am new

sienna arial 4 am new....and i was wondering if swaping the engine in the 86 corolla is a good idea. this well be my first car. if this isn't a good idea am wondering what i should do then. if this is a good idea i was wondering what i should know and prices

??? Umm..what? Apparently, you are really..really new..like wet behind the ears new.

But, it seems you do have a clue..you are right, maybe an engine swap shouldn't be the first thing you dive into..although, your post looks pretty old by now..I'm the first person to reply to your confusing post..you've probably already tried to do something to your car.

You have an 86 Corolla..why do you want to swap the engine out? That's not always the best way to go. It seems to me, this being your first car, you should just try to learn about the engine that came in that car and start with small things to enhance it;

Start with basic tune up items

-sparkplugs and wires
-rotor and distributor cap
-oil and filter change
-fuel filter

Then step up to maybe a free'r flowing air intake system..you don't have to have a cone and pipe system, a drop in K&N filter is a huge improvement over the stock paper filter; but the pipe and cone does sound pretty cool and is a little less restrictive, improving performance.

After that look into opening up your exhaust with a header (if you can find one made for that year, make and model) high flow catalytic converter and a decent muffler (also, this is very important, don't open your exhaust up TOO much, if the stock pipe diameter is 1 7/8's, go up to 2 in's MAX you need to have some Back Pressure for proper engine torque and performance, do some research on it)

..but don't get a "ricey" sounding can muffler, those things are the most annoying "BRAAAAAAP!" UHHGG..I don't care what anyone tells you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with going into your auto parts store and getting a Thrush turbo muffler or even a Cherry Bomb glass pack muffler that's the right size for your car..I've done it plenty of times :)

On that tiny engine, a glass pack won't be overly loud or abnoxious, but you will have a bit more of a rumble or tone to your exhaust. Take the time to learn about your car..don't try to make your car into every other car on the road..

Don't be afraid to get dirty either..you pay through long hours, sweat, hard work and bangin your head against a brick wall (figure of SPEECH!) to make your car the way you want it. If it takes measuring and cutting with a hacksaw and then fitting pieces together to achieve a proper fit, then do it!

I spent hours under my Z once cutting my muffler off, and then fitted a straight pipe the length of the muffler I'd just cut off on to the exhaust pipe, with a Monza baffled exhaust tip on the end of that! It was cool, sounded good, and I'd done it myself using two u-bolts, no welding.

That's what I'm talking about. Don't immediately look for the quickest way out of a problem or situation. I guarantee you you'll never be really satisfied with yourself or your car if you always take a cookie cutter approach to it.

Engine swap..:( You know, things only got this way after everyone went nuts with the Vtec engine modifying and swapping craze.

I'm older though so I guess I'm old school.

Either be like every other brainless squid out there with their coffee can ricers or be an artist with a truly custom car, one that YOU figured out what to do to it.

Get a manual on your car and read through it..learn about your car, and have fun!

Greg