Engine Swap: Help Me Decide
07-30-2009, 08:08 PM
#1
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tomball, Texas
Posts: 926
Engine Swap: Help Me Decide
Not to do it or not. But, which engine to use after my 2AZFE dies. I can do the electrical, I have friends who can weld. Between my friends, myself, and the internet anything can be done. Plenty of fab shops in Houston if I need custom parts made.
I'm looking at few:
1) 2GR-FE
2) Chevy 350 crate motor
3) 3MZ-FE
4) 1MZ-FE w/supercharger
No, money isn't a problem... at least for me. The wife might sign on to this kind of swap but if not, I'll get the new Camaro SS. Either way, it's a win-win situation for me. If I do get one of these swaps, I'll end up going RWD with it as well. If I get the 2GR-FE, most probably stay FWD.
I'm looking at few:
1) 2GR-FE
2) Chevy 350 crate motor
3) 3MZ-FE
4) 1MZ-FE w/supercharger
No, money isn't a problem... at least for me. The wife might sign on to this kind of swap but if not, I'll get the new Camaro SS. Either way, it's a win-win situation for me. If I do get one of these swaps, I'll end up going RWD with it as well. If I get the 2GR-FE, most probably stay FWD.
Last edited by TheFantasticG; 07-30-2009 at 08:13 PM.
07-30-2009, 08:41 PM
#2
Senior Member
Scikotics
SL Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Patuxent River, MD
Posts: 2,476
1st, the standard what's the point reply.
Motor swap isn't worth the time, money, or loss of A/C, power steering, etc, when a built 2AZ motor and a turbo can net 350+ WHP, and how much more do you really need. PTuning or Dezod can even give you one stop shopping for short block, cams, springs, bolts, turbo, exhaust, fuel management, and everything else you could possibly need, for probably cheaper than the full custom route.
Take a close look and a drive in the Camero before signing for a vehicle with poor visability, interior and handling. Not blue biased, I've driven the Mustang GT as well and it's not any better. Looks good from the outside, not fun to drive other than straight. Assuming you want a V-8, they start at $30k.
If I was in the market, my front runner would be the Genesis coupe. Better visibility, better interior, better weight distribution, RWD, $22k and turbo. Probably also cheaper to insure. Just don't get the V6. The turbo 4 was designed by the same group who did the Evo motor, and the SRT-4. Stock on the 2L is 210 HP, so probably 8-9 psi. According to motor trend, the stock engine with it's 9.4:1 C/R can hold 29 psi. 3294 lbs makes it about the same weight as the tC.
If you're really pressed to do a swap, why not go big and go Toyota. Check out the 3UZ-FE. I was at a show last weekend and there was an AE86 Corolla with a twin-turbo 2UZ-FE swap in it, the thing was amazing. I can get you in contact with the shop that did it of you have technical questions, they're NTO Motorsports, specializing in old school toyotas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UZ_engine
FYI, there was a guy here in Maryland that did a 350 swap in a 1gen xB. By his estimates, it ran him about $40k for the swap, and this was with him doing all the sheet metal and body work himself. Needed a complete new front tube frame, suspension, custom axles, suspension and driveshaft, etc. He now has so much torque he can't stick the tires on launch, making it much harder to drive. Not completely saying don't do it, but make sure you plan out all the expenses before starting.
Motor swap isn't worth the time, money, or loss of A/C, power steering, etc, when a built 2AZ motor and a turbo can net 350+ WHP, and how much more do you really need. PTuning or Dezod can even give you one stop shopping for short block, cams, springs, bolts, turbo, exhaust, fuel management, and everything else you could possibly need, for probably cheaper than the full custom route.
Take a close look and a drive in the Camero before signing for a vehicle with poor visability, interior and handling. Not blue biased, I've driven the Mustang GT as well and it's not any better. Looks good from the outside, not fun to drive other than straight. Assuming you want a V-8, they start at $30k.
If I was in the market, my front runner would be the Genesis coupe. Better visibility, better interior, better weight distribution, RWD, $22k and turbo. Probably also cheaper to insure. Just don't get the V6. The turbo 4 was designed by the same group who did the Evo motor, and the SRT-4. Stock on the 2L is 210 HP, so probably 8-9 psi. According to motor trend, the stock engine with it's 9.4:1 C/R can hold 29 psi. 3294 lbs makes it about the same weight as the tC.
If you're really pressed to do a swap, why not go big and go Toyota. Check out the 3UZ-FE. I was at a show last weekend and there was an AE86 Corolla with a twin-turbo 2UZ-FE swap in it, the thing was amazing. I can get you in contact with the shop that did it of you have technical questions, they're NTO Motorsports, specializing in old school toyotas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UZ_engine
FYI, there was a guy here in Maryland that did a 350 swap in a 1gen xB. By his estimates, it ran him about $40k for the swap, and this was with him doing all the sheet metal and body work himself. Needed a complete new front tube frame, suspension, custom axles, suspension and driveshaft, etc. He now has so much torque he can't stick the tires on launch, making it much harder to drive. Not completely saying don't do it, but make sure you plan out all the expenses before starting.
Last edited by vettereddie; 07-30-2009 at 08:47 PM.
07-30-2009, 09:09 PM
#4
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tomball, Texas
Posts: 926
Good response.
I intend to test drive the Camaro SS before I buy, like a pair of shoes. The H. Gensis just isn't an option. I don't like how it looks... at all. SRT4, eh, no. Same reason.
I've already turbo'd my 2AZFE. It's alright.
