January 4, 2007 - Editor's Note: I normally don't like to hijack Terry's column, but I thought I should do so in this case. You see, Terry knows a thing or two about building drift cars. I know he's mentioned it a few times, but it's worth re-stating. If you have a question about drifting, drift-car set-ups, etc., Terry's the man to ask.
I got a letter in the regular IGN Cars inbox asking if Takumi's 11,000 rpm Trueno motor was actually feasible or something that can exist only in Initial D. I sure as hell don't know the answer off the top of my head, so I shot it over to Terry. Go ahead and read this column to get the answer!
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"Can a N/A 20 valve 4AG (preferably silver top) be built to an 11,000 redline like in Initial D, or is that fiction?"
-Andrew
Thanks for your question Andrew,
I will try to give you the best explanation possible. The 4AG engine that you are asking about came from a front wheel drive Japanese market-only Corolla (chassis code AE101), and the biggest feature that it has over previous models is an additional valve in the head for a total of 5 valves per cylinder. The 20 valve (20v) motor came with individual throttle bodies (ITB) for improved response and torque (bonus effect was the sweet sound of ITB's) and the new 4AG was also fitted with a VVTi unit for the intake cam. In stock form the motor has a similar rev limit to the venerable 4 valve motor, but since the additional intake valve allows the motor to breathe so much better the 20v will have better performance on the top end.
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Once you have done all the mods to convert the engine to fit into the FR set up (and you have a running car), there are several paths that can be taken to achieve very similar results to the engine that is represented in the Initial D anime. Formula D drifter and local hero Taka Aono has a 20v motor built to produce nearly 200 rear wheel horsepower (RWHP) and with a rev limit of 10,500 rpm. In order to achieve such a goal nearly everything will need to be swapped out and upgraded within the walls of that 20v 4AG block.
Toyota was a major contributor to the Formula Atlantic series in the 90's, which is where the term "Formula Atlantic" motor was first coined. The 4AG "Atlantic motor" was the specified motor required to run in the Formula Atlantic series. That motor was a modified 4AG 20v engine that was capable of 11,000 + revs and made 240 horsepower! There is a book published by Toyota on how to assemble a Formula Atlantic motor that may or may not be available on the internet.
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So in a nutshell, yes you can indeed get a 20v 4AG to rev like a Yamaha R1.
In other news: Drift Buffet blew out 2006 with a crazy bash at the NOS center in San Bernardino, CA. The NOS center has commenced the construction process and Drift Buffet Amateur Competitions shall start in February.
Okay, time to hijack the article again. Terry and I know that you have more drift set-up questions just burning holes in your brain. Douse the fire of curiosity with Terry's automotive wisdom and ask the man a question!
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