VZN130 Engine swap options

[boon]

Hi there,

New to the board...

So my 1992 Surf (VZN130, 3VZ-E? Auto) suffered a pretty catastrophic engine failure on Friday while my friend was driving it up SH1. It sounds like either the cambelt has failed or something gnarly has happened and it's thrown a rod. I haven't got my eyes on it just yet but by the "it's pissing oil out the bottom" I'd say it's done its dash.

Anyway, it's gonna need a new motor.
As I understand it, my options are roughly along these lines:
1. Another 3VZ-E (cheap, simple)
2. Diesel swap (less cheap, complicated, something like a 2L-T or a 5L?)
3. 1UZ-FE swap (cost = ?)
4. Some other crazy motor. Chev? 2JZ?

I'm kinda leaning towards the 1UZ swap but I can't find much info on it around the net.
So my questions are roughly:
Is the 1UZ a good option? What's better, and why?
How much bolts up (on whatever option) and what needs changing?

Many thanks in advance.

[vvilly]

what about the 5VZ-e out of the later hilux's should be a simple swap, plus it can be supercharged with factory bits

i had one in my 2003 double cab went bloody well

m2c

[boon]

Mmm 5vz looks to cost around the same as a 1uz, does it just about bolt in though? That would swing it for me.

[Jerry]

lextreme.com

what about a 1kzte as well?

[hosehustler]

just to be different

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 56#p304756

[gimmemud]

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/view ... ht=#203514
You should put one of those in... Or an ls1

[T-Boon]

I`m about to put a 1UZ in mine, if you cant do a lot of the work yourself, your better off putting in another 3VZ in her. wont get much change from 5K doing it yourself.

That being said, I will be selling my 3VZ soon, pretty good cond, just had cambelt and full service (previous owner), havnt even really offroaded her much yet. can even take her for a drive before I pull her out about 210k (I think). Best of all is it`ll plug in to your stuff, can come with snorkel plumbed in, ali intake pipe (in engine bay to get rid of all the plastic bits) and the 3VZ is still a great engine, my previous one took a real beating.

Anyway, it's gonna need a new motor.
As I understand it, my options are roughly along these lines:
1. Another 3VZ-E (cheap, simple)
2. Diesel swap (less cheap, complicated, something like a 2L-T or a 5L?)
3. 1UZ-FE swap (cost = ?)
4. Some other crazy motor. Chev? 2JZ?

1. Cheapest and easiest, bit down on power if you put bigger tires on it.
2. just buy a diesel one ?
3. Good but expensive
4. why not go 1UZ... easier, cheaper and proven with a strong aftermarket available.


Where abouts are you from ?

[boon]

I'm in Wellington... I'm reasonably mechanically minded, have a very good mechanic who works for cheap after hours, have access to a workshop and I'm pretty decent at 12v electrical stuff. So I have a few options.

[Lynx]

Most engine swaps, 1uz, ls1 etc will also need a cert. So thats another $400ish

Cheers Daniel

[T-Boon]

The main question is what do you want to do in it. 31`s 33`s or upto 35's change diff ratios, lifts and make a decent CV breaking offroader, or mostly road work with the occasional offroading adventure.

And what sort of budget are you playing with?

[Jafa]

Best bang for buck replacement IMHO is a 7mge, 3.0 twincam inline 6 out of a Supra or Cressida, if you can find a manual bellhousing, it will bolt up to a g or w series hilux gearbox, looks factory and goes well, just search for 7mge on heare and you will find a couple of builds. That said, these days it looks like a 3rzfe is easier to come by, and is just as easy to swap in. Not quite the same horsepower, but more economical, and a far more modern engine. My 7mge swap cost about 2500 all up incl a new exhaust, and cert. I would think a 3rz could be done for similar dosh. A whole lot less than 5k or so for a 1uz swap... my 2c..

[boon]

The main question is what do you want to do in it. 31`s 33`s or upto 35's change diff ratios, lifts and make a decent CV breaking offroader, or mostly road work with the occasional offroading adventure.

And what sort of budget are you playing with?

In winter it's used to drive Welly-Ohakune as a ski-field road hack.
In summer I'll be using it for the occasional offroad jaunt, kinda keen to get into it more as I've dabbled and found it pretty fun. It has a 2" suspension lift already, planning to go to slightly bigger tyres than it currently has... can't remember off the top of my head what they are.

[T-Boon]

I`d prolly say get another 3VZ, and spend the extra money on a lockright.

But then there`s a whole lot more debate on if to put it in the front or rear

Or just get 2

[boon]

Well, to update this.... I COMPLETELY ruined the 3VZ (it had a blown headgasket in the end) driving the truck to the local garage to get a WoF check and see if it's worth putting a new motor in it. The damn thing died in the middle of Taranaki St so we had to push it in.

If it doesn't have any major issues, it'll be getting a 5VZ-FE for christmas.

[T-Boon]

I`ve just bought a 1UZ for mine, so will have a mint 3VZ for sale if you change your mind.

[boon]

Got a 5VZ for it the other day from a wrecker.

Spent most of today fighting with the 3VZ. Mostly went ok but one of the bolts on the exhaust frontpipe is being a nightmare!!! Why is it that 1 line in the service manual ("Remove the 3 bolts") has taken me 4 hours and the bolt is still in there?

20 years of heat and rust probably have something to do with it.
Tomorrow it will first meet Mr. Snapon and a lot of force and if that doesn't work then I'm getting out the cut-off wheel.

[boon]

Thanks to some impact swivel sockets and copious use of the rattle gun the 3VZ is now sitting on the floor, dripping caramel oil slowly.

5VZ time soon! Now where'd I leave my soldering iron...

[boon]

It's aliiiiiiive!

I should probably do a build thread at some point. Once it's tidied up a bit it might almost be worthy of one.

[T-Boon]

It's aliiiiiiive!

I should probably do a build thread at some point. Once it's tidied up a bit it might almost be worthy of one.

Sounds like it went well.

Much to change between 3vz and 5vz ?

[boon]

It's aliiiiiiive!

I should probably do a build thread at some point. Once it's tidied up a bit it might almost be worthy of one.

Sounds like it went well.

Much to change between 3vz and 5vz ?

Surprisingly well - 15 minutes between putting the key in and having the open headers roaring. 2 days to rip the motor out, 3 and a bit to pop the new one in.

Had to splice the 3vz trans loom onto the 5vz one, was a bit tricky as my wiring diagrams weren't perfect.

Exhaust doesn't fit at all, MIDAS sorting that this weekend.

Needs a body lift or hole in the bonnet because the intake manifold is taller (it's getting a lift)

Oh and had to swap the sump, baffle, pickup, that kinda stuff. And drill a hole for the dipstick.

Pretty easy, and the whole swap is going to cost me maybe $1000 (not including cert) on top of the motor which I reckon is pretty damn good. Although I did a lot of the work like wiring etc myself.