the v6 swap information thread, UPDATED 3/1/07 Options

[celicaST]

why am i making this thread? after seeing K-ESD's completed v6 swap, i started looking into it as an option. the v6 swap has been a popular swap in mk1 and mk2 mr2's for a while now. v6 swap information is relatively sparse for the celica community, and i want to help change that. seems to me that too many people here jump on the 3sgte bandwagon without really exploring their options. there is a reason that owners of mk2 mr2 turbos are swapping out there 3sgte in favor of a v6. a v6 (by nature of its increased displacement) will give more low rpm torque than a 3sgte will stock for stock, and such, it makes a great daily driver. with relatively moderate modifications, a v6 can be made to produce huge hp with a wide powerband. and the best part, these engine are a dime a dozen. use www.car-part.com to find them locally in salvage yards for cheap. now there are a lot of options for a swap: 3vzfe, 5vzfe, 1mzfe, 3mzfe being the most popular. i myself plan on doing this swap either summer 07 or summer 08. i will be updating this thread with lots of info ive gathered, and it will be regularly checked checked for accuracy and clarity.

purpose of this post is to generate interest in the v6 swap and to provide a one-stop place to compile general and 6gc-specific v6 swap information.

Engine Information:

3VZ-FE:
-3.0L
-cast iron block
-factory engine girdle
-overbuilt internals
-OBD 1
-return type fuel system
-non interference
-distributor ignition
-engine hp/trq
*185hp @ 5200rpm / 195ftlb @ 4400rpm
-found in USDM
*92-93 Toyota Camry
*92-93 Lexus ES 300

1MZ-FE:
-3.0L
-aluminum alloy block
-lightweight internals
-OBD 2
-returnless fuel system 97+
-non interference for non-VVTi, interference for VVTi
-COP ignition
-multiport fuel injection
-forged powdered metal fracture split connecting rod
-drive by wire certain models/years
-engine hp/trq (several revisions)
*94-96: 188hp @ 5200rpm / 203ftlb @ 4400rpm
*97+: 192hp @ 5300rpm / 209ftlb @ 4400rpm
*97+ (solara specific): 200hp @ 5200rpm / 214lbft @ 4400rpm (gains from improved exhaust/intake plumbing)
*99+ with VVTi: 210hp @ 5800rpm / 220ftlb @ 4400rpm
-found in USDM
*94-06 Toyota Camry
*99-03 Toyota Solara
*97-01 Lexus ES 300
*99-03 Lexus RX 300
*95-04 Toyota Avalon
*98-03 Toyota Sienna
-vehicles with VVTi 1mzfe
*03-06 Toyota Camry
*00-04 Toyota Avalon
*01-03 Toyota Highlander
*99-01 Lexus ES 300
*99-03 Lexus RX 300
*01-03 Toyota Sienna

3MZ-FE:
-3.3L
-aluminum alloy block
-VVTi equipped
-shares many components with 1MZ-FE
-sequential fuel injection
-forged steel connecting rod
-drive by wire
-engine hp/trq
*225hp @ 5600rpm / 240ftlb @ 3600rpm
-found in USDM
*04-06 Toyota Camry SE V6
*04- Toyota Camry Solara
*04-06 Toyota Sienna
*03- Toyota Highlander
*03-06 Lexus RX 330
*06- Lexus RX 400h
*04-06 Lexus ES 330

Transmission Information:

Manual Transmissions:

S-54: 3.285, 1.960, 1.322, 1.028, 0.820 / FD: 3.944, 4.176
-3.944 diff found in JDM/UK 2nd and 3rd gen 3S-GE
-4.176 diff found in MK2 MR2 NA and 6gc GT
S-51: 3.538, 1.960, 1.250, 0.945, 0.731 / FD: 3.944
- found in I4 Camry
E-153: 3.230, 1.913, 1.258, 0.918, 0.731 / FD: 3.933, 4.285
-3.933 diff found in V6 Camry
-4.285 diff found in MK2 MR2 turbo
-V6 E-153 upgraded from 2 to 3 synchros 93+

Automatic Transmissions:

A-541E:
A-140E:

Swap Troubleshooting and Guides: to come

Dynos and Engine Specifications:
3VZ-FE vs 1MZ-FE

94 1MZ-FE vs 97 1MZ-FE


97 1MZ-FE vs 99 1MZ-FE with VVTi

VVTi 1MZ-FE vs 3MZ-FE



V6 Discussion Forums:
-mr2boards
-mr2oc (membership required)

6gc V6 Swaps:
-K-ESD with 3MZ-FE
-1MZ-FE swap (pics only)

Pictures
3VZ-FE vs Eagle 22R vs 1MZ-FE


This post has been edited by celicaST: Mar 1, 2007 - 8:03 AM

[My2Celi]

I've researched a bit and I leaning toward the 3vz.

[celicaST]

I've researched a bit and I leaning toward the 3vz.

im going back and forth, havnt decided yet. hard to pass up the 3vzfe because you can find them so cheap. here are some pros and cons of each.

3vz pros: heavily built, wide powerband down low, cheap, easier to wire with obd1, great engine for FI, receptive to tuning cons: heavy, older engine, less power up top, illegal

1mz pros: lighter with aluminum block, great for NA, newer engine (presumably more fuel efficient), available with vvti, available trd supercharger, legal swap cons: more expensive, weaker internals, knock sensor problems, sludge problems pre-03, harder to tune

This post has been edited by celicaST: Feb 6, 2007 - 12:55 AM

[j0e_p3t]

man, forget my beams swap. i now want a 99+ 1mzfe.

