1981 TE72 20v

[Rvanderah]

I have read a ton about swapping a 20v into these cars but I'm still confused a bit on what needs to be completed for the swap. I have a 1981 te72 corolla with a 3tc and 5 speed transmition. To my understanding the 5speed te72 come with t50 transmitions. Is this correct? And besides the water pump relocation and ae86 crossmember what else do I need for the swap? Thank you

[foyejstuart]

Corolla is one of the best cars in the recent time and it has some great reputation in market. The model of 1981 is really great in design and mileage wise as well.

[Cnister1]

Just curious bro but why would you swap to a 20v on a TE72? A 3TC is a 1.8L & the 4age 20v is a 1.6L. 3TC motor is a great motor to modify..

I have read a ton about swapping a 20v into these cars but I'm still confused a bit on what needs to be completed for the swap. I have a 1981 te72 corolla with a 3tc and 5 speed transmition. To my understanding the 5speed te72 come with t50 transmitions. Is this correct? And besides the water pump relocation and ae86 crossmember what else do I need for the swap? Thank you

[AE25]

I have read a ton about swapping a 20v into these cars but I'm still confused a bit on what needs to be completed for the swap. I have a 1981 te72 corolla with a 3tc and 5 speed transmition. To my understanding the 5speed te72 come with t50 transmitions. Is this correct? And besides the water pump relocation and ae86 crossmember what else do I need for the swap? Thank you

I have a 3t-gte powered ke70 coupe and a 20v powered ae82 fxgt. personally i love the 4age for its weight and throttle response. 3t's are sluggish in comparison. more power is a turbo conversion away and the 20v are awesome when boosted!

The main issues are the distributor and the thermostat that hang off the back of the 20v head.
If you don't mind modifying the firewall then it becomes easier. The distributor cap clearance can be fixed rough style with some love taps of the firewall with a friendly sledge hammer or converting to a wastespark or COP ignition.
The thermostat on the other hand requires custom parts (check the old forums as theres a few guideline threads and guys making blank off plates or complete relocation kits) to move it to the 16v location... the most common and cleanest conversion is the rwd thermostat or a remote ae92 thermostat used in conjunction with a re routed water system through the intake side of head.
Apart from those, the conversion is much the same as a 16v 4age.
The oem 20v wiring is a little more involved to convert since the layout is not rwd specific, but not hard for someone that knows what they're doing.

In regards to the gearbox, yes the te72 will have the t50, but being an '81 it may have the 20-spline version (output shaft spline count). the '81 jdm te71 do have the 20spline anyway. rwd 4age use the 22 splined t50 only. It is possible to swap the bellhousing, but for it to be compatible, you need to have a spacer made to adapt the smaller input shaft bearing diameter of the 20spline box to match the larger 22spline box bearing. otherwise there's a chance of the box not aligning with the crank and you'll have endless input shaft bearing problems and possibly worn clutch diaphragm finger wear. google for the spacer, im sure theres measurements online already (definately on club-k.co.nz).
Another option is use a 22 spline t50 and change the driveshaft to the facelift te72 which should also be 22spline.
If the te72 has the 22 spline box then your good to go. find an ae86 bellhousing and swap it over to your t50. requires a new gasket between them. or just buy a complete ae86 t50.

try be more specific in what you need to know