CA Legal Engine Swap

007M-GTE · 07-05-2022, 07:03 PM

Hi everybody I need some help on what to do about my car.

My 7M-GE blow up for the 3nd time about a week after passing SMOG. It's been sitting in my garage for almost a year now. I was really really considering going the 2JZ route, but after doing all my research I realized converting a JDM 2JZ into a USDM 2JZ, or just
even finding a USDM 2JZ and then making it work on a MA70 and California legal is just going to be impossible (no hot SMOGs) and
a fabrication headache.

6 years ago I bought the car at 116k, at the time I was planning on rebuilding a 7M-GTE to swap out when the 7M-GE blows at 120k, but instead a just had a shop replaced the head gasket and I kept driving. Now, at 146,XXX its blown again. I parked it again for a few months to then change the head gasket, myself (I wanted to do it myself because I wanted to clean the engine and engine bay to make it look new), just in time for the scheduled SMOG test. I pass the SMOG test and then it blows a week later. The classic water fall sound you hear when you start the car was a clear sign that the head is blown and that there might be internal coolant leak problem with this engine.

Luckily, about a month or 2 of owning this car I bought a 7M-GTE for like $300, it came with a couple of wiring harnesses
and an ECU (its an automatic trans ECU). I took the engine apart (with the intention to rebuild stronger) and its been in pieces
ever since. I just recently decided that I should go back to my original idea and just rebuild the 7mgte.
With that said, I want to start buying parts but I have no idea what I should do or buy. Is that something that a machine shop can tell me what to do with the engine? The block is on and engine stand, the head still assembled with the cam gears etc, crankshaft is out, harmonic balancer off, everything is else is apart.

I love my car, it still looks like its in mint condition so I will NEVER EVER sell it. It sounds morbid but I want this car to out last me. I just want a reliable bullet proof build, that's faster than a stock 2JZ-GTE (like 300-400whp) (even 400whp may even be too much). I don't need that much horse power, I just miss driving my car.

So what kind of parts should I start buying?
I still need to find/buy an R154 transmission. My car just has the W58; and yes I will upgrade the brakes. Any advice would be a big help.

I realize this isn't first time someone on this forum is asking for some suggestions about how to rebuild a 1J, 2J, 7M, etc., but
usually people want insane horse power with some huge turbo and a never-ending budget. I have a realistic goal, as close to stock as possible maybe
keep the stock turbo or get something a little stronger I don't need 1000hp. Thanks

07-05-2022, 07:03 PM	#1
007M-GTE Stock Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Vallejo Posts: 1	CA Legal Engine Swap Hi everybody I need some help on what to do about my car. My 7M-GE blow up for the 3nd time about a week after passing SMOG. It's been sitting in my garage for almost a year now. I was really really considering going the 2JZ route, but after doing all my research I realized converting a JDM 2JZ into a USDM 2JZ, or just even finding a USDM 2JZ and then making it work on a MA70 and California legal is just going to be impossible (no hot SMOGs) and a fabrication headache. 6 years ago I bought the car at 116k, at the time I was planning on rebuilding a 7M-GTE to swap out when the 7M-GE blows at 120k, but instead a just had a shop replaced the head gasket and I kept driving. Now, at 146,XXX its blown again. I parked it again for a few months to then change the head gasket, myself (I wanted to do it myself because I wanted to clean the engine and engine bay to make it look new), just in time for the scheduled SMOG test. I pass the SMOG test and then it blows a week later. The classic water fall sound you hear when you start the car was a clear sign that the head is blown and that there might be internal coolant leak problem with this engine. Luckily, about a month or 2 of owning this car I bought a 7M-GTE for like $300, it came with a couple of wiring harnesses and an ECU (its an automatic trans ECU). I took the engine apart (with the intention to rebuild stronger) and its been in pieces ever since. I just recently decided that I should go back to my original idea and just rebuild the 7mgte. With that said, I want to start buying parts but I have no idea what I should do or buy. Is that something that a machine shop can tell me what to do with the engine? The block is on and engine stand, the head still assembled with the cam gears etc, crankshaft is out, harmonic balancer off, everything is else is apart. I love my car, it still looks like its in mint condition so I will NEVER EVER sell it. It sounds morbid but I want this car to out last me. I just want a reliable bullet proof build, that's faster than a stock 2JZ-GTE (like 300-400whp) (even 400whp may even be too much). I don't need that much horse power, I just miss driving my car. So what kind of parts should I start buying? I still need to find/buy an R154 transmission. My car just has the W58; and yes I will upgrade the brakes. Any advice would be a big help. I realize this isn't first time someone on this forum is asking for some suggestions about how to rebuild a 1J, 2J, 7M, etc., but usually people want insane horse power with some huge turbo and a never-ending budget. I have a realistic goal, as close to stock as possible maybe keep the stock turbo or get something a little stronger I don't need 1000hp. Thanks Last edited by 007M-GTE; 07-05-2022 at 09:18 PM.