Is it possible to an engine swap a 1993 I4 with a 1999 I4

[phantomotkau]

Hi,

My gen3 has just surpassed the 260,000 mark and its definitely time for a new engine. I found a gen4 engine with only 90k on it for a great price. I'm wondering if its possible to an engine swap a 1993 I4 with a 1999 I4.

The other treads I found about this either the question wasn't answered or the answer was vague.

[Manny1337]

i dont see why it wouldnt be. its the same engine =P

[touringcamry]

I don't know if this will cause any issues, but 1997 to 2001 models use a different ignition system in that they don't have distributors. There are two coils and each have two leads coming out of each of them going to 1 & 3 and 2 & 4, so each plug fires twice per cycle. One of the sparks is "wasted" hence waste spark ignition.

1997 and newer cars also have returnless fuel system which, again, I don't know if it will cause you any problems.

I haven't done any kind of engine swap before, but off the top of my head, these are difference I can tell you.

[2wickedtoyz]

switch your parts onto the new engine block and you should be fine. the biggest problem is the ignition but i believe it's just a swap over.

[gts_02]

if i were u i would swap it with a V6.

[phantomotkau]

Originally Posted by gts_02

if i were u i would swap it with a V6.

What would a swap consist of? Transmission swap?

[gts_02]

i dont know.. what ever you want it to be. engine or both engine and tranny. im not really sure on what you will need to do a complete swap.

[Retrospekt]

Swapping it to a V6 seems like a bad idea. Stick with the I4.

[DxElite]

I think a V6 swap would require you to get a half cut since you'll need to swap almost everything including engine electrical/electronics, since most of the peripheral equipment on an I4 doesn't work for a V6.

I remember reading here on TN that it'd be much easier, possibly cheaper, to buy a V6 Camry than to do a swap.

[phantomotkau]

The I4 to V6 switch did seem like it required a lot more resources(Time, Money, and Effort) from when I read about it way back when. The I4 swap seems a little less stressful.

To be honest, the gen3 that I have was/is pretty beat down when I bought it....even now after all the work I've done to it, it needs even more work. (obviously if I'm considering an engine swap). Is anyone else's Gen3 a pain in the ass to keep up maintenance on? Seems like when you fix something on mine something else goes out.

[CamryWilly]

I'll stick to my gen 3 5SFE, Thank you very much!


Those gen 4 5s' have sludge issues, be carefull what you buy. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

As for the V6 swap, get yourself a V6 shell, and while your at it, get a V6 shell with a moonroof. Once you have that shell (unless you want a coupe) any money you put in it can be considered an investment.(camry wise ) Because honestly apart from these two options(v6, roof), anything else is easy to add.

And if you get a 5 speed v6, you don't have to put any mods and your pretty much the fastest kid on the block!! But beware the 3VZ if your the bolt-on type of guy, cause there's nothing bolt-on for that beast. That means you'd de heading into the mystical land of shisha smoking caterpillars, translucent cats and mad camry scientist Adam of Custom Fabrication

[Bdub215]

Originally Posted by CamryWilly

I'll stick to my gen 3 5SFE, Thank you very much!


Those gen 4 5s' have sludge issues, be carefull what you buy. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

As for the V6 swap, get yourself a V6 shell, and while your at it, get a V6 shell with a moonroof. Once you have that shell (unless you want a coupe) any money you put in it can be considered an investment.(camry wise ) Because honestly apart from these two options(v6, roof), anything else is easy to add.

And if you get a 5 speed v6, you don't have to put any mods and your pretty much the fastest kid on the block!! But beware the 3VZ if your the bolt-on type of guy, cause there's nothing bolt-on for that beast. That means you'd de heading into the mystical land of shisha smoking caterpillars, translucent cats and mad camry scientist Adam of Custom Fabrication

two things: 1 i thought all 5S' had sludge issues and 2 dont hate on the 3vz. easy mods can net about 50 crank hp. cheaply.

[2wickedtoyz]

if you want to do a v6 swap it's not hard at all. i've done a v6 conversion(tranny brakes suspension the entire f**king car).

1st-->search for a v6 parts car that runs( a car that doesn't have a title or is smashed in the rear).
2nd-->unbolt the strut mounts and the 6 subframe bolts (remove the other minor attachments ie:exhaust) then lift the front of the car with an engine hoist and roll the assembly out.
3nd--->swap the dash wiring and whole front end wiring cause that will save you alot of time

i did the swap in 2days time with alot of breaks and chilling time

[CamryWilly]

Originally Posted by Bdub215

two things: 1 i thought all 5S' had sludge issues and 2 dont hate on the 3vz. easy mods can net about 50 crank hp. cheaply.

okay

1)After having 2 Camry gen3.5 with 5s-fe, beating them up, and forgetting oil changes, I've had no sludge issues whatsoever(and I'm running on cheap dino oil mind you)

2)I'd never hate the 3vz dude. I love it. It's just like these old muscle cars that needed only the most basic mods to achieve major numbers! The only thing is, for example, the TRD supercharger... I'll have to weld custom mounts on a bonnie sc if I'm to get pressurized! But I like that... having to do custom everything. That's what keeps me from labeling myself as a ricer and then consequently throw myself off a bridge in shame...