Last month Toyota teased a grand plan involving its heritage parts program and the venerable 4A-GE engine. Specifics weren’t disclosed, but the reality is far grander than we imagined. Turns out Toyota is reproducing the entire block and head of the 4A-GE engine that powered the AE86 Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno and AW11 MR2.
Toyota says that parts retain their original basic design and specifications, but “have been modernized using the latest simulation technology, manufacturing methods, and materials.” For the engine block, that means “a modern honing process to improve bore machining precision.”
Toyota also states that the bearing cap structure has been improved as a result of new computer simulations available today, and that the block uses higher-rigidity cast iron than the originals. As a result, durability has been increased.
The cylinder head also benefits from additional machining that wasn’t done on the 4AGs of the 80s. Intake ports will be coated via a new process that makes them smoother even before polishing. Toyota says these improvements will make compression across each engine more consistent. Last but not least, in the original 4AG Toyota used knock pins on the camshafts in only certain locations. Now, they have been added throughout to better align the cams during assembly.
Toyota didn’t say whether these slight improvements would increase output. The originals produced 112 horsepower in the US-market Corolla GT-S and 128 in the Japan-market Trueno/Levin twins. The block and head will be available for preorder at the Initial D 30th Anniversary event at Fuji Speedway on September 13-14, 2025.
Images courtesy of Toyota.
I wish all companies would support their classics like this. Keep them alive and on the road.
On my knees begging Honda to follow this example and make new D and B series engines.