2001 GS430. What to do?

The GS has been in and out of a couple shops all last year. I love the car and Im holding on to it for a long time. Just recently the timing belt had snapped. 6 valves were bent in the process. Heads were rebuilt and cleaned up and water pump was replaced along with all the tensioners and the drive belt. Now, after two days of driving the block seizes up due to oil pump failure.

So what should I do? Spend a couple thousand on a used engine just for the block? Save a little more for a built block from Lextreme? Or just say forget it and go for an Aristo GTE?

Thanks in advance!

Hmmm that's a tough call... how handy are you with mechanics and electronics? 'Cause if you and your friends can't do the JZ-swap yourself, I just don't see the point. Keeping in mind that there are a lot of unforeseeable charges included in the swap, so it's essential that you will do the work yourself to keep the expenses from piling up. Of course if it doesn't matter if you spend 6K or 16K for the swap then by all means let a respectable shop do it... =)

But if you'r going to let a shop handle everything then I'd advise you just to save a bit for the built block and reinforced internals. The shop can at the same time throw a charger in there as well :biggthumpup:

I agree with Juzzo, if you have not done a swap before or do not have capable friends that will ensure its done correctly, I would not attempt it. 

Best bet would be to call a few junkyards around you and look for the 3uz. Once you find a motor, do all maintenance then install. Otherwise, get a built motor, but having a built motor is pointless unless you have it tuned, even then the motor will not be that much more powerful. 

The best way is to find a lower mileage motor, maintain, install, then add s/c if your looking for reliable power.

The heads are fresh. They were cleaned and completely rebuilt when the timing belt was replaced. They are so legit. Ive only driven on them for about two days before the block had seized up. 

I compiled a long list of junkyards and called every single one of them. They all give me the same response. They dont part out engines, they only sell them in complete sets. Price range is around $3200-$5000. I only need the block. So a used engine is out of the question.

Im doing a 2JZGTE swap on my brothers SC300 soon. Ive done his and two other SCs auto to 5speed manual conversions. If its better to swap in a 2J in the GS430 then I might look into it some more but like Juzzo mentioned, I will be looking at additional costs including shop charges.

The built 3UZ block is looking pretty good right now. It will run me about $3500 plus labor. If I go that route I might as well look for a super charger for it. Here is more information on the rotating assembly

[URL]http://www.lextreme.com/assembly.html[/URL]

If you have any suggestions on a legit super charger setup feel free to post.

Thanks in advance!

you should try a 2jzgte vvti ,  Its a pretty simple swap

LS2/T56. 
 
 
FTW.
 
 
Seriously, if you want something for power, since it's smoggable, I'd go for an LS series swap. 
 
AMSMIKE over on CL did his and posted up numbers....its like 367HP 373TQ, maybe an intake and exhaust. 
 
SOO many mods for the engine that you won't know which ones you really want to do. 
 
Total is around 10k to complete it, cheaper if you keep the transmission automatic. 
 
 
Just sayin', it's an option. =)

[QUOTE=Caoboy;430381]LS2/T56. 
 
 
FTW.
 
 
Seriously, if you want something for power, since it's smoggable, I'd go for an LS series swap. 
 
AMSMIKE over on CL did his and posted up numbers....its like 367HP 373TQ, maybe an intake and exhaust. 
 
SOO many mods for the engine that you won't know which ones you really want to do. 
 
Total is around 10k to complete it, cheaper if you keep the transmission automatic. 
 
 
Just sayin', it's an option. =)[/QUOTE]

Hey Thanks for the reply! When I got this car I was just looking to keep it nice and VIP with a little bit of power when I want it. I used to drag, drift, and autocross with my old SC300. I wasn't really looking for all that on the GS. After doing some more research I think I'm going to get a forged rotating assembly and pack the 4.3liter with bolt ons for power gains.

I'd do the LSx swap.  When my motor goes, that's what I will be doing.  Real power.

Damn Thomas, you SC an LSx...it's over.
 
You could probably sell your SC setup and motor now and fund the LSx swap, probably extra left over for gas too!

there's so much more power potential doing an LSx swap.  With building your 1uz, you will have to tune it...which a piggyback will fight with your stock ecu so you'd have to do a standalone.  With all that money, you could bolt in a LSx swap 5.7 or 6.0 and have as much power.  You can use the stock GM PCM and HP tuners...no standalone needed.  I'm building a 6.3 liter for my silverado right now and will have over 550whp all motor...but of course I'm adding a 91mm turbo...

don't build a forged 1uz...you'll regret it.

You're right. The motor is out and the block will be going to the machine shop to be taken apart and analyze the damage. I'm going to keep costs as low as possible. I have plans to build a 2JZGTE for another project.

kind of going from 0 to 100. there's no reason to need forged internals for bolt ons. the 3uz (not 1uz thomas) has weak rods but you're not going to strain them without f/i. you have a much simpler solution.
 
i'm not against ls swaps, but there's something to be said for a built uz. it's not always where you walk to, sometimes it's how you walk there.

built uz is a waste of money....compare $ to HP and you'll get what I'm saying.

it's not always about the $$$. the cost is only becuase it's not a common platform. expensive vs. unique. ls is the new go to, 2jz was the last... been done. yawn.

[QUOTE=speedaddict;430913]I'd do the LSx swap.  When my motor goes, that's what I will be doing.  Real power.[/QUOTE]



Real baller with a real power

I like VIP sedans with V8's....not drift cars sounding...
I remember a lot of the VIP cars in Japan had loud ass sexy sounding V8's with crazy exhaust outlets..ganster as fuck.