5fse blocks interchangable? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tarantj1 · 01-23-2009, 10:28 PM

i just recently bought a 97 Camry that threw a rod threw the front of the block, knocked the a/c compressor right off the bracket and all that wonderful stuff. ive been looking for motors for my generation and there like $1400 w/ over 100k on them. i was wondering if i can take a 92-96 5fse short block, and swap all my 97 accessories onto the older block, intake mani, exhaust mani, harness, etc. i have also been informed that if i were to get a motor in the same generation as my 97 camry (cal spec), that if i bought a federal emission motor, all i have to swap is exhaust manifold and stick with the cali harness of course. i have been told by the toyota dealership i work at, that the distributor 5fse blocks eventually superceed to a 97-99 block in the computer system, he thinks there interchangeable but the salvage yards say there not. i was wondering if anyone on here has experienced something like that? if the bell housing is the same. just take the older 5fse short block and swap all my 97 parts on it. thank you for you time
-Jeff

CrawlingEye · 01-23-2009, 10:48 PM

I would not trust your salvage yard. I had a salvage yard try and convince me that a v6 and i4 used different struts (not even remotely true) and even after showing the guy the information, he was still unreceptive to it.

tarantj1 · 01-23-2009, 10:51 PM

haha, yea im sure hes trying to get my to buy a $1400 coil pack 5fse, instead of a $500-$700 distributor 5fse motor. its all about the money

***toyomoho*** · 01-23-2009, 11:53 PM

The appears to be a block change in 1996, see link below:

1996 2.2 Engine Swap 2 Different Motors in 96?

One issue is if the 97 has a crank sensor. This mounts on the oil pump housing which appears to be able to mount on a 95 but not sure.

There may also be an issue with the knock sensor mounting holes but again not sure.

You might ask Eye8Pussies.

CrawlingEye · 01-23-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyomoho

The appears to be a block change in 1996, see link below:

1996 2.2 Engine Swap 2 Different Motors in 96?

One issue is if the 97 has a crank sensor. This mounts on the oil pump housing which appears to be able to mount on a 95 but not sure.

There may also be an issue with the knock sensor mounting holes but again not sure.

You might ask Eye8Pussies.

The variation on this is moot. It also uses a different oil pump as well. The '97+ oil pumps are significantly higher flow. You can use this pump with or without the use of the extra sensor.

tarantj1 · 02-15-2009, 09:03 PM

yea, the toyota representitive was in shop about 3 days ago and he said that also about the oil pump being a higher flow and it has 2 oil passages drilled in the block, he said to pop the heads off if the look the same and the knock sensor and crank sensor clip in to go for it. my other question is there a differenvce between the federal and california emissions besides the exhaust mani and the harness of course?

JustinC25 · 02-17-2009, 09:35 AM

Yes, the blocks are interchangable. Why do I know this you ask ?
Because I have a Cal Spec 2001 5S short block in my 1995 Fed Spec Camry.

I did the job 4 1/2 years ago and everything is fine with 70k on it since.

The major difference is that you will have to swap the oil pump from your old motor.
The head is also different. So as long as your old head, oil pump and emission components are ok then you are good to go.