Need advice on engine swap

Supra89

New Member
Mar 30, 2010
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Los angeles california
I have a 89 supra targa 7mge that i use as a daily driver. I want to swap my engine but i cant choose between 1jzgtte or a 7mgte. I just want a reliable fast engine with turbo. Im dont intend to upgrade the engine i just want it stock coz of budget problem.. Can anyone help me decide what to choose and why to pick that engine. And much better if you can point me where to buy a complete engine with tranny ecu and wiring harness and other stuff.. Thnx a lot.. Sorry for the noob favor..
 

Keros

Canadian Bacon
Mar 16, 2007
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Calgary
If it's your only car, an engine swap will have to be well planned and very well executed in order to avoid a ton of down-time during the swap. In all honesty, unless you're planning to crack open an engine and do a headgasket job, you're better off with a 1JZ-GTE than a 7M-GTE. Odds are better that the 1JZ will hold strong than a stock 7M. Almost any and every 7M-GTE that you can buy will be layered in question marks as to how long it will last. It will help to do the basic things like clean your rad to keep it efficient, flush the cooling system, replace the valve cover seals, the trouble hose on the back of the head, and retorque the headbolts... but when it comes down to it, the headgasket could already be on it's way out. Unless you're prepared to crack open the 7M and fix things before they break, JZ that thing.

The 1JZ doesn't normally have headgasket problems due to its MLS factory headgasket. It's an entirely different animal to drive however, so take that into account when you're picking and choosing.

In terms of cost, doing a 1JZ swap vs a 7M-GTE "stock restoration build" is about the same price. If it were me, I would build the 7M-GTE over a 1JZ because it's driving characteristics are much more suited to the MkIII's girth around town. A 2JZ is a big step up in cost from a 1JZ for the purchase of the engine.... but both require about the same amount of work to install. The 1JZ is a smooth revving powerhouse design, as opposed to the 7M which is more akin to a tractor motor.

A 1JZ cut typically costs $1500 as a median price. A 7M-GTE can be had for 100-250 bucks. I've seen several go to the dump, infact... could have had them for free. That would leave you plenty of cash to take it apart, deck it, check it, new bearings and seals, and bolt it back together... before you've even purchased the 1JZ. A used harness, ECU, and various other bits can be had from people parting their cars or wrecks at pick-n-pull.
 

Supra89

New Member
Mar 30, 2010
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Los angeles california
Hmm thats a nice advise but the problem is i dnt know how to do it i dnt have a mechanical background but what you said with the 7mgte was thr very best advice i had. If only i know how to break it apart change what need to be change and put it back together. And ive been searching for low mileage 7mgte but like you said just get cheap engines and rebuilt it i think ill go with that. Is it ok if i wherw going to buy a 7mgte with bhg problem is it easy and not too pricey to fix??
 

Supra89

New Member
Mar 30, 2010
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Los angeles california
I know it can thats why im asking for help i know i can do it my dad is a mechanic before so hes the one maintaining my car so he can help but he dnt know anything about turbos.. So i need help on buying and where to buy them.. And is it expensive to fix a bhg on a 7mgte? Or if im buying a 7mgte it doesnt matter wats the situation of the engine if im gonna rebuild it??
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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I come from a land down under
Supra89;1542787 said:
I know it can thats why im asking for help i know i can do it my dad is a mechanic before so hes the one maintaining my car so he can help but he dnt know anything about turbos.. So i need help on buying and where to buy them.. And is it expensive to fix a bhg on a 7mgte? Or if im buying a 7mgte it doesnt matter wats the situation of the engine if im gonna rebuild it??
It is to do it correctly..
 

Supra89

New Member
Mar 30, 2010
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Los angeles california
I saw someone selling a complete turbo kit from 7mgte to put on my na but is it like bolt on? Or do i need to customize something.. Coz the price off the turbo kit is 500$ shipping included.. Is that a good deal? How much to rebuilt my engine and tranny??

---------- Post added at 08:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------

What if i rebuilt my 7mge then buy a complete used turbo kit from a 88 7mgte? Is this setup good?? And less expensive?

---------- Post added at 09:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 PM ----------

I saw someone selling a complete turbo kit from 7mgte to put on my na but is it like bolt on? Or do i need to customize something.. Coz the price off the turbo kit is 500$ shipping included.. Is that a good deal? How much to rebuilt my engine and tranny??

---------- Post added at 08:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------

What if i rebuilt my 7mge then buy a complete used turbo kit from a 88 7mgte? Is this setup good?? And less expensive?

---------- Post added at 09:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------

Bootymeat;1542732 said:
You could do a 7mge-t. What do you want out of your Supra? This will help us determine what's best for your needs.

I saw someone selling a complete turbo kit from 7mgte to put on my na but is it like bolt on? Or do i need to customize something.. Coz the price off the turbo kit is 500$ shipping included.. Is that a good deal? How much to rebuilt my engine and tranny??

---------- Post added at 08:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------

What if i rebuilt my 7mge then buy a complete used turbo kit from a 88 7mgte? Is this setup good?? And less expensive?