Choas

I'm getting a lifter tick off one of my rear lifters on my es. We have figured it would be cheaper to swap out the motor for one with lower miles to increase its worth. From what I know a 1MZ-FE motor is the same from 94-97. For some reason the junkyard say's the interchange has to be 4th vin digit G on 94-95 or a 96-98 with fifth vin digit F. I thought these were all the same up till they put VVTI in them? Any help for this OG would be appreciated