Engine 1ZZ-FE, how durable?

1ZZ-FE, how durable?

I was wondering if anyone knew the "weak-link" or first thing to go on a 1ZZ-FE. I have a 2001 Corolla (VVT-I) and my planned set-up includes: Stock pistons (cryo treated, top coated, and side skirt treated via FFWD Connection), Stock Rods (cryo treated), high quality re-ring kit (any suggestions?), arp hardware, thicker than spec head gasket (to lower c.r.), OBX header (junk I know, but only option), High quality chambered muffler, free flowing cat., and ZEX Direct Port nitrous kit (Wet - jetted @ 75-100shot). Am I going to scatter this motor if I dont build it with the Darton/Wiseco/Crower combo. MWR is trying to sell me? Can my little 3 speed automatic take 200whp? I plan on running the nitrous on a window switch (3,000 - 6,500rpm). I have the ground work laid with shocks/struts, and a cheap set of spare steelies with 20 x 14 x 6 inch M/T slicks . Hopefully bust into the 14's with this setup? What do you guys think?

once your done...pics dude lots and lots of pictures and good luck

The weak link in the 1zz is the rods at about 220whp. The tranny starts to slip at about 200lb-ft of torque.

that and the rod bearings suck. they break even without F/I. MWR makes a joke about how weak they are.

^yeah well, that's because most 1zz's have oil pressure problems...

^ Except for the 2AZ-FE

MWR probably sells revised rod bearings I would guess. Thanks for the help so far guys this is the kind of stuff I need to know! I'm new to this motor. What kind of oil pressure problems? Should I look into doing an oil pump while I have the motor apart? (It has 24,000 miles). :beerchug: :beerchug:

The PowerEnterprise CamCon unit is looking like a good bet to me. I am going to pull all the cam advance way back and richen up the fuel a little bit to compensate for bolt-ons. Having the timing retarded, a thicker than spec head gasket, and topcoated pistons, the only worries I will have will be rods (I was thinking cryo, I may pony up now and do the Crowers), the open deck kind of worries me too, I may do what the honda guys do with that liquid aluminum business. The automatic transmission is going to explode I think, I could probably get a valve body recalibration through level10 or import trans but to hell with it, <B>when</B> it dies Ill just get the paddle shift auto from an mr2-s(oo w lsd!) or a 5spd.

actually they are proven to hold up to about 250whp... there is a MR2 guy with a modified 1zz supercharger pushing that on an all stock block for a good 6 months now.

Polo708 has a good point here. I have been finding conflicting information depending on the forum I was on, and for a while i could'nt figure out why. I thought maybe the corolla guys are too timid for there own good, or maybe the mr2-s guys are full of shit and talking there cars up. I recently realized that the motor in the Corolla, matrix, vibe, and prius? is a 1ZZ-FE (built in the US) with fracture split forged metal connecting rods, and the motor in the celica gt and mr2-s is actually technically a 1ZZ-FED (made in Japan) with forged steel connecting rods. I wouldnt be surprised if the tougher rods in the FED are what is accounting for this discrepancy. Also through some of the other forums and through talking to some shops I hear the engines do have a problem with rod bearings and lubrication. Mobil1 oil filters and other filters that have a very high filtration rate are actually choking off fuel pressure in some cases. So be careful with that. I am going to see about getting a set of lightly used FED rods and having them cryo'ed. I will keep thinking aloud in this forum until someone stops me!

Toyota Japan just announced a new recall:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060718/UPDATE/607180406



"Associated Press
TOKYO -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it was recalling 268,000 vehicles in Japan over a faulty engine.
The recall affects 268,570 vehicles, including Corollas and the compact car Vitz, the company said in a statement submitted to Japan's transport ministry.
A faulty engine part could lead to an oil leak within the engine and cause it to stop completely, the statement said.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the recall affected cars sold outside Japan."



An internal oil leak would certainly cause oil pressure problems.

^^Well I'm pretty sure it doesn't apply to my 8th gen corolla right?

Another update to this story:
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?Feed=AP&Date=20060718&ID=5873092

Something wrong with that question.

Not really, just "race built" and "1zz," shouldent be in the same sentence.

jumbo shrimp

The statement isent an obvious oxymoron, but sure.

OK GOLD, DONT YOU OK ME, OK?

Gold angry;