Approaching 200k Miles, Rebuild or Engine Replacement?
10-04-16, 12:40 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Engine Replacement With Previous Years?
If I pick up a used engine I can get one with about 89k miles on it for about $550. My biggest issue is that I live in California and I'm not sure if 92-97 non vvti engines are considered same years. I have a 97 motor and I don't know if getting a lower year motor would be allowed. I mean since we're suppose to get a motor that's same year or newer, what is considered same year. Is it engine range year or actual date of motor built? I know the motors are pretty much identical but my uncertainty if there are any actual differences and how that would work if I got a pre 97 motor and did the swap. The only think I can think of that would be different would be 96-97 got the OBD2 emission differences but what about everything else like the rest of the block? I'm not 100% sure. My goal is to pick up motor and have it as a spare but I don't want to pick up a motor knowing that I won't be able to use it because of the year model was not allowed. Any thoughts would help or pointers thank you.
Last edited by Brucelee28; 10-04-16 at 03:36 AM.
10-09-16, 02:56 PM
#2
What motor do you have?
If it is a V8, it should be good for 400,000 miles.
The o2 sensors will fail and the valve stem seals will need replaced but the engine is hell bent strong. 6-bolt main journals.
This is an article from 2003 Lexus Magazine, 1990 LS400 with 555,000 miles.
If it is a V8, it should be good for 400,000 miles.
The o2 sensors will fail and the valve stem seals will need replaced but the engine is hell bent strong. 6-bolt main journals.
This is an article from 2003 Lexus Magazine, 1990 LS400 with 555,000 miles.
10-09-16, 03:34 PM
#3
Brucelee28, is there any particular issue you are noticing with your 200k mile SC? Neither the SC300 or SC400 engines universally "go bad" at those mileages as a rule. SC400 1UZ V8 engines last, as DA51 said, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles with regular maintenance. SC300 2JZ-GE engines come very close to this longevity themselves as long as they are maintained.
By the letter of what the Cali BAR wants, no you cannot go with any engine older than the chassis model year. I do not think they get into production dates for donor motors as long as the configuration is 100% identical to the engine you are taking out of the car. However the truth is that 1992-1997 SC300 engines are nearly identical with only the wiring harnesses and some intake manifold changes differentiating them. Swapping over what is needed from your older engine is not going to be too difficult.
For smog purposes you would not be changing the type of engine, just replacing the engine with the same thing.
SC400 1UZ engines are also very, very similar from 1992-1997 and while there are also small changes to the wiring harnesses and some other small components depending on the year you can do the same with them.
For emission purposes I would retain your original engine wiring harness and pay close attention to the intake manifolds and fuel injectors... possibly swapping those from your older engine to be safe. This is due to OBD2 changes (for the ECU) and because 1995 California SC300's (and possibly SC400's) began using heated front O2 sensors and I think different fuel injectors. Again... just swap over your original manifold, etc.
The bones of either 1992-1997 engines are identical for SC300's and nearly/effectively identical for SC400's.
It is 1998 SC300 and SC400 engines that are the most different and which have very significant changes made such that you would want to avoid them.
However I am still wondering why you want to swap your engine with another used one just because it is at 200k miles? If a component or two is failing then I'd just address those specifically. The engines are generally still in great shape even at 200k. It is often some sensors, clogged EGR ports and the ECU's that need attention into higher mileage if they have never been addressed previously.
And always change your oil on time. That's a key to *any* high mileage engine's longevity.
By the letter of what the Cali BAR wants, no you cannot go with any engine older than the chassis model year. I do not think they get into production dates for donor motors as long as the configuration is 100% identical to the engine you are taking out of the car. However the truth is that 1992-1997 SC300 engines are nearly identical with only the wiring harnesses and some intake manifold changes differentiating them. Swapping over what is needed from your older engine is not going to be too difficult.
For smog purposes you would not be changing the type of engine, just replacing the engine with the same thing.
SC400 1UZ engines are also very, very similar from 1992-1997 and while there are also small changes to the wiring harnesses and some other small components depending on the year you can do the same with them.
For emission purposes I would retain your original engine wiring harness and pay close attention to the intake manifolds and fuel injectors... possibly swapping those from your older engine to be safe. This is due to OBD2 changes (for the ECU) and because 1995 California SC300's (and possibly SC400's) began using heated front O2 sensors and I think different fuel injectors. Again... just swap over your original manifold, etc.
The bones of either 1992-1997 engines are identical for SC300's and nearly/effectively identical for SC400's.
It is 1998 SC300 and SC400 engines that are the most different and which have very significant changes made such that you would want to avoid them.
However I am still wondering why you want to swap your engine with another used one just because it is at 200k miles? If a component or two is failing then I'd just address those specifically. The engines are generally still in great shape even at 200k. It is often some sensors, clogged EGR ports and the ECU's that need attention into higher mileage if they have never been addressed previously.