The 2UZ is an interesting option. Well worth looking into as well. The cheapest option though would be keeping it FWD and built 2AZ. But, eh, that just doesn't appeal to me. I want a swap. I'll probably end up doing the 2GRFE or 1MZFE.
XIE, you might as well just GTFO. Your lack of ... well, anything that remotely looks like a coherent thought is sad and doesn't need to clutter up this thread. Unless you have something constructive to add, just GTFO.
I intend to test drive the Camaro SS before I buy, like a pair of shoes. The H. Gensis just isn't an option. I don't like how it looks... at all. SRT4, eh, no. Same reason.
I've already turbo'd my 2AZFE. It's alright.
The 2UZ is an interesting option. Well worth looking into as well. The cheapest option though would be keeping it FWD and built 2AZ. But, eh, that just doesn't appeal to me. I want a swap. I'll probably end up doing the 2GRFE or 1MZFE.
XIE, you might as well just GTFO. Your lack of ... well, anything that remotely looks like a coherent thought is sad and doesn't need to clutter up this thread. Unless you have something constructive to add, just GTFO.
07-30-2009, 09:12 PM
#5
ehh..if you have the money then go for it I guess..but honestly with what you will be spending you can get a much better car and a much better platform to work with as far as getting performance and power.
07-30-2009, 09:16 PM
#7
^^I agree with XIE and think about it..you crash your newly built tC and all your money goes down the drain. I say you should invest your money in AWD platform. Evo and Sti pulls like no other.
Last edited by Domo; 07-30-2009 at 09:17 PM. Reason: different person
07-30-2009, 09:17 PM
#8
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tomball, Texas
Posts: 926
There you go. Much better response XIE.
The car is just a toy. It's not a daily driver. I like it a lot. I probably will eventually move on to something else, but I just don't care to right now. Perhaps later. Until I find another that sparks my interest like this car has, I'll just play with this one.
None of this is an investment. It's all just paying for entertainment. I don't really care if I crash it or not. I crashed a car before, then moved on to another, sold that one, then moved to the tC. They come and go, just like the money.
Like I said, this thread isn't about whether I'm doing the swap or not, it's what engine to choose to do the swap with.
The car is just a toy. It's not a daily driver. I like it a lot. I probably will eventually move on to something else, but I just don't care to right now. Perhaps later. Until I find another that sparks my interest like this car has, I'll just play with this one.
None of this is an investment. It's all just paying for entertainment. I don't really care if I crash it or not. I crashed a car before, then moved on to another, sold that one, then moved to the tC. They come and go, just like the money.
Like I said, this thread isn't about whether I'm doing the swap or not, it's what engine to choose to do the swap with.
07-30-2009, 09:55 PM
#12
chevy came out with the celebrity (however you spell it) it was a front wheel drive v8...i think there are plenty of others...
btw guys i know Garret (TheFantasticG) and he is not some little kid dreaming ish up just to see what others will say.
ill lend all my fab skills for your project Garret. Im down for whatever.
07-30-2009, 10:49 PM
#14
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tomball, Texas
Posts: 926
Appreciate it Chris.
I was talking to the wife about it after we got off the phone. Shes on the fence about it. She said either get the 2GRFE or buy a V8 RWD car. I told her I like the tC, and I like driving FWD. It will cost less to swap an engine in than to buy a new car. That's just the way it is. I've reminded her in the past (last night as a matter of fact) of how much I like driving something unique, i.e. my swapped Tercel. Like I said, I'll probably go with the 1MZFE or 2GRFE... although the 2GRFE has better numbers, thus more worth the swap.
I'm an oil field hand yo.
No kids. Wife has a job and makes good money.
I was talking to the wife about it after we got off the phone. Shes on the fence about it. She said either get the 2GRFE or buy a V8 RWD car. I told her I like the tC, and I like driving FWD. It will cost less to swap an engine in than to buy a new car. That's just the way it is. I've reminded her in the past (last night as a matter of fact) of how much I like driving something unique, i.e. my swapped Tercel. Like I said, I'll probably go with the 1MZFE or 2GRFE... although the 2GRFE has better numbers, thus more worth the swap.
I'm an oil field hand yo.
No kids. Wife has a job and makes good money.
07-30-2009, 11:37 PM
#15
Well if you have the no how and the means (as well as the money) i'd be all for someone doing a swap. I guess you just have plenty of money to spare. (*cough pay off my car cough* lol jk) but in all seriousness - I just think there are other platforms available that are FWD that have much more cost effective potential..still it would be cool to take on such a project.
07-30-2009, 11:59 PM
#17
Senior Member
Fail, INC
SL Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Taxachusetts
Posts: 2,435
The GP GXP is a FWD v8. Terrible to drive also
too much weight to put a v8 in such a small car like the tc, it will handle like sht. Just build the stock motor up further, unless you really want to spend the money on such a poor platform. It will be very thankless other than a few on SL, and wasting money isnt fun even when youre loaded.
too much weight to put a v8 in such a small car like the tc, it will handle like sht. Just build the stock motor up further, unless you really want to spend the money on such a poor platform. It will be very thankless other than a few on SL, and wasting money isnt fun even when youre loaded.
07-31-2009, 12:03 AM
#18
after i thought about it a while id rather see a 4 cyl or a six...but dealing with a heavy **** v8 will be fairly labor intensive...think about haveing to get new coils (or new coil overs) that will help support the front end a little better with all that extra weight. the whole front suspension will have to be redone...deff doable but just alot of work...im still down for whatever you go with.
