6G Celicas Forums

been thinking about swapping a 3vz into my celica
I know the carry an is300 both came with them but was three anything else
options on other swaps will be considered too I mainly want something that makes more power than the 5s but I can still order parts for at autozone only other thing is I don't want to spent 5000 on just the swap alone before install just want extra power but have to stay simi cheap (for the price of the swap itself)
an be able to dd this for a year or so lol
thanks for your help

IS 300 is a 2JZ. I think you meant ES 300. If I'm not mistaken, I think the Avalon had it too? Wikipedia shall reveal all!

thanks richee3 I was hoping for more than those 2 lol an yes I ment es300
any opinions others motors?

The 1MZ seems like a good option as well, slightly newer as well. Both are good options though.

thought about that too but that's little more than I was thinking
I found 2 more 3vz camrys but I think there both auto so idk what kind of problems that will give me ecu ys tho

ECU dont give a dam wether or not the auto is attached. and the ecus are plug and play between auto/manual anyway.

with any v6 you will probly need an e-series tranny so expect that extra expense.

95celicast has his 1mz back by a s54 so I figure for now the stock gt will work until I want to build more power but I plan on leaving it fairly stock with a few light bolt ons an isn't the s54 good for little over 210hp?
if im wrong please tell me
did you figure out the wiring harness? that's the one thing idont have figured out yet

the S54 will take the power no problem.

the toyota trucks also came with a 3VZ for a few years. Personally id go with a 1MZ, its about 200 lbs lighter and much better in mileage

im Goin with3vz due to how easy I seemto be able to find them
ok I want to make sure I got this all straight
ecu doesn't matter as long as its for 3vz
I have to make a pass side mount
the s54 an other mount will work fine
ok an now a couple easy questions
the stock axles still work an right?
an I need to use a 3zv flywheel an pressure plate an a 5s clutch disc an to bearing
an the stock gt pump is big enough or do ii need to up to a supra fuelpump

who can do the wiring harness?

I've been doing a little research on the topic since my motor is out right now and I'm exploring options for what to replace it with.

Your area will probably be different but I found that the 3VZ and 1MZ ran about $1600 to $2000 at the salvage yard while the 3MZ was around $700. Not sure why that is, I don't know if a decent 3VZ is getting harder to come by or what.

I've read a lot obout the sludging issues with the 1MZ. Some say it's because of owner neglect and the motor is fine while others say it's a bad engine design that lets the oil overheat in the heads. I've read enough that I'm just going to avoid that engine all together, otherwaise it would be a great swap. Simpler than the 3MZ and lighter and more powerful than the 3VZ.

Most of the swaps I've seen switch the trany to a e153. The s54 will work but the gearing is not ideal for the V6. The s51 came in the camry but manual camrys are harder to find than the autos. I've heard of using the s54 with the camry internals to get the right gear ratios but I haven't seen a detailed discussion on it or even a report from someone that has done it.

I think for me I'm going to go with the 3MZ. Keep reading up on it. The MR2 folks have done a lot of pioneering.

im Goin 3vz I've found 4-6 local all for under 1000
so that's my plan I just have to see what trans they come with on a few but im sure there all autos

The manual 3vz came with an e53 trans. the s54 should handle the power ok, but remember toyota went through the trouble of putting the 3vz/e53 combo in the same chassis as the 5s/s54, so the bigger trans, different axles, etc was justified by their engineers enough to complicate production like that...

also the gear ratios as stated will be optimized for the v6. IIRC before i pulled my 3vz/e53 at 70 i was spinning 2600 rpm

e series trans:
ST205 shift cables
ST205 rear mount
GT front mount
GT drivers mount
MR2 turbo inner axles
ST185 outter axles
custom passenger mount
stock clutch kit

s54 trans:
Stock front, rear, drivers mounts
Stock axles
stock shift cables
3vz fly and pressure plate
5s clutch disc and bearing
custom passenger mount.


cheak out my v6 swap, there should be a lot of info there for you too.

3vz ecu is the least picky of any toyota ecu i have dealt with.

3vz with a proper y pipe and advanced timing has shown to gain 30 hp putting it above the newer 1mz hp levels. BUT the 1mz IS much lighter.

also i havent tackled the wiring yet. im starting it this weekend.

just checked toyotas EPC and they use the same fuel pump in the 5s camry as the v6 camry

The S54 can handle around 300 hp but as it has been said many times now, the gearing won't be great. As for wiring, there is a guy on several MR2 boards that can do it for you, make a plug and play harness. Look up mr220v. Stock axles will work with the S54 trans, but not the E153. You need MR2 inners, ST185 outers, and some sort of spacer. There is more specific information on that floating around somewhere in the 3S-GTE swap threads.

I support this swap 100%. Let's get a V6 in your car!

thanks for the info
trace done the math an said my top end wont be great but im looking for a faster quarter mile times
so the s54 should be ok for what I want only down side ill get like 23mpg

oh an I got approved for my loan for 1000 that wont get the swap done but atleast ill be off to a good start
gonna try to find a wreck camry with a 5speed but dought that will happen so as long as its a 3vz Ill be happy

I will be swapping the trans at a much later date once the motor is done
but I want more power first if I find a camry with the e53 ill probably just swap it too
an fallow your swap completely
I already have a 2.5 inch exhaust so ill just have a y pipe made to fit to it

I have never seen a 1MZ that was anywhere near 1600 - 2000. I got mine with 90k confirmed miles with all accessories for $750. If you're buying one of the newer 1MZ's (97+) then maybe, but it's a newer motor, it's lighter, and ultimately more delicate than the 3VZ. If your build plans involve turbo, then 3VZ is your best bet. If you're going to stay n/a or a TRD S/C then 1MZ - specifically the 97+ because it becomes PnP. have MR220V do up a harness, mate it to a S54 to retain axles, have a passenger mount fabricated, bolt in, plug in, and away you go. The newer version of the 1MZ have ~190whp. They go up to just under 250 with the factory s/c and no other supporting modifications. Add in headers (a major bottleneck on the 1MZ), intake, exhaust, Walbro or Supra fuel pump, and potentially a standalone EMS down the road and you've got yourself set for a reliable low maintenance powerhouse.


Of course it's always better when it's not FWD...

the motor is stage 1 so to speak
turbo planned after the s54 has been swapped out
for something else
hopefully when I go to do that ill be fixing that pesky fwd problem too

buy as of now im doin what I can afford to
anyone got an idea on price to get the harness done

im trying to tackle the harness myself. its kinda intimidating lol so many wires. but follow the manuals and use a labeling system and you can get it

I lucked out and got a whole running donor car that was manual for 400. but keeping the s54 would make the swap faster/easier. less changes at once to go wrong

lmk how urs turns out an if you feel confident to do another
to be honest the main reason this is getting done now is my wife needs one more loan on her credit record to get approved for a house loan an we don't have anything else to spend the money on so I really gotta thank her for letting me
I've found couple auto camry for around 600 so maybe I can talk them down pipe