I just bought a 2000 GT dirt cheap that has a really bad knock in the motor. I am new to these motors, but not to turning wrenches. I have never heard a knock this bad....I mean its bad....pretty sure its a rod, but could be something up top. Lots or sparkles in the oil, so that leads me to believe it is a wiped/spun rod bearing. I haven't gotten it to the house to start tearing into it, but want to go ahead and do my research now. Knowing that, I assume that the crank and rod (at least the rod doing the knocking) are toast. The motor has 181,000 miles on it. It starts and runs great, no smoking. Is this motor worth tearing into, or should I go for a junkyard motor? It has the 1ZZ-FE in it. If I go junkyard, what are my options for swapping? Am I stuck with the 1ZZ-FE, or are there other options that will swap easily and inexpensively? I am having trouble finding a reasonably priced motor. Any good leads?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I am really excited about this car. The interior is perfect. It has some front end damage, but since I am a body man, so that wont be a big deal at all.
Also, please don't flame me for not searching.....I am new to these cars, and don't know all the terminology used. My searches have been pretty unproductive.
The early 7th Gens had an oil consumption issue that makes spun bearings not uncommon. I think the issue was fixed ~2003 with a new short block.
Most folks familiar with the 7th gen would say drop in a 2zz if you can, as well as a six speed, but the cost goes up a fair bit over a 1zz. I can't recall from my readings if the 5 speed will work with the 2zz.
For sourcing the engine, I think Monkey Wrench Racing (MWR) is commonly considered a reliable vendor.
You are better off getting a used engine. Be sure to get one from and 2003 model or later as they have revised pistons which solved the oil consumption issue Toyota had with the earlier 1zzfe engines.
__________________ 2005 Corolla LE - Impulse Red - Auto Trans - 1ZZFE - 86,000mi 2003 Echo - Auto Trans - 96,000mi. - slow as dog-dirt - I'd rather put my money in the bank than in the tank!!!!!
Support your local wrecker. Cash for Clunkers tried to put the hurt on them by requiring cars traded in to be crushed and not parted out. Imported motors are nice, and more expensive, but try and support the guys here first.
Update time. Got the car home today. Dropped the oil pan. The #1 rod was badly damaged and attached is a pic of the remaining bearing. All 4 of the rod bearings appear to be damaged and the Crank is wiped on the #1 journal. I found a used motor for $1000. What other cars can I get these motors out of?
The crank is shot, one of the rods needs re-conditioned, and the pistons need replaced so im going to go ahead and do a rebuild and put a crank kit in it.
you'd need the 1ZZ from a later VVTi model and NOT the corolla since its a little different in the head area. smaller valves primarily. of course you can swap the head from the old engine to the new one to solve that. just sleeve and build the block you have, send it out to get hot tanked and new std sleeves installed by a good shop as well as the block checked/surfaced. have them deck the head and check the valves and hot tank the head also.
or just order a short block from monkeywrench with upgraded parts already installed....or a long block with performance head and cams and stuff. whatever you want to do.
but 2zz swap is the best bang for the buck. a highgly modd'd 1zz-fe will make what the 2zz makes stock.
check out newcelica forum for more stuff, lots of how-to's etc.
I'm not looking for any performance. I just need it to move under its own power. I am going to bore it, put in oversize pistons, oil pump, and a crank kit. Looks like the previous owner blew a head gasket which likely lead to the bottom end failure. Oil in the water will do it every time. The head and water pump are fresh from the previous repair.
may as well just do the 2zz swapp it would be well worth it than youd have a car that looks fast and actuily goes fast its probly going to be close to the same price just buying a 2zz at an autowreckers than paying for the cylenders to be machined, honed ,and new pistons , conrods, crank, and oilpump, bearings ,cylender heads going to have to be resurfaced and jazz 300$ for the headgasket set and another 300$ for the oilpump your looking at alot of money to rebuild that engine. the easyest option would just get another 1zz-fe if you dont really care about performance.
If you're not really looking for performance, just for the car to move under its own power, I'd just replace the 1ZZ. the 7th gen is rather light compared to previous gens and the 1ZZ is a decent engine. I've driven one, the word I can think of for it would be zippy. Felt like my GT, but less cumbersome.
I guess they have trouble reading and punctuating up in Canada aye? Anyone who really read my last post should realize that performance is the last thing on my mind. I am a family man that just wants a dependable decent looking ride for my 45min commute to work every day. If I wanted a fast car, I would build another V8 powered Rx7, or buy something that is actually fast out of the box rather than spend $10,000.00 building a car that ends up as fast as a stock Camaro or Mustang. Also, as stated in my last post, the head on this motor is fresh, so machining is not necessary. Anyone who pays $300 for an oil pump is an absolute moron or is building something powered by a "flux capacitor". I will have this motor on the road for around $500. That tells me that spending $1500-$2500 on a motor that I have no idea what it has been through an unwise decision. I paid $1,600.00 for this car, and I am going to keep it a budget vehicle. I have a lifetime of mechanical experience and some pretty good connections. It would be one thing if I were on here asking about muffler bearings and blinker fluid, but I was asking a group of enthusiasts what my options were as far as donor cars. So far, from the answers I have received, there might as well not even be a 1zzfe motor out there.
There is more to life than being "Fast and Furious".
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