MWR 03-07 short blocks - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

RCale · 09-02-2011, 07:59 AM

So, I recently destroyed my 1zz from my 2001 corolla. I found lightly modified short blocks from MWR(Monkey Wrench Racing) from 2003-2007 for a pretty okay price. From what I can find there is no reason a "2003" or newer 1zz won't fit into my 2001 corolla correct? I just figured I'd double check before I buy one. So yea, take a look at them and give me some input! If all is clear then hopefully I'll have a peppier Rolla!

http://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/pr...roducts_id=827

fishexpo101 · 09-02-2011, 09:36 AM

Depends on what you are looking for in the engine. MWR link provided is just the bottom end (block, pistons, rods, crank) - you have to supply everything else.

If you were looking to build an engine for boost, bore and stroke, or high compression NA apps - then that would be an awesome starting spot.

If you just want to get your car back on the road in good running condition - better to just grab a clean 1ZZ-FE from a salvage yard.

You will gain no performance gains with that block, assuming you keep the CR and reused the head from your existing engine. Also note - you'll have to send them your old block for core charge, assuming that the block is still OK (if you holed it or it is cracked, they will not credit you with a core = and extra $300 to that price).

RCale · 09-02-2011, 09:57 AM

I do plan on building it up. I was going to start with this short block and go from there. I just wanted to double check that I wouldn't run into fitment issues. I don't expect any but import swaps are new to me. I've always done old chevy swaps. Simple and easy! I'll only be using the stock head for a few months. I'm still looking into all the fine details of getting everything to work together.

As for my old block it's in nearly perfect shape no holes or cracks. I'd rather pay a little extra for a fresh and hopefully improved bottom end.

fishexpo101 · 09-02-2011, 03:28 PM

If your own block is perfect, I'd be a better value to start with that instead of the MWR. Spend that money not on the short block, but their cams, rods, pistons, and head with larger valves, better valves and EMS. You can take your old block, disassembled, then get hot tanked - be as clean as the MWR one. The OEM crank is a stout piece - should be no problems there.

Biggest benefit with going with the MWR option is being a time saver. Like they say, time is money. They've done the basic work, you just add on-top of it. Doesn't mean that you could not replicate their work - you could spec identical components and have it balanced and blueprinted for less money - but it would generally involve more time waiting for parts to come back to you, assuming that you'd have to send them away.

If you were willing to drop that much money into a project car - I'd recommend looking at the 2ZZ-GE engines as a platform to work with. Still a 1.8L engine, but with high potential for performance gains. Just look at the blown MWR Celica GT-S drag car - huge power from that engine.

RCale · 09-02-2011, 06:13 PM

Well, it's my daily driver and my thoughts were that I would get the MWR short block, pop it in and run it as is and get my cylinder head and some other goodies in another month or so. Although now I'm thinking of getting a used 1zz and rebuilding my old engine with MWR parts. This way I can get my car up and running and spend more time on the engine rebuild. Do it right and make it mean. I was also wondering about ECU upgrades. I found a place that will upgrade it however I want for about 300 bucks. Any thoughts on that? I think it was Jet Performance.