2zzge engine swap

jeremynandrew · 05-23-2007, 09:39 AM

Hi, I just got an 86 mr2 and now that I have learned how to handle an MR car( so different from FF!) I want some more power. I have never worked on cars, but my friend who is fresh out tech school and has swapped on nissans before but never a toyota offered to assist me. With both our experience(my friends) and my wiilingness to learn should we attempt a 2zzge swap, or find someone more experienced to do it for me? I live in Austin, TX if someone wants to refer a mechanic that could help out if that would be needed. Thank you very much for yalls time.

mr220v · 05-23-2007, 01:43 PM

One of these has been done. Blown59 did this last year with good results. 165whp, or something like that on stock electronics.

This is a pretty advanced swap. Your friend's wiring experience might help, but if all he's ever done is sr20det swaps, a 2zzge swap to a mk1 will end up far more difficult. The 2zz swap is much more than just switching a few wires around or changing out a body harness

You won't find too many mechanics willing or able to take this type of project on. Most likely, you and your friend will be on you own.

Your friend better be very knowledgeable and dedicated. Otherwise, I wouldn't try this out.

jeremynandrew · 05-23-2007, 06:10 PM

that is what I thought..., would a 4agze swap be easier? And my friend does have extensive sr20det and RB series swaps, and from what I read a 4agze swap is a lot more bolt on so could his experience help with a more mechanical job like the sr20 swap as that is bolt work too from what I heard?

mr220v · 05-24-2007, 12:30 PM

The gze is not a totally direct swap into an 86 like it is for 87+, but all that would mean is that you have to cut a different entrance hole for the engine wiring harness in the firewall and relocate the ecu to the center of the trunk rather than the far passenger side. You'd also need to get the gze body harness to make it easier.

The 4agze and the 4age 20v are both pretty easy swaps. A good bit easier than a 2zzge, and much easier than a 3sgte.

jeremynandrew · 05-24-2007, 08:27 PM

Thank you so much for the info mr220v! I have a question regarding engine performance and tuning, I am looking to have a finished engine product that is producing approx~250-300whp, so would i be better off twin charging the 4agze with a turbo kit and light performance tuning, or would i get better performance and a more natural feeling power curve from doing serious NA performance tuning on the 4age 20v? Thank you for helping me imagine and plan to build my "perfect casual racing" vehicle

mr220v · 05-24-2007, 09:26 PM

The only remotely cost effective way to make that power with any 1.6 or 1.8L motor is with forced induction. 250whp sounds like a formual atlantic 4age. I don't think even those make those numbers.

I'd shoot for 200whp. 4agte's do that pretty routinely. It would be a project you could more easily handle.

jeremynandrew · 05-24-2007, 09:50 PM

Thanks for the advice mr220v you have been a great source of info. If my friend and I have problems with the engine swap project I will look to your endless well of mr2 knowledge

mad props for your help and politeness

05-23-2007, 09:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
jeremynandrew Some Skills Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 57 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	2zzge engine swap Hi, I just got an 86 mr2 and now that I have learned how to handle an MR car( so different from FF!) I want some more power. I have never worked on cars, but my friend who is fresh out tech school and has swapped on nissans before but never a toyota offered to assist me. With both our experience(my friends) and my wiilingness to learn should we attempt a 2zzge swap, or find someone more experienced to do it for me? I live in Austin, TX if someone wants to refer a mechanic that could help out if that would be needed. Thank you very much for yalls time.

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05-23-2007, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	One of these has been done. Blown59 did this last year with good results. 165whp, or something like that on stock electronics. This is a pretty advanced swap. Your friend's wiring experience might help, but if all he's ever done is sr20det swaps, a 2zzge swap to a mk1 will end up far more difficult. The 2zz swap is much more than just switching a few wires around or changing out a body harness You won't find too many mechanics willing or able to take this type of project on. Most likely, you and your friend will be on you own. Your friend better be very knowledgeable and dedicated. Otherwise, I wouldn't try this out.

05-23-2007, 06:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
jeremynandrew Some Skills Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 57 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	that is what I thought..., would a 4agze swap be easier? And my friend does have extensive sr20det and RB series swaps, and from what I read a 4agze swap is a lot more bolt on so could his experience help with a more mechanical job like the sr20 swap as that is bolt work too from what I heard?

05-24-2007, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	The gze is not a totally direct swap into an 86 like it is for 87+, but all that would mean is that you have to cut a different entrance hole for the engine wiring harness in the firewall and relocate the ecu to the center of the trunk rather than the far passenger side. You'd also need to get the gze body harness to make it easier. The 4agze and the 4age 20v are both pretty easy swaps. A good bit easier than a 2zzge, and much easier than a 3sgte.

05-24-2007, 08:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
jeremynandrew Some Skills Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 57 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Thank you so much for the info mr220v! I have a question regarding engine performance and tuning, I am looking to have a finished engine product that is producing approx~250-300whp, so would i be better off twin charging the 4agze with a turbo kit and light performance tuning, or would i get better performance and a more natural feeling power curve from doing serious NA performance tuning on the 4age 20v? Thank you for helping me imagine and plan to build my "perfect casual racing" vehicle

05-24-2007, 09:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
mr220v Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,529 Thanks: 13 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	The only remotely cost effective way to make that power with any 1.6 or 1.8L motor is with forced induction. 250whp sounds like a formual atlantic 4age. I don't think even those make those numbers. I'd shoot for 200whp. 4agte's do that pretty routinely. It would be a project you could more easily handle.

05-24-2007, 09:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
jeremynandrew Some Skills Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 57 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Thanks for the advice mr220v you have been a great source of info. If my friend and I have problems with the engine swap project I will look to your endless well of mr2 knowledge mad props for your help and politeness