dying 7m, going 1j for a while.

turbo87targa

New Member
Nov 10, 2006
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colorado springs
Recently my 87 developed quite a few leaks, a strange ignition problem, and my wiring harness is starting to crack and split. Toyota quoted me at $1687 for all the leaks with a waranty (fixing them myself is where i got the problems last time =/) $415 for a new harness and about $915 for toyota to install it, and they have yet to determine the ignition problem. So now ive decided to go with a 1jz. Ive looked around the forums and read about where to get parts, and ive read about most of the parts ill need. does anyone have a ballpark estimate for how much the whole swap costs? Like engine in the car and running, total cost?

Also does anyone have a complete list for what an 87 5-speed turbo needs to complete the swap?
i know i need the motor brackets for the 87's to fit a 1j, the 1j bellhousing and flywheel, and that ill need to lengthen the harness around 3 feet. but is there anything else to look out for? Or parts that i will for sure need? any help is appreciated :icon_bigg



(sorry if some of this is answered already, i spent about 2 hours searching on here before i posted and couldnt find anything that answered it for me)
 

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
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Fort Worth, TX
Dealer is raping you, and you're going to pay a LOT more for the labor to have the 1J swap done.

Do the work yourself (it's NOT hard, just tedious) and you'll save a bundle. Not to mention you'll learn something.

Unless your 7M has a BHG or rodknock, it is NOT dying, just fix it!
 

figgie

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
5,225
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Twin Cities, Minnesot-ah
wiring harness crack or split?

Build your own, fix it, or buy a new one. the price the dealer quoted you is correct for dealer as they charge very high labor rates. See my signature on wiring ;)
 

turbo87targa

New Member
Nov 10, 2006
482
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colorado springs
Poodles;1108255 said:
Dealer is raping you, and you're going to pay a LOT more for the labor to have the 1J swap done.

Do the work yourself (it's NOT hard, just tedious) and you'll save a bundle. Not to mention you'll learn something.

Unless your 7M has a BHG or rodknock, it is NOT dying, just fix it!
well i should have mentioned that the engine has been rebuilt about 3 times already and now has about 160k miles on it. i would do it myself again but the last time i did that (was with my n/a in 2005) and i ended up messing up and not tightening 2 bolts tight enough (was actually a friend who was helping, but its my car, i shouldve checked to be sure, my fault.) and i ended up with a bolt between my 3rd cylinder wall :(

ive wanted to switch to a 1j for a while i just never really had enough reason to do it. but now that the car wont start without alot of wiggling of wires, and even when it does it goes through close to a half a quart a day, i think ive got enough reason to pull it out and go 1j.

i plan to pull the 7m out myself and put the 1j in myself, im just going to have toyota get it running cause they do a once over on the motor and make sure its all in right, plus their work is guaranteed.
 

supramk3man

Supramania Contributor
Jun 26, 2005
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kentucky
If is like any of the Toyota dealerships around here, they will have no idea what you are talking when you say 1jz. Remeber that is JDM motor alot of dealerships haven't even heard of it. Or they will try to say it is a 2jz, you will have to rely on the forums and other people to help you out on a 1jz most time dealerships just get the money and run.
 

turbo87targa

New Member
Nov 10, 2006
482
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colorado springs
supramk3man;1108474 said:
If is like any of the Toyota dealerships around here, they will have no idea what you are talking when you say 1jz. Remeber that is JDM motor alot of dealerships haven't even heard of it. Or they will try to say it is a 2jz, you will have to rely on the forums and other people to help you out on a 1jz most time dealerships just get the money and run.
hmmm well in that case can anyone point me to a thread with some basic 1j info
like
stock injector size
max efficient boost on stock twins
any pre-buildup mods that are needed like the 7m needs studs and metal headgasket
highest safe hp on stock internals
basically anything i might need to know to do a nice mid 500's buildup and swap?