Where to buy new engine? 2.7

You're a legend. Thanks man! I'll post back with an update when everything is complete

 

Glad to help!

I was thinking about how much I prefer the route of rebuilding yours instead of going the with JDM ... I understand in your scenario that's not as feasible and I totally respect that, we all do what we have to to keep our trucks on the road.


To help make sure you've got peace of mind with the JDM motor, you could request your mechanic to perform a leakdown test after checking/adjusting the valves.. those are more accurate to the interior health of an engine compared to a compression test

 

Great! I'll add that to the list. Thanks

Yea if I had a spare car I would totally go the rebuild route. I'm just stoked to get my truck back on the road, planning on keeping it for the long haul

 

Are you sure that engine will work in your engine compartment...

I have 98 Rwd DLx ext cab AT Sr5.....I just swapped out a 3rz (toast) to a rebuild 2Rz...
My engine layout does not look even close to the layout on that jdm pic...

I'll upload my before & after pics after sort them out....

but air induct is completely diff, the steel lines are all diff, ie egr line..
this one has coil over plug design ...like the early 2000's...
everthing would have to moved from the old to it, its doable, but its gonna cost and take time...

someone else chime in .... maybe I'm wrong about all this....


This is stock photo of mine....

 

The Jdm engine in that pic looks like the one in 2004 base 2.7 AT Rwd....
Mike at work has one ....he couldn't find his coils...I told em they're sitting right on top each plug....

 

Here's where my block came from....

Premium 0 Mile Toyota 2RZFE Engine 2rz FE Tacoma Truck Motor T100 2rz-fe HILUX for sale online | eBay

Here's what they have to fit yours.....

Rebuilt 97-00 Toyota Tacoma 4WD 4cyl 2.7L 3RZ Engine | eBay

....

Starting 2000 ? the intake ports go from 8 to 4 on the intake plenum design..

 

You should read my messages that I posted early.. in this instance you are incorrect.

2005 Toyota 2.7 is a 2TR FE engine not the 2.7 3RZ FE 3ngine that is in our 1st gen tacomas. The engine he linked is absolutely a 3RZ (or 2RZ, but highly unlikely) the valve cover is a dead giveaway. The 2TR looks like this

 

I wanted brandnew beefed up warp resistant heads.....
so I'd have all new valves, time chain, oil pump, ect...

these

BRAND NEW Toyota 4Runner Tacoma T-100 2.4L 2.7L 2RZ 3RZ Cylinder Head 1995-1999 | eBay


It took 10 days to receive the block and 3 days on the head....
but that was 1 year ago........?

3K ....so far so good.....
I think real secret to success is to find right mechanic.....
going from 3Rz to 2Rz had a couple hurdles....engine brackets/oil canister(unicorn/unobtainium).....
but this is the ultimate balance-shaft-delete.......two timing chains?...really toyota?

The balance shafts rob power...2Rz feels same power as the 3rz....i could feel no difference...especially with the after market headers........the cast iron originals always crack...eventually.......throws fuel trim off.

 

Mike's 2005? base cab.... has 3rz....dont think 2TR's came in until 2006...
He's is the last one before gen change....2004 or 2005..


edit looks like 2004 was last year for 3rz...

 

And here's a Jdm in florida.......but I'm not a fan....
my rebuilt block has 24 mo warrenty and the new head 36 mo

However this Jdm would be a direct drop in for you....coils, egr, and intake would be exact same as what you already have.....less you'd have to pay mechanic to move ...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/114835818260

These guys have excellent feedback.....

 

Thanks for all of the responses. If I were to purchase this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255020274511

What else would be needed for the assembly? Or what other costs?

I'm thinking about going with the JDM engine I originally brought up based off the conversation I had with u/Abeyancer

The ebay one you listed seems like it may be the better option since its truly plug in play.


e***** Although the eBay one you listed does have 2x the miles

 

Only bad thing....is the one ebay jdm in florida is that is a stock photo....
I would want to see a pic of the actual motor I was forking over for....

The one you first posted....that is the actual motor and matching ecm.....


The lowest ebay milage jdm on ebay was 81k.....but again that's a stock photo...
I'd ask em for a photo...

It also depends what part of country your in.....and how busy they are...
I got my block in 10days....but that was a year ago.....now we live in the land of disfunction....

If you live west coast .... Id go for the ebay rebuilt one....it could be dropped in ready to fire in a week by competent mech..
and they have 100 % feedback and sell a ton of these toy long and short blocks....super good price...

If you live near florida that jdm ebay one (81K) - those guys have perfect feedback and sell alot of engines....you might be able to contact them for direct sell and save a couple hundred, or they may even have a better one they havnt listed yet!!!!

For sure nail em down on a ship/delivery time no mater who you go with, before you click......especially the rebuilt one in Ca. , they may be back logged three months....they had mine really to ship in 7 days.....but was short block.

I wasnt looking for a race engine.....figure the rebuilt japan engine was the way to go for a work truck that would last and last.....especially with 2500 mi oil changes...gals from wally world are pretty damn cheap...almost half auto store....
Right now I change it every 1K.....for while...Valvoline VR1 conventual.....

