There are a lot of threads on this issue on this forum. Use the search button, you should find them.

As far as engine goes, all VVTi 1zz-fe will be a direct swap. Generally speaking, all 03 and up engines are safe

 

Is 03 when they revised the engines so that they dont use oil?

 

2003 is the start of the 9th gen Corolla and 1st gen Matrix/Vibe with "newer" 1ZZ-FE engines. Though there are a few cases of oil consumption, even with the 9th gen Corolla and 1st gen Matrix/Vibe - those occurrences seem to happen considerably less often than in the earlier 8th gen Corolla/Prism.

If you opt to swap in an engine, probably smarter to grab a 2003+ model - will generally have less miles, doesn't take them much time to swap your good bits over to the new engine, and typically not known as the "premium" or more desirable 1ZZ-FE engine on the pick-and-pull places.

Keep in mind, that just running a newer engine doesn't mean that sludge/oil consumption will auto-magically go away. Even the best engines will die, if their maintenance is not kept up on. There are still quite a few 8th gen Corolla owners with some decent amount of miles - that have not seen oil consumption issues. Most of those owners keep up on maintenance pretty regularly, so they catch issues before they cause bigger headaches.

 

06-07 engines

There is an 07 engine with 21K on it for 1100 here local. I'll probably pick it up. I figured if I'm going through with the work I'll get a really low mileage one so I have the best chances of a good engine. Any tips on pulling current one haha? Thanks for the wealth of knowledge sharing guys.

 

i have a 2001 corolla with around 97k on it. burns about 1/2 qt per 3k of miles.

it could be worse!

mike