3rz JDM replacement engine

[Mr. T]

Hoping someone has experience with a JDM replacement engine for their 2 coil 3rz... I recently picked up a 97 3rz 4runner that needs either a head rebuild or an engine replacement. With 268k miles I'm leaning towards replacing the entire engine.

Here is my question: After looking into JDM engine options - it appears there are two types available. An early style with a distributor (8 port) and a later style with coil on plug (4 port).

My engine is a 2 coil with plug wires and it is an 8 port. It appears this option doesn't exist for JDM (or no one seems to import it).

Can I replace my engine with the JDM coil on plug version and put my original valve cover on it to keep my 2 coil setup with my wiring and ECU? I would also need to run the JDM 4 port intake because my intake would not match. Hoping someone has experience with a JDM replacement for their 2 coil 3rz and can weigh in?

 

[T4topher]

Hoping someone has experience with a JDM replacement engine for their 2 coil 3rz... I recently picked up a 97 3rz 4runner that needs either a head rebuild or an engine replacement. With 268k miles I'm leaning towards replacing the entire engine.

Here is my question: After looking into JDM engine options - it appears there are two types available. An early style with a distributor (8 port) and a later style with coil on plug (4 port).

My engine is a 2 coil with plug wires and it is an 8 port. It appears this option doesn't exist for JDM (or no one seems to import it).

Can I replace my engine with the JDM coil on plug version and put my original valve cover on it to keep my 2 coil setup with my wiring and ECU? I would also need to run the JDM 4 port intake because my intake would not match. Hoping someone has experience with a JDM replacement for their 2 coil 3rz and can weigh in?

Hmm well does it have to be ‘jdm’? Because just did a quick search online and they sell 8port 3rz’s..

2RZ 3RZ Toyota Brand New Engine Tacoma 4Runner T100 2.7 2.4

 

[Red October]

One thing to be sure of before going with a JDM is that it has all of the correct sensors. My 2 Coil 3RZ has a Cam position sensor, and I'm not sure if the dizzy style head supports the cam sensor or not. Also, LCEngineering sells a distributor hole plug if the cam sensor turns out to not be a problem.

 

[Red October]

Hmm well does it have to be ‘jdm’? Because just did a quick search online and they sell 8port 3rz’s..

2RZ 3RZ Toyota Brand New Engine Tacoma 4Runner T100 2.7 2.4

Also, just my 2 cents here but my experience with APR auto was a bad one. They told me that new engine was all Japanese, its not. It is manufactured in China by a company called XG engine, you can look in my build thread for the dirty details. That being said it did run, but developed major leaks after not many miles. I was not impressed.

 

[T4R2014]

Also, just my 2 cents here but my experience with APR auto was a bad one. They told me that new engine was all Japanese, its not. It is manufactured in China by a company called XG engine, you can look in my build thread for the dirty details. That being said it did run, but developed major leaks after not many miles. I was not impressed.

Just by looking at those prices, I would expect nothing less than Chinese parts. Profits margins would be very slim using the good stuff. Matter of fact, I don't think there would even be profit margins.

 

[Red October]

Just by looking at those prices, I would expect nothing less than Chinese parts. Profits margins would be very slim using the good stuff. Matter of fact, I don't think there would even be profit margins.

...Buy once, cry once... A lesson lost on me when I made that expensive mistake. :wacko:

 

[Mr. T]

Hmm well does it have to be ‘jdm’? Because just did a quick search online and they sell 8port 3rz’s..



2RZ 3RZ Toyota Brand New Engine Tacoma 4Runner T100 2.7 2.4

I’m looking at JDM because I want an OEM Toyota engine with low miles.

 

[Mr. T]

One thing to be sure of before going with a JDM is that it has all of the correct sensors. My 2 Coil 3RZ has a Cam position sensor, and I'm not sure if the dizzy style head supports the cam sensor or not. Also, LCEngineering sells a distributor hole plug if the cam sensor turns out to not be a problem.

That is interesting on LCE selling a distributor hole plug. Might be worth a call to them to see if they know on the cam sensor.

 

[Mr. T]

That is interesting on LCE selling a distributor hole plug. Might be worth a call to them to see if they know on the cam sensor.

I did some surfing on the cam sensor and it appears that a 3rz distributor head doesn't have the provisions for the cam sensor. A good thread with some pics.
www.tacomaworld.com/threads/missing-camshaft-position-sensor.190897/

That leaves the question of whether a coil on plug can be run as a dual coil by just swapping the valve cover over? And in this case is it ok to go from an 8 port intake to a 4 port intake (because all the coil on plug engines I've seen are 4 port).