Engine/trans swap from 1996 avalon to ES300?

[samtmar]

I have the opportunity to get 2 cars for really cheap. One is a 1993 Lexus es300 with a blown motor and the other is a 1996 Avalon with front end damage but still good engine. Both have automatic transmissions.

I have been told the motor will not interchange but what if I swapped out the engine and transmissoin from the Avalon to the Lexus? Is it theoretically possible? I have both whole cars so I could swap some wiring, mounts, sensors etc.

[robcam13]

ive seen a 1mz 5spd in an 86 mr2 so anything possible. if both cars came with the 1mz they should interchange. the computer may be different if one is california emissions and the other isnt.But i would say its definately possible

[samtmar]

The 93 lexus has a V6 (Engine: 3VZFE) Wondering if the engine/ trans combo will bolt in without major overhaul. It is a different engine so there could potentially be quite a few issues. I am not sure of the differences though. I could swap out wiring harnesses

[robcam13]

off the top of my head i would say check the motor mounts and see if they are in the same location and the exhaust may be routed different but i would try it espicially since you have both cars.

[ASG14]

If your good at custom work, yes. If you can only do stuff if the directions are written in front of you, no.

[samtmar]

Originally Posted by ASG14

If your good at custom work, yes. If you can only do stuff if the directions are written in front of you, no.

I would in no way say I am "good" at custom work but a far cry from needing a book for anything less than a component rebuild or to troubleshoot electronics.
The thing that would be a challenge for me would be the electronics if they are substantially different. I'm not yet convinced it would be worth the effort for a 93 Es300 for a DD. It's not like I'm building a custom rally car. The thing only books for 2,500.00

[ASG14]

I'll tell you right now, you have no idea what your getting into if you do the swap. If you want me to go into details, I will.

My friend swapped a 1994 1MZ from a Camry into a 1993 Camry that had a 3VZ, both Auto's. Same cars! He does a lot of custom work. He nearly took a sledgehammer to the cars because of all the small stupid issues. And took him a couple weeks.

[samtmar]

Originally Posted by ASG14

I'll tell you right now, you have no idea what your getting into if you do the swap. If you want me to go into details, I will.

My friend swapped a 1994 1MZ from a Camry into a 1993 Camry that had a 3VZ, both Auto's. Same cars! He does a lot of custom work. He nearly took a sledgehammer to the cars because of all the small stupid issues. And took him a couple weeks.

Exactly what I was looking for. Someone who had done it (except the other way around). I will not likely try it if someone who does custom work was nearly driven to take a sledgehammer to his beloved project. I could see spending the time if I was building a custom car from an ideal platform and an ideal power plant but not just for a 3K DD.

Thanks for the straight up answer.

What were the small/stupid things? If you don't mind.

[ASG14]

Plugs, connectors, wiring. The emmisions equipment on the Avalon is different from the '93 ES300. The dash harness from the Avalon I do not think will plug into the ECU. I personally hate custom wiring.

Your "personal" biggest issue is that the 3VZ is OBD1,and the 1MZ is OBD2. You'd have to custom wire in the OD2 plug and such. You can get a used 3VZ motor for a few hundred on ebay. That would be the best bet. For the amount of time/labor you'd have to put into the different engine swap, it;s just not worth it. IF you get both cars, I'd part out the Avalon. Use the money from sellign the parts of the Avalon to buy the 3VZ motor.

[samtmar]

Thanks for the tip. I believe getting another 3VZ would be the best bet. I thought was going to have fun with the 12 extra hp I have owned a couple of Avalons one 96 and one 99.

TTYL

[ASG14]

The HP diff really isn't that much. The Avalon is a heavier car I think, so there may not even be a difference in acceleration. You can always go custom and pop a TRD Supercharger on the engine like EEngineer here ont he forum is doing. But we're just the nutty ones. :-D

[2wickedtoyz]

can you swap over the front end of the es300 onto the avalon? that might be cheaper and the avalon has way more room

[greeksoccerboy]

^ i been wanting to do that or a solara front end for so long, just seems useless and im too poor haha. 3vzs r pretty cheap so just look into that.