Engine Swaps

qbrozen

well ... here's the BIG obstacle ... just how do you plan on converting your front-wheel-drive celica to handle rear-wheel-drive??

This isn't just an engine swap, this is a complete redesign of the vehicle!

rhorne

is it impossible to keep it front wheel drive?

if i do have to switch it do you think it would be better to go all wheel drive or just to rear wheel?

rhorne

as i understand it, it would mean essenstially building a subframe and then putting the celica shell on top of it. Do you think there is a better way? (or a cheaper way for that matter) i don't think I really want to only keep the shell of my car. if the 2jz-gte just isn't going to be reasonable then what would be another engine that would put out close to the same amount of hp and torque?

qbrozen

just how much hp and torque we talking here? The 2jz-gte can be tuned to put out over 1000 hp.

There's no way you're going for that much in a fwd car, though.

Is there something wrong with your current engine?

Which model celica do you have?

mtx_rox_my_sox

Hey. I have a 1996 Jetta GL. Just a plain 4 cylinder 8 valve. I was wondering if swapping out that engine for a vr6 would even be possible. Because, I want a decent turbocharger. And, I understand that I would be able to put an MK3 stage 2 turbo in the engine I have now. But, I don't think that would be worth it. And, I don't know whether I should do that, or swap out for a vr6 and put a MK4 stage 5 turbo in it. I was wondering what would be the better way to go, and if I do swap out, should I go for the vr6 12v or the 24v? Price does not matter to me and I understand I would need to make drivetrain changes, BIG TIME. But, I do want as much HP as possible. So any advice at all would be helpful. My knowledge for engines is limited, I'm much more into car audio. So, simple words would be much easier for me to understand. Thanks.

-Mike

P.S. Here is where I found out about the turbo kits.

http://www.c3cars.com/parts.cfm?M=1&PMode=I&VIID=1363

http://www.c3cars.com/parts.cfm?M=1&PMode=I&VIID=1385

mitchrover181

I was told by you guys that I should put a toyota starlet engine in my 1992 paseo. I have found a few engine,tranny, and ecu combos is that all that I'll need or will I need to modify the engine mounts or should it be a direct bolt-in. Also is the tranny used for the starlet the same as the paseo's tranny? thanks

guest

go to feoa.net they have everything you need.

sawlin

My 93 Geo has a 1.8 Toyota engine in it and I'm wanting to put a 93-98 JDM Toyota Supra 2JGTE Engine, 3000cc,Twin Turbo in it. I have never atempted such a task and I'm looking for some information so that I don't start something that I can't finish. Any tips out there for someone like me with a small budget? :confuse:

qbrozen

a very similar question was asked not too long back on this board. I believe it involved the supra engine in a celica.

The answer is the same ... without LARGE amounts of cash and incredible engineering skills, it can't be done for the simple fact that the supra engine is for a RWD car and the Geo is a FWD car.

sawlin

how about a 1MZFE 3000 DOHC FWD 93-99 TOYOTA CAMRY, AVALON, SINNA, ES300? The Geo has a Toyota engine in it which is why i'm trying to stick with toyota engines but if you have something else that would get the job done just let me know. Thanks

qbrozen

Maybe ... but probably won't give the results you are hoping for. I'm thinking supercharging.

I'm not sure if you've read up on this, but check this out for some interesting reading:
http://experts.about.com/e/t/to/toyota_a_engine.htm

There is a comment in there about taking your engine (7A-FE) and swapping on the head from a 4A-GZE. The 4AGZE was the supercharged 1.6. Could produce some interesting results. There are links at the bottom of that article that I haven't read through. You'll have to see what info is out there.

944s

hi i have a 91 toyota tercel 2dr EFI AUTO... i think its got a fried engine,,, i was wondering if i can fit the engine and trans from a newer model,, mine has a 12 valve EFI SOHC, i i think that the newer model has a DOHC.i want to know how hard of a job this is for an average DIT'er? also if i wanted to put a manual trans on it how hard would it be thx

qbrozen

why not just scrap it and buy a good running used tercel or corolla to replace it? I see plenty for less than $3k on my local craigslist. Between the time and money, a '91 tercel 2-door is just not worth it.

944s

really you think so?? i guess so,, its just that its in really good condition and its just chillin' in the yard,, i guess ill trash it then,, i just wanted to see if it had any potential. i guess not. thx for ur imput tho

qbrozen

well ... its tough to imagine a '91 tercel in really good condition ... but if you feel it is ....

it comes down to what you think your time is worth. There is no way I would do it, but that's just my opinion and what I feel its worth. The only way I'd do an engine swap (or even a rebuild) in a car worth as little as that is if I was making some sort of crazy racecar (but, even then, I doubt i'd start with a tercel ... nothing against them, but there are far better looking cars i'd choose to start a project with).

Tough to figure a bottom limit of what a car should be worth to start an engine swap ... but I think my bar would be around $5k. Meaning, the car has to be worth at least $5k OR be something cool and interesting to me to consider doing an engine swap.

