2.4 (2RZFE) vs. 2.7 (3RZFE) engine

I have a 2.7 engine (3RZ-FE) that is probably going to need to be rebuilt in the near future (180,000 miles). My mechanic said that it would be cheaper to just put a “used” engine in instead of the time it would take to rebuild the engine. Somewhat makes sense when considering labor costs.

I have begun shopping around just to see what I am up against and can not find many reasonably priced 2.7 engines.

I can find a bunch of 2.4 (2RZ-FE) engines for half the price of the 2.7 engines I have found.

Worse case scenario……..would I be able to use a 2.4 engine and just swap it in? Are most of the parts the same on the 2.4 and 2.7?

 

The 2.7l can arguably be the best motor toyota has built. Besides the 22re.

 

Everyone calls 'X' engine the best Toyota has ever built. I've heard people claim the 22re is their best engine ever. Or the 5vz. Or the 7mgte. Or the 2jzte. Or the 1uz. Or the 2uz. It's a matter of opinion when trying to split hairs between all their motors.

To the OP: not sure. Maybe. I'd imagine it would bolt to the trans. I couldnt guarantee anything else.

 

I didn't say it was best, just arguably. And the 2jzgte is superior as shit.

 

It's a small difference. 2rz = 142hp compared to the 3rz's 150.

 

Why does it need to be rebuilt with only 180000 on it?

 

If you're truck came with a certain engine, I'm sure it would be better to replace it with the same type of engine

 

The engine was down on compression based on the compression test and speculation is that it has bad pistons. I have not performed a leak-down test to confirm this. The mechanic said that it has some oil blow by through the pistons so I guess they are not seating well.

I was just trying to price out things to decide whether to:
1. replace the engine with another one
2. rebuild the engine
3. get another vehicle.
It drives fine but I am just planning for the worst.

 

I am in the exact same boat as you are with this.2000 tacoma 2.7 with 188k on it. Low compression on number 2,3,4..A good 2.7 is lookin around 1700 and im debating this as well. My truck also runs fine...

 

so did we get an answer on whether the 2.4 will work in a vehicle originally equipped with a 2.7?

 

I would doubt pistons (actually would be rings, not pistons). From my experience, low compression and oil consumption are more likely related to the heads than rings. For what its worth, I'd rebuild, but note that I'd do it myself.

You should confirm where the actual problem is, but you could probably rebuild your heads, or replace with an already rebuilt fresh head for a lot less than replacing the entire engine.

Also, a ring job is a bit more involved than a head job, but it is something that can usually be done on the vehicle (though I admit that I've never done a Tacoma ring job). When the head has been removed, you access the connecting rods at the crankshaft from under the vehicle, and the pistons come out from the top. If you are going to do a ring job on it, you might as well do the heads at the same time.

Here's the breakdown of what I would expect;
Valve stem seals are probably shot, possibly just due to age, possibly could be a result of heat if its ever been overheated. The valves may not be seating perfectly on their seats, grinding the valves and replacing as needed will solve this problem. Check the valve clearances to be sure that they are all within spec, adjust as needed.

Also understand that a rebuilt engine has an unknown history and may be either due for a rebuild itself, or could be a time bomb ready to go off. If I was replacing an engine, I'd go with a freshly rebuilt engine rather than just any used engine from a crash or frame rot victim.

 

throw a 2jz motor in it with a turbo haha. but instead of buying one id just rebuild it myself if possible, probably because my father has an engine crane etc to get it out and i like working on things. but the cylinders would probably need to be checked to see if they are still in spec, new valves, pistons, rings and gaskets. but honestly if youre going that far might as well check the crank etc. but i mean you could get a used head instead of a valve job which would be more expensive than a used head. it all matters on what you find out about your motor. either way its going to take time to get everything done

 

I don't mean to revive a dead thread, but the OP's question never got answered and I have the same question.

if I have a 2.4L Taco can I hot swap between the 2.7 and 2.4 without needing to change any other parts out?

I ask because I have a 96 w/ 335k miles. original had 2.4L based on VIN# and now has a 2.7l. I want to know if down the road if I needed a rebuilt if I could drop a used 2.4l in as they are more abundant and easier to acquire.

Thanks everyone.

Edit: Actually, they look so similar it may actually be the original 2.4l. The guy I bought it from said its the original motor/trans and has never been overhauled.. just belts, hoses, and what not.

 

i believe the 2.7 and 2.4 are the exact same motor but the 2.7 piston has a farther down travel and that gets it the extra .3 liters.

 

Bumping an old thread, but I also need to replace my 2.4l with the 2.7l and need to know if there are any differences/issues between the two as far as installation goes. Will it mate to the original tranny? (1995 Tacoma, 2wd ex-cab).
Has anybody done the swap that can give me any pointers?

 

I have a 99 Tacoma 4x4 5spd manual. It has the two stage starter. It started to miss on #3 cyl. so I replaced the coil-twice. Now it has random missing on cyl. 2&3 and runs like crap but seems good while driving when the r's are up. Isn't the 2.7 just a bored out 2.4 with thinner cylinder walls? Haven't done a compression test yet as I've been too busy. Doesn't burn or leak oil. Could I have got two bad coils? New plugs and wires. But then I swapped coils and got the same thing. Wires maybe? Bought from O'Reillys and was told there is a lot of problems with their eletrical components. Thoughts? 216k on motor.

 

Im guessing this guy had bad spark plugs as I had a similar problem after about 125k with the originals. And if any one still wants to know about the engine swaps I would find out what tranny you got in yours, find someone with the oppisite engine driving around your town or go to a salvage yard or some place that has a toyota in stock. (Rare I know) and compare the part numbers of everything that mounts to the engine. If most of the part numbers are the same you should have no problem fitting the oppiste engine. If you find that all the parts are different now you'll be swapping more than just the engine. Unless theres another thread somewhere on here or some one decides to actually answer the OP (maybe he has answered himself since then) it looks like you'll have to do the research the old fashioned way.

Also Not sure about gear ratio's on toyota's though they may be a bit bigger on the 2.4l to give it more low end they might be the same, but even if they are different people swap out for bigger gears on the 2.7 any way so you should be ok.

 

Are the 2.4 and the 2.7 equally reliable ?

My 2.7L is amazing

My friend is looking to buy a 2.4L regular cab 5 lug gen 1