Will 04 Taco 3RZ work in 98?
- Thread starter Soupdaddy
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Mc1337sauce
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I know at least one difference is the ignition system; the 98-00 uses coil packs with wires, while the 01-04 uses a coil on plug design. Not sure if the new style will plug into your harness without issue. You might be able to swap over the old coil packs and wires to the new engine, but you would also need to move over your old valve cover. The intake manifold design also changed where it bolts to the head, from 8-port to 4-port (most used engines come with intake manifolds, so this is likely not an issue). Also, the new engine may have the 315cc pink top fuel injectors, which are more desirable than the 300cc brown top ones, especially if you are considering forced induction in the future.
If the new engine comes with its exhaust manifold, it will likely be the updated mini-header; even if it doesn't, I recommend the upgrade to avoid the cracking exhaust manifold issue that plagues so many people (unless you plan on turbocharging in the future). You also get a bit of a power increase, from what I've heard.
If the new engine comes with its exhaust manifold, it will likely be the updated mini-header; even if it doesn't, I recommend the upgrade to avoid the cracking exhaust manifold issue that plagues so many people (unless you plan on turbocharging in the future). You also get a bit of a power increase, from what I've heard.
Soupdaddy
New member
Mc1337sauce Thanks for the very well written response. The engine I was considering was purchased before I made up my mind. However, I have found a very similar motor. This one has coils on the plug, pink injectors and a 4-port intake manifold.
The engine does come with an exhaust manifold. My question is how to tell if it is the exhaust mini-header you mentioned?
The wrecking yard selling the motor doesn’t know or won’t give me the year the engine is made. Is there a way to determine other than the characteristics you mention above?
The engine does come with an exhaust manifold. My question is how to tell if it is the exhaust mini-header you mentioned?
The wrecking yard selling the motor doesn’t know or won’t give me the year the engine is made. Is there a way to determine other than the characteristics you mention above?
nor_cal51501
New member
A local Sacramento person!! What yard are you looking at getting the motor from? I know a few yard also that might have the motor your looking for.
Mc1337sauce
New member
The Tacoma mini-header looks like this:
As you can see, entirely different from the cast iron exhaust manifold. Generally, if the engine has the coil-on-plug design, it will likely have the mini-header, but not always.
Because the engine you are looking at has the coil on plug design, I'm not sure if it will plug straight into your ECU; of course, if you get the ECU that originally came in the vehicle with that engine (assuming it had the same transmission as you, as well), I don't see any reason why, if you swapped ECUs (and wiring if necessary), it wouldn't work. I think you could also swap over the ignition system and valve cover from your old engine (as I said before), but I'm not 100% sure that would work. Your best bet would be to contact a company like LC Engineering that specializes in these engines and see what your options are.
KidVermicious
New member
Not that I've found. I've called a couple different dealerships looking for somebody who can run the serial number on the block of my 3RZ, and none of them know how.
Soupdaddy
New member
Is it just me or does everyone else not see the picture of the mini header? I see some peoples pictures on the forum, but quite often not others.
The coil pack vs. coil on plug connectors are definitely different. The wiring harness will come with the engine, so I just need to figure out it the ECU is indeed different. It probably is, unfortunately the 1998 FSM I'm using doesn't cover the later model. I will talk to the yard today to see if they have the ECU.
Then engine I'm looking at is at a Toyota salvage yard in Rancho Cordova.
The coil pack vs. coil on plug connectors are definitely different. The wiring harness will come with the engine, so I just need to figure out it the ECU is indeed different. It probably is, unfortunately the 1998 FSM I'm using doesn't cover the later model. I will talk to the yard today to see if they have the ECU.
Then engine I'm looking at is at a Toyota salvage yard in Rancho Cordova.
Mc1337sauce
New member
I'm fairly certain that the 2RZ ECU is not compatible with the 3RZ engine at all. If you want an ECU that will definitely work with that engine, you will need to find one from a truck with the coil on plug system (01-04 I believe), and then you will need to narrow that down by your truck's drivetrain (2WD vs 4WD) and your transmission (M/T vs ECT (automatic)). Here is an example of two ECUs - one is for a 2WD automatic 3RZ, and the other is for a 4x4 manual one:
I'm not sure if your current ECU will work with the new engine, and I'm not entirely sure who you could ask to find out. Hopefully someone who has experience with swapping these engines may chime in. You might also want to check out CustomTacos to see if you can find any further info; there is a LOT more info about the 4 cylinder Toyota trucks over there.
