That's why i like manuals . And that's because transmission. Try 4afe manual vs 4efe manual. There will be no match. And if put 2C vs 4afe, again 4afe wins.
Pickup came from low end torque. Petrol engines have less pickup then diesel. That's why diesels have longer ratios. Because they can still pull the car. While petrol engines will become sluggish with longer ratio.
I had 5af very first gen in my ae80 corolla. Which i later converted to Efi with 4afhe parts and 5afe ecu. Interior of my car was stripped. I used to spin in first gear. Even my gear ratio was longer c15x tranny from 1N diesel.
If the chassis number begins with CE-90 than it’s original diesel and if it’s EE or AE than it’s petrol converted to diesel