gen 4, i4 to v6 swap

[dchriste]

what is needed to do the swap on a gen 4 from the 5s-fe to the (correct me if im wrong) 1mz-fe.. obviously the motor lol but what else is necessary and/or recommended..

i plan on doing this swap but dont know what to replace.. motor, tranny, exhaust, would the driveshafts need to be replaced?, brakes?, anything else? thanks for the suggestions - Dale

[gaak]

you'll also need to get a v6 suspension set up. i believe it's just springs though. but yeah, you'll need the motor, tranny, wiring harness, axles, hubs, motor mounts, tranny mounts ecu's exhaust, manifolds and assorted sensors and other whatnot. possibly a new alternator and larger radiator. it's a large job to go to the v6 and i've often heard that at that point/cost it's almost better to go to the 3sgte due to the availability of aftermarket support. oh and either way i'd upgrade to rear disc brakes as well.

[trickyazn]

^ wtf would he need a v6 suspension?

and how do you know he doesnt have rear discs? some i4's came with rear discs.

[gaak]

^ You do realize that the v6 motor is considerably heavier than the i4 and with that suspension setup on the v6 it would totally screw the way the car handles (as if it didn't handle badly enough with the RIGHT suspension on it...) not to mention it would cause an uneven ride height front to rear... and don't treat me like a noob, i am perfectly aware of the fact that some i4's came with rear discs, however it is rare and i simply mentioned that because IF he doesn't have rear discs it's a nice upgrade and would complete the swap so noone would be able to tell that it wasn't originally a v6. it's really basic physics and common sense that he would need a suspenstion upgrade to handle the heavier motor... why do you think the two cars had different suspensions to begin with?? so have some manners and save your wtf's for when you know what you're talking about thanks.

[trickyazn]

have any proof of the i4 engine being MUCH heavier than the v6? in this case a 5sfe vs a 1mz?

why would he change the springs to a v6 springs? why not get aftermarket springs/struts? i mean whoa man if you say he really needs oem v6 springs for handling capability, geez ill just dump my eibach springs and tokicos and buy me some oem v6 springs/struts

[2wickedtoyz]

you can get away with using the engine/tranny ecu 1mz axles. but i would suggest getting a parts car and stripping the whole front end off. i did my swap for a total of 400usd.

[Edmo83]

i think wicked is right, and as for suspension, im pretty sure I4's and V6's use the same suspension

good luck on yur project

[chronoti]

and the v6 engine is in FACT lighter than the i4. cast iron block vs aluminum block.

[trickyazn]

^ i was waiting for someone to mention that.

[JZcamry1995]

how much would that swap cost?

[dchriste]

ok.. so it looks like the 3SGTE is a better option. so what about the 3sgte? what is needed to do that swap? would i be looking for the celica or the MR2 motor and tranny... what model year should the motor come from? thanks again - Dale

[gaak]

ok tricky... first of all, i never said oem...i said v6,,,, and if you're gonna buy springs i say it's a big duh not to go with aftermarket, like eibach, springs. and YES they are different between the models due to the fact that the curb weight on the two vehicles is different. The v6 IS heavier than the I4, at least according to the specs that ratko has listed in the general topics. and i quote,
"CAMRY FOUR-CYLINDER


VEHICLE MASS (lb)

Curb weight Sedan DX 5M 2932
DX 4ECT 2976
LE 4ECT 3086
XLE 4ECT 3131
Wagon LE 4ECT 3263
Coupe DX 5M 2910
DX 4ECT 2954
LE 4ECT 3064

Max trailer weight 2000

PRELIM. EPA EST. FUEL ECONOMY

City/Hwy
5M 23/31
4ECT 21/28

CAMRY V6
VEHICLE MASS (lb)

Curb weight Sedan LE 4ECTi 3241
XLE 4ECTi 3274
SE 4ECTi 3186
Wagon LE 4ECTi 3406
Coupe LE 4ECTi 3219
SE 4ECTi 3164"


so according to the curb weights (the v6 averaging around 300lbs heavier than the i4...) of the vehicles there is a major weight difference between the two cars which would dictate that there is a need for different springs. And since the only real difference between them seems to be the motor and transmission, logic would lead us to the conclusion that those things(and the perepherals assosiated with the motor and tranny) are where the weight difference lies. and knowing the difference in weight, this wouls also lead us logically to the conclusion that there are different springs for the two. which might also explain why eibach has two different part numbers depending on whether or not you have the v6 or the i4. so, unless the specs put up by Ratko are wrong, there's my proof.



edit: and yes, i believe personally that the 3sgte is a better route thant he 1mzfe

[trickyazn]

lol we are arguing about v6 and i4 springs. honestly does it MATTER?! aftermarket springs are just a drop for a car. and hell if i had a 5sfe with a fat 300lb guy next to me all the time.. would that mean i need v6 springs? LOL

to clarify, the 1mz is NOT heavier than the 5sfe. but the v6 CAMRY itself is heavier.

possibly due to the transmission, brakes, engine electrical components

[gaak]

you amuse me. you really can't see the big picture. aftermarket springs are NOT just a lower height, they're also a stiffer spring rate for improved performance and to prevent bottoming out at the lower height. otherwise it would be exactly the same as cutting your stock springs.
And even IF the 1mzfe is lighter than the 5sfe, which i'm not entirely convinced of,(so if someone could get a scale and actually weigh it, i'd appreciate that) the overall weight of the vehicle with the different motor/trans combo needing the stiffer v6 springs. cuz what, you think that if he upgrades to the 1mzfe he's NOT going to have the added weight of the compatible transmission? you think the car will be lighter or something? just cuz the motor is lighter, doesnt change the fact that by the time the entire setup is in there the entire car is heavier.

and to clarify, we're not arguing because of springs. we're arguing because you had a rude, smart ass thing to say when if you look at the overall picture, no matter what, the v6 car is still heavier than the i4 and still has different springs. which i am in fact right about. Now, if you don't want to use the correct springs for the correct application, then by all means go for it, see what happens, in fact, let me know how it works for you, cuz i'd be very interested in knowing how it all turns out.

[trickyazn]

1) the engine is NOT heavier, coming from different people who actually delt with these engines

2) there are added components. v6 models come with bigger brakes, rear discs which add onto the weight. other factors are unknown.

3) put on i4 springs into the v6 camry and lets see how much of a "downgrade" it is.

4) smartass things to say are only opinions. you just cry and whine when your wrong. mister we have 2 more cylinders in a motor = it MUST BE HEAVIER!

and to aid the topic creater's question.. just buy a front clip from a v6. that way youll know you have everything necessary for the swap. i heard someone finished the swap for just 400 dollars for everything (self labor)