By the way, you said you "think" the engine is fried. In what way? Are you sure its the engine? And, if so, what exactly? Is there a big hole in the block? Did it throw a rod? burn a bearing? maybe just the head is toast?

944s

well the only thing i was told is that its running on 2 cylinders. i havent even taken it apart yet.. i think youre right tho. im mean its a tercel, it served its purpose and now its time for it to go!

qbrozen

"running on 2 cylinders" could mean simply a bad head gasket. A relatively easy job on a '91 toyota.

93cam

i love my cam but i wanted to put a rotary engine into it but its a fwd car so i cant so i wanted to kno what would be the best engine from toyota thats fwd

93cam

you can put a 1.8 l.s v-tech from an acura integra small engine wit alot of power or u can just go for the standard l.s

944s

i need held with an engine swap,,,,, i have a 99 pontiac sunfire SE with the 3sp AT,, i want to swap it with the 2.4 twin cam out of the sunfire GT,, i need help but i dont know any of the engine codes, i want to know if it is a direct bolt on? also if i decided to get the 5sp manual tranny with it how hard of a job would it be???ant comments or help is grealtly appreciated!

90celigt4

I've got a 1990 Toyota Celica Alltrac Turbo and I want to drop a 2JZ, but what I need to know is will I lose the all wheel drive? I know that I can fit the engine. Another thing, N E 1 know where I can get a Supra headlight/taillight conversion?

qbrozen

wow. Really? I thought the Celica Alltrac Turbo was supposed to be very capable as it stands and very responsive to modifying.

I'm not an expert (as I often must disclose before giving my opinions)... but here is my take ...

To answer your question, yes, you will lose AWD. You can't use the transmission from your current car, which is the important part to allowing for AWD. A 2jz tranny can't be equipped with AWD, as far as I know (then again, they could have had an AWD 2jz in foreign markets that I'm not familiar with). Now, will the 2jz tranny fit your car?

Now, here's the other thing ... when eliminating the AWD, you will need a new front end because your current front wheels are attached to a transaxle. I'm not sure what's involved here, but you have to eliminate the transaxle, so the front wheels will need to connect to the vehicle in a different way. Have you acquired the 2jz yet? If not, I suggest getting a whole front clip. You MAY be able to use the front suspension with lots of modifying.

What did you do to determine the engine will fit in your car? Has someone else done this swap? Or did you simply measure the engine compartment?

90celigt4

well I've seen it done on a '92 celica GT but they had already had it converted to rear wheel drive, so, yeah the engine and tranny will fit with the right customization. I think I might just go with a bigger turbo because I really want to keep it AWD. Thanks for the advice! Any idea on how much work it will be to do the headlight/taillight conversion? If you do it will be much appreciated.

qbrozen

wow. i'm really surprised someone did that swap. It takes alot of time and work to convert FWD to RWD (not to mention cutting out major pieces of the structure and re-engineering the whole thing ... not a car I would feel safe driving around in). I don't see how its worth it. In the end, it would have been cheaper, easier, and safer to buy a Supra.

Sorry, but I don't know anything about the light conversions.

emilime75

I am looking for the same thing...or an adapter to bolt up any rear drive tranny to a VW VR6. Anyone have any info about this? How about you brookes? Find out anything?

5lmiata

I own a 1995 Miata that I swaped a 1988 Ford Mustang 5.0L H.0. V8 into. The car still handles like a dream but now has some power so I can steer with the front or back of the car. 225hp, 300lb ft torque, 2,500lbs...and lots more power potential for very little cash!

Details here:

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/551020

trackwrex

okay, i know of many... personally, i've done a jdm sr20det swap into my 240sx. yes, it's common nowadays but the engines are becoming a rarity nowadays. i've had friends who've done an sr20det into a miata, an rb26det into a 240, the common ls-vtec swap/mod, b16a2 into eg/ek civics and crx's and also.. ready for this? an nsx motor into a crx (which was converted to rwd)... i say the sr20det is worth it. the rb26 adds too much weight to the front of a 240... balance becomes tricky on tracks...

qbrozen

i'd like to know more about that crx/nsx swap. that HAS to be on the internet somewhere, no? If not, it SHOULD be.

jtdesigns

any solid info on the rodeo to chevy v8 swap? any advice, exprence very welcomed and needed

jtdesigns

hondas are prob the most easy to swap motors in. you can pretty much swap heads on them to! preludes are well known for the h22 swap and this link here shows a guy swaping a lt1 corvette engine into a lude. he took the rear out of a rx7 and well see 4 yourself http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1645997&page=1

freakin awesome!!

qbrozen

I still find that probably easier than the nsx/crx swap, though. Only due to the engine/tranny(or transaxle) layout. A 'lude, vette, and RX are all front engine RWD, for instance. So I'm really curious to see how much was done to a FWD CRX to accomodate a mid-engine RWD powertrain.

