JLaforest

I am in the process of swapping engines in a '99 es300. Purchased a salvaged VVTi motor according to vin# only to find out that the existing motor is a non VVTi. It appears that I can swap everything like coils and intake plenum. Is there any issues that I should know about before I proceed? Will the existing ECU work properly?

speedkar9

The ECU won't work, the wiring harness will be different. Furthermore the 99 VVT-i came with the new U140 transmission so its ECU won't be compatible with your A541 tranny. I also believe the non-VVT-i had waste spark ignition with 3 coils and 3 wires instead of 6 coils over the plugs. It had a single throttle body instead of a dual valve type in the VVT-i too, which makes me think the plenums might be slightly different.

Now if you had the entire doner vehicle to swap things over from, that would make it a lot easier since the body style is the same.

Good luck with the rebuild.

JLaforest

I understand that there are differences. What I am proposing is using the existing transmission, wiring harness, coil packs and intake plenum. I am wondering if the will engine will mate with the transmission and engine mounts? The only difference I can see on the physical motor is the heads which incorporate the variable timing solenoid. Which of course would not be hooked up in this swap. So the bigger question would be would the motor run without the VTS. Or are there issues here?

LeX2K

You will never get the benefit of the variable valve timing at higher RPMs plus the engine will be down on power and will run poorly in general.

JLaforest

Frustrating that everything about this vehicle says one thing and the actual is different. Wouldn't bother me so much if I hadn't prepped this motor with to timing belt, water pump and new gaskets and seal. Finding a non VVT-i for this model appears to be a problem as well.

JLaforest

Further research revealed the vehicle to be a 1998 model. Conflicts resolved. Not sure why Lexus used the same VIN code for different motors. But it is what it is.

mmatheny

So the engine is good?

JLaforest

The '99 VVT-I engine? Yes it has 110k on it bought from a salvage yard. Prepped ready for install. Just don't have a '99. The transplant vehicle is a '98.

PFB

What happened to your original engine?

mmatheny

Ahh - you thought the recipient car was a '98 - sorry!

JLaforest

Oil filter came loose and she ran it out of oil. Created a knock before I could get to it. Would have had this done months ago but have had to replace two other engines in different vehicles in the last couple months. Starting to feel like I run garage. It was my mistake for talking someone's word on the model year. I just checked the VIN# and ordered the engine. Prepped it with new timing belt, water pump, seals and gaskets. When I rolled the vehicle in for the swap I noticed it was a different motor. Live and learn.

mmatheny

Hope it wasn't TOO much of a financial ding!

JLaforest

About to find out. Hope they exchange it without a hiccup. We will see! It's been a few months since we purchased it.

mmatheny

They ought to PAY you since you put a new timing belt, water pump, seals and gaskets!!!

jasonnast

I bought a JDM 1MZ engine from http://www.bestjapaneseengines.com/engines/lexus last month. Still running Good !