7M-GE to 7M-GTE swap help

k0170n · 08-17-2011, 12:20 AM

Hi guys!

I have a few questions about the ECU on these engines and if I were to land a 7M-GTE engine into a car that came stock with 7M-GE, if when swapping the ECU's would I have to re-wire all the wiring harness, or if I could just plug and play because of the similar engines. What all would I need to do, and if you had any advice, what would you give me? I want to swap because the GE car is in tons better shape and is more clean.

Thanks much!!
Colton

MJG · 08-17-2011, 02:07 AM

First of all, I have never done a swap. my opinion is you would be far better off purchasing a GTE wire harness rather than a hack job. The wire harness between the two engines differ.
Depending on the engine you purchase, many include the engine wire harness and ECU.

k0170n · 08-17-2011, 02:32 AM

The thing is, is that the GTE comes with the harness, I will have two hole cars. I just want the shell and interior from the GE car. I was just told that I could swap engines (or now wondering if it would be easier to just swap the shell and interior ie seats, carpet, door panals, etc) and just swap ecu's. But if I would have to take off the whole wiring harness, and putting on the other one. I was wondering if I could just skip some pain and time and just swapping the ecu by splicing and soldering some wires to the new ecu.

supraturbo_mk3 · 08-17-2011, 02:32 AM

I just went through this.....I have a JDM 7MGTE hooked up to a 7MGE ECU and harness. Don't do it!! It run's dangerously lean, It has no fuel cut (Which can save your ass) There is extra sensor's just flopping around (Looks like shit) and seriously it's such a bastard setup that I can't believe it runs good and pulls hard too. But it's not worth it all the extra work and hassle. I'm buying a GTE ECU and wire harness and redoing all of it. The big problems come when trying to upgrade and tune.....I need a professional tune, no shop will touch it. Make sure you use an R154 transmission if your 5spd because the W58 will fail under the extra power.

k0170n · 08-17-2011, 02:38 AM

Alright, so you do suggest running the GTE harness on the GTE engine? (Duh) lol but will I run into any problems like extra wires, or wires I need to solder into the ECU due to the body requiring them? Or will I just be able to disconnect all of the GE's harness, swap the engine and ECU, then just reconnect all of the GTE harness to the GTE engine?

k0170n · 08-17-2011, 02:40 AM

Just coming from a Subaru guy who found out that swapping EJ engines is a pain in the ass, because you have to splice and solder a shit load of wires to a new ECU... I was just hoping that Toyota had the light at the end of the tunnel and it was loads easier

907mge · 08-17-2011, 03:08 AM

A 7mgte harness should connect right up to a 7mgte. I would think cutting up a harness and redoing it would be far harder than just switching it out. Also a 7mge has a distr. while the 7mgte uses coil packs which alone will make the harness different.

MJG · 08-17-2011, 03:10 AM

Light at the end of a tunnel? You must be dead or an engineer.

k0170n · 08-17-2011, 03:39 AM

That shouldn't be a problem though if I'm taking the whole engine and a few parts into a new car though? Just put in the ignition coils from the GTE into the GE shell with the GTE harness. This will be the first engine swap on a Toyota I will do, I have done many Hondas and a Subaru...

btwilson86 · 08-17-2011, 04:48 AM

Swap out the engines. Leave the harness on the engine when you remove it, you can push the ecu plugs into the engine bay fairly easily. Swap out the ECU's. Swap out the gauge clusters (so your tach works and you have a boost gauge). I'm told the dash wiring harnesses are the same from similar year Supras (pre89 and post89; you will want to verify that). Swap the stuff out that's on the fenders (some parts are different).

