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

[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.

[celicaST]

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.

not true. if you plan on turbocharging (although a turbo v6 isnt the greatest idea in a fwd car), the 3vz is a much better option. it is cheaper on average, easier to wire, easier to tune, no sludge problem. then there is this thread. a little biased, but the general consensus is FI=vz and NA=mz. considering most on here would swap a v6 and leave it stock, the mz is the better choice i agree, but that doesnt mean the vz has no advantages.

stephen, yes the 5vz will bolt up to the e-153, and you shouldnt have any fitment issues. its been done in an sw20. great motor with lots of low end torque. there is a manual 5vz 5 miles from me with only 70k i can get for cheap. tempting, but i myself am leaning towards the 3sgte again instead of the v6. been driving lots of cars at my new job, and i must say i love boost. i live at a mile in elevation, and a boosted car is the only way to go up here. im sure ill change my mind several more times before i commit to buying an engine (if i even do).

[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.

not true. if you plan on turbocharging (although a turbo v6 isnt the greatest idea in a fwd car), the 3vz is a much better option. it is cheaper on average, easier to wire, easier to tune, no sludge problem. then there is this thread. a little biased, but the general consensus is FI=vz and NA=mz. considering most on here would swap a v6 and leave it stock, the mz is the better choice i agree, but that doesnt mean the vz has no advantages.

A bunch of opinion. Kinda like when Freud came up with the super ego "theory" to justify his "love" for his mother... heh. j/k... but you get what i'm saying? I've been around engines for too long, highly modded, ones, stock one, doesn't matter... and having an iron block doesn't automatically make that engine stronger for boost. Take the Sr20 for example. Is it any weaker than the 3SG? most would argue no. Easy question... when boosted engines blow up... is it ever because the the "BLOCK" gave out? No... never. The block sometimes takes a beating, but that's always because a rod broke and punched a hole through it, or a piston flew apart or something. It's never.... oh just because it's alluminum it's gonna break while the rods and pistons are intact. The alluminum block itself actually feels very little friction, aside from heat... but that's the same as an iron block... however, the iron block, most of which are closed deck, do feel from friction. I still say... go with the newer engine. There's absolutely no reason to go with the VZ forced induction or otherwise... besides maybe a money matter. Even still... they're not that different. Anyway... i'll be slowing tearing down a 5VZFE at the shop and I'll be sure to save the rods just to make a comparison in the future.

And... some those MR2 guys are noobs. A mirror polish on the intake ports = Bad for performance... not to mention he bothered to do the polish job and not clean the head... =O lol... each to his own I suppose.

This post has been edited by Kwanza26: Apr 11, 2007 - 10:14 AM