Swapping Lexus RX350 Engine with Highlander Engine
08-27-15, 09:53 AM
#1
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Swapping Lexus RX350 Engine with Highlander Engine
Hi ,
My 2009 Lexus RX350 Engine Overheated due to Water pump failure out of nowhere and diagnostic came out , blown headgasket and warped or cracked cyclinder Head. Long story short i was recommended replacing the engine with Used engine. After Rigorous search of used Engine I came to find a Local shop ( Salavage/ Autoshop) to replace the Engine with 2012 Toyota highlander.
per my my knowledge and research since both vehicle (donor and my ) have same Engine type ( 2GRFE with oil cooler ) , it can be swapped (?).
I am just throwing this to Forum to get better view on this swap .
1. Will Swap work ? Will my Lexus have same performance and quite drive as before ?
2. What will be the challenges in swap ? Tuning ? mapping computer etc ?
3. What will be inherent problems that i have to live with ? ( e.g Gas mileage , Noisy Engine etc )
4. I have agreed to pay about $4400, for the swap that includes the Engine and Labor. Is that reasonable price ?
5. Auto Shop is going to give me Six Month Warranty on Job ( Parts and Labour ) , is it enough ?
6. I am going to get new Water Pump , Serpantine Belt along with swap . Should i replace spark plug and timing Chain as well ?
Specs of My car :
2009 Lexus RX350 , AWD , 61500 Miles , Towing package ( Engine Oil Cooler)
Specs of Donor Car:
2012 Toyota Highlander 6 cylinder, AWD , 70000 Miles , Towing package ( Engine Oil Cooler)
Thanks in Advance for your consideration.
My 2009 Lexus RX350 Engine Overheated due to Water pump failure out of nowhere and diagnostic came out , blown headgasket and warped or cracked cyclinder Head. Long story short i was recommended replacing the engine with Used engine. After Rigorous search of used Engine I came to find a Local shop ( Salavage/ Autoshop) to replace the Engine with 2012 Toyota highlander.
per my my knowledge and research since both vehicle (donor and my ) have same Engine type ( 2GRFE with oil cooler ) , it can be swapped (?).
I am just throwing this to Forum to get better view on this swap .
1. Will Swap work ? Will my Lexus have same performance and quite drive as before ?
2. What will be the challenges in swap ? Tuning ? mapping computer etc ?
3. What will be inherent problems that i have to live with ? ( e.g Gas mileage , Noisy Engine etc )
4. I have agreed to pay about $4400, for the swap that includes the Engine and Labor. Is that reasonable price ?
5. Auto Shop is going to give me Six Month Warranty on Job ( Parts and Labour ) , is it enough ?
6. I am going to get new Water Pump , Serpantine Belt along with swap . Should i replace spark plug and timing Chain as well ?
Specs of My car :
2009 Lexus RX350 , AWD , 61500 Miles , Towing package ( Engine Oil Cooler)
Specs of Donor Car:
2012 Toyota Highlander 6 cylinder, AWD , 70000 Miles , Towing package ( Engine Oil Cooler)
Thanks in Advance for your consideration.
08-28-15, 02:49 AM
#2
They are the same engine, and the shop should swap over any externals/sensors from your RX engine to the Highlander engine. There will not be a need for any computer tuning or mapping. No reason to do the timing chain, it should last the life of this engine. I would do the spark plugs and the rear coils since they are hard to replace. Make sure you upgrade all the oil lines to the steel replacements while the engine is out if it has not been done already. Also a good time to make sure your motor mounts are in good shape. Good luck!
08-30-15, 04:59 PM
#3
If *all* you did was crack the cylinder head, why not replace them (assuming the block is good)?
They run 150 - 270
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cylinder-Hea...2+Limited+3.5L
A rebuild kit is 505
http://www.yotashop.com/2012-toyota-...-kit-ek968-33/
I spent minimal time looking these up (maybe 10 min tops) and you might be able to source them for less.
As for the price of the swap, for my Miata I can take it to a shop and have them replace the 2.0 with a 2.3 for $3000. The 2.3l engine costs 3 - 500. The RX engine costs 1500 - 2000. Seems like the shops are tacking on about $2,500 in labor. I don't know if it is a good price, but it matches other cars/swaps.
They run 150 - 270
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cylinder-Hea...2+Limited+3.5L
A rebuild kit is 505
http://www.yotashop.com/2012-toyota-...-kit-ek968-33/
I spent minimal time looking these up (maybe 10 min tops) and you might be able to source them for less.
As for the price of the swap, for my Miata I can take it to a shop and have them replace the 2.0 with a 2.3 for $3000. The 2.3l engine costs 3 - 500. The RX engine costs 1500 - 2000. Seems like the shops are tacking on about $2,500 in labor. I don't know if it is a good price, but it matches other cars/swaps.
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