Here's the deal. I have been debating for a couple months no about trying my hand at an engine swap in my 2005 toyota corolla xrs. After doing some research I understand that this can become a serious undertaking. My main question is what are some of the most common road blocks that can be exspected with something like this? I understand that on a budget, money is of course an issue. But mechanically what are the most common. From what I think... 1. mounting position, 2. engine clearence, 3. transmission, 4. wireing

If someone can really give me a starting point I would appreciate it. I love working on cars, but this is my first attempt in this area.

Here's the deal. I have been debating for a couple months no about trying my hand at an engine swap in my 2005 toyota corolla xrs. After doing some research I understand that this can become a serious undertaking. My main question is what are some of the most common road blocks that can be exspected with something like this?? I understand that on a budget, money is of course an issue. But mechanically what are the most common. From what I think...1. mounting possition, 2. engine clearence, 3. transmission, 4. wireing

If someone can really give me a starting point I would appreciate it. I love working on cars, but this is my first attempt in this area.
Are you swapping to a different engine than the 2zz? Say to a 1zz? What are you trying to accomplish?

You need to carefully access whether you'll need a new ECM, fuse boxes, main electrical harness, main relays, etc. Many times people swap engines and then it won't run afterwards, because they failed to consider the electrical changes required.

I want to go with a 1JZ single turbo pulled from a 92' Supra(could be wrong on the year, but you get the picture). This is mainly because the 2zz for a corolla will not operate with forced induction. That is with out complications far outside what I am willing to deal with. I subscribe to a forum where others have tried to S/C or T/C the 2zz in an XRS corolla and most have be defeated, the ones that had success were not impressed with the performace after the install and tune. I figured that at a minimum I would have to pull and ECU from either an Elise, IS300, of from the Supra to include most of the engine harness as well. The only thing I am afraid of is sinking 4-5k into a project that just isn't viable.
I am looking to get my little ricer to about 285-300whp. I understand that I could just bore the cylinders, change the fuel injectors and flywheel, get a VVT-I controler and with the Lift settings, and mabey put a 75 shot of No2 but I would rather try something a little different and see if it doesn't come out better. Mainly, I am one of those car guys that doesn't just want to follow what eveyone else has done. It gets me excited thinking about what this car "could" be capable of!

I've known people who put a mid engine in a Corvair and high CID displacement engines in a 57 Chevy. I helped do a swap for a 62 Chevy and my father did a swap for a 57 plymouth. Problems were all different.

The most recent, is that a friend did one on Trans AM and the ECM wasn't 100% compatible. The worst part was the harness had to be replaced.

I doubt that there is one issue.

My x put a 454 in a Chevy Vega station wagon TONS of power!
I had something changed in my Suburban one time and it changed/messed up the gear ratio but I am not sure that it had anything to do with the motor.

Good Lord a Vega... I had a 1971 Maverick and I couldn't imagine what it would have been like to pull the straight 6-250 for a 302 v8. My Pop toatled that one though... and I know I am a traitor for switching to an import. But thanks to all that have posted. I will be sure to post more when I get home from Iraq and actually get started on this project.