My '92 w/ 4AFE is finally put together. I had the blown engine it came with replaced with a low mileage used motor. Got a compression test done on the motor to make sure it was good. Got readings of 180psi, 175psi, 185psi, 180psi. Good readings according to the mechanic. That said, how can I get more horsepower from this motor? Do K&N filters help? Any ideas? I live in California so I am limited in what I can do and keep my vehicle "legal" but I would appreciate any helpful suggestions in my quest to squeeze out whatever extra horsepower I can from this engine. I know I am not driving a "tuner" street rocket, but a little more "umph" for for merging or going up the hills that make up San Francisco would be nice. Thanks!

4AFE motors don't get much more powerful than they are from the factory. A K&N filter may net you 1 or 2 crank hp but nothing noticable. You're really not going to get very far with one, especially if you are under the Naz.. I mean Cali emissions laws.

I'm not sure what the laws are like, but an intake would be a fun mod. You wouldn't really gain much (if any) power but at least it would sound cool

Well, what about an intake??? Do you know who makes one, bolt on??? I have considered doing this but am not sure which one I'd be able to install with a minimum of intervention to the existing system. I'm all ears.

From what little I know about engine swapping and modifying (for Hondas anyway), horsepower increase is usually accomplished by building up the engine itself.  Intake & exhaust mods will do a little for an engine, but nothing spectacular.  Putting a turbo on the engine, sleeving the block, or honing the cylinder walls and then getting appropriate pistons & rings... sometimes changing out the crankshaft & rods.  A lot of it has to do with the engine itself, in that you can't make a monster out of a mouse.  You can only get so much out of an engine by modifying it, and then you have to ask the question, "is this engine worth putting the money into?  Or should I just get another engine that already has more power?"  Not wanting to discourage you, but I hope this helps a bit!

Given the restrictions on the engine due to emissions, some HP gains can be had with increasing the exhaust output with a higher performance exhaust and increasing the input of air with a better air filter.  Other ways include cam shaft changes to alter valve timing and crankshaft changes, but these aren't too common for a 4AFE engine.  There is still debate on whether using high performance spark plug yields to better fuel combustion and greater cylinder compression.

Pehaps the biggest change that you can make is to put in a different engine, such as this mod: http://turbocorolla.com/cars/larsc.htm

That said, I did notice an increase in horsepower after some major changes, such as when I fixed the clutch.

And, running on higher octane, yielded some "oomph' and "vroom".  Some say that using a lighter synthetic gear oil in the front differential and rear differential yields a bit more horsepower, as well as having cooler-running gear boxes.

So you are in the Bay Area?  I used to live in the East Bay for years (Berkeley, Oakland, El Cerrito) before moving to SoCal.

Well, the radiator sprung a leak the other day, I'm waiting for the replacement to be delivered... there goes my upgrade for this month. I am thinking of a K&N filter to help it breath. What about exhaust? Any suggestions?? I am not going to be doing any internal mods/upgrades to the motor, only bolt ons. I also consider replacing the stock spark plugs, suggestions?? Thanks

I second that question about plugs....mine are a little grungy, and could use replacement. Currently planning to throw in some straightforward ngks...

Quoted from ajmcafee

I second that question about plugs....mine are a little grungy, and could use replacement. Currently planning to throw in some straightforward ngks...

I put some straight NGK coppers in and they work fine.  A nice cheap way to improve horsepower a bit.

In addition to my all-trac wagon I also own a 2000 corolla with a 1zzfe motor. does anybody know if these new motors will bolt on to our transmission/tranfercasses?  the 1ZZFE makes 130 horse power as opposed to the wagons 105HP. In addition its all aluminum(light weight), Lager displacement(1.8L), it also gets 33+MPG (My all-trac gets around 27mpg at best). Is there a way we can convert updated technology to our beloved all-trac wagons?

Is that 27 on the highway or in the city?  I used to get around 31 mph on the highway and 24 in the city.  Because of the propeller shaft and differential drive drain, fuel efficiency is about 25% less for the All-Tracs than for the regular Corolla.  I'm told that using pure lightweight synthetic motor oil (5W30, Mobil 1, Amsoil, Royal Purple), light synthetic transmission fluid, and light synthetic rear differential fluid can lead to somewhat increased fuel economy without sacrificing protection.  A K&N Air Filter might help; I bought one but haven't put it in yet.  But also put in a better exhaust, or at least a better exhaust manifold.  There were some for sale on eBay.  Your 2000 Corolla will always get better gas mileage than the All-Trac due to being front wheel drive, even with a bigger engine.

What about a higher-performing exhaust system.  Putting in more colder air (through a high-flow cold air intake is great, but you have to get all that extra air -- now very hot -- out of the engine as fast as possible.  

Here's a website that has some horsepower performance mods:  http://www.ferraridoors.com/horsepowermodification.htm

I'm going to start implementing some of these mods soon after I finish some electrical mods that I'm involved in.
I'll post those electrical mods soon.

Well, Gentlemen, Here's my Lake Tahoe Runner '92

sick...what are those rims from? if i get the '90, would like to put some on it.

Nice... looks like the same color as mine.