1UZ-vvti swap

[vegask]

I have the day off and I have not posted on here in a year. Just wanted to share.

About a year ago I completed my 1UZ-vvti swap. Lots of up and downs in the process but I am happy to report the swap was approved by my DMV and I am smog legal. I have also put around 2,000 miles on it and took it through Fordyce this summer as part of Sierra Trek.

Motor and transmission was out of a 1998 LS400 so it came with the dreaded A650 transmission. This is why you should always triple check your research before impulse buying a full motor take out on ebay. Dealing with the transmission was one of the biggest hurdles but I was able to fabricate an adapter and makeshift coupler to make it work. My home made adapter does leak a bit but it works. I am awaiting a fully built aluminum adapter that I put a deposit on last year to replace it. But for now now it works.



Wiring was not bad but also not fun, wiring the auto shifter took more time than I care to admit.

Getting it running on a stand.

First real start

Looks like this site will not let me upload any pics unless I resize/shrink them all. So for now here is a link to the build.

https://irate4x4.com/threads/1uz-vvti-swap-into-a-sas-3rd-gen-4runner.411062/

Anyways, to answer the basics.

1. Even thought I got the motor/trans/ecm/wiring cheap, this was not a cheap swap.
2. There is not a ton of room in front of the motor so cooling/fans/radiator hoses are hell.
3. I built my own oil pan and I am SAS and it was tight, putting this in a stock 4runner would be a challenge
4. Years ago I had the 5vzfe super charger, this is way better.
5. It drives and shifts like a 90s luxury car.

I am happy to answer any questions or help anyone with a similar swap.

 

[phattyduck]

Years ago I had the 5vzfe super charger, this is way better.

I was really close to starting a 2UZ swap until Magnuson released the updated TVS1320-based supercharger. I'd probably be happier with a UZ motor (or JZ, but...) but the supercharger gets close in terms of HP and took a lot less time (and is easy to get through smog checks).

Great project.

-Charlie

 

[fourwd1]

Engine swaps can be challenging for sure. Years ago I swapped a Buick 3.8 V6 and a TH-350 auto trans into my 1983 Toy 4WD p/u in place of the 4 cyl 22R and 5 spd manual.

It was mildly built, and carbed so no tons of ECMs and wiring to deal with. Yours had to be a nightmare !

 

[vegask]

I was really close to starting a 2UZ swap until Magnuson released the updated TVS1320-based supercharger. I'd probably be happier with a UZ motor (or JZ, but...) but the supercharger gets close in terms of HP and took a lot less time (and is easy to get through smog checks).

Great project.

-Charlie

I had a gen1 TRD super charger, I would bet the Magnuson is a lot better than what I had.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I found the path of leaast resistance was to run the stock trans and an aftermarket TCU (Suprastick) that way everything bolts right on (after a belhousing and input shaft swap)

That said I'm planning a 6 speed auto swap now as I wanted more gears


Where are you getting the tail section to transfer box adaptor from?

 

[vegask]

I found the path of leaast resistance was to run the stock trans and an aftermarket TCU (Suprastick) that way everything bolts right on (after a belhousing and input shaft swap)

That said I'm planning a 6 speed auto swap now as I wanted more gears


Where are you getting the tail section to transfer box adaptor from?

A shop called Rallyekraft (find them on instagram) is making me a a650 to VF4 (FJC case) transfercase. There is a video on cartunenz where he shows one of the early versions of their case. The adapter I built is setup for the stock j-shift case. I really wanted to find a stand alone TCU for the a750 cause that would have made everything really really easy. But nobody had one that would work with the factory 1uz-vvti ecm. Being smog legal is a PITA.

But the a650 is a fun transmission, even with 4.88s and 37s. Shifts like a dream compared to the a340.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

A shop called Rallyekraft (find them on instagram) is making me a a650 to VF4 (FJC case) transfercase. There is a video on cartunenz where he shows one of the early versions of their case. The adapter I built is setup for the stock j-shift case. I really wanted to find a stand alone TCU for the a750 cause that would have made everything really really easy. But nobody had one that would work with the factory 1uz-vvti ecm. Being smog legal is a PITA.

But the a650 is a fun transmission, even with 4.88s and 37s. Shifts like a dream compared to the a340.

Compushift do a stand alone TCU for the A750. and that will bolt directly to the A750F. (Might need to check support for the 1UZ VVTi ECM, but it will work with the 3UZ for sure)

I'm swapping to an A761e, with A750F output shaft, I spoke to them and they said they can control the A761e, as long as I retain the factory shifter (which I won't but I'll emulate the wiring and connectors)

I'm still undecided if I should stick with my VF3AM (adapting the A340F adaptor) or stick with the A750F tail section and bolt a VF4M to it, keeping RWD, AWD but gaining a bit of strength and the torsen LSD with 60/40 drive split. The stories of motor failure scare me, I asked on the 4th gen forum but no one responded...

 

[phattyduck]

I'm still undecided if I should stick with my VF3AM (adapting the A340F adaptor) or stick with the A750F tail section and bolt a VF4M to it, keeping RWD, AWD but gaining a bit of strength and the torsen LSD with 60/40 drive split. The stories of motor failure scare me, I asked on the 4th gen forum but no one responded...

If you can get the FJ MT transfer case, it is full time AWD with mechanical (shift lever!) center lock and low range...

-Charlie

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

If you can get the FJ MT transfer case, it is full time AWD with mechanical (shift lever!) center lock and low range...

-Charlie

Yup, but I really like mainly living in 2WD for fuel economy, and hooliganism.

 

[vegask]

Yup, but I really like mainly living in 2WD for fuel economy, and hooliganism.

The FJC case (at lteast the one I had) is not AWD. its just 2wd/4wd. Full manual control, no motors or sensors needed.

I actually talked to a guy at compushift about 2 years ago about the A750. His confidence for it running off of tapped signals from the factory 1uz ecm was very low. If I was running a link it would have been a different story. They also did not have a ton of expierence with the a750 when I talked to them. Maybe things have changed.

The LS430(3UZ) also had canbus where the LS400(1UZ) did not, they may have also been a factor.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

The FJC case (at lteast the one I had) is not AWD. its just 2wd/4wd. Full manual control, no motors or sensors needed.

I actually talked to a guy at compushift about 2 years ago about the A750. His confidence for it running off of tapped signals from the factory 1uz ecm was very low. If I was running a link it would have been a different story. They also did not have a ton of expierence with the a750 when I talked to them. Maybe things have changed.

The LS430(3UZ) also had canbus where the LS400(1UZ) did not, they may have also been a factor.

Yeah I want AWD too for the winter snow / ice. I started with multi mode, so don't want to downgrade. The motors and sensor don't really bother me as such, For me its easier to wire it in them fab up shifter relocation brakets... It's more the horror stories of them failing.

I thought the lack of CANbus wouldn't help, but they do list it on their site. I'm pretty sure Spitronics will cover the A750 without the need for CANbus too.

Or run the 1UZ on 3UZ management....