K20 turbo vs 1zz forged

[Gaz2405]

I'm struggling to make my mind up on the next phase of my build.

Now the 1zz forged build would be with darton M.I.D sleeves, rods and pistons 83mm. Uprated valve train. Upgrade my Td04 15t to a 19t. Thick end of £3k

New fuel pump and ecu master ecu.

Aiming for a 'safe' 350 at the wheels.

My only issue here is that the car is to be used on the track and the gearbox is my only worry.

This is where a K swap has started popping into my mind.

Engine and gearbox can be had for around £1k-£1.5k.

Turbo manifold £350ish

Engine mounts £500

Driveshafts £500-£1500 dependant on spec.

Then ecu.

Is anyone on here running a k swap?

[Dift]

Has to be a K20 swap for me. Aftermarket products is huge. Any issues or unplanned upgrades can be easily dealt with.

Its a no brainer for me

[jvanzyl]

K20 swap is about £5k - have a chat with @miles and that's without rebuilding it.

If you're aiming at 350, rotrex 2zz is a well trodden Route and the torque should be fine. You'll end up spending about 5k again but I'd say it's "easier".

If I were you I'd give serious thought to going down the AR series route. Get in touch with Marc from Frankenstein Motorworks. Basically he's developed the swap kit for the 2AR and it's very easy to go for the 8ar instead. It's the engine from the Lexus 200t, so that's 250 bhp stock. Turning it up from there is simple. Or you Can stick with the 2AR and add your own turbo or rotrex- there have been quotes of silly numbers achieved. The big advantage is that it's an engine from 5 years ago roughly  vs  I don't know how old the 2zz or k20 is now..

[Gaz2405]

I have thought about the AR series and GR series. With GR series nudging it over the two.

However after a bit more research, I'm siding with K20.

I'm going to see what pops up in the new year engine and gearbox wise on ebay and the likes.

[Ardent]

K20 swap is about £5k - have a chat with @miles and that's without rebuilding it.

If you're aiming at 350, rotrex 2zz is a well trodden Route and the torque should be fine. You'll end up spending about 5k again but I'd say it's "easier".

If I were you I'd give serious thought to going down the AR series route. Get in touch with Marc from Frankenstein Motorworks. Basically he's developed the swap kit for the 2AR and it's very easy to go for the 8ar instead. It's the engine from the Lexus 200t, so that's 250 bhp stock. Turning it up from there is simple. Or you Can stick with the 2AR and add your own turbo or rotrex- there have been quotes of silly numbers achieved. The big advantage is that it's an engine from 5 years ago roughly  vs  I don't know how old the 2zz or k20 is now..

That is my post of the day.
The creative benefits of grape juice are flowing.

[thetyrant]

K20 route is a good one and pondered it myself a lot, biggest issue is finding a good donor engine box at right money as most have been well thrashed now especially cheaper end of market so rebuild probably needed especially if going fi as well.

As above I reckon 5k minimum for basic K20 swap done right if you get lucky with good used motor, and if your turbo/supercharging add another 4k+ which is too much outlay imo.

Good project though whichever way you go

[Gaz2405]

The other option I'm looking at but can't find much info is an EA60 gearbox swap onto the 1zz

[thetyrant]

Look interesting but expensive to buy boxes and the conversion etc, there is always the mk2 turbo E153 swap which seems a proven solution, again not cheap though for kit but boxes should be cheap enough i would think - https://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/product/mwr-install-kit-mr2-t-e153-transmission-toyota-mr2-s-00-05/

Life of the stock box seems to be variable from what ive read with 3rd gear seemingly being main problem areas, treated carefully can supposedly handle a fair bit of power/torque but i guess problem is 3rd and 4th are most used in these cars which doesnt help!

[Nvy]

The other option I'm looking at but can't find much info is an EA60 gearbox swap onto the 1zz

Most of them doesn't have lsd so lsd plus custom adapter and axles can go well into k20 swap money. Ill be looking into that option too but prices are making me cry.. Share your findings please.

[jvanzyl]

Totally

I have thought about the AR series and GR series. With GR series nudging it over the two.

However after a bit more research, I'm siding with K20.

I'm going to see what pops up in the new year engine and gearbox wise on ebay and the likes.

Totally

I have thought about the AR series and GR series. With GR series nudging it over the two.

However after a bit more research, I'm siding with K20.

I'm going to see what pops up in the new year engine and gearbox wise on ebay and the likes.

Totally understand the appeal of the GR, however installation costs are rather prohibitive.

The AR series provides a new gearbox, simple and well documented installation with the preservation of the stock gauges and is essentially in my honest opinion the new "2zz" type of swap for our cars.

[Gaz2405]

The other option I'm looking at but can't find much info is an EA60 gearbox swap onto the 1zz

Most of them doesn't have lsd so lsd plus custom adapter and axles can go well into k20 swap money. Ill be looking into that option too but prices are making me cry.. Share your findings please.

The boxes come up quite cheap every now and again, so might grab a box and a nackered 1zz lump to figure out the bolt pattern and work out a bell house adapting  plate if required.

Linkages should be straight forward using the lotus stuff.

[Gaz2405]

Totally

I have thought about the AR series and GR series. With GR series nudging it over the two.

However after a bit more research, I'm siding with K20.

I'm going to see what pops up in the new year engine and gearbox wise on ebay and the likes.

Totally

I have thought about the AR series and GR series. With GR series nudging it over the two.

However after a bit more research, I'm siding with K20.

I'm going to see what pops up in the new year engine and gearbox wise on ebay and the likes.

Totally understand the appeal of the GR, however installation costs are rather prohibitive.

The AR series provides a new gearbox, simple and well documented installation with the preservation of the stock gauges and is essentially in my honest opinion the new "2zz" type of swap for our cars.

I'll have to do a bit more research into the AR and its supporting mods available (as I wan to have thr ability to go 400ho plus) , GR conversion costs in terms of fabrication doesn't put me off as I'll fab the stuff myself.

[1979scotte]

2zz and a Rotrex will prove to be the most cost efficient imho.
Can't see the point of another 4 pot swap if you've got the money to spend go 2gr.