[pdepotty1980]

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.

[CaptainRich]

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?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

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.

[pdepotty1980]

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!

[KISS]

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.

[N0help4u]

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.

[pdepotty1980]

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.