bilgen

iTrader: (3)

I bought an 01 GS300 for $700 (145k miles) and it has thrown a rod through the side of the block, so I have been exploring different swap routes. An Aristo swap is in all probability what I am going to do, been considering this clip: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-2JZGTE-VVTI-Twin-Turbo-Engine-RHD-Toyota-Aristo-Half-cut-Front-clip-GS300-/281704623846?hash=item4196e76ee6&vxp=mtr, BUT it has appox. 80k miles and has obviously been raced. The only thing that keeps me considering this clip are all the rare parts.. Has anyone ever seen that front bumper??

ALSO, I have been curious about swapping the GS430 engine into the 300 but information on that is very limited.

Unfortunately my GS has the newer ecu (01-05) so apparently I will have more wiring troubles if I do go 2jzgte route, but thats no biggie.

What would you guys do if you had about $5k to build an engine-less 01 GS300?

TTurboPimp

iTrader: (12)

With that budget the Jdm swap is probably the way to go

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

What I'D do is try to get it for as low as possible, buy it, sit on it for a little and come up with some more cash. Use the extra cash for some internal upgrades or rebuild Much easier to do since the block will be out of the car. When I built my other car, forged internals was the first thing I did. At least you can have peace of mind as well as a brand new block to enjoy for a very long time

At the very least, I'd still do a complete disassemble and redo all gaskets as well as see the extent of damage if any from the inside out. When it comes to any type of engine work that requires extensive work (in this case, removal) I always suggest doing all you can while you're in there, saves you the hassle to do it later.

TTurboPimp

iTrader: (12)

Good point....especially if you ever plan on going single turbo. That's way easier to do out of the car. You can run low boost on a single and as you upgrade fuel and such along the way keep turning up the boost. But to have the single on there during install is the way to go......assuming you want to go single

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Yea, as eager as I wanted my engine dropped, it stayed on the stand until I did everything I wanted and now its built to withstand practically anything. Luckily though when I swapped from roots to centrifugal while engine was in the car already, it was very easy! Nothing like these turbos though

nyc80rick

I seen that clip when they first got it think no one is bitting because of the price tag. But it does have a lot of parts added on that are worth something. I have the same ARC intake box its hard to find and sometimes cost a pretty penny. Like Mr Jokster said I would try and talk them down on the price but either way you put it with the parts list on that motor you would have a nice deal on your hands. the front bumper is the stock front cover with cutouts I've seen it before with guys running front mounts.

bilgen

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm gonna see how low they'll go and see about building the engine up. That'd be nuts if it was already built.

Ava92

iTrader: (3)

Here in canada jdm vvti 2jzgte's are a lot cheaper than that front cut. I think the price is kind of high on that particular one, but yeah I would put a gte in it. Rather buy a clean one and start fresh

also the front bumper is just a stock one with some skyline n1 style vents in it i think. as mentioned by nyc80rick

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Well of course they're much cheaper, you're just getting an engine There are a lot of parts that can be sourced off of here including mint headlights, Aristo fenders (which are wider, hard to get and expensive), lots of electrical (internal and external), transmission, as well as a stockpile of aftermarket parts. Apples and oranges dude.

bilgen

iTrader: (3)

Unfortunately this project is falling through.. The GS just isn't as clean as I would like it to be and I found a great deal on a 98-00 vvti SC300 2jzge w/ transmission for $400 and only 109k miles. SO, I am going to flip this project, or I may just drive it and sell my 99 SC400 to then start a new project.
One question, are there any difficulties I might encounter when swapping a vvti 2jz from an sc300 into a late 2nd gen. 01 gs300?

gsean400

Why dont you ls swap it? You can get a chevy 5.3 at the junkyard for about 600$. Its the same engine as an ls1 and both the aluminum and cast iron block can he punched out to ls1 specs... Those Bottom ends are good up to like 1000hp

bilgen

iTrader: (3)

That's be sweet, has anyone ever done that here?

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Its actually quite a common swap. There are brackets for the GS readily available. I just thought you wanted to have it stay in the family

bilgen

iTrader: (3)

If there's one thing I like about GM products its the LS engines.
I'm going to look into this.

gsean400

The 2jzgte might be a better bet if your on a budget.. An ls1 is going to cost you some $$$ 1500-4000 depending on the condition and wont be much faster then a gs400 or 2jzgte swap until you throw in a cam. I suggested a 5.3 because the aluminum block can safely be bored out to the 5.7 specs but a ls1 cannot be bored out any further. If you go with an ls i suggest a ls2 6.0 or like i said any 5.3 cast iron or aluminum.