Not that your link wasn't appreciated. don't get me wrong.

qbrozen

I really just have to ask .... WHY???

paisan

Why not? Obviously you have never offroaded or you wouldn't ask that question. The Rodeo has a great chassis for offroading being that it can get down trails that larger full-size trucks can't. You can swap in a 350 Chevy, put in a solid front and rear axle with lockers and you are in good shape for just about any offroad excursion out there. Seen it done, ridden in a few trucks like that. More common is the 4.3L Chevy swap into an Amigo/Rodeo chassis as the 4.3L engines are pretty abundent.

-mike

qbrozen

I have off-roaded (although i don't see why one would have to do this to recognize the virtues of putting a lot of time and money into modding a historically undesirable vehicle) ... never with a Rodeo, though.

I guess it is personal preference. There are just so many other places I would put my time and money, that's all. A 350-powered Jeep CJ, for instance.

paisan

Isuzus are known the world around as great offroaders. The Trooper is on Peterson's all-time top 10 offroad vehicles.

The Isuzu Rodeo was the highest selling import SUV in 1992-94.

There is a very very loyal following of Isuzu offroaders. Don't hate what you've never tried.

-mike

paisan

As for time and money, most of the guys I know who have done it fab everything themselves. These are hard-core machinists. Heck we've been known to have welders at the Uwharrie campsite welding up diffys on Jeeps, Toyotas, Isuzus at some of our Isuzu events.

-mike

qbrozen

that just means more time than money. I have a welder in my garage that never gets used because I, unfortunately, don't have the time. I think that is why I'm so picky about my projects. If it is not exactly what I want or need, I'm not going to bother.

I'm a bit surprised to hear that about Troopers. I know the old ones had a fairly good rep mechanically ... but due to the deteriorating bodies, I would never have thought them worth saving. My Uncle always swore by them back in the day ... but when the new style came out in the late '90s and his got to the point that duct tape could no longer hold the body together, he moved on. Speaking of the newer style, my mom had a '98. After its 3rd tranny in 60k miles, they got rid of it.

Kinda like my history with Toyota. Back in the day of the 22R and RE, they were quite rugged and capable. But once the body gave out, and it inevitably did, that was all she wrote.

paisan

It was the 98 or 99 that they rated as one of the top 10 all time offroaders.

I had a 2000 and loved it, the tranny did go but if you saw some of the stuff I put it through during it's first 90k miles you'd understand why.

Stock to stock, I'd say they are right, offroading it was pretty kick butt.

My dad still has it with 120k miles on it now and really the only issues with it was the trans (a GM part made in France by the way) Everything else on the car looks and works like when I took it out of the showroom, can't say the same for a lot of other vehicles.

-mike

qbrozen

Did ALL Troopers from those years have the TOD system? Or was that an option? Wouldn't that pretty much kill it as an off-roader? Did that even have low-range? I don't remember.

paisan

Yup they all had TOD, however, TOD is not an issue and 4-low was always there as well. A few folks used to rip on TOD so I did an entire event at UWharrie National Forest with only TOD and never got stuck or hung up once. I ran nearly stock with my tuck whenever I offroaded, the only mods I did were:

Larger Tires (275-70-16)
HD Front Torsion Bars
Old Man Emu Shocks
Old Man Emu 2.5" rear Super HD lift Springs
ARB front bumper replacement
2x4 Rock Sliders welded to the frame
K&N Air Filter

Rarely ever got stuck, except when mud-bogging in the Pine Barrens of NJ, mostly due to my tires.

-mike

hoodlatch

We're in the process of putting a 460 and 4 speed truck transmission in a 52 power wagon. Does anyone have tips on mounts, etc.?

vwgolf97

Yea you can and should do the engine swap and go for the bigger turbo. The only bad thing is everything that is under the hood now has to come out, and be changed to fit the VR6. also if you want go to StreetFire.com to check out the performance of the VR6. Wish you luck.

vw4me623

stuflikethat

hello all, i have a 97' golf 2.0 and i am looking to do a vr6 swap. what all is needed to complete this? are there any websites that you could show me that have more info on it? thanks alot, joel

hitman1369

Whats up new world, I'm about to start school at UTI in AZ. I have a 96 Pontiac Sunfire SE. It has a 2.2L Engine that is about to hit 200,000 miles. I have a turbo kit for it from Greddy but don't want to put it on in fear of blowin the [non-permissible content removed] out of my car. I want to put a new engine in but not another 2.2 Something with a little more hp. Any suggestions? What will fit?

qbrozen

I would look for another 2.2. But it would be an ecotec. I wonder if your turbo kit would fit. They are sturdy engines that take well to boost, typically.

130dr

440jeep

any one ever tried to put a 440 into a cherokee? I'll keep ya'll posted on the progress and any pointers would be very appreciated.

Mr_Shiftright

For some engines, you can buy plastic or styrofoam dummies of the actual block...that way you can lift it in and out and figure out your mounts, clearances, and linkages. it's the only way to go.

viper3