Putting a 3VZFE in a AE101

[freshprince69]

its my project idea. but i dont kno if i should begin. its always been my dream to put a better engine in my AE. dont get me wrong the 20V silvertop in it is good power. but im sick of it, i was thinking of doing a 3sge but those engines are almost the same power output as the 20v and theres more maintenance required with them. and i definitly do not want to go turbo. because of my own reasons so i was thinking what other front wheel drive engine..i had thoughts 1mzfe, 3vzfe, klze ,klde, 3sge, b16. as these are the only cars i can afford. but after alot of research i have come down to the 190hp 3vzfe. its the perfect engine for this. but would it fit? is the ae101 engine bay too small

bottom line SHOULD I DO IT?

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Wow, that's very ambitious. The 3VZFE is quite a long engine so I'd doubt that it would fit, but the only way to find out would be to head to a second-hand car parts centre and take some measurements. I've seen 3SGTE engines fitted to Corollas before, so I suppose almost anything is possible if you chuck enough money at it.

Although in saying that, since you are in New Zealand, the engine swap would require certification. Engine certs are quite hard to get here, especially when you're going from a 1600cc engine to a 3000cc engine, lol. So my best advice would be to check out all the regulations and requirements first before deciding on anything. It would pay to ring a reputable performance shop and get their opinion, or better yet, call VTNZ and speak to someone knowledgeable about the certification process.

Someone once put a 3VZFE into a ST184 Celica. It's obviously not the same as a Corolla, but they have their similarities when it comes to the engine bay. You can view the thread here:
http://www.toymods.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=42652

[GTChink]

I'd put a G engine over a F engine any day if I was going to do a swap but that's just me. Oh yeah a Z or a T in it in addition to the G would be even better

May we ask why you don't want turbo? I would love to put a 3sgte...up the boost, 400hp on stock engine. Yum.

[topnotch]

400 hp on a stock engine lol i would like to see that... but i am curious as to why freshprince69 wont go turbo or upgrade the engine with cams, pistons, a plained head to get higher compression, fuel regulator, bigger injectors (not sure if they will be needed) and a piggyback ecu to map and get more power out of the 20V?

[freshprince69]

@ kiwi corolla.
actually might ring vtnz tonight find out the cost ay. and if i remember right the 3sgte is quite a bit smaller than the 3vz. idno tho. ill have to check i have a celica gtr st183 too. so i know their performace.

@GT*****
ive driven a couple 3sgte cars. mr2 n gt4 but the sound, the torque and powerband isint as apealing to me as the 3vzfe engine in a camry. i see alot of potential thats held back in the almost 2 tonne car, simple as that. dont get me wrong a done up mr2 3sgte are evo n wrx eaters. but i dont wanna go turbo.

@topnotch
btw i have seen 3sgte mr2 with 500hp on the stock engine with bolt on parts bigger turbo n all. it was in our PerformanceCar Magazine here in newzealand.
anyways good question reason being the 20V is great but i want to enter a car show and participate in drag season next year. and doing up a 20V just isint gonna get noticed unless i spend 10,000+ on it. so instead i want to be very very different, and be the first ever V6 AE101 Levin in NZ or perhaps the world. i havent found anyone on the internet that has done one before. so crossing my fingers.


and i wouldnt turbo it. turbo cars are a dime a dozen. get some fury coming out the v6 hopefully 300hp is my mark. keeping it completely un-charged.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Originally Posted by topnotch

400 hp on a stock engine lol i would like to see that...

3S-GTE engines are surprisingly strong, they were actually designed by Yamaha. My brother has a 1998 Caldina GT-T with a 3S-GTE in it and it made 165kW at the wheels on the dyno when it was completely standard. The standard fuel cut isn't until around 19psi, but the standard boost is about 12psi.

A standard 3S-GTE with a bigger turbo, fuel components, front mounted intercooler, intake etc would easily get to 400hp in stock form if you wound up the boost. There's no saying how long it would last though, haha.

