1JZ Owners.... Reliabilty
05-25-06, 03:50 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1JZ Owners.... Reliabilty
So before I get deep into the 1JZ world. Anyone drive their 1JZ SC's daily? I have been planning on buying a DD before doign the 1J swap, but with the cash saved for a DD, im thinking of just saying screw it and dropping the 1J in.
Now after 2 years of everything being almost perfect in the 2JZGE, my car has been back and forth the shop alot (5 times in 2 months). Anyone constantly fixing stuff in the 1J? Not mods, or problems because of mods, but just regular problems? I do understand the motors are kind of old.
If anyone has had a very shop prone 1J, please fill me in, I cant drop 5K into a motor swap that will be leaving me regretting things.
Now after 2 years of everything being almost perfect in the 2JZGE, my car has been back and forth the shop alot (5 times in 2 months). Anyone constantly fixing stuff in the 1J? Not mods, or problems because of mods, but just regular problems? I do understand the motors are kind of old.
If anyone has had a very shop prone 1J, please fill me in, I cant drop 5K into a motor swap that will be leaving me regretting things.
05-25-06, 03:56 PM
#2
Lead Lap
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drive mine almost everyday. Just take measures to try and prevent any problems, replace belts, valve cover gaskets, front/rear main seal, etc. Not saying you won't have any at all, this just helps. Try and make sure you have everything, so you won't have any long downtimes. I tried but still ran into some things.
I did have a problem with water (from car wash)getting into my spark plug valley, causing it to run bad. Turned out water was leaking under the hood seal and dripping down in there.
I did have a problem with water (from car wash)getting into my spark plug valley, causing it to run bad. Turned out water was leaking under the hood seal and dripping down in there.
Last edited by SoarerJzz3; 05-25-06 at 04:05 PM.
05-25-06, 04:31 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
I drove mine everyday until feb. Gas prices. It was very reliable. If you are getting the 1J swap for the power, i suggest building the stock 2j. It's good if not better and cheaper.
edit: my gas mileage was a lot better on the 2j
edit: my gas mileage was a lot better on the 2j
Last edited by kaotiq; 05-25-06 at 04:35 PM.
05-25-06, 05:02 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by kaotiq
I drove mine everyday until feb. Gas prices. It was very reliable. If you are getting the 1J swap for the power, i suggest building the stock 2j. It's good if not better and cheaper.
edit: my gas mileage was a lot better on the 2j
edit: my gas mileage was a lot better on the 2j
05-25-06, 09:20 PM
#7
Driver
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm a consultant and average between 300 and 500 miles a week for work. I live in the Palm Springs area, where lately the temps have been above 100 degrees and I'm always running the A/C on full blast. I also make bi-monthly trips to the Ventura County area to help my buddy out at his shop. Since I've done the 1JZ swap, I've put almost 7K on the swap and it has performed flawlessly. I would drive this car across country if the need arose and not be worried if I forgot my toolbox.
Trending Topics
05-25-06, 09:53 PM
#8
Mortgage Slave
Originally Posted by VinnyQH
i'm about to swap over to a 1j too. I believe it HAS to be reliable, it was FACTORY in the soarer.
They're reliable as long as you maintain them, just like any other motor and I haven't heard too many stories of these motors throwing bearings etc etc like some other motors do. Small things DO break such as the coil pack connectors (the small plastic bits between the rocker covers) and the rocker gaskets need replacing when they age, but just as long as you keep it regularly maintained you won't have a problem. I'd change the water pump while the motor is out though, it'll save you hassles if it does screw up (ie. removing timing belt etc. to get to it).
05-25-06, 10:14 PM
#9
Originally Posted by Soarer_25GTT
I love my factory 1JZ
They're reliable as long as you maintain them, just like any other motor and I haven't heard too many stories of these motors throwing bearings etc etc like some other motors do. Small things DO break such as the coil pack connectors (the small plastic bits between the rocker covers) and the rocker gaskets need replacing when they age, but just as long as you keep it regularly maintained you won't have a problem. I'd change the water pump while the motor is out though, it'll save you hassles if it does screw up (ie. removing timing belt etc. to get to it).
They're reliable as long as you maintain them, just like any other motor and I haven't heard too many stories of these motors throwing bearings etc etc like some other motors do. Small things DO break such as the coil pack connectors (the small plastic bits between the rocker covers) and the rocker gaskets need replacing when they age, but just as long as you keep it regularly maintained you won't have a problem. I'd change the water pump while the motor is out though, it'll save you hassles if it does screw up (ie. removing timing belt etc. to get to it).
05-26-06, 08:22 AM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys who are driving it daily, what mods do you have? Im trying to decide on what to get before dropping the motor in. The only thing for sure i'd probably get is Exhuast/Intake. But the idea of cams keeps poppin in my head..
Im not really looking for crazy power yet, just enough power to keep it reliable, but fun.
Im not really looking for crazy power yet, just enough power to keep it reliable, but fun.
05-26-06, 09:25 AM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by kaosman
No mufflers, no cat, AVC-R boost controller set at 12 psi. Everything else stock.
05-26-06, 10:10 AM
#15
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Torrance, California
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How are you guys dealing with replacement parts? One of the reasons i'm sticking with going 2JZ-GE+T is for the avaiability of replacement parts should anything happen.
I can imagine parts like coil packs, ignitors, or other subsystems going bad on those engines to be a liability, since the only replacements afaik are used, and have a bit of a wait time associated with getting/sourcing them.
I can imagine parts like coil packs, ignitors, or other subsystems going bad on those engines to be a liability, since the only replacements afaik are used, and have a bit of a wait time associated with getting/sourcing them.