6G Celicas Forums

but obd2 should be no prob right? i'm planning on a 99+ imz in a couple years... hopefully.

sludge, there you go. problem was fixed in 03+ 1mz's

obd2 just has a lot more wiring/sensors you have to deal with. However on one of the mr2 sites, there's actually a Complete writeup on how to do a obd2 1mz swap into a obd1 vehicle. Even though it's a mr2, the basic parts needed are there.

Are you by any chance considering performing this swap for local 6gc owners?


I love the feel of V6. Just immediate and ballsy pickup regardless of what speed you're at.

Seriously, if it's something you would consider, let me know.

Ok im also in cali and u say that all of the engine swaps metioned are legal..sweet!!!What is the gas milage like far all the engines for a 1994 ST coupe,cause we all know gas will hit over at least 5$ within 2 years,at least in california and i dont wanna have a car under 20 mpg.

Generally speaking I don't think they care what tranny you run so long as emission and performance related parts haven't been tampered with.

okay off topic, but you seem to know a lot about cali vehicle emmission laws and what-not. so do you know what i would have to do to import and register a st205 and make it street legal?

I don't know how to actually import the car. However when you do so you have to get Federal safety certified. And in order to get it legal In cali, the proceedure is actually quite simple as long as you import a 94-95 st205. Since the 3sgte was offered in those years, all you have to do is pretty much put all required emission equipment that was required in the 94-95 mr2 turbo, as well as routing all vacuum lines. The only custom work you would have to do is get the EGR system installed and operational. Since it's a AWD, a TSI (Two Speed) test is going to be performed. And when that is done, the egr valve is manually tested with a vacuum pump. However, when it comes down to it, i think that's the easier part when it comes to importing a vehicle. And yes you would have to make an appointment with a State Referee to get "Emission certified".

This post has been edited by Celicaguy13: May 8, 2007 - 4:02 AM

And the tranny does matter. Because of timing specs. Even though most cars timing specs are the same, whether it's a manual or auto. There needs to be official specs in the books for the engine/tranny combo being tested.

Now that i think about it, i'll ask what the rules are for non adjustable engine swaps. hence vvti v6's. because those weren't offered with a manual trans. but I don't want to get your hopes up.

This post has been edited by Celicaguy13: May 8, 2007 - 4:01 AM

Look - Hit up the DMV web site, or go to the DMV for all information regarding the law on engine swaps. Since California is one of the strictest places on the planet when it comes to SMOG regulations - GO TO THE SOURCE. If you don't read it, and you spend thousands of $$$ and your time to do a swap, and the ONLY research you did depend on this thread, I will mock you later when you can't get your blue sticker.


That said - I plan on going with an automatic when I do the swap anyway. I've driven auto V6's in yotas before, and I'm very pleased with how they function.

I'm still not sure what direction I want to go in. I was sold on the OBDI because of ease of install wiring, and the engine is supposed to be mechanically easier to work on. However, sounds like they have sludge issues in those years, and I'm not sure how to combat / correct for that

Well it's a good idea to go to the right source if you directed people to the right site. You want to go to www.arb.ca.gov. Also I don't know where you hear it's called a blue sticker. It's a bar label and it's white.

Anyways, I don't post information that I dont know what the heck i'm talking about. All the information i post is what i know is FACT. And if i'm not sure about something, i'll say it up front. It's people like you that cause people to back off from projects when you don't know what is correct.

P.S. It's not nice to mock people... we'll be mocking you when your driving an auto v6 and we're driving our legal v6 mt's

lol amen to the mocking of the auto!!!!And no one answered me, wat is it Gas milage of these engines?

