How to Select the Best Transformation for your 1987 Toyota Engine- 6 tips

If you’re working on a 1987 Toyota and you’ve already got the engine part sorted, don’t rush the transmission choice. Getting the wrong one can turn into a serious headache. It’s not just about finding one that bolts up. The whole setup-driveshaft, mount points, shift linkage-has to line up with what your car was built for.

Back then, Toyota had a few engines floating around-22R, 4A-GE, 3S-FE, and others. Each one had specific transmissions that worked best with them. If you’re mixing and matching from different models things can get messy easily, you need to pick smart if you want everything to work right.

This guide is provided by carengineguru.com. This is written to help you avoid bad fits and wasted money. These six tips are based on real garage work, not theory so that you can find quality 1987 Toyota engine. Stick to them, and you’ll avoid the kind of trouble that stalls a project for weeks.

1. Always Start with the Engine Code

• In case your Toyota engine is from 1987, you might have a 22R, a 4A series, or maybe something different depending on the particular model. Before anything else, look for the engine code. Don’t guess. It’s stamped right on the block.
• Once you have that code, find out which transmissions were built to match it. That means actual matches not what “should” work. Even the cars which looks the same on the outside, many times have different drivetrains.

2. Manual or Auto- Choose Wisely

• If you drive the car daily, then automatic type can be more preferable, but if you want more control your vehicle, then you should go for manual. But if it’s a fun project or you’re planning upgrades, go manual. It’s more control and less hassle when you need to push it.
• Toyota made plenty of 4-speed and 5-speed manuals in that era. They’re simple and reliable. Autos were offered too, but swapping between auto and manual isn’t plug-and-play. You’ll need pedals, wiring, and maybe a different driveshaft for your second hand Toyota engines.

3. Bell-housing Fit Must Be Exact

• The bell-housing is the part that joins the engine and the transmission together. If the transmission is from Toyota, it still might not be able to be fitted upright without the right bell-housing.
• Some builders try to mix parts and find out later that it doesn’t mate cleanly. Now you have to find an adapter or a completely different transmission, so avoid that. Buy a transmission that already came off the same engine family, less room for error if you want to buy quality Toyota engines.

4. Watch Your Mounts and Driveshaft Length

• Not all Toyota transmissions from the late ‘80s are of the same length. If you buy a unit that’s too long or short, the driveshaft won’t fit, and the mounts will be off.
• This matters more than people think. You want that transmission to sit on the factory mount points without bending brackets or cutting anything. Measure everything before you order. Or at least check what vehicle the transmission came from and match that to yours.

5. Locate the Shifter

• It might sound like a trivial matter, but shifter lever should be in-line with the console. If it’s too far back or too far forward, you’ll end up with a hole that doesn’t line up or no way to shift.
• Toyota made some older trucks and cars with multiple transmission options that looked the same on the outside, but they mounted the shifter in a different spot. Double check before you commit.

6. Choose the Seller Wisely

• Used parts aren’t always clean or tested. That’s the risk. But it’s less of a risk if you buy from a seller that specializes in Toyota parts and knows the differences between engines of different types of the same make, i.e. 1987 Toyota engine.
• Ask where the transmission came from. Ask whether they tested it. If there’s no clear info about mileage, donor vehicle, or condition, skip it. A decent seller should tell you everything upfront-no guessing.
• Also, never buy anything without at least a short warranty. If a seller won’t stand behind their transmission for even 30 days, that’s not someone you want to buy from.

Conclusion

A 1987 Toyota engine is worth keeping if it’s still running strong. These old engines last forever with basic care. But if you’re swapping or rebuilding and need a transmission to match, take your time. Guessing doesn’t work here.

You can either do a thorough research yourself or can choose a trustworthy seller like carengineguru.com. People know them for their transparency and quality customer service. Their massive stock is among top online stores. Use the engine code, get the bell-housing right. The transmission should match the driveshaft to allow easy mounting. Check the shift lever location. And only buy from someone who actually knows what they’re selling.