Swapping the motor. Either 3uz or 2gr

[diss7]

I've come to the conclusion that swapping out the boxer for a proven toyota motor is the way that I'm going to go. My main motivation behind this, is that I want a more enjoyable daily experience from my 86, that I don't get from the stock motor, nor does it appear that any of the forced induction kits deliver what I'm after. While I think the twin screw kit will come close, the cost of the kit landed into New Zealand puts it on par with a Motor swap.

Now that I finally have my car, we put it up on the hoist last night. One thing that became immediately apparent was the room in the stock car. Being that there is a boxer in there means there is ample width. We had some motors laying around, and took some quick measurements. Both the ls1 and 3uz fit, easily. We actually think that both would sit well enough that you could keep the oem tower bars. The 2gr also fits as has been proven. To my surprise, there is also just enough height to fit a blacktop 3sge beams in.

Another reason we lifted the car was to confirm what I had read about the box being a j160 and or bolting straight to a 2gr-fse. We coincidently had a j160 from an altezza/is200 laying around (from my ae86) and on first inspection both look different. The new box has much more casing webbing (good thing) but the bolt pattern to the motor was well different. I had read that the stock box would bolt to a 2gr, we don't believe that to be the case, after observing the bolt pattern onto the boxer. The width of the lower two bolts was quite large.

We didn't have a 2grfse laying around, and being late on a Saturday night, we couldn't pop out and measure one up. So, we're not 100% at this point, but are leaning.towards a 2gr NOT bolting up to the stock box. However, it does seem much more feasible that a 2gr would bolt up to a 3sge j160 box. Again, not yet confirmed.

Still on the box, the tunnel is this car is massive! They really knew that it was going to be a tuner car!

Back to the motors, my two front runners are the 3uz and the 2gr. My fabricator and mechanic both like going the 3uz way, as both have done these conversions and there is more knowledge - certainly locally about UZ motors. Added to that, my fabricator has a tremec box with a UZ bell housing in his shop with no place to go.

I prefer the 2gr, because of the power delivery. It keeps with the spirit of the car in my opinion.

Here's a graph comparing the two...



Both conversion options are going to be fairly straight forward from a mechanical point of view. Both have their electrical/sensor issues, the 3uz issues are better known - again locally.

Overall nothing that is too daunting. I'd love to know if anyone is already a few steps down either path; would be good to share the knowledge and all that.

I'll pre-empt some hate about ruining the cars balance, and I'd just like to note that both these motors are very light considering their displacement. We didn't take the boxer out, but we know for sure that a dressed sr20det with all the turbo bits is the same as a 3uz, the 3uz is actually marginally lighter. The 2gr is lighter than the 3uz.

Centre of gravity wise, yes nothing beats a boxer, but a v configuration is not exactly bad in this regard. One could argue that having a v config motor has weight higher, but its behind the strut tower in the most part. A boxer with turbo system ends up with a bit of weight further forward of the strut tower.
And, the whole CoG argue end is often made by the same people that have lifted the stock CoG by putting 18x9.5's on their car because it looks 'cool'.

But we'll take the car to the scales before and after so this info can be putout there.

Any thoughts/comments welcomed

[JesseE]

Cool post pictures when its done!

[Blue86]

Mmm V8

[husker741]

I love my 3uz in my SC430.

[Rayme]

v8, do it

[WolfsFang]

Oh very nice, should be a cool build.

[TheEradicator]

Are you planning on upgrading the transmission and rear diff. to accommodate the added hp and torque?

[diss7]

The trans will need to be upgraded, but I don't believe the diff will need to be. Time will tell.

[Huehuecoyotl]

Are you sure that FI and motor swap cost the same? I would love to see the swap, but can't imagine an FI deal costing as much.

[diss7]

Most FI kits are in the order of 5-6k USD. Then to get into Nz, will be paying import duty. So, ends up being closer to 9k nzd. Then have to fit/tune.

Can get a 3uz and tremec box to suit for half that. Still leaves a lot for incidentals.

I'm not saying it will be cheaper, it may be; but that's not my motivation behind doing it.

[noAE86]

if you are looking for a turbo kit, go see Simon at surefab, (if you dont know him look him up on the local drifting forums) he will be building a turbo kit for a racing 86 very soon (estimated cost of build 50k NOT including car), i will be getting him to do my road going 86 work,

[diss7]

That ae86 you are talking about at SURFAB is mine. Check out my build thread in my signature. Its primarily a race car but still street registered. I need to update the build thread actually, as there as been a bit more progress.

Simon does good work. He's done almost everything on my ae86.

Simon & Beau (Lives next door to Simon) will be the ones doing the work on my new 86 as well.

[Quentin]

I think the 2GR-FSE is the way to go. The UZ is such an old engine and I agree with your assessment of power delivery. Dual VVT & DI FTW.

[sosick]

Any updates i have a 2gr sitting around maybe ill swap it!