Plans of Engine Change: Any suggestions?

[gSx_8o]

I'm a newbie in car tuning.

And I plan to buy a '99-'02 Solara for the body.
I want to throw out the stock engine and replace it with a better one

Any suggestions of an engine for under $5000?

I'm particularly looking for:

:: 3.0L
:: V6
:: at least 225 horses
:: Manual
:: Planning to add single/twin turbo or a TRD supercharger for 3.0L engines

I'm aiming to upgrade it to at least 300 horses.

Thanks for your help.

[Jackass-Jeff]

300 horses at the flywheel is doable... you can just get the V6 manual Solara and supercharge it. With proper support upgrades, people have been running around 260 at the wheels (so that's probably like 320 at the fly)

Another option may be the new Toyota V6 that's in the new Solara... the 3MZ-FE. It's the same as the previous 1MZ-FE, so the mounts should be like a drop in. The engine is the same except that it's bored to 3.3 L and that it has VVT-i. I heard TRD is coming out w/ a supercharger for it by the 05 model... but I'm not sure. I only heard that from 2 TRD reps from 2 different dealers.

Good luck

[HKSV6SLE]

seems like a lot of work....might as well work with the engine you have now....

[DavPak]

you won't find a new engine for that car under $5000.
were you gonna do the install yourself?

[gSx_8o]

Disregard the budget.

There's a private body shop I can have the work done at.

I'd hate to work with the stock engine.
It's completely useless performance-wise, unless I throw in extensive upgrades.
I'm currently thinking of a '98 Supra Twin-turbo engine.
But I'm not absolutely sure about the compatibility.
I'd like to have the engine "clean looking", without too much hardware underneath the hood.
I've thought about supercharging the stock engine with TRD.
But I'm looking around for something better.

Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks for your comment xravexboix, I appreciate your help.

[i20solara02i]

Disregard the budget.

There's a private body shop I can have the work done at.

I'd hate to work with the stock engine.
It's completely useless performance-wise, unless I throw in extensive upgrades.
I'm currently thinking of a '98 Supra Twin-turbo engine.
But I'm not absolutely sure about the compatibility.
I'd like to have the engine "clean looking", without too much hardware underneath the hood.
I've thought about supercharging the stock engine with TRD.
But I'm looking around for something better.

Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks for your comment xravexboix, I appreciate your help.

throwing in a 2jz is gonna be really hard. since the solara is fwd and the supra is rwd. probably best thing you could go is a 3sgte awd engine that came from the celica.

richard

[Turbosolara]

wake up hommie. first of all, 5000 you cannot even afford a turbo for a 4 banger. Second labors are EXPENSIVE and time cosuming. Third obvious you have NOT done enough research. toyota I6 cannot fit into our chasis, unless you do extensive modification. If you want to be cool, then get RB26DET, skyline GTR motor. However, to Swap 3SGTE is more pratical but it is still only to cost you alot to bulid it up. but 3SGTE with few bolt on you can reach 350HP no problem and it can modifiy all the way up to 800HP

your project will be faster if you just buy ron's car...which has 300hp on the wheel already.


this remind me that a while ago someone over teamSc3 promised that he gonna swap for 3SGTE for under 5000 and it will be done by april. we have not hear anything from him since them. The newest update is that he blow his 5SFE with turbo for "test how much boost it can handle (7psi)".

[HKSV6SLE]

all true......the 3sgte isn't a bad engine...i think uh top secret out in japan has a supra withe the 3sgte in it...

[Jackass-Jeff]

the 2jz fits but, as mentioned, it's for RWD cars only... unless you find a tranny that'll work... and horizontally mount the 2jz... LOL

spend money on a Jzz30 chassis conversion first, then work on the engine =P that should allow you to have a very unique FR Solara powered by the 2JZ =D (aka, you'll have a Soarer w/ a Solara body on top... =x )

It's not really worth overpowering a FF car because of handling issues that will come up... unless you're just planning to only drag... but I think FF still have a disadvantage (no reason... i just assume)

[Blaze]

just buy this

[64Galaxie]

I say just buy an SC300 and already have a front engined RWD car with a straight six. Why the h*ll would you put that much chassis work into a car that will need at least $15,000 to $20,000 in work to get what you want?
I guess if we're just speaking hypothetically you can get a Solara body and put a SBC in it with a powerglide.

[TadS]

I don't know alot about the 1mz platform, but isn't it able to use "simple" bolt-ons to get into the neighborhood of 300hp? I mean if you want to spend the money there are guys here that are over that, which I am sure would offer advice on how they got there. I would just put you $5000 into the motor you have.

If you're really crazy, I think that the 1MZ motor has alot of potential that people haven't completely exploited. It just starts to get into the law of diminishing returns on your investment.

[i20solara02i]

if you really want performance get the sc300 or somethin. swap it with a 1j or 2j engine that came with turbo. you should be set. great sleeper right there

richard

[impactX]

If you want a fast car, start with a better platform.

[gSx_8o]

You guys are all right about the platform.

I just want to boost the performace a little bit.
My first priority with the Solara isn't racing,
after all it IS a Solara, (not a racing type).

I'm just looking for suggestions for a better engine,
not really comfortable with the stock 155 horses.

Otherwise, I'll stick with the stock engine and add upgrades time after time.

If there's anymore comments anyone would like to add,
please feel free.

Thanks everyone for your posts.
I appreciate your help,
I learned a lot.