Hilux JZ Engine Swap - Please Help Guys !

[INTJ]

Hi All,

I live in Thailand, and own a 2003 Hilux 2WD, with the horrific 2L diesel. At the moment I'm doing around 2000 clicks a week, mostly motorway. With a top speed of 130k/ph and the sound of a WW2 bomber, its driving me insane. Having said all that, apart from the motor, I actually quite like the way it drives.
Due to the low cost of imported JDM engines, and the cheap skilled (?) labour here, I've decided to give the old girl a heart transplant, drop the suspension, fit some discs at the rear, and some nice wheels.

Cost of the conversion (labour, engine and box) is around NZ$2000, and I can sell the 2L lump for NZ$1500.

The problem here is the complete lack of any decent advice, thats what I'm looking for here. There are loads of places doing the conversions, but I want to know what is really involved, and what questions to ask.

I want an engine that is powerul, smooth and RELIABLE, thats why I've more or less decided on a 2JZ GE VVTi, with an autobox. The turbo engines are much more expensive, likely to have had a hard "previous life", and have many other issues. 230 bhp is enough for me, to make the car smoother and quieter.

So I would like to know has anyone done this swap ? How much work is involved ? Does the new engine just drop in and connect the wires up, or is that wishful thinking ? Is there another engine that would be better ? As my car is new (7 months old) I will invalidate my warranty, which I don't really care about as they never go wrong anyway, but I am concerned about reliability. If the swap is done correctly will it give me no trouble (provided the donor engine is problem free ?) Is there anything I should know or be aware of before going ahead ? I am somewhat concerned about cooling.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long and garbled nature of this post, it reflects my state of mind at the moment !


Thanks in advance,



INTJ.

[Shotgun]

Brrmm brrmm. That's a 1JZGTE in the previous shape to yours (or 2 shapes back?). Hunt around the Toymods forums for more info. http://forums.toymods.org.au The guy that owns the car hasn't really said much about how he did the conversion on that forum.

I want an engine that is powerful, smooth and RELIABLE

I'd say the 1UZFE (4 litre V8 quadcam) engine would be a better bet. Torque for africa and being shorter than a JZ would fit with fewer hassles.

So for either of these you're gonna need at very least custom engines mounts, appropriate sump to get around crossmember, custom box crossmember, custom driveshaft. Plus you have to resolve the diesel to petrol swap and lots of other annoying things like PS, AC the list goes on. And then if you want to go manual it complicates it further.

There is a company here called Quest 4 that has a been known to supply parts to do the V8 swap into Hiluxes. I can't say I'd buy anything off them again after the dubious quality of the adaptor plate I bought off them.

Hope this helps. Bottom line is that it would be all very doable with the right research.

[matt dunn]

I imagine that getting the auto to work properly will be the hardest part of the job as it's probably an all electric box.