2.7 from a 2001 into a 2003

I did search before posting since there are so many engine swap threads, but nothing directly on point. My '03 base model 4X4 with 2.7 auto has 315,000 miles and while it seems to run good on the highway with no loss of power or decrease n gas mileage, it (likely) killed a CAT I recently installed and the 420 code has returned. The exhaust is good, so I don't think its an exhaust leak upstream, but I'm wondering if the valve guides/seals are gone and I'm getting contaminants in the exhaust that are killing the CAT? The air intake sensor was cleaned and the intake manifold was cleaned too. I'm not noticing any white smoke or significant loss of oil between oil changes. I've changed the oil regularly at 4,000 to 5,000 mile intervals with semi synthetic since I've had it 150,000 miles ago. Before that is a mystery, but I think the past two owners were pretty good about it too.

I have a '01 4X4 base with a 2.7 manual with 160,000 miles. That vehicle has a sketchy frame. At some point if I wanted to swap the 2.7 manual for the 2.7 auto in the '03, but I'm wondering just how much is involved since I'm in my 60's and will have to pay someone to do it at this point.

And if I was to pay to have it done, I'd want the manual trans over the auto.

Is the 2.7 engine computer the same for manual and auto Taco's?
Will the rear end have to be changed on an auto to make it a manual?
The emissions vapor canister sits in the engine compartment on the '01, but above the tank on the '03. Does it matter which one I run with the '01 engine?

If I knew a reputable shop in Ohio that could take the time to do a top end rebuild on the '03 as it sits, I could live with that. Money would not be an issue, if it was a quality rebuild.

I suppose I could leave the '01 as it sits and sell it to someone with better welding skills than I to replace the frame. I had the passenger side upper shock connection replaced and a couple of other sections patched with SAFE-T-CAP parts, but the two cab mounts on the driver side are pretty bad. The truck is a great runner with plenty of power and (relatively) low miles for a 22 year old vehicle. Oil has always been changed religiously.

I really like the 1st Generation 4X4 base models and the '03 is amazingly clean and rust free underneath. I bath it in Woolwax regularly.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

My mechanic generally charges about $5,000 to $8,000 to install a used engine. This includes replacing stuff like valve cover gaskets. Since already have the engine, I'm guessing the labor and certain parts would engine costing like $3,000. It might be worthwhile to sell the '01 and use the money from that to rebuild the engine in the '03. Both trucks are virtually identical (though the '01 would have ABS while the '03 would, as '03 is the first year for ABS in the Taco), and have OBD2. Swapping a 2.7L from a 2005-newer 2nd Gen might be an issue...

 

@Taco critter

You have a 2002. Would a 2001 motor work fine in a 2003?

 

Appreciate the response. I wish Central Bucks was closer to Pittsburgh than to Philly so I could call your mechanic. I'll try to find someone here in Ohio who's reputable and go from there. If I don't do the swap, the '01 would be a nice project for a younger guy with (frame) skills as I find the manual trans base 4X4 2.7's a blast to drive.

 

Keeping it as simple as I can you would swap the 01 engine and trans with the engine harness and ecm into the 03 There might be some repinning on the 4th ECM plug off the top of my head I don`t remember.

Adding the clutch pedal and parts adds some extra work the rear drive shafts are different the auto is longer..

There are always those little things I forget

If your paying for this find some one that has done Toyota Swaps or it can turn into a night mare.

Good Luck

 

I believe they changed the throttle body for the 2003/2004's.....
so you'd have to have engine harness, ecm for that tranny, and throttle body off the 2001 to carry it forward....

the ecm is tranny specific....and only for that year or two.....


And you'd have to double check and make sure that 2001 engine harness and ecm is pinned correctly to plug into the 2003 cowl harness......

 

I think the ETCS-I was on the 5VZ only. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

 

Toyota ETCS-i Electronic Throttle on 2003/2004 Trucks | Tacoma World

Looks to me 4-bangers dont have this....and started early to mid year 2002 5vz's...
this might be reason they came out with 340F' trannys.....

 

Thanks for all the insightful replies. Looks like I'm moving forward with the swap. I have a reputable shop that has done a significant amount of engine swaps with good reviews. I still know there are always issues with these swaps. Although I'm doing a 2.7 for a 2.7, which sounds like apples to apples, its really like trading a honeycrisp for a Fuji ('01 manual into an '03 auto) and hoping they are close.

This is putting a lower mileage (166,000) 2.7 manual from an '01 (with a known good maintenance history) into an '03 with 317,000 miles (automatic) and making it run without annoying CLE's.

So the biggest challenge will be turning the '03 automatic truck into a manual. What I've learned here is the ECU from the manual '01 will have to follow the manual transmission into the '03. The drive shaft too, since it's shorter than the auto one currently on the '03.

I'll assume I'll be giving up the ABS that's on the '03 since the '01 didn't have ABS.
The '01 doesn't have a brake booster, so the slave cylinder and the other reservoir will have to be transplanted.
The manual pedal assembly will have to be transferred.
I don't think I will have issues with the ETCS-1 as both these trucks seem to have the same cable set up on the throttle. I'm assuming they don't have the later ECTS-1???
I'm assuming the '01 throttle body itself doesn't have to be changed to the '03.
The overdrive features on the '03 will be gone with the manual trans.
I did print the ECU Pinout and wiring comparisons that another member did (Thank you!)
The charcoal cannister is above the tank on the '03 but in the engine compartment on the '01. I prefer it in the engine compartment but room may be an issue as it seems the '03 had more crap to deal with so they moved it above the tank. If can put it up front I would.

I guess my big question is will the '01 engine harness plug into the '03 cowl harness without issues?

Anything I'm missing that more experienced folks can offer advice on?

Yes, head gasket will be changed.

 

Engine swap is done. Didn't do the manual conversion. A little over my skill set and budget. I'm happy with how it runs so far. No CEL's so far. (Knock on wood.)
Now I've got to get rid of the old truck and old engine.

 

Suggest keeping the trans/diff out of the old truck if you'd ever consider making yours a manual. Which you might do after things settle down a bit.

 

I did think about it, and would prefer it, but I'm 67 years old and I'm not doing all this on my own. The shop I used was very fair. Great communication. Fair price. They let me have my say, talked pricing openly and honestly. We talked about the ABS on the '03 that's not present in the '01. The '03 has the booster, the '01 has a slave cylinder and a reservoir. The charcoal cannister is in the engine bay on the '01 and above the fuel tank on the '03. Swapping the ECU and the pedal assembly, blah, blah, blah.

As we learned from this thread, the ECU and engine harness would have to follow the manual. All of this was a bit more than I could handle at my age, so the manual trans, harness and ECU will have to find another home. I'm going to try to sell the whole thing as a package. I don't have enough posts to meet the buy/sell threshold to post here, but if you want to go to Facebook, its there, just scroll down till you find the post.

 

I appreciate the post.....I know alot about pre 2001....
....this is all very useful...thanks....

keep us updated....


So where did the charcoal canister end up....
and did you by-pass the abs manifold....or is everything still just going thru it??
did you run new brake lines off the booster?

 

I kept it an auto and kept the ABS and left the cannister above the tank. In the end, we just swapped one 2.7 for another 2.7 with less miles and better historical maintenance record. If I was 25 years younger I would have been "all in" on a manual conversion, and all the other changes, but at my age (67) I'm happy to live with what runs and gives me no headaches.

I'm trying to sell the donor truck whole. Manual trans; manual harness; ECU and everything else. A young person with skill or tenacity (hopefully both) can probably make it all work.