3c-te 2.2l Turbo to LJ78 Prado engine swap..

[Ebike toter]

Hi all.. I've got the "kiss of death" code 12 on my recently purchased 1990 JDM 2L- TE..and based on forum comments the 2l-team is gutless... even when running correctly. .. here in central California wrench time is super expensive & even reading shop manual time is $125 hr+ !!! so I'm doing mental calculations on how much $$$ will it cost to restore it to proper performance vs replacing the engine... I've found some jdm 3c-te 2.2l turbo engines online.. complete with ecu and harness...125hp @4500 rpm... my questions are:
1) will it bolt up to my a343f tranny??
2) will it be similar engine mount system?
3) will it physically fit in the LJ78 engine compartment???
4) has anyone done.. researched this type of prado engine swap???
Cheers.. and thanks in advance

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Code 12 has to do with the injection pump timing if I remember correct. There are a number of things which can cause this. Basically it means the computer does not think the pump injection timing is right. It blames the timing control valve, but there are a number of things that it could be. From worn timing belt, to worn out timing pick-up (NE sensor) in the top of the pump. Could also be debris in the bottom of the pump preventing the timing control valve from working properly.

Worst case, you could swap a used good injection pump on in place of your current one. I just sold a perfectly good one for about $175usd. So they can be had pretty cheap.

Swapping in a different engine will be a heck of a lot more work than fixing your 2LTE I'm thinking. The bell housing in the prado is specific for the L series engine, so that would not work. I'm not that familiar with the models the 3CTE came in, but it looks to me like they are all fwd or awd cars. That is, looks like transverse engine mounting and totally different transmission series. So I don't think the bell housing would work. But you'd have to read into it further to see what transmission series they came with for each model.

The 2LTE can make 125hp with the turn of a screw and a manual boost controller. Intercooler recommended however. My LJ78 can match a stock HDJ81 on the hills. A completely different engine that the lethargic stock beast.

If you are dead set on an engine swap, why not go for a 1KZTE? I think that would be a lot more suitable. Lots of power/torque there, with more to be had when tuned. Also, it came in the KZJ78, so is proven in the Prado 70 series platform.

 

[Nas90tdi]

Wiring issues can also cause the code 12. Anything from the ECU to as simple as the cold start sensor wiring. No where have I ever seen it merit an engine swap. If I recall correctly it actually has nothing to do with the engine itself having anything wrong with it. More an ancillary system issue.

And, as GTSSportcoupe said, no repair ,no matter how involved is going to approach the cost of an engine swap if you can't do it yourself. Paying for an engine swap to be done correctly and 100% is often a 5 figure endeavor if all the work is done by a shop.

Also, don't read too much into " forum comments" about the 2LTE. Not all the information out there can be classified as 100% accurate.

 

[Ebike toter]

Thanks all for the valued input.. I'll have to findulue a jdm Mechanic who knows his stuff...

 

[Bonznfc]

Just came across your post. I have had two 78s and a Surf all with the 2LTE. One of the 78s and my surf both had the dreaded code 12 pop up. On the 78 it was timing (the marks were misaligned by about 3 mm). The surf was much more insidious. The timing was fine and none of the wiring "looked" bad. After troubleshooting for about a month it also started popping a code 5 last night. The 5 code points to the resistors on the side of the pump. Literally all I did was disconnect the two plugs, cleaned the connections and voila it was fixed.
Just my two cents but, I would agree with GTSSportscoupe and tune your 2LTE, add an intercooler and ride it until its actually dead. Way cheaper and less unknown future headaches than a full swap.
Shoot me a message and I can point you to some posts that will walk through the timing check, wiring connections, ect.