99 Camry engine swap - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

quidproquo572 · 09-05-2009, 05:03 PM

So my darling son ran his 99 Camry 4 cylinder auto with the oil low until it sounded like a diesel

...I am thinking of swapping the motor for either direct replacement or JDM same (5sfe).
Easier to swap transmission on or off? The JDM has the option of a transmission included (for $250 more), my sons car already has 130k.
Thanks

Manny1337 · 09-05-2009, 05:44 PM

well i never have done this id like to think that it would be easier to swap with tranny. but then its 250 more id just do it myself and save myself some money.

ashybone · 09-09-2009, 03:49 AM

definatly do it yourself. WAY cheaper. and it depends how many miles is on the tranny? do you think its worth it ta get a new one? depending on the kind of driver your son is i would say its goin ta be a couple of years before dat tranny goes. i say swap them both. you can jus drop the sub frame after disconnecting the engine and tranny from the chassis of the car. and lower the subfram wit the engine and tranny with two floor jacks.... yes i know its not the safest but i blew my tranny a couple months ago and me and a couple otha people changed it out doin this.... CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!! good thing about transverse engines they fall wit 6-7 bolts.

blueapple · 09-10-2009, 07:50 PM

I would recommend taking the engine out from the top. If you drop the subframe, you'd have to disconnect the power steering rack, and worry about the power steering cooling line.... and somehow hang that rack while you drop everything else.... all that fun stuff. I'm pretty sure the engine and tranny will clear the top, at least the ones with manual do, saves you a lot of time and effort, those subframe bolts, if never unbolted before, can be pretty damn tough too.

Manny1337 · 09-10-2009, 07:55 PM

yeah id agree with blue deff go from the top =P

ashybone · 09-12-2009, 12:25 PM

really its easier? we went from the bottom and just hung the rack and pinion by some hanger wire. the cooling lines did get in our way but we worked around it. it wasnt that hard but if you guys say its easier then when i drop in my v6 i will definatly remember that.

US Route 6 · 10-23-2009, 10:56 AM

I did mine from the top. Mine is a V6. Recommend if you have a V6, to pull your glovebox, and disconnect the engine wiring harness from under the dash (4 plugs, if I remember right) and pull that through the firewall. (Really easy) If you can do the same with the donor car, you will be even more time and effort way ahead. The yard I got my engine from didn't do that, and I spent at least 2 hours transfering my harness to the new motor. And believe me, it is much easier with the motor out of the car. If you are splitting the motor and transaxle, the drive axle tends to seize in the motor mount/axle carrier. Disconnect that from the motor and frame, and pull the axle out in one piece. Some bolts will be easier to work with when the engine is raised. Power steering pump comes to mind here.