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New member - Question about buying a spyder with a blown engine

1444 Views 31 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  El Dorko
Hi all,

I am new and want your opinion on buying a spyder with a bad engine. I have one identified that is in very good condition (minus the bad motor of course). Body is in good condition, the car has 105k miles, etc. I am just looking for a fun car to drive around town, so I plan to just swap in another 1ZZ. I am curious is there much adaptation work that would have to be done if I found an engine from a 03+ Corollla or similar, or are the engines the same? I would appreciate any other suggestions or thoughts on this project that you might have.
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Hi all,

I am new and want your opinion on buying a spyder with a bad engine. I have one identified that is in very good condition (minus the bad motor of course). Body is in good condition, the car has 105k miles, etc. I am just looking for a fun car to drive around town, so I plan to just swap in another 1ZZ. I am curious is there much adaptation work that would have to be done if I found an engine from a 03+ Corollla or similar, or are the engines the same? I would appreciate any other suggestions or thoughts on this project that you might have.
you need to drill and tap 3 holes into the crankcase of the corolla engines, for the axle carrier

other than that, everything bolts in the same.

its debated that a few internals of the engines are slightly different, the valves and rods, but toyota lists the same part number for the shortblock so who knows

i digress, yes it bolts in fine after you drill the holes, and definitely get the 03+
Thanks for the reply. May I ask how large the 3 holes that need D/T are?

Also, does anyone out there have a recommendation on sourcing an engine? Are there any good rebuild houses that sell rebuilt engines or am I better off finding a used one locally pulled at a yard?

you need to drill and tap 3 holes into the crankcase of the corolla engines, for the axle carrier

other than that, everything bolts in the same.

its debated that a few internals of the engines are slightly different, the valves and rods, but toyota lists the same part number for the shortblock so who knows

i digress, yes it bolts in fine after you drill the holes, and definitely get the 03+
Depending on your location there are a couple 1ZZ Spyder engines currently listed in the For Sale forum on this site. Ebay also has 1ZZs. BottleFedMR2 can get you both 1ZZs or 2ZZs. Salvage yards often list motors on Craigslist. Newcelica.org often has motors for sale on their forum.
Thanks for the reply. May I ask how large the 3 holes that need D/T are?

Also, does anyone out there have a recommendation on sourcing an engine? Are there any good rebuild houses that sell rebuilt engines or am I better off finding a used one locally pulled at a yard?
i'm just going to regurgitate information thats posted here every day

avoid rebuilt 1zz.s they tend to be problematic

you are definitely better off getting a used one, either , as rampage said, on ebay, or in our classifieds section

also, if you can, get a corolla engine, people sell them for a bit cheaper, considering the output is the same, no need to pay extra money.

if you get lucky, maybe 700 - 800 , but prepare to spend up to 1400
car-part.com is a great junkyard search. I find all kinds of stuff there.
When the Time comes.. and you need to drill the Holes.. This Fixture might still be avalable..

http://spyderchat.com/forums/showth...6-s-Permafrown&p=816344&viewfull=1#post816344

Cap
Is there a difference between a pre 04/04 Corolla engine and a post 05/04 engine? Car-Parts distinguishes them so I am curious if I would need a specific one or the other.

i'm just going to regurgitate information thats posted here every day

avoid rebuilt 1zz.s they tend to be problematic

you are definitely better off getting a used one, either , as rampage said, on ebay, or in our classifieds section

also, if you can, get a corolla engine, people sell them for a bit cheaper, considering the output is the same, no need to pay extra money.

if you get lucky, maybe 700 - 800 , but prepare to spend up to 1400
Thanks for the heads up, they show quite a few to choose from in my area. I am in Arizona by the way, if anyone around here wants to sell an engine let me know.

car-part.com is a great junkyard search. I find all kinds of stuff there.
You might try PM'ing him..
http://spyderchat.com/forums/member.php?7056-george536

He just did a Rolla Motor in a Spyder..

Cap
i'm just going to regurgitate information thats posted here every day

avoid rebuilt 1zz.s they tend to be problematic

you are definitely better off getting a used one, either , as rampage said, on ebay, or in our classifieds section

also, if you can, get a corolla engine, people sell them for a bit cheaper, considering the output is the same, no need to pay extra money.

if you get lucky, maybe 700 - 800 , but prepare to spend up to 1400
Good advice all around, especially with the rebuilt 1ZZ being problematic. A lot of people have posted having problems. Good luck!
Done, thanks!

I just test drove a 2001 today, really fun car to drive. I am excited to take on this project. Hopefully I will pick up the "Shell" to get started in the next couple of days.

You might try PM'ing him..
http://spyderchat.com/forums/member.php?7056-george536

He just did a Rolla Motor in a Spyder..

Cap
4
i got an 07 corolla motor from LKQ on ebay for $1056 shipped. Got it shipped to my work which is a business, residential they charge extra so they say it wasn't anything different, guy had a pallet roller and just left it there.

It was pretty straight forward, i followed this guide to remove it

http://www.mr2spyder.net/spyderweb/index.php?/topic/7-dropping-a-deuce-zz/

then once it was out i got the new motor and followed the Tap instructions CAP posted. Easier than i thought to be honest on drilling and tapping. Then everything was pieced together and raised back in.







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That looks like an interesting project george536! Nice pics, thanks for posting.
Yes thank you very much for showing those pictures. If all goes well I will be checking the car out this evening.
Does the Celica engine need the 3 holes drilled like the Corolla engine, or is it a direct swap. Also does it have the larger valves that the MR2 has?
Nice Car George..

Your garage is too clean.. It's a sign of a Sick Mind..

Cap
All non-Spyder 1zz engines must be drilled & tapped to work in the Spyder.
Celica, Matrix and SOME corolla's are drilled..

Cap
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