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

[Jeremiah]

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

[Celicaguy13]

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

[Jeremiah]

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.

Good for you. Here's a cookie:

It's people like you that cause people to back off from projects when you don't know what is correct.

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.

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

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.