This post has been edited by CelicaST_CALI: May 9, 2007 - 5:24 PM

You don't know for a FACT you have to keep the AUTO. You shouldn't say you know for sure because even smog techs and BAR refs don't know for sure. It's subjective and depends on the tech, but in the end the ONLY reason the tranny may be a concern is to check stock timing specs, which is sometimes different between a manual and auto. Take for example, some Honda engines run around 20 degrees BTDC with the auto, while the manual is around 15 degrees BTDC. Still, this should NOT be a problem because the engine itself runs base timing between 8-12 degrees BTDC regardless of auto/manual trans... not to mention a later versions were availiable with a factory 5 speed. Again... so long as the emissions and performance related parts/specs are intact and functional, along with all of the stock wiring related thereof... you'll be OK for BAR. How do I know? Well... I kinda sorta do run a smog shop.

and... the 1MZFE motors typically get around 20mpg city and 25-28mpg highway.

Good for you. Here's a cookie:




Wait, so you didn't say "I don't know about this." so... it must be FACT right? Can you provide evidence of this FACT? Because it seems more like conjecture and opinion to me.



The irony in that statement is astounding. And, I don't care if you mock me in my V6. If you think you're superior because of a slightly quicker vehicle, I'll be immature too and point out I own a Kawasaki Ninja. I'll gladly race you for pinks if you want to man up.

Or... you can realize I was emphasizing a point with sarcasm. California really is one of the strictest places on the planet for SMOG. It's would behoove anyone in Cali who's intersted in this swap to be comfortable with the law regarding engine swaps - if that statement discourages anyone from doing the swap - GOOD. I probably saved them time, money and frustration. Research first - THEN do swap.

PS - I called it a blue sticker, because back in the day when you did swaps CHP would inspect your vehicle and give you a blue sticker. It's a legacy term. When I tell you to "Dial" a number, that's a legacy term to. They exist. Go take your prozac and relax.

i looked into the automatic option a little bit. i *think* the mounts are the same for the e-153 and the a541e. issue would be coming up with a solution for axels. forgmann sent me a pm of what might work with axels but i deleted it.

only the 3vzfe is obd1 and those do not have the sludge problem. the pre 03 1mzs are the ones with the sludge problem. its oil passageways through the head that cause the problem, but i doubt its a huge issue. if you change your oil regularly and run seafoam through it occasionally you should be fine.

Yeah, the axles in any application are what puzzles me. I'd really really like to do an auto, as I spend too much time in stop & go traffic these days The auto is vastly superior in those conditions. And, I've driven several V6 w/ auto's... they're much Much MUCH better than people give them credit for. The auto's on our little 4 bangers suck... but the V6 is a totally different animal.



Good to know 'cause I'm really leaning towards that motor. It's supposed to be much easier to swap / maintain and the weight difference isn't that significant - not when I'll have 200 HP on tap. The bottom end power is just AMAZINGLY better compared to a turbo setup, and being NA it'll last much longer. I can always add an illegal turbo if I want more vroom

if you guys noticed that 1mz swap done in Uk was a AUTO SWAP ... pix were in a diff thread


easiest way to do axles is just like manual .. need 90-93 all-trac axles and find auto rear jackshaft from
a 94+ es300, 96+ avalon, and camry from mid 90's ...i cant confirm all years but i have see 6 bolt cv joints
on all these models at yards .. also need inner axle from same car for dr side and then bolt to all trac axle..

btw this info is for v6 auto tranny ..not 5sfe tranny

you will also need spacer like 3sgte guys use ....

another way could be to just build some hybrid axles if you can't find all trac axles (6 bolt) .. might just try
to stick in camry ,etc as is and see how they fit and adjust mod as needed ..

i will say if on budget do not get a 3.3L or even 02 or newer just stick with older late 90's 1mz and rebuild with new bearings etc... and save some money .. just so much more to deal with on later motors ..

I found the engine I want in by 6gc!!! What a bad a## swap it would make! This guy has made alot of engine mods and it would look great under the hood of a celica!! What do you all think?


http://www.cardomain.com/ride/378213/2

Teaser video

I'm definitely going with the 3VZ-FE, for a few reasons.
7200 rpm fuel cut! (thatts higher than my 7A)
no speed limiter...(ST is somewhere between 110-115)
strong from the factory
the most torque-y engine i've heard of.
mm, turbo anyone?

This post has been edited by stephen_lee: Jun 3, 2007 - 2:47 PM