Cross swapping motors from different years

Nghty89

Zombie Chicks Are Hot
Mar 26, 2008
978
0
0
7 Cities, VA
Ok, so I am back into the supra game with a rod knocked 1987 maroon 7mge, and yes I still have the Nova (which consequently will be sold for less than I wanted as soon as I have a buyer so I can have supra money). I want to swap in a 7mgte. I know what needs to be done for the most part, but the minor issues I don't know are (and yes, I have searched, found nothing definitive):

1) Are the motor mounts between the years different? (ex: 87 and 90)

2) Obviously I need the turbo ECU for the 87, but do I need any specific electronics based on the motor year? I am 95% certain that they all plug and play, it's just the ECU that matters. And if anyone has any specific thread on the difference between the 87 n/a and turbo harnesses, please throw me a link. In the meantime, I will be searching and researching.

All of my knowledge is based on the 2jna-t swap, and I never learned much about the 7mgte I had because it was so butchered by the previous owner. I am learning quickly and easily adjusting, it's just those two minor things that I want to make sure I am right on. Thanks in advance guys! :icon_bigg
 

gaboonviper85

Supramania Contributor
Jan 13, 2008
3,236
0
0
39
Northeast Philly
89+ has different motor mounts that cannot be used on earlier years....86.5+ have square mounts.

86.5-88 have yellow plug ecu which needs a yellow plug harness...auto/manual makes little difference

coolant temp sensors are year specific...they are located in the waterneck/thermostat housing....so make sure to get the correct year.

That's all I can think of right now...but most the electronics are not year specific.
 

Nghty89

Zombie Chicks Are Hot
Mar 26, 2008
978
0
0
7 Cities, VA
I thought so. Thanks for the info! for those that may need this link, I have found this:
http://www.4cefed.com/conversion.html

It contains some useful info. Hopefully I can source a gently used 1987 7mgte, R154, and turbo manual ECU now....

Edit: BTW, wtf is your avatar? A blood python? (i think those are the fat, short ones..)
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
38,728
0
0
62
I come from a land down under
Nghty89;1398703 said:
I thought so. Thanks for the info! for those that may need this link, I have found this:
http://www.4cefed.com/conversion.html

It contains some useful info. Hopefully I can source a gently used 1987 7mgte, R154, and turbo manual ECU now....

Edit: BTW, wtf is your avatar? A blood python? (i think those are the fat, short ones..)

Maybe ask Santa or the Easter bunny for one of those :)
(tooth fairy has some good 40k mile JDM ones)
 

Nghty89

Zombie Chicks Are Hot
Mar 26, 2008
978
0
0
7 Cities, VA
Yes, I figured that would get a great reaction. :biglaugh: Then again, I was expecting more rips on the trading the 89 for the Nova thing. :sarcasm:

I guess I mean one that has intact internals that I can use, and have the block decked/cleaned, put on ARP studs and a MHG. I wont push enough to break the internals so I'm not worried about going forged.
 

gaboonviper85

Supramania Contributor
Jan 13, 2008
3,236
0
0
39
Northeast Philly
Nghty89;1398734 said:
Yes, I figured that would get a great reaction. :biglaugh: Then again, I was expecting more rips on the trading the 89 for the Nova thing. :sarcasm:

I guess I mean one that has intact internals that I can use, and have the block decked/cleaned, put on ARP studs and a MHG. I wont push enough to break the internals so I'm not worried about going forged.

Honestly the only non forged part in a 7m is the pistons....the known record is 753hp I believe on a stock internal rebuild (rebuilt with factory pistons, rings, bearings...etc)
 

Nghty89

Zombie Chicks Are Hot
Mar 26, 2008
978
0
0
7 Cities, VA
That's why I'm not too worried. Plus, soundslikesemi87 is running high boost on a stock head gasket, properly torqued, with stock internals and 57(?) trim turbo. I almost pissed myself with how quick the boost kicked in and how fast that car was. A testament to the 7mgte's capability.
 

dbsupra90

toonar
Apr 1, 2005
2,374
0
0
indiucky
gaboonviper85;1398695 said:
89+ has different motor mounts that cannot be used on earlier years....86.5+ have square mounts.

it doesnt matter on the motor, only on the car. you can use a pre 89 motor in a post 89 car or vice versa.

btw ian, my motor has 5k on it :)
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
10,730
1
38
Valley of the Sun
The motor mounts and sensors can be swapped...therefore, it does not matter the year motor ;)
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
38,728
0
0
62
I come from a land down under
dbsupra90;1399353 said:
it doesnt matter on the motor, only on the car. you can use a pre 89 motor in a post 89 car or vice versa.

btw ian, my motor has 5k on it :)

No BHG?? :aigo:

ahhh but you KNOW WTF you're doing so no surprise there!! <golf clap>
 

Nghty89

Zombie Chicks Are Hot
Mar 26, 2008
978
0
0
7 Cities, VA
Wait a second, I thought that pre-89 mounts and post-89 mounts were different.... :icon_conf
gaboonviper85;1398695 said:
89+ has different motor mounts that cannot be used on earlier years....86.5+ have square mounts.
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
10,730
1
38
Valley of the Sun
Nghty89;1400119 said:
Wait a second, I thought that pre-89 mounts and post-89 mounts were different.... :icon_conf

They are...the bolt locations on the block are the same though. Just swap mounts to fit the year car.
 

dbsupra90

toonar
Apr 1, 2005
2,374
0
0
indiucky
IJ.;1399954 said:
No BHG?? :aigo:

ahhh but you KNOW WTF you're doing so no surprise there!! <golf clap>

now i wouldnt go THAT far. but thanks for the golf clap just the same. i did buy the car with the preinstalled bhg at 49k lol.

the motor in the car now is a straight out of the shrink wrap 88 motor. got lucky on that one :naughty:

gaboon- the way i read it was a little funny. just wanted to clarify since he is looking at motor swaps. didnt want him to think he had to have a 87-88 block.