Hi, I want to do a tii swap. I have been reading through the forums about the process. I was wondering how I should go about the swap.

1. Get a JDM engine, rebuild it, buy new parts supporting parts (rear end etc.)
2. Buy a totaled tii with good engine, swap parts over.
3. Buy a tii with a blown engine, get it rebuilt (atkins)

I dont want to simply sell my GTU because I am attached to it and couldnt part with it. What is the most cost effective and lasting option?

 

In my opinion I think it's best to buy a crashed TII as long as all of the mechanical components still work. I bought a JDM motor and it was in extremely good condition, but I spent most of my time gathering misc. pieces like driveshaft, rearend, throtle cable, etc.

 

I am still working on a TII swap into a 90 GTU, and just about having the worst experience with it. The car ran fine 9 months ago, then motor was blown out of no where. Base on information on the forum, the motor may have blown due to the free flow exhaust that can give you boost creeps which would cut the fuel on the rear cylinder, and I did have a perfect front cylinder with perfect compression, but blown rear apex seals with the rotor, block all gone. So ended up going with the Atkin's rebuilt kit and finished just about a month or two ago. Then I've been tackling with the electrical problem ever since trying to get the car to start. I think if I were to do it again, I would just buy a FD motor with harness and ECU to drop it in.

 

I went with #1 and it was far more expensive than I thought it would be... this was my first big automotive experience though. It would be a good idea to get the complete TII drivetrain for sure. Figure out how much HP you are shooting for, think of the mods you would like to perform, and source out an engine.

Like GTPilot said, If I were to do it again... I would buy an RE and go ALL out.

 

#2 worked best for me. Stripped the TII to the frame, reused all the parts I needed and SOLD THE LEFTOVERS (this is good because you're getting SOME $$ for the parts you don't want/need).

I am NOT going to agree with GT pilot for a couple of reasons:

1. Driver error caused the engine failure and he messed up somewhere while doing the install and he is still trouble shooting so the TII swap (motor only) isn't a BAD idea.

2. FD motor + FC != "drop it in."

 

cheap = non rebuilt jspec dice roll engine. ebay boost sensor, afm, throttle cable, ecu, ebay frontmount and piping etc... This is the swap several people have done retaining your na harness, b booster, trans diff axles and starter etc.... Mine has 1400 miles or so and counting with a cost of about 2,600 or so to complete. could have prob done it cheaper with out paying 1700 for the engine.

john ny

 

Would have been nice if I was the driver and the one who worked on it, then wouldn't have such a hard time not knowing what caused the problems to begin with. I'm just helping the guy that had the blown motor because I sold the car. The car WAS originally done with a front clip with all parts swapped, including transmission an all necessary hardware. Like I said, it ran fine when I had the car. Then blew soon after the new owner took it over, even the dealer messed it up, further. So I decided to do the job myself at least I know I will pay attention to every little detail along the way.

With all that said, I would still choose FD motor because there is enough of information now to know how to do it right vs a year ago, and the cost and time in the end is roughly the same because it's not going to be original anyways, plus easier to get FD parts than FC's. I waited for a long time just to get some gasket kit because it was out of stock everywhere. If it was FD, would probably be done long ago and easier to troubleshoot.

 

yeah, that's the problem with buying a car that has been previously modified. It's like a box of chocolates.

wait, you sold it to a guy and it ran and you're still working on it after the new owner killed it? or you sold the car? you lost me a tad and I can't blame it on the lack of coffee.


I guess once it's all installed and you're past the difficult parts it might be easier but i still don't think it's an easy swap.

 

i have an 89 GTU and im planning to convert it to a TII. you really think a FD engine with harness and ECU would be the way to go?

 

no.

 

Hell no. The 13b-rew is not a direct swap. The engine sits differently and the wiring will have to be redone. You're best bet is to stick with a 13bt or a 13bre.

 

Changed my mind. A/C and other components are not direct either, and you need the boost sensor from FD which doesn't usually come with the motor/harness/ECU.

Phoenix, I did sell the car, it was suppose to be in running condition with the price paid, so I'm taking responsibility to get the car running again, which made a project out of it.

 

A 13B-REW would be more of a hassle than a 13bt, it's a scientific fact. Scientists proved it back in the 40s in war-torn Germany.

I went the route of #2. It's MUCH easier to do when you have EVERYTHING. I managed to buy one that was only missing the hood and rear half-shafts. Those were tracked down within a few months.

More than likely with any route you're going down, rebuilding it will be something you will want to consider. The TII I bought ran fine, and had no signs of having a bad motor, but I opted to get it rebuilt anyway. Turns out the rear rotor had a chipped seal and the rear housing was garbage. Those JDM mad-tyte-yo motor yards will promise you everything in the world, but that motor has probably been sitting for a few years.

 

oh, makes sense. Still sucks though but props to you for the follow through.

 

swap a jdm motor into a non turbo

saves money on insurance

just get the same series engine and car, i got different series and its a pain gathering parts and doing the electricals

 

Pm sent