1989.They are similar to the first generation engines with the same performance, however, they have larger diameter bearings, are transverse layout only and have a stronger block identified by 7 external vertical ribs as opposed to three on the earlier engines.
A supercharged model, the 4AGZE, was also released. This engine has unpainted cam covers. The engine fitted to MR2s has the supercharger outlet to the intercooler facing the flywheel end of the engine block and a normal distributor. The model fitted to the FWD Trueno/Levin has the intercooler plumbing facing upwards (the intercooler mounts on top of the cam covers) and has a crank angle sensor fitted in place of the distributor. This engine is fitted with twin coil packs instead of a conventional distributor arrangement. Power output is 107 kW.

All engines are AFM and transverse layout only. Fitted to face-lifted AW 11 and AE 92

Third Generation 4AGE 89.5-91.6
The next generation engines were introduced in May 1989 and remained in production until June 1991. Two types exist. The 16 valve has silver cam covers with red lettering only, and so are called red tops. These engines have oil cooled pistons, an external oil drain from the head to the sump (located behind #4 inlet) and the ignition leads run underneath a cover between the cam covers. Power is increased to 100 kW and all engines are MAP sensored. This is the final 16 valve variant produced. These engines have dispensed with TVIS and feature smaller inlet ports.
The 4AGZE has the same additions and utilises the twin coil distributor less ignition system. These 4AGZEs were produced FWD only. Power increased to 120 kW and the supercharger has a smaller diameter pulley compared to the earlier version. These were fitted to AE 92s only.

Fourth Generation 4AGE 91.6-95.5
The fourth generation, released June 1991, saw the demise of the 16 valve in naturally aspirated form and its replacement with the 20 valve. This engine has silver cam covers with chrome lettering, and is referred to as the silver top. Ignition leads are hidden underneath a central cover. Three inlet valves per cylinder are operated via a variable cam timing mechanism while exhaust valves are standard set up. The distributor is mounted off the back of the exhaust cam. The engine is fitted with 4 throttle bodies and is AFM sensored. This engine was sold new in Japan only and also has factory tubular headers. Power output is 120 kW but with less torque than the 4AGZE.
The 4AGZE is virtually identical to the previous model but produces slightly more power. Both engines were available in the AE 101 model only.

Fifth Generation 4AGE 95.5-
The final generation of 4AGE is available in 20 valve variant only (as far as I have been able to establish - if anyone knows of a 4AGZE model please get in touch), and was released in May 1995. This engine is distinguished by black cam covers (surprise - 'black top'!) and MAP sensored air flow measurement, otherwise it looks similar to the previous version. Power output is 123 kW. There is no supercharged 20 valve version although a few have been built by amalgamating various parts. Again, it is only available in the AE 111 Corolla series.

more info here: http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/phil....into%20RWD.htm

HTH

[the_wildthing]

Try also www.club4ag.com.

[glntVR]

thanks! i learned a lot from those info. So, is the blacktop the best 4age?