If you get it right....It will last a long time for you......
and I have no motives and not that much experience....
If someone has better ideal.....you wont hurt my feelings.....
Im not SHY.............

 

Thanks! I'll look through these and contact the suppliers for a better deal or other options they may have, good idea. I'll also see about the rebuilt block (although I'm east coast). I'm able to wait 2-3 weeks max because my truck still drives (hardly) and I have a backup car to borrow for a bit. What kind of costs am I looking at to get the rebuilt block installed? I'm guessing there is more labor and assembly then just swapping a JDM?

Thanks

 

Here's my story....

My mech was gonna swap out rebuilt 3RZ short block and move everything over for $1200 plus I brought him all new parts/studs/timechain/oilpump/injectorcups/flex plate ect. to put humpty back together.....that way I got to hand pick the quality of the parts...

Even opted to buy brandnew and improved heads (3yr wty)...so I'd have all new valves, time gears, ect....good investment for $699...

Well I have 2wd - so i did not want the heavier more timing complicated 3RZ....(balance shafts -yuk) So I switch over to super easy to get and about $1000 cheaper than the 3rz..........2RZ-fe 2.4L


Not to put down 3rz 4x4's its just the 2Rz is simpler engine....cheaper, and more options.....but for salvage pulls there are far more 3Rz's out there...


Should of been simpler for my mech to install, right , no, no such luck....
Turnsout the engine brackets are longer on 2Rz - and nobody had these...savage was only way =and you had to land a moon shot to get a set....especially with the posties loosing the first set somewhere in St louis......2 mo delay...

And that wherent nothing - the oil canaster assy - was different and NOBODY had em...
got lucky on a savage in Houston..but the giant hollow mounting bolt was not be found...at least in america....had to order from Japan...just south of $50 with shipping..and another 2mo of delay.....and then the wirdass gaskets for that bolt took local toy dealer another month back-order....

So with all this I gave the mech another $200.....
When I drove off - I hit them with $200 tip......
So a total of $1600......I did have them install new stainless headers, new cat, and hang and join all new drop in Walker exhaust ...made for my sr5.....all this was a bargin $100 additional labor....
Quiet-Flow Muffler, Direct Replacement, No Fabrication Needed 47764: Advance Auto Parts


So a total of $1700 of pretty much all new from intake to tailpipe tip....labor...

Pretty much everyone arround me except my mom though I was crazy....she's the one who suggested all this...

I've got $800 + 200 ship on the block / 700 on the head...
and all the other stuff pretty much doubled that in parts....
toyota oem parts are very expensive.....that's the way I went on about 90% of the parts..
A number of things came from LC engineering they specialize in premium awesomeness for all the toyota truck engines......those alignment pins that connect the head to block where critical.......

Dont think I would recommend 3rz to 2rz swap unless u have access to fabrication...You want that engine perfectly aligned to the AT...or there will be hell to pay......I've a slight drip on front AT seal,,, but been adding Valvoline stop leak tranny fluid .... and its almost stopped.....went thru about 2 qts of it in 3k....
Think I got lucky......PTL

Also got super lucky with my mech - they had completely rebuilt my bosses V8 Mustang......and thats pretty much all they do...work on major engine rebuilds 6 days a week......their shop and yard looks like something out of Terminator movie....carnage everywhere you look.....they're all mexican...drink corona's like they're goin out of style ..... and I love em......and so does Buttercup....

Dont think many can match their price - this is pretty much all they do....
They arent even open to the public ...all the dealer note lots south side bring all their auction bought POS to fix.....
If I had handed them a straight 3rz long to 3rz long (head/timing install ready) swap it would of only been $800............that is if I had used this one....

TACOMA 4RUNNER T100 2.7L ENGINE 113K MILE1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 | eBay

Few bucks more for the extra stuff...


Rebuilt 97-00 Toyota Tacoma 4WD 4cyl 2.7L 3RZ Engine | eBay

 

Before.....

 

After.....

 

During...

 

My head gasket had been leaking last 2 yrs......Did the barr's premium stop leak 3 times...it would work for about 6mo and then the white smoke, and water in cyl 3 and 4 ... sometimes so bad you'd have to take out those plugs and clean to get to start......

Head gasket jobs on these a little out of reach for most of DIY's...its a hard long job....most mechs are gonna want $1500 on low end, and they are gonna screwup some things.....grimlins.

So I was considering options long before my harmonic balancer decided to twist the key out on the crankshaft.....due to someone not using correct tool to install HB on a toyota - there is a special tool that locks it so you can correctly torque it....sell it ebay $50...
If you just stab it with air wrench ... this can happen to you.....

 

Thanks man, really appreciate this write-up and insight. I'm thinking that rebuilt engine is going to be a great option. I'm going to talk to my mechanic tomorrow for his thoughts and find out what kind of labor/work he would expect. I'll get back to this thread with an update when I get the ball moving!

 

Any news on your swap @gravgrip ? Was just reading through the thread and curious to know how it went and what you ended up doing