Newbie Alert

[AlcoholicA]

Hi everyone. I'm pretty new to this forum, although I've read it for quite some time before I finally registered since I've been researching about Cefiros.

I'm a Brit living in Thailand, and I've just bought myself a 1991 Cefiro with a 1JZ engine. I've driven a couple of the RB engine Cefiros too. I have to say that I opted for the 1JZ because of the current performance and the ease of future upgrades [and costs of those upgrades here in Thailand] compared to the RB20 or RB25 options....

However from reading through some of the posts here, it seems as though many posters don't tend to endorse the 1JZ as a good option..... I'd be interested to know a few details why?

All comments welcome....... even pi$$-take about the cricket or rugby if you Aussies must!

[Guest a31rb25]

the 1JZ is a damn good engine and a an awesome swap into anything it will fit into. i think the main reason that it's not dropped into cefiros here is because ppl either aren't aware of how good the engine is, can't be bothered or would simply save the time, money & hassle and just buy a Toyota with a 1J in it.

as far as cricket or rugby goes, i don't care atm, still enjoying the 'football' victory from last night!

[nisskid]

yeh ud get that bias considering its a skyline site.

realistically the 1Jz is probably a better engine than the RB25 in general, not the RB26 i dont rekon. Very strong engines with tonnes of torque, thou not fantastic on fuel (from what i have been told).

[D-limo]

Oil control is better than both RB25/26. Stock pistons are teflon coated and stock bottom end is all round stronger than RB25.. 26 is probably a little stronger again??

1J bottom ends are much cheaper when things go kablamo..

Down side is they are'nt as rev happy as RB motors.. Gearbox's are around the same price for both.. R154's from what I've heard are a lttle more notchy than the nissans.

1J's will be bad on fuel with a heavy foot and stock turbos on boost all the time..

[funkymonkey]

what it boils down to is availability and familiarity. RB engines are a dime a dozen here, compared to good 1JZ's.

Most workshops know how to do RB20 - RB25 swaps pretty quickly. You have to keep in mind that in thailand you don't have RB20DET engines in stock ceffies like we do over here. So if you're gonna go to the effort of say for example upgrading the RB24S or CA18i to a better engine, then you can go either to an RB25 or a 1JZ just as easily... wheras for us its a lot easier to go from RB20DET to RB25DET by just changing a few things in the loom and dropping an engine (and minor ancillary upgrades) in.

[robots]

AlcoholicA, post some engine pics, man. And can you get some info on the 1jzgte swap ? Like what things should be changed ? Hows the wiring. It would be great info in general and very precious for me. As I'm planing to get a cefiro in China. And 1JZ will be a bit cheaper I guess.

[dangerous_daveo]

If I could have bought one pre 1jz'ed I would have. As that would have been resonably cheap. But I couldnt

I reckon you went the smarter option. To smash one of those things you need to be doing something wrong.

[AlcoholicA]

Interesting to hear the comments so far.....

AlcoholicA, post some engine pics, man. And can you get some info on the 1jzgte swap ? Like what things should be changed ? Hows the wiring.

Here's a picture of the engine.... it looks very basic and standard at the moment since only just acquiring the car I haven't yet had chance to "pretty it up".

I have to admit that the conversion has been done very well, and really the only thing that gives any indication that it doesn't really belong there are the Toyota markings on the engine and that the battery has been relocated to the boot/trunk of the car.

As for your question about what has to be changed, I'm not too sure other than the items that I've read on here and a few other places. I did actually look at a number of BMW 3series' with 1jz's before I settled on the idea of a Cefiro, so its a fair conclusion that it's possible to squeeze them into nearly any car that has an engine bay with suitable dimensions.

I finally chose the Cefiro over the BMW based on the fun I had driving my girlfriends brothers RB20DET. I have to say that I feel like I made the right choice in that area, and its good to hear the comments about the engine choice that I made too.

[VB-]

wow, looks awesome! the 1JZ is said to be better than the equivelant nissan engine, with stock internals holding up with 350rwkw... thought i havent been around these engines too much. there was actually an article in ether HPI or zoom a while back, where they did an article on 1JZ vs. RB26, a very interesting read indeed. the results were much closer than u would expect, ie within 5 or 10kw from stock through numerous stages of tuning (both with the same mods of course)

[robots]

AlcoholicA, man. Really. I'm new to the forums too. But I yet to see a guy from Thailand and who came here by himself to share his stuff. Rspct !

There is only one thing that would be really cool, though. Contribution it is.

As you are in the land of 1JZ cars there, maybe you can ask the folks who did it or who are familiar with the install. How to do it. Or like what things to change , and what to do with the wiring. Genereal INFO will be ok too.

Maybe you could get your hands on some wiring diagrams there hehe.

And pictures man. Make lot's of pictures. 1jz in a cefiro is a rare breed after all. Thanks in advance, man !

[D-limo]

Do RB25's run a metal head gasket standard? 1J's do

And with the less rev happy issue, they more than make up for it in the torque department ... I was considering a 1J conversion in my Laurel before I got my Ceffy

What Ecu are you running?

[BenA31]

another reason why i don't think alot of ppl here don't use them is the legalities of putting one in. i know in vic to put one in would require a engineer's cert, and because of the exhuast been changed sides, fuel lines, engine mounts etc etc would be more hassel then just swaping for a rb25 which basically bolts straight up with very minimal issues.

but yeah i'm still with the others, if u could get some info the transplant that would be sweet!

[AlcoholicA]

What Ecu are you running?

I'm not sure which ecu is being used... I haven't really looked yet - I'm still getting acquainted with everything in the engine bay - trying to figure what is part of the 1JZ conversion and what is still original Nissan.....

As for details of the conversions, I haven't found many details about "how to" do the conversion on websites in English, but I've been told that it is covered on the thai website www.cefiro-thailand.com although of course the majority of the content is in Thai. I know a few Thai engineers whos english ability is ok - I'll try to see if they can translate some details for me to post up.

[robots]

AlcoholicA, we will be waiting for the info ! I certainly will

Thanks in advance !

[D-limo]

Just incase you didn't know..

The most cost effective mods you can do to a 1J running stock CPU is to fit well designed twin dump set up and SAFC... Can net 50+rwkw AFTER a good exhaust has been fitted.

[AlcoholicA]

Just incase you didn't know..

The most cost effective mods you can do to a 1J running stock CPU is to fit well designed twin dump set up and SAFC... Can net 50+rwkw AFTER a good exhaust has been fitted.

Cheers for the advice.... would like to hear a bit more on recommended parts and configuration for the twin dump setup, and which is the best free-flow exhaust that is recommended - the middle section of mine catches on the massive speed-bump at the entrance/exit to my apartment building, so I figure a refit is due soon, and a possible replacement in the next 6 months if it lasts that long.....

Since I haven't actually posted one yet, here's a pic of my car for anyone who's interested....

[nytrda]

Man that is a hot looking cefiro. I would have to say i would rather a 1j to a rb motor. Only thing is like driftlimo said is they dont rev enough. But with a stadard motor they can make so much more power on a regular basis. I havent had much to do with toyota motors but what i do know is they seem to be much stronger.