Engine Head swap for VVT on 98 Corolla

VVT is found on the 4AGE 20v Silvertop, never released in the US. I'm not sure if the US did ever get any VVT engines, because the Blacktop 4AGE was VVTi, and it wasn't until after that that we got it here in the US.

So, short answer, no.

And VVT just advances the intake cam a set amount, it's either on or off.

Head swap for VVT on 98 Corolla

Oh my poor little Corolla. 2 of the valves are burnt and in need of replacement, but to get it all fixed it'll cost around 2K with labor and such. Now, my dad and I both know the little rolla runs with the 1ZZ-FE but no VVT. From what I understand I can get the VVT for my Corolla just by swapping the head with a newer model 1ZZ that came with VVT.

Now, my question is what else, other then the head swap, will I need to do for compatibility? Will I need a new ECU? Wiring Harness? Do I have to slaughter 26 goats to the Toyota gods or something? Any information would be helpful. Granted, also remember the swap would just be a way to fix the valves and get a little more spunk out of my car for just around the same price as replacing them with labor. We'd (my father and I) would probably end up doing the labor ourselves to help cut out that little chunk of $$. Thanks ahead of time for all your help and information, and at least taking a little time to read this.

It would be both easier and cheaper to just find a VVTi engine with the wiring harness, and swap it in.

Dude....out of curiosity.

When VVT-i was very first being phased in on the 2000 Corollas, weren't there some 1ZZ-FE engines that were VVT (no "i"). If I remember correctly, the very first ones were just VVT, and then later on the VVT-i came in.

Obviously, the VVT-i is controlled by the ECU. However, is the VVT? The VVT, to my understanding, is more like VTEC...it was either on or off and was NOT continuously variable.

Right or wrong?

Late,
Trav

So, from what I understand it would be easier to just find a 2000+ model Corolla 1ZZ engine with the wiring harness and just throw it into my car? Any price figures for that swap at all? I see in JDLangevin's signature that you're a Toyota swapping expert. Now fantasy wise, I'd love to throw in the 2ZZ in my Corolla, but I'm rather confident that it's quite pricey.

Should there be any specific 1ZZ engines to look for? Just from the Corolla or the Celica GT also (2000+ model years right?). Thanks again for your information!

I WOULD say wrong. on 2000 and later model the went with vvt-i engines. what you getting confused with is the vvtl-i from the celica gts and the corolla Xrs and the matrix xrs. 98-99 are just plain 1zzfe engines without VVT-i. easier to modify.

well you can do your own 3zzfe conversion with a 2zz block and head with a 1zzfe crank! yes the 1zzfe has a longer stroke than the 2zzge.

Other options,<a href="http://monkeywrenchracing.com/toyota_engine_packages.html" target="_blank">http://monkeywrenchracing.com/toyot...e_packages.html</a>

Yeap, exactly. In fact, swapping a VVTi engine from a 2000 Corolla would be quite easy. Almost plug and play

Now, about the 2ZZGE. I should put this in my sig actually: I'm the only one on the forums that has ever installed a 2ZZGE into a '98 - '02 Corolla. Have a look on my website http://www.phoenixtuning.com/ or you can get the whole story at http://www.northeasterntuners.com/ the link is on the front page.

Anyway, this was a '98 that I converted from automatic to 6-speed along with installing the 2ZZGE, upgrading the front brakes, and doing a rear disk conversion. This job was very difficult because 3 out of 4 motor mounts needed to be customized, the axles had to be custom units, and there was customizing to the exhaust manifold. Because this hadn't been done before it took quite a bit of time.

Now, a much easier option which I have heard works (but I have not done it myself yet) is swapping the 2ZZGE in and keeping the stock 1ZZ 5-speed tranny. This eliminates the need for the custom engine mounts AND the custom axles, both big items in terms of time and money. The manifold still needs to be modified along with a custom wiring harness, but that's the case with any swap.

Wow, thanks for the information, this is really helping a lot. Now, if I were to do the engine swap or the head swap, would I need a new ECU to incorporate the VVT? Could I use my stock 98 ECU and use the stage 1 racing head from the like provided by xplicitcorolla99? Does a wiring harness normally come with the ECU or just a bunch of wires? Again, thank you all very very much for your contributions, this is really helping me out a lot.

If you swap in a VVTi engine from say, an '00, then you'll need that ECU and wiring harness. You'll also have to rewire a couple of things (fans come to mind).

-Doc

Problem solve...

Hm...so if I see a wiring harness advertised, does that normally include the ECU or would I need to get that seperate? Are there any good after market ECUs for the 00+ 1ZZ engines that I could use incase I couldn't get my hands on the stock model? Thanks again for all the info.

Normally it will specify if it includes the ECU. If you don't want to run the stock one, then you'll need a standalone. Search online for "standalone engine management" and you'll find a bunch. The cheapest is Megasquirt, but you have to build it yourself.

-Doc

Now...this is a little random and totally off, essentially but...how would a 4AGZE (super charged 4AG found in the later AW11 MR-2) fair in my little 98 Corolla? Has anyone done something like that at all? Anyways, so my best bet is to find a 00+ 1ZZ with Wiring Harness and ECU and it should be pretty easy to install and get the job done. Anyone know the estimated cost I should be looking at for that? Anyone selling a 00+ 1zz with wiring harness and ECU? Thank again for all your help, it's greatly appreciated.

It would do fine, just as good as with the ealier cars. You want one from a JDM Levin though. Also I'm not sure the engine mounts are the same so you may need to alter them.

Are you asking for the cost of the install, or of the parts?

Parts. My dad and I would probably do the labor/install ourselves. He's got an engine hoist and other misc. tools to do engine swaps and all sorts of goodies.

i belive greddy makes a stand alone ecu that works with the corolla the emanage.

need some info

im getting a 98 corolla what engine can you swap that fit like a glove and what engines can you get that wouldnt be that much of a pain in the ass another words little modifaction i heard that i dont know what year though but a celica gt but truth they are slow right ? any way any info would be great you can email me at smokegoody420@aol.com

HOLD UP THERE!!! If u are to do a head swap its more work than just that... The VVTi is activated by the vvt actuator on the intake camshaft. So u'll need the head, cam, intake camshaft and other misc stuff. The ecu might need to be changed. So i agree with Dr. Tweek its easier and cheaper to swap in a newer motor already with vvt. Good luck however u go about it though.