Heart of a beast: 2ZZGE powered 1993 Toyota Corolla E100

The "GT-Lift" for the 7th generation Toyota Corolla E100 has been the long-standing trend for the boring old Corollas. There is a very good reason for that: it works. There are about a gazillion 4A-GE swapped E100s out there. And pretty much everybody knows their potential. About 160hp, a simplistic 5 or 6 speed manual transmission, and a kerb weight of 900-1000 kilos. All of these translate to a fun daily driver and a cheap project car, and that's why it's so popular here.

The car in question here today, belonging to Omar Shah, is a little different. If you've read our coverage of the AE101 Corolla meet a couple of weeks back, you will probably recognize this particular E100. For those who don't, this particular E100 has a heart transplant from the top of the line 9th generation Corolla Aerotourer Z and is also commonly found in the Celica GT-S: the 1.8 liter 2ZZ-GE engine. The 2ZZ-GE was the only motor by Toyota to feature variable valve timing with lift intelligence. Designed for Toyota by Yamaha, the 2ZZ-GE engine owed a lot to motorcycle engines, and the wide-angled valves and variable valve timing and lift system enabled the high-revving engine to develop 170-190 bhp based on tune. The engine has a remarkable 100 horsepower per liter. The car only weighs around 1100 kilograms with its new found power.

How does it feel?

Pretty damn awesome. This is a wild car. The car rides is on a set of 15" wheels and lowering springs, and on a chassis that was originally designed for a maximum of 1.6 liter 160 hp engines, those 20 or so extra horses really make themselves known in this mid-90s family sedan.These are newer and smarter ponies.In the dry it's a little easier to tame, the wheels like to lose their grip frequently and there is substantial torque steer. I had a ride in this in the rain once, and boy was thatan experience. As soon as a stretch of empty asphalt lay ahead of us, Omar kicked the clutch and downshifted.The tires spun all the way up to4th gear before gaining adequate grip, Omar fighting the torque steer in an attempt to stabilize the car in the rain.The way the power is delivered, it felt like the car gained an additional 50 horses.

Is it any different from a 4AGE-equipped Corolla?

4A-GEs to these cars are like jelly to the bread. It's been tried and perfected, they work together brilliantly. The instant response of the 4A-GE and wide power-band is incredible for a 1.6 liter engine of its time-period. The 1.6 feels at home in the 101, sadly, the 2ZZ-GE doesn't. It feels out of place, like it doesn't want to be there. Maybe I'm just used to these engines in heavier cars, but this particular motor feels more comfortable in newer cars, namely the 9th generation Corolla(s) and Premallions.

Okay so it has a big bad heart, what else?

Suspension nicked from a AE111 GT, Corolla T-Sport braking system and an assorted set of Ultra-racing strut bars help stabilize the car, and having access to a huge workshop consisting of almost every part needed certainly was a big help. Omar Shah is the son of the owner of MA Automobiles in Uttara, the workshop that was solely responsible for the project. While it didn't exactly get the GT-lift, he did get the BZ-Touring facelift.

A few words with the owner: 

Why this motor?
"The 4A-GE will be extinct someday, and I had a lust for more power, since the 3S-GE/GTE swaps have already been done in this chassis, I wanted to try something different. The 2ZZ-GE with the short gear ratios and lightweight aluminum block was the obvious choice really."

How long have you had this car?
"Little over two years, out of which it was powered by a 4A-GE black-top 5-speed manual transmission for one and a half."

Future plans for the 'Rolla? 
"Aftermarket clutch, reducing rotational mass on the crank, intake and ignition system."