1jz vvti rod knock

FDguy

New Member
Nov 29, 2008
10
0
0
Houston.TX
Hello everyone i just installed a 1jz-gte vvti from a jzx100 into my rx7. Ive been very happy with the swap thus far. The motor seemed to be very strong and pulled very well for it being stock. The other night i was driving home and the motor began knock as i got into my neighborhood, in disbelief i thought to myself "No this isnt happening, its late I'm tired and that isnt knocking that i hear coming from my new motor". Well i guess no matter what engine you put in these damn cars the curse remains.

I need to rebuild my bottom end and i have no clue if the old non-vvti parts will fit into a vvti motor. So can anyone clarify this for me and what all i would need to fix the knocking. From what i know all i would need is new bearings and connecting rods(if they happen to be damaged) but the pistons should be fine correct. Also going 1.5jz is something i want to do so that is out of the question. Thank you for all your help.
 

FDguy

New Member
Nov 29, 2008
10
0
0
Houston.TX
CyFi6;1317630 said:
Did you make sure that theres still oil in it?

Yes sir, the next day i checked to make sure there was still oil and there was. Earlier that i night i was praciting for a drift event. But i would think that the rod knock would have started earlier that night.
 

JDMMA70

Active Member
Dec 4, 2006
2,550
0
36
Houston
Zerocool;1317641 said:
How many miles where on the motor set and did do an inspection of the motor before you dropped it in?!?!?

^ what he said.

JZ motors arent invincible either, its always best to do an inspection or a minor overhaul.

If its knocking take the block, crank and rods to a machinist to be examined and machined. If youre reusing all your stock parts just get new rings, bearings, and all required gaskets.
 
Last edited:

OneJSupra

I'm a sleeper ...
Feb 9, 2007
900
0
0
Supraland
FDguy;1317634 said:
Yes sir, the next day i checked to make sure there was still oil and there was. Earlier that i night i was praciting for a drift event. But i would think that the rod knock would have started earlier that night.

Question is if the oil is low. During you drifting practice if the oil is low guest what will happen during hard cornering, the oil pick up will get uncovered.
 

soapra

Supramania Contributor
Apr 6, 2005
860
0
0
VVTi'n, CA
www.kaizenmotorsport.com
I just recently dyno'ed my VVTI and the wideband read a lean spot 3k to 5k. The AF was at 13.0. I didn't know that because I didn't install my AF gauge. If your engine is runing stock ECU just like mine this could be a reason as to why you rodknocked (detonation) the engine. What is your fuel pressure under boost?

As far as the block internals go, they are the same as non-vvti 1jz's
 

FDguy

New Member
Nov 29, 2008
10
0
0
Houston.TX
Well that would be possible about oil but the thing is i run 3/4 to a full quart more than normal. Personally i don't think that its ran out of oil because of the drifting but you right that is a strong possibility. But the reason i personally don't think its was the drifting is because i have friends that have done the same thing on jz's and still haven't had rod knock.


JZ motors arent invincible either, its always best to do an inspection or a minor overhaul.

If its knocking take the block, crank and rods to a machinist to be examined and machined. If youre reusing all your stock parts just get new rings, bearings, and all required gaskets.

So your saying i will only need rings bearings and a gaskets. But the other question i had was, are the rings and bearings the same non-vvti 1jz. I know the head gasket is different because of some oil passage for the vvti. So does anyone know if i can use a is300 head gasket by chance aswell because its hard to source parts for this damn motor.


I just recently dyno'ed my VVTI and the wideband read a lean spot 3k to 5k. The AF was at 13.0. I didn't know that because I didn't install my AF gauge. If your engine is runing stock ECU just like mine this could be a reason as to why you rodknocked (detonation) the engine. What is your fuel pressure under boost?

No sir... I'm not running a stock ecu. Actually, I ordered a PFC from ebay, because when I got my front clip it seemed as if the previous car ran into a tree and the maf was obliterated. So, instead of sourcing a jzx100 maf, I found a pfc and ran a z32 maf that I had laying around my garage.
 

FDguy

New Member
Nov 29, 2008
10
0
0
Houston.TX
JDMMA70;1317930 said:
^
Like soapra said the internals are the same. So they should be the same as a non VVT motor.

O wow i completey missed that he said that. So all jz bearings and such are the same no matter it be a 2jz or 1jz or non vvti or vvti. so i can order rings bearings for a 2jz or 1jz and its gonna be the same. Now how about the head gasket it that the same as the is300.
 

JDMMA70

Active Member
Dec 4, 2006
2,550
0
36
Houston
FDguy;1317953 said:
O wow i completey missed that he said that. So all jz bearings and such are the same no matter it be a 2jz or 1jz or non vvti or vvti. so i can order rings bearings for a 2jz or 1jz and its gonna be the same. Now how about the head gasket it that the same as the is300.

Ill assume but im sure someone else will chime in here. The IS has a VVTi 2JZGE right? Then if so (i didnt know there were differences in Headgaskets between non VVTi and VVTi engines) it should work. Arent the 2JZ-GE headgasket not as strong at the TT headgaskets or are they identical (asking anyone who knows). I recall reading a thread about that ill see if i can find it.
 

CyFi6

Aliens.
Oct 11, 2007
2,972
0
36
Phoenix
www.google.com
You DONT want to just throw new bearings in it. You have to realize the pressure on those rods when they are knocking. There is a lot just doing regular driving but once you have impact the force multiplies greatly, and you could have a rod out of round or a crank out of round now, so definitely have it checked or you will be having more problems in the near future.
 

JDMMA70

Active Member
Dec 4, 2006
2,550
0
36
Houston
CyFi6;1318077 said:
You DONT want to just throw new bearings in it. You have to realize the pressure on those rods when they are knocking. There is a lot just doing regular driving but once you have impact the force multiplies greatly, and you could have a rod out of round or a crank out of round now, so definitely have it checked or you will be having more problems in the near future.

Which is why i suggested him taking it to a machine shop to be inspected and machined if it needs to be then to buy bearing accordingly.
 

soapra

Supramania Contributor
Apr 6, 2005
860
0
0
VVTi'n, CA
www.kaizenmotorsport.com
2jzgte headgasket can be used or 1jzgte. Cam seals are way different. exhaust gasket is different. Intake manifold gasket on VVTi is a heat shielding gasket, but 1jzgte no vvti can be used. front and main seal are same as 1jz/2jz.
 

FDguy

New Member
Nov 29, 2008
10
0
0
Houston.TX
Heres what i gathered from toyodiy.com

p1319614_1.jpg


So i figured the:
Crankshaft bearings
thrust washers
piston rings
headstud kit
Could all come from the early 1jz-gte motor, and the connecting rod bearings can come from a US 2jz.

As for the valve cover gasket it can come from a is300 since its the same part number as well. what do yall think. since these are closest part numbers i figured they would work best.[/QUOTE]
 

FDguy

New Member
Nov 29, 2008
10
0
0
Houston.TX
JDMMA70;1319628 said:
^ +1

have all the parts inspected and machined accordingly. Find yourself a GOOD machine shop too.


Yea i plan on taking it to Scroggins Machine shop to have them do the work.