That should pretty much cover the basics in the swap, although I haven't actually done it myself (helped someone else do it though)

08-17-2011, 12:20 AM	#1
k0170n Stock Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 5	7M-GE to 7M-GTE swap help Hi guys! I have a few questions about the ECU on these engines and if I were to land a 7M-GTE engine into a car that came stock with 7M-GE, if when swapping the ECU's would I have to re-wire all the wiring harness, or if I could just plug and play because of the similar engines. What all would I need to do, and if you had any advice, what would you give me? I want to swap because the GE car is in tons better shape and is more clean. Thanks much!! Colton

08-17-2011, 02:32 AM	#4
supraturbo_mk3 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland Posts: 96	I just went through this.....I have a JDM 7MGTE hooked up to a 7MGE ECU and harness. Don't do it!! It run's dangerously lean, It has no fuel cut (Which can save your ass) There is extra sensor's just flopping around (Looks like shit) and seriously it's such a bastard setup that I can't believe it runs good and pulls hard too. But it's not worth it all the extra work and hassle. I'm buying a GTE ECU and wire harness and redoing all of it. The big problems come when trying to upgrade and tune.....I need a professional tune, no shop will touch it. Make sure you use an R154 transmission if your 5spd because the W58 will fail under the extra power. __________________ IF IT AINT A SUPRA IT AINT SH*T!! 87 Supra N/A JDM 7MGTE, 8psi, 2.5inch Exhaust, 18inch Rim's, 255/45/18 rear, 255/40/18 front, 3inch DP, Ported 3inch elbow, Stage 2 6 puck Clutch 95 Eclipse GST 15psi, 3inch Stainless Steel Exhaust, 3inch DP, MBC, 2.5inch Upper I/C piping, Short Throw Shifter, Stainless Steel turbo inlet, Type S BOV (Sold) 89 Supra Turbo, 12psi, 3inch Exhaust, Ebay intake, 2.5inch Upper I/C piping, ARP Head Studs, Stainless Turbo Manifold Tial BOV (Sold) (Sold)

08-17-2011, 04:48 AM	#10
btwilson86 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 1,034	Swap out the engines. Leave the harness on the engine when you remove it, you can push the ecu plugs into the engine bay fairly easily. Swap out the ECU's. Swap out the gauge clusters (so your tach works and you have a boost gauge). I'm told the dash wiring harnesses are the same from similar year Supras (pre89 and post89; you will want to verify that). Swap the stuff out that's on the fenders (some parts are different). That should pretty much cover the basics in the swap, although I haven't actually done it myself (helped someone else do it though) __________________ 1989 7MGTE R154 Targa Top White Package w/Blue Interior Driftmotion 57trim CT26, Upgraded Intercooler, 2.25" Hard Pipes, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with Test Pipe, HKS VPC w/GM 3 bar MAP sensor, APEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, ProSport EVO Series Boost / Fuel Pressure / AFR gauges, Lotek a Pillar Gauge Pod, HKS Type 0 Turbo Timer, Eibach Lowering Springs, Tokico Illumina II TEMS struts, custom powder coated Motegi Racing TrakLite wheels

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08-17-2011, 02:07 AM	#2
MJG 3" Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 125	First of all, I have never done a swap. my opinion is you would be far better off purchasing a GTE wire harness rather than a hack job. The wire harness between the two engines differ. Depending on the engine you purchase, many include the engine wire harness and ECU.

08-17-2011, 02:38 AM	#5
k0170n Stock Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 5	Alright, so you do suggest running the GTE harness on the GTE engine? (Duh) lol but will I run into any problems like extra wires, or wires I need to solder into the ECU due to the body requiring them? Or will I just be able to disconnect all of the GE's harness, swap the engine and ECU, then just reconnect all of the GTE harness to the GTE engine?

08-17-2011, 02:40 AM	#6
k0170n Stock Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 5	Just coming from a Subaru guy who found out that swapping EJ engines is a pain in the ass, because you have to splice and solder a shit load of wires to a new ECU... I was just hoping that Toyota had the light at the end of the tunnel and it was loads easier

08-17-2011, 03:08 AM	#7
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	A 7mgte harness should connect right up to a 7mgte. I would think cutting up a harness and redoing it would be far harder than just switching it out. Also a 7mge has a distr. while the 7mgte uses coil packs which alone will make the harness different.

08-17-2011, 03:10 AM	#8
MJG 3" Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 125	Light at the end of a tunnel? You must be dead or an engineer.

08-17-2011, 03:39 AM	#9
k0170n Stock Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 5	That shouldn't be a problem though if I'm taking the whole engine and a few parts into a new car though? Just put in the ignition coils from the GTE into the GE shell with the GTE harness. This will be the first engine swap on a Toyota I will do, I have done many Hondas and a Subaru...