Idea: convert gen3.5 V6 into lexus es300

[Nervous]

Since I have two Camrys now with V6 I just thought to upgrade my sedan to lexus es300. I found a lexus es300 95 with blown engine for $600 (probably can get it even cheaper). What is about swapping motor from camry 96 V6 to that lexus (assuming body, interior and everything else is fine on it)? What do you think, guys?

[uibalnme]

The gen3/3.5 Camry and the ES300 are the same car. It wouldn't take much to swap the motors.

[Nervous]

Yeah, that is the point. But I never had a lexus, so what would I gain (from extra features/quality/"more car for the money"/etc point of view)? And what is different between them mechanically (suspension? brakes? exhaust? steering? cooling?)

[PortugalFocus]

They are pretty much the same car. The only thing you are gaining is looks and any interior features. Insurance may be higher, but your car's residual value will go up based on it being a nicer, more "luxurious" car. Just make sure nothing else is wrong with the Lexus before you go swap that engine in.

[uibalnme]

Well, if they are the same year, then there is no difference mechanically. They have the same suspension, same brakes, same exhaust, same steering, same cooling. What you'd gain is more luxury, a more up-scale looking car, and I think the ES had a better factory sound system over the Camry.

[projektvertx]

^ I think it might have slightly better exterior sound dampening as well.

In all honesty, I don't think it's worth the trouble of swapping the motor. It's the same car with different clothes. If it were me, I would keep that 600$ and the time you spend swapping the motor, and simply put it into a leather interior, some dynamat and an upgraded sound system. And look at it this way, the sedan is running just fine, why disturb that? If it was an MR2 and you wanted to swap in your 1MZ into it, I would agree, but not an ES300 Hope it helps!

EDIT: Here is another idea for you: Buy the car, and since the cars share a lot in common mechanically, use it as a parts car.

[Nervous]

Well, some people are swapping engines between camrys
Just called the guy, he is in the hospital now, so he was unable to provide me with a lot of info about the car. He said the engine pushed the rod. Don't know mileage yet, going to have a look on it this weekend (once the guy is back from the hospital).

[Nervous]

I guess, all es300 are J-vins, right? So, at least its ABS supposed to be different from my 4-vin wagon.....

[projektvertx]

[QUOTE=Nervous;3334668]Well, some people are swapping engines between camrys
QUOTE]

You seem already bent towards getting it Well if you want to do it, then do it, but like I said, you have the sedan in great condition, why disturb that? At least you are aware of what shape the remaining parts are (outside of engine/trans). With this car, who only knows? You may end up sinking way more money than you initially planned. And again, I want to put a heavy emphasis on the fact that the camry sedan is already running and doesn't have any issues. I guess what I'm saying is the reward isn't worth the gamble you are taking. You gamble that the rest of the car is fine only to get leather seats, automated hvac and better sound? These are all things you can do to the Camry (except maybe automated hvac). And I'm pretty sure the lexus is heavier too. Is the body on the Camry starting to fall apart or something?

I mean, I know I sound condacending here, but I'm trying to be frank Learning experience-wise, I'd also say you could benefit from a better project, like say, swapping your 1mz into an MR2 or a Celica. I think that would be a much more fruitful project. You won't be learning all that much from this other than how to remove and install a 1MZ onto the same frame.

[Chris Crash]

I think it would be cool, you'd gain the luxury features. Though I've never liked the ES series. It wouldn't be hard, either. Shouldn't take you more than day if you have both cars sitting next to you!

[Nervous]

I am not leaning yet, since I need to have a look on that car first. And yes, cheap MR2 + swap is also considering, however, it is MUCH more difficult project than camry->es300. I'm not sure it is doable w/o lift at all (since MR2's engine is removable through the bottom, as I heard).

And even if I find something else is wrong with es300 it is not a big deal (leaking steering? swap from camry!) j/k

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by Nervous

I am not leaning yet, since I need to have a look on that car first. And yes, cheap MR2 + swap is also considering, however, it is MUCH more difficult project than camry->es300. I'm not sure it is doable w/o lift at all (since MR2's engine is removable through the bottom, as I heard).

And even if I find something else is wrong with es300 it is not a big deal (leaking steering? swap from camry!) j/k

Meh, well, it's up to you at the end of the day. I think it's pretty clear where I stand on this one

[fenixus]

tired of fixing ABS issues?

yeah if that's a J vin then your ABS would be a Nippondenso model, most likely with the Traction control too
Once you see the car check the shifter, if there is a TRAC OFF button around it then it must be a Denso unit, only those were supplied with Traction control.

Also I think (might be wrong here) that Lexuses have upgraded brakes, something like dual piston calipers and bigger rotors maybe ?

When I test drove '00 RX300 SUV (1mz-fe) it had front & rear disc brakes 10 times stronger (exaggerating of course) than my '00 Solara with Hawk HPS pads in front (and rear drums).

[LynchburgCSI]

Bigger rear disc brakes (same as the wagon), Dual piston front calipers (about the same as the abs v6 camry), ABS, Trac control?, FRAMELESS DOORS! , sweet interior, projector headlights, different final drive? (check toyotareference.com brouchures), anddddd I dunno. The swap would be SUPER easy if it's the same year.

Just looked.... 96 into a 95 lex. It would work... you know the minor differences.

[Nervous]

Originally Posted by projektvertx

Meh, well, it's up to you at the end of the day. I think it's pretty clear where I stand on this one

... and I appreciate yours and all others opinion!