1981 Toyota Starlet Has an F22C Under the Hood

Tantalizing Throwback

These days, retro is in. From Throwback Thursday to catching up on some social media memories, we all like to look fondly upon the past. And that certainly includes this old school Toyota Starlet packing F22C power that landed a Super Street feature over a decade ago.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street. 

Best N/A Build

The owner and builder of this ultra-cool ride, Edwin Rodriguez, has constructed his fair share of retro rides over the years. But when he scored this old Toyota, he wanted to pair it with the best naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine on the planet. And that, folks, was not something built by Toyota.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street.

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

Not Scared

Thus, the F22C was an obvious and easy choice. However, making it fit in this Starlet was anything but simple. However, that didn't dissuade Rodriguez from snagging a low-mile engine when the opportunity presented itself.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street.

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

Easy Peasy

The car itself, on the other hand, came already built for the most part. A former rally racer, it already had a roll cage and many other modifications performed to it. To that, Rodriguez added an OG TRD N2 widebody kit and JDM small bumpers, then covered the whole thing in Porsche Guards Red.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street. 

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

Waiting Game

But after all that work was completed, a full seven years passed before this Toyota would receive its new Honda heart. Rodriguez, it seemed, had a bunch of other projects that took precedence. After some time, work on the engine began in earnest.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street. 

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

Worth It

Fitting the little engine in the little car proved to be quite the challenge. The firewall had to be cut, a new transmission tunnel fabricated. But in the end, it's pretty clear that Rodriguez thinks all that work (and money) was worth it.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street. 

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

Trade Offs

"I wanted an old school car with new school technology," Rodriguez explained to Super Street. "Having a high-revving engine is always a trade-off for torque. In 2004, Honda redesigned the S2000 and replaced the F20C with the F22C, giving the car more torque."

Photos Courtesy of Super Street. 

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

No Comparison

And for Rodriguez, no other N/A four-cylinder engine seems to compare. "I've tried the 4A-G, 20-valve, 2TG and BEAMS. They can't compare to the F22C." he said.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street. 

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

Reliable Killer

"It's worth every penny," he admits. "I would build another one in a heartbeat. The car is so reliable; I drove it twice to Los Angeles. And spanked a couple of V8's along the way."

Photos Courtesy of Super Street.

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.

Lasting Value

We certainly don't doubt these lofty claims, given the fact that Rodriguez has stuffed his Honda mill in a rear-wheel drive car that weighs a scant 1,700 pounds. And in the process, he also built something that's as cool and unique today as it was a decade ago.

Photos Courtesy of Super Street.

>>Join the conversation on this Starlet with an F22C swap right here in the S2Ki forum.