I've recently needed a lot more speed. Nothing to crazy, don't want a track or drift truck. Just some more fun and needed speed towing and highway. I've been doing a lot bit of research on a 1jz but it seems alil too complicated for a first timer. Wouldn't be doing it by myself but I like to have alil bit of knowledge about it b4 going in so I don't get ripped off. Then last night I found out about an 7mgte, haven't done too much research in it but it seems the easiest however the headgasket issue is a lil worrisome. Then read a few posts about performance upgrades. Which seems like I could do with less downtime, since this is my daily. Either way, I would like to keep fairly inexpensive a budget of $800. And something that is fairly easy for a beginner to grasp with the help of a mechanic and something that'll still have reability and give me that extra boost. I'm kinda leaning towards a swap simply bc even stock itll be an improvement over the 22, with room to grow should my need. Also my local yard has a couple of LSs. So i could grab an 1jz for alittle under 200. But the upgrades seems like a little easier to tackle especially since I want to learn how to rebuild an engine. Sorry for the damn novel. Can't sleep. Ugh
The only swap I see happening with your budget is a small block ford or chevy. They are cheap and easy to install especially since swap mounts etc are available. I used to frequent 1/2jz swap forum and they all said expect around 10k for a running drivable swap. I imagine a 7m would be cheaper. Also any straight 6 is gunna require some cutting. I did the lexus v-8 and it cost me about 3k doing all the work except wiring myself. The ford or chevy would he plenty of power, and reliable if not heavily modified.
Yea I said the wrong engine in my first post. I want a stock 1uzfe from sc300 or ls. I can find one in my local for about 200 plus core. Been up pretty much all night. So far I'm pretty set on this ill just up my budget to bout 2000. I pretty much buy piece by piece. Get the engine first. And go from there. I think my uncle can do the work. I remember growing he had a bad ass bronco that he rebuilt. So far from my reading I need Obv a engine, ecu, wiring, w58 trans, manual conversion kit, mounts, a bigger rad, fans, and belts. Am I missing anything? Don't really care about cruise control. But I do want ac but can wait and def will be getting everything for power steering. And keep it stock for a while learn more about engines and then mod accordingly.
ah good choice lol. i paid $450 for my 1uz, auto trans and ecu from pick n pull. having the wiring done cost $450 as well. i preferred auto so that i didn't need to run a clutch pedal in my body dropped mini, but i can see a manual being a lot more fun. you'll need to add a fuel pump to the list. i run a universal chevy radiator that i changed the necks on. seems to keep the motor nice and cool, but i haven't actually hooked a temp gauge up. i did take it on a 800 mile trip doing 75+mph with no issues of over heating. from what i read before my swap the sc300 is the preferred donor because it's stock exhaust manifolds will fit the toyota chassis. i have rack and pinion which forced me to build headers for my swap. didn't cost much but was a pain in the butt. i'm not sure if a/c compressor will clear the frame either. i removed mine since i run manual steering but i seem to recall it interfering with the frame. but engine placement might help. i ran the motor as low as possible. the motor is pretty amazing in a little truck. biggest problem is getting traction since the 1uz has some decent torque. with the auto i get an average 25 mpg with a 4.10 rear end.
$2000 is enough to complete the swap if you do your own wiring. Wiring the 1uz is very easy, especailly if you go with the manual trans but the conversion kit will take half your budget. Ability to do your own fabrication and wleding is also a big plus for the motor mounts. I can't believe that there's no company selling the motor mounts and headers for 4runner/ pickup 1uz swaps.
X2 wish there was a company that would pick up on this .. A bolt in mount kit and a plug and play wiring harness would be nice to ..
easy way to start "practicing" ur drift skills - gear up. is what i did. im making mine into somewhat of a street/drag daily driver deal. i've got a few engine mods, nothing internal (cam, head, etc) -had some gains. but the biggest improvement was swapping gears. went from a 3.5 to a 4.30 (welded the spiders) -damn! yanks off the line every time, burn outs for days, launches hard! i pretty much beat everyone i've raced off the line. but my 60ft et not so good lol.
If you wanted to go the 7MGE route you can do it for under 2000 and you can avoid the cutting part if you find the right radiator. The 1UZ would be a kick in the pants though! Either way you go it will be a blast over the 22R. Btw, wanted to clear up that the 1UZ is gonna be in the SC400, the 300 is gonna have your N/A 2JZ.
Why don't you just build up the motor you already have? I'm in the process of doing my first engine build on my 87 22R, it's a good motor to learn the process on! I wanted to go EFI for being my first engine build the carburated motor was easier to learn on! For around what your wanting to spend probably a little more chedder you'll get quite a bit of umph! Just get a rebuild kit from ENGNBLDR.COM when you contact the guy explain to him what your wanting to do and he'll help you get the power your looking to achieve. After that slap a big 38/38 Weber card 22RE Performance - Weber Carb and maybe hit up a local machine shop and have them port your heads and do HD valve springs and valves and a cam! Ok so maybe a little mor then $800 but not to crazy much more! Hope this helps since I'm still a noob!