Check this one out, admittedly it's got forged pistons and has had tonnes of money spent on the engine in terms of reinforcement and tuning, but it's putting out a whopping 320kW at the wheels (430hp):
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-279007678.htm

[freshprince69]

oh jesus. 920NM of torque. if that thing was front wheel drive it would never leave the start line lol

that why i dont want to turbo a fwd. the torque curve doesnt suit the type of launch they have.

[midnightmach]

If you did do this, your corolla's weight distribution would be crazy nose heavy, the 3vz block is made of iron. Also I know a guy on another forum who has a 4agze and the torque from that is slowly bending his frame (which is evident from the door/fender gaps changing).

What would the purpose of this swap be? You would have about 160whp to the front wheels after the swap (185hp to the crank), the 3vz does not have any aftermarket support either... It would be much better use of time to get any A series engine up to that.

[freshprince69]

Originally Posted by midnightmach

If you did do this, your corolla's weight distribution would be crazy nose heavy, the 3vz block is made of iron. Also I know a guy on another forum who has a 4agze and the torque from that is slowly bending his frame (which is evident from the door/fender gaps changing).

What would the purpose of this swap be? You would have about 160whp to the front wheels after the swap (185hp to the crank), the 3vz does not have any aftermarket support either... It would be much better use of time to get any A series engine up to that.

frame bending ?oh thats the first time ive heard something like that.
the reason being i want to enter a car show next year, hopefully put it in the drag n track events. and end of the day be unique and beast of a daily driver.

[GTChink]

Shiza, just put in a lexus v8 and call it a day. As for how to fit it in, have fun AHHAA

[cipher93]

Originally Posted by freshprince69

frame bending ?oh thats the first time ive heard something like that.
the reason being i want to enter a car show next year, hopefully put it in the drag n track events. and end of the day be unique and beast of a daily driver.

As long as you want to go in a straight line, fine. As mentioned before, it's going to drive like a truck due to it throwing your weight distribution. It's jut not worth the power gain.

Have you considered a 4AGZE? These engines make around 170hp (JDM variants) and have plenty of potential for more power because the internals were fairly overbuilt. You also won't need to make any mods to the frame/engine bay as a 3S or 3V. You also have more tuning options than the 3V.

[freshprince69]

Originally Posted by CJRocker

As long as you want to go in a straight line, fine. As mentioned before, it's going to drive like a truck due to it throwing your weight distribution. It's jut not worth the power gain.

Have you considered a 4AGZE? These engines make around 170hp (JDM variants) and have plenty of potential for more power because the internals were fairly overbuilt. You also won't need to make any mods to the frame/engine bay as a 3S or 3V. You also have more tuning options than the 3V.

@gt ch!nk
nah now that is something for dreams only.

@CJrocker
my levin that i have right now is non turbo or supercharged and i am getting 160hp out of it. and yes considerd 4AGTE and 4AGZE are plenty here in nz the tip around 220hp. but i dont want to charge an engine to get that power i want it to come straight from the block. NA is best, lag is my enemy. lol and anyhow ive got my inspiration from all the mr2 3vzfe's out there. i mean im quite sure an mr2 engine bay is small. pretty much the same as a ae101. so if it can work with that car why not a levin. regardless youre right it will throw the weight displacement way off, but i could work around that depending how hard the job is.
its good tho im here for all youre opinions.. its great to hear. please say anything that could help me decide.

[GTChink]

if you do go ahead with the 3vzfe please make sure you record every little step for an excellent write up

One question, what manual tranny will fit the 3vzfe? do the mr2 guys just use their stock manual trannies? I've never seen a manual Camry with a v6 here ahha

[Gerson]

The E53 comes stock on 92-93 camry SE V6 and Lexus es300 like mine . The MR2 turbo tranny is the E153 w/ LSD option but u must use the inboard cv joints in order to fit since its different from the camry. The 97-01 camry/99-02 Solara gets the normal E153.

[topnotch]

if your goin to go through the trouble of fitting that engine in ther why not making the levin rear wheel drive as well. now that would be a site to see hahaha.