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

Seems a no brainer to me to go with a 04+ 1mzfe. Lighter is better. Tuning will be harder at first, but there is more potiential to make it not only a powerful motor but a reliable one too.

[Rayme]

Seems a no brainer to me to go with a 04+ 1mzfe. Lighter is better. Tuning will be harder at first, but there is more potiential to make it not only a powerful motor but a reliable one too.

I've seen K-ESD’s swap, its not for the light hearthed ! the 04+ 3mzfe features tons of electronic, just on top of my head, you need to get misc parts like the immobilizer and the whole plastic pedal assembly as its a drive by wire engine. If you somebody is willing to sacrifice a little HP to for easier swap, go a little older. But hey, what do I know

This post has been edited by Rayme: Feb 6, 2007 - 10:52 AM

[FORGMANN]

hmm .. a few notes ..

i highly reccommend getting a manual ecu 1mz or at least 94-95 1mz due to less wiring and will blend better with 94-99 celica ..

auto tranny for v6 may work if you have a auto but front and rear mounts may be an issue have not confirmed for all you auto 6gc's

some 1mz ecu's have immobilizer and some dont .. you have no way of knowing until it is plugged in but they are out there .. if you buy a motor get the vin from car and dealer can run a check on it to see if it have immobilizer ..

if you are not good with wiring then forget this swap .. 10-15 hours of wiring work or more ..

here are some things to note ..

custom y-pipe must be made and dont waste time using oem gt/st exhaust ..

forget about using 5sfe tranny .. mr2 guys breaking these trannies and it is half ass anyway.. just get a proper solara tranny with rear 205 mount .. all 205 if possible .. use poly mounts as well as motor torque will make engine move and hit rad .. uise 205 cable as well ..

have to use a ST throttle cable as it will bolt right to t/b but will need to mod bracket a bit ..

there is a lot more... full write up with pix coming in next few weeks . i am 33 and been working on toyota engine for years so any info i give is coming from my experience working on this swap and others and will be a complete as possible .. i will say done right this motor looks like oem install .. fool just about anyone .

NOTE .. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY PM I HAVE 1MZ AND 3MZ PASS SIDE ADPATER PLATE FOR SALE .. .. YOU USE PASS SIDE FRAME MOUNT AND PART OF 5SFE MOUNT AND THEN MY PLATE BOLTED TO 1MZ/3MZ .. $20 SHIPPED .. MAKES ENGINE A BOLT IN AFFAIR WITH 205 MOUNTS ON SOLARA TRANNY ..

This post has been edited by FORGMANN: Feb 6, 2007 - 3:16 PM

[jdg371]

the V series engine is best for Forced Induction. 3VZFE and 5VZFE
The M series are great if you plan on staying NA although TRD has a supercharger for the. 1MZFE and 3MZFE

Wiring for the newer engines might be the biggest problem for these swaps. Don't worry so much about will it fit.. theres room.

MR2OC has a huge collection of V6 MR2s and very good articles about them. This type of build would be a great track car.


I believe there are 2 accounts recorded for V6 Celicas.. Adrian with his 1MZFE [MKV] 5gc and K-ESD with his 3MZFE [MKVI] 6gc

[FORGMANN]

correction make that 3 .. and btw there is just enough room not a lot of room front to back

details by end of month.. here is a teaser pix..




This post has been edited by FORGMANN: Feb 6, 2007 - 3:44 PM

[azian_advanced]

^nice.

[Batman722]

correction make that 3 .. and btw there is just enough room not a lot of room front to back

details by end of month.. here is a teaser pix..

OH SNAP !!!

[j0e_p3t]

more pics!

[Chanh55]

Nice write up.

This post has been edited by Chanh55: Feb 8, 2007 - 11:36 AM

[FORGMANN]

here is y pipe .. you have to run something similar to this pipe due to fact oem or anything resembling it will not work do to front to rear brace ..

this pipe is made for solara so it will be modded slightly as well as headers to clear brace and rear crossmember to mount just a like a 5sfe pipe .. using this pipe i had to cut zero on chassis and everything mounts like oem

you can't buy these pipes anymore but if you do swap just have shop do something simlar .. 2.5" and we are using like new v6 cat and mates right to greddy SP after modding the extra test pipe included with y pipe.. no cutting or modding needed of SP ..





This post has been edited by FORGMANN: Feb 8, 2007 - 1:36 PM

[laff09]

isnt 13 an unlucky number?

[celicaST]

new and revised info added

[j0e_p3t]

bump

[Punch]

nice you should do one on boost , there a afew solora's turobed ....

This post has been edited by Punch: Apr 8, 2007 - 3:05 PM

[Kwanza26]

If it were me doing this swap... 1/3MZ or nothing. There is no advantage going for the 3VZ... and no... an iron block is not an advantage.

[snapshotgt]

nice you should do one on boost , there a afew solora's turobed ....

It would have to be older V6, VVT-i engines do not like boost to my knowledge.

This post has been edited by snapshotgt: Apr 10, 2007 - 4:13 PM