Modernised Morris Minor

Modernised Morris Minor Modernised Morris Minor

Whenever we are stopped in Ursula, people always tell us their auntie had one, they learnt to drive in one, or they were conceived in one. They also say what a lovely restoration job the previous owner has done, but what about keeping up with the traffic on the motorway?
Imagine our delight at popping the bonnet to reveal this motor.
The installation is of factory quality with a dose of modest visual hot rodding thrown in.
For those of you who don't instantly recognise this motor, it is the Toyota 4A-GE. This is 1600cc's, 4 valve per cylinder, double overhead cam shaft and normally powers the Toyota Corolla GT or rear wheel drive Toyota Sprinter. These motors in standard trim deliver 120 bhp at 6500 rpm, with different cam shafts, 160 bhp, and in Formula Pacific or Atlantic race cars in excess of 220 bhp.
The standard fuel injection system has been rejected for twin 40mm Dellorto Carburettors and with the aid of a superbly made two and a half inch exhaust headers enable the motor to spin in excess of 7000 rpm. (We may need to invest in a rev limiter.)
The car is cooled by a Toyota MR2 radiator with thermostatically cooled fan plus a new oil cooler. As the temperatures in Wellington, New Zealand rarely get above 25 degrees celcius, cooling is not an issue.
The gearbox is a standard 5 speed Toyota Sprinter unit with modified drive shaft coupling into a Ford Capri differential/axles and hard brake linings. The diff ratio is 4.25 : 1 and if the car was better streamlined, in excess of 200 kmph would be possible.