Calicarlos

Hi guys! I have a 97 ls400 and it has 300k very impressive! But I want to swap the engine out for one with less miles, I was thinking of putting in the engine off of the 98 ls400 with the vvti I just want to knw some info on what do I need to do for this swap. I want to do this swap because this engine is leaking oil a lot, I knw most of the seals are shot, and it has 300k and I think just getting an updated engine would be great

Nishy

As far as I know, VVT-i swaps are usually very difficult mainly because of the wiring... it has been done before however. A quick search should pull up several discussions and threads on the topic

alien1974

you're probably better off selling yours and buying a vvti ls400

brybo86

Agreed.

Added bonus is the 98-00 has an extra gear and taller diff gearing for lower rpm at cruising speed.
Also starter replacement on a 98-00 is much easier due to not having the @$#%# EGR piping in the way.

The crankseal is pretty straight forward to replace as well as the cam seals when doing the timing belt and water pump.

Valve cover gaskets are not too difficult either.

Now if the rear main seal is leaking that is a beast to replace.

Calicarlos

Thanks for the advice! I would want to buy a 98 ls400 but I've been looking at some on Craigslist and I saw a clean one run for $8000 witch is not bad for the condition but I dnt have that money, and I dnt think I'll get much money for mine because of the miles it has and the oil leak but I am thinking of getting the 98, I do want to save up the money for it but that means I have to keep driving this one for a little while

alien1974

they go for good money in the US dont they? i paid 1500 uk pounds a year ago, mine had 95k on the clock too

dicer

There was a guy on here doing that swap. He was doing a good job keeping us updated on the progress, then poof he's gone. I have seen some real good looking 98's for as low as 4000 around here. The time and money for a swap its not worth it. And in California what kind of loops do you go thru doing that when they check emissions? Here on the OBD2 stuff they just plug into the port for emissions, so you are not going to be hiding an engine swap from the emissions deal. I'm sure that ecu reports its date of manufacture and other things, expensive scan tools can see that sort of data.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

agree here as well. a vvti swap is definitely doable but not feasable unless you have lots of time and money. better just to get a 98-up car.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

+1...getting the 98+ is a more efficient route opposed to an engine-tranny swap.

SteezyLS98

I bought my 98lexus with a rebuilt engine for 5k in San Jose ca I can say I'm pretty happy with the car Nd did not know there was a vvti engine and a regular one but keep looking I see pretty decent ls400 98-00 for a cool 4k but gotta test her right hope you find one

Calicarlos

I'm going to keep looking for a clean 98, I'm starting to consider buying one there such good cars, even though my car leaks and has 300k it runs great it just needs a few issues fixed