And always change your oil on time. That's a key to *any* high mileage engine's longevity.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 10-09-16 at 03:38 PM.
10-11-16, 09:11 AM
#5
you should use a 96 or 97 engine if talking about a 2jzge or reuse all you intake stuff with the new motor cause 96-97 is a little different (will bolt up to older ones though), but really 200k is nothing, just change the oil, cap and rotor on the distributor, plugs and wires and she should be good for another 200k. if a 1uz its basically the same.
10-17-16, 12:52 AM
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Yeah my engine is the 2jzge. It seems everyone who's replied have agreed that this engine really only needs is to address the parts that fail and usually the general maintenance stuff. I do have a few maintenance items I do need to address before I even consider buying another motor just to have so I can work on. I was just more curious as to the the differences and I believe you guys have answered that pretty throughly for me. I appreciate it because that definitely helps a lot. Btw I found a great deal on a motor that is going for even cheaper. Some guy is selling his motor that has 124k for only $225. I don't think I can pass that up. He's swapping his for a 1jz so I guess I may get lucky. I most likely will use everyone suggestions and just keep my motor in the car and keep it going, but I will probably pick this second motor and refresh it on the side.
10-17-16, 02:05 AM
#7
Brucelee28, if it is no additional burden on top of your vehicle's maintenance and TLC and you have the storage and work space I think picking up that second 124k 2JZ-GE is a great idea. Just be sure it is from a 1992-1997 SC300.
But for the time being you will be just fine with your car's existing engine with regular maintenance and keeping an eye on the health of a few small components. The 2JZ engine itself, if maintained, will be very healthy into 200k. I bought my car with 189k. The original engine now has 242k six years later. For me, some electronic components needed servicing for my smog test a few months ago but the engine itself is still going strong like the Energizer Bunny.
200k is nothing to worry about with a 2JZ-GE. That second engine can be used as-is in a number of ways later on though. 124k miles is considered extremely healthy and just barely broken in. It's never a bad option to have a spare engine in reserve.
But for the time being you will be just fine with your car's existing engine with regular maintenance and keeping an eye on the health of a few small components. The 2JZ engine itself, if maintained, will be very healthy into 200k. I bought my car with 189k. The original engine now has 242k six years later. For me, some electronic components needed servicing for my smog test a few months ago but the engine itself is still going strong like the Energizer Bunny.
200k is nothing to worry about with a 2JZ-GE. That second engine can be used as-is in a number of ways later on though. 124k miles is considered extremely healthy and just barely broken in. It's never a bad option to have a spare engine in reserve.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 10-17-16 at 02:16 AM.
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10-17-16, 03:01 AM
#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks for giving some real world examples such as your car and the few others that have replied. It has giving me more perspective on how well these motors can last especially in stock form. I look forward to having many more great years with this car and motor. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress. Once again thanks everyone! If I have any more questions that arise I'll reply back in here.
Brucelee28, if it is no additional burden on top of your vehicle's maintenance and TLC and you have the storage and work space I think picking up that second 124k 2JZ-GE is a great idea. Just be sure it is from a 1992-1997 SC300.
But for the time being you will be just fine with your car's existing engine with regular maintenance and keeping an eye on the health of a few small components. The 2JZ engine itself, if maintained, will be very healthy into 200k. I bought my car with 189k. The original engine now has 242k six years later. For me, some electronic components needed servicing for my smog test a few months ago but the engine itself is still going strong like the Energizer Bunny.
200k is nothing to worry about with a 2JZ-GE. That second engine can be used as-is in a number of ways later on though. 124k miles is considered extremely healthy and just barely broken in. It's never a bad option to have a spare engine in reserve.
But for the time being you will be just fine with your car's existing engine with regular maintenance and keeping an eye on the health of a few small components. The 2JZ engine itself, if maintained, will be very healthy into 200k. I bought my car with 189k. The original engine now has 242k six years later. For me, some electronic components needed servicing for my smog test a few months ago but the engine itself is still going strong like the Energizer Bunny.
200k is nothing to worry about with a 2JZ-GE. That second engine can be used as-is in a number of ways later on though. 124k miles is considered extremely healthy and just barely broken in. It's never a bad option to have a spare engine in reserve.
10-31-16, 12:31 AM
#10
^^ Yep. Maintenance is key. NA longevity goes WELL beyond 200k with good stewardship. There was recently an article detailing a 520k mile Supra MKIV NA with its original engine. Boosting past 230k or so, as was explained to me, should involve a compression and/or leakdown test first to ensure health of the original piston rings since boost is more stressful to the engine than natural aspiration. Still... the engines are overbuilt for boost and for an NA-T setup the NA head gasket needs to be changed out for a thicker GTE gasket anyway.
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