Thanks to silversprint, Codename Bil Doe, mrhiguy, etc. for a wealth of information that i'm compiling here.
California BAR 2zz swap guidelines In general:
USA market ECU and engine from same model year or newer donor (vs your mk3) and in the below certification combinations:
California Certified OEM ECU and Engine (engine and ECU from car originally sold in California) can be swapped into any mk3.
Non-California Certified OEM ECU and Engine can only be swapped into a non-California mk3. (mk3 originally sold outside of California)
no aftermarket EMS permitted
03+ 2zz's have electronic throttle control
Engine position is not regulated. You cannot mix and match manifolds and engines to get the exhaust manifold to clear the subframe. You potentially can adjust the engine mounting positioning vertically/angle to lessen the amount that is required to be cut from the OEM subframe, but likely not by a lot.
No modification is allowed for the engine.
as a side note though, even though the BAR is more thorough than a star station, they won't be opening up the head of the engine or dismantling the whole thing, so mild things that don't throw codes nor have telltale traits (like lopey idle) on the stock 2zz ecu like upgraded valvesprings, upgraded oil pump, ported heads, mild cams (only profile changes are on the Lift lobe), forged rods and pistons, crank scrapers, and (possibly) 1.93L stroker cranks may still go right on through.
Un-modified OEM 2zz exhaust manifold required:
Subframe notch required. for safety reasons, it's recommended to reinforce by welding steel plates to the subframe when taking car to BAR.
Custom Midpipe Required. Will require measurements from a donor vehicle's cat pipe. (cat pipes from Vibe/Matrix/Corolla and celica presumably have slightly different linear lengths. see midpipe reference section below)
downstream length of the 2zz oem cat from the header flange can be changed within +/- 12 inches.
length from cat to the two O2 sensors can be changed within +/- 1 inches.
MUST use OEM 2zz cat
Inner diameter of midpipe must be OEM diameter (2.25").
no emissions requirements after last O2 sensor after cat.
2004+ model year cars require Air Injection. (avoid 04+ cars if you want a 2zz)
1zz exhaust manifold and cat pipe not accepted
*Above two pictures are of CodenameBillDoe's exhaust which is a BAR legal k20 swap and not 2zz. Gives an example of the kind of work expected. Below is stock 2zz header on a 2zz.
Unmodified OEM intake manifold and throttle body required and as for intake pipes:
only CARB-EO aftermarket intake pipes matching model and year with the engine will be accepted.
No modification is permitted to any intake pipe (must be used as-found out of the box).
1zz intake pipe not accepted
EVAP, PCV, IAC, etc. have generally been less onerous to pass. Be sure to hook these up to function as OEM. Not sure if BAR will disassemble interior to check evap box. Celica gts evap canister is different from the spyder, so keep in mind.
Transmission:
must be Manual if donor ECU is from a manual transmission car, must be automatic if donor ecu is from an automatic transmission car
brand of transmission is not usually inspected, neither is number of gears, nor origin of transmission.
CARB EO Aftermarket intakes from these are easier to fit than the common "U" shaped aftermarket intakes for Celica 2zz.
Celica GTS 2zz:
Aftermarket Intake option (instead of oem intake) that may be able to avoid firewall cutting.
Weapon R Dragon aluminum polished short ram intake.
P/N 805-121-101
CARB Executive Order: D-489-1
Midpipe reference:
"Here are the measurements you want to follow.
1. Flange to first o2 sensor ~13 Inches
2. Flange to the Front of the catalyst ~17 Inches
3. Flange to the second o2 sensor ~30.5 inches " - mrhiguy, 2019
Please note: currently not verified if this is from a Celica or from a Vibe/Matrix/Corolla
Hi All, I live in the Republik of California where the bar is like a wall and on the other side of the wall is this plethora of fun cars to build and drive. Been doing some research regarding 2zz and k20 swaps. I recently spoke with a ref and apparently back in April 2019 there was a big...
I've had the Spyder for about 13 years and can't let it go. About a year ago the 1zz finally died and I finally went for the dream and had a 2zz installed. The shop I had it installed at made the custom exhaust header (1zz/2zz hybrid) with the precats, everything looks normal unless you know...
Hi guys i use to have a 2zz spyder here now im back. I sold mine to a member here but now my son bought one and he is having a hard time to legalized the engine swap. Stupid california wants us to install the oem header and down pipe all the way to the last sensor. We cannot modify it in any...
Could someone please post a pic of a stock 2zz exhaust manifold bolted on to your 2zz swap? I'm looking for some angles to see where the cross member ("rear" member) needs to be notched for clearance. This is for a CARB compliant 2zz swap. Thabks
www.spyderchat.com
Appendix E: Engine change guidelines published by BAR.
I was just speaking to a friend. He knows a bunch of people with crazy engine swaps that register their cars in humboldt county/ bodega bay area because apparently those places dont require smog. Registering a 2zz/kswap spyder to a humboldt/bodega bay PO box or address can be an option 🤔
I was just speaking to a friend. He knows a bunch of people with crazy engine swaps that register their cars in humboldt county/ bodega bay area because apparently those places dont require smog. Registering a 2zz/kswap spyder to a humboldt/bodega bay PO box or address can be an option 🤔
You can do that but. You cant use a PO Box for DMV. You need a physical address. Also you still need smog when you buy or sell the car. Other issue is if you get pulled over and sent to BAR by the cops. I know 3 spyders with fix tickets that have had to go back to 1zz or just non OP the car.
What happens now if you smog a 2zz car? I’ve had the 2zz for years and made it to look smog legal to pass visual. I was up for smog in April during the shelter at home and have been putting off going. What should I expect?
id say expect to be flagged and sent to BAR. headers don't match, vacuum lines don't match, valve cover shape doesn't match very obviously around the coil packs
id say expect to be flagged and sent to BAR. headers don't match, vacuum lines don't match, valve cover shape doesn't match very obviously around the coil packs
That's because you know what a 2zz and 1zz look like.
If you put matrix plastic cover on the 2zz, use stock 1zz intake, heatshield on the header its very hard to tell for someone that does not see spyders regularly that its not a stock engine.
The Facebook MR2 Spyder group has an ongoing thread on this topic and there is a claim that the computers used for smog are more intelligent starting 2019 and can actually detect a 2ZZ ECU? Is this true?
In France, if your car is older than 2003, the guy who control the car don't plug his computer cable to ECU.
After 2003, he have/can plug it. From theory, it will detected difference between car name (that the guy has writed in his computer) and ECU unit.
And as Toyota didn't have mentionned smog reference at the production car, nobody can say of it smell out of constructor's reference.
The control guy just have to measure pass smog from "standard reference".
In France they are :
lambda at iddle with smog measure
lambda at 2500 rpms with smog measure
lambda at 5000 rpms (if you can't pass smog measure)
In France, if your car is older than 2003, the guy who control the car don't plug his computer cable to ECU.
After 2003, he have/can plug it. From theory, it will detected difference between car name (that the guy has writed in his computer) and ECU unit.
And as Toyota didn't have mentionned smog reference at the production car, nobody can say of it smell out of constructor's reference.
The control guy just have to measure pass smog from "standard reference".
In France they are :
lambda at iddle with smog measure
lambda at 2500 rpms with smog measure
lambda at 5000 rpms (if you can't pass smog measure)
yeah rumor has it that California smog enforcement actually apparently has some guy who keeps tabs on common swaps. jdm rx7 motors, 2zz spyders, etc.
cars like spyders get more scrutiny at smog shops than say a 2zz swapped Geo Prizm
www.spyderchat.com
