Hello guys I bought a RX300 off my cousin which I was told was a FWD so I figure I would buy a cheap fwd engine and call it a day. Well it is not FWD it is AWD. So guys what is the difference between the two besides the tranny. So can I buy a FWD engine and and swap a few parts and still be awd or do I have too buy a engine out of a AWD. The price diffences between the two can go into the thousands even on EBAy.

 

Same V6 1MZ motor.
Should be a straight swap.

 

There are differences and I can guarantee you that's a reason you see a price difference for instance here,

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

I know offhand a few differences:

-coolant valves in different locations
-differences in the rear engine mounting bracket
-drive shaft differences (the one that goes across the vehicle)

I believe also there is a difference in the front stabilizer on the AWD. Somehow I don't remember seeing it for the FWD (someone correct me on this who has one).

 

Would a 2001- 2003 Toyota Highlander engine work for this?

 

Of couse that will be different.
To my understanding, the OP is just buying a used engine and just swap things over as necessary.
Engine to engine is the same.
Same block, same heads.

Yes.

 

True, I just wonder what he's swapping in and out.

 

I am casting a doubt here ... please dig and I think some one ran into a difficulty when they tried to install a AWD engine in a FWD vehicle. It was about engine mount .. a subtle difference. Does that jog your memory Lexmex or am I mistaken?


Salim

 

Yeah I have the AWD version I am finding the fwd as low as 900 the cheapest awd so far is 2000. I read somewhere that someone tried the Highlander version and the engine mounts were in different location and had to return the engine. So Im not too sure on those I will look it up some today.

 

My other question is how hard would it be to change this vechicle back to fwd. I am giving it to a relative so I am trying to do this as cheap as possible. Lol

 

The mount also rings a bell, but it's tough to see in the diagrams they show in the manual. I had have to see an FWD up close against my AWD to see the differences there.

 

Somebody wanted to do this many years ago, wwest???

Last time I checked he's over on LOC.

I think from the discussions we had, it would be kind of a pain, primarily with the rear differential and getting the axle there. There'd also be a difference up front with the transfer case having to go, too. I can't forget the numerical number we talked about there, but I can see this in my mind and having looked at the service manual the other day in regard to this, it's kind of a pain.

 

Some of the engines are drilled differently on the block for the motor mounts, that is what my neighbor ran into...he ended up returning the engine...

 

Thomas- I don't blame your neighbor for sending it back. I think he probably ended up better off. Having said that, especially under the circumstances with the OP, "where there's a will, there's a way". I don't consider it a problem, simply a challenge, and I love challenges!

 

The engine mounts are different from a Highlander to an RX. But it's the same 1MZ motor.
You have to swap your AWD engine mounts to your newly used engine for it to work.

FWIW...only the rear bracket and engine mount is different.
The front mount and bracket are the same.

What engine was he trying to swap?
Toyota engines have pre-tapped threads in the engine block for either V6 or 4cyl. applications. They even have block off plates for coolant passages if needed or not.


Excellent price.!
Hope you pull a valve cover to see if it's sludged up.

 

The casting was there on the block, but was not tapped for the engine mount screws, he decided if he messed up drilling than his warranty would be gone. So the engine went back, and we ended up rebuilding his existing engine.