Engine Interchangability
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CA
Engine Interchangability
Hello! I am new to this forum and would really appreciate the input of more knowledgable SC owners. I am in need of a replacement engine and am considering a JDM engine. I realized many of the components may not be interchangeable (intake, wiring, etc), which is fine. My questions surrounds the topic of are all 3UZ-FE motors interchangeable? I've been told the engine itself is the same and that the HP differences are born in the computer and software of the car. My car is a 2008 and I'm being offered an engine from a 2003. Will this work?
Thank you in advance for being patient of my nativity.
Rick
Thank you in advance for being patient of my nativity.
Rick
Last edited by 10sbums; Apr 7, 2021 at 03:49 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 4,291
From: Alberta
The only people that know are the engineers. Even engine blocks with the same part numbers can have undocumented revisions which may or may not trip you up. Someone might tell you, hey I installed X year into my Y year car it it all worked, which is great you found a specific example that applies to you. But unless you find that info, best thing to do is buy as close to the same engine/year as possible.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 355
From: CA
Hello! I am new to this forum and would really appreciate the input of more knowledgable SC owners. I am in need of a replacement engine and am considering a JDM engine. I realized many of the components may not be interchangeable (intake, wiring, etc), which is fine. My questions surrounds the topic of are all 3UZ-FE motors interchangeable? I've been told the engine itself is the same and that the HP differences are born in the computer and software of the car. My car is a 2008 and I'm being offered an engine from a 2003. Will this work?
Thank you in advance for being patient of my nativity.
Rick
Thank you in advance for being patient of my nativity.
Rick
Paul
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CA
Thank you, Paul.
Yes, I am aware of the transmission differences and thank goodness my trans is healthy. I've understood these motors are quite strong and can last into the mid-200k range without much issues. Unfortunately, I got the car knowing it needs an engine and went into it thinking a 3UZ can easily be come by. The draw to the JDM engine is the reported less than 60k miles, the compression and leak down test that come with them. That all said, all the online resources I've read indicates the mechanical parts of the engine are identical, but I was hoping to confirm. Unfortunately, there seems to be a plethroa of earlier model year engines and a scarcity of later model year ones.
Yes, I am aware of the transmission differences and thank goodness my trans is healthy. I've understood these motors are quite strong and can last into the mid-200k range without much issues. Unfortunately, I got the car knowing it needs an engine and went into it thinking a 3UZ can easily be come by. The draw to the JDM engine is the reported less than 60k miles, the compression and leak down test that come with them. That all said, all the online resources I've read indicates the mechanical parts of the engine are identical, but I was hoping to confirm. Unfortunately, there seems to be a plethroa of earlier model year engines and a scarcity of later model year ones.
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Cowboy48
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