I'm starting a build thread for my "$900 UZJ100"!
This car was discovered through my personal mechanic/LC expert Jacob, listed on Facebook Marketplace for $2,200. I went to go check it out and discovered the 2UZFE motor in it was completely blown. Like, bad. Beyond repair. Technically, I know it's possible to destroy the "million mile motor" by neglecting oil and coolant, but wow – I never thought anybody would be that destructive. I was wrong.
Here's what it sounded like at the seller's house when we tried to crank it:
Owner tried telling me that he had a mechanic friend that could fix it without a full engine longblock assembly replacement and decided to use that as a negotiation tactic. I got him down to $900 and towed it away.
Took it home and ran compression tests. Heart sank...
Naturally, you know what happens next...
Swapped in a motor with the upmost help of California's finest, Jacob Krogen. We stayed up all night and completed the job in around 16 hours straight. New motor has 130k miles and 210-230psi across the board. Excellent! And at $1,100 shipped it was a total score.
Just have a few more things to figure out regarding some (likely) faulty coil packs and then it'll be running great. There's a lot of things I need to mend to, like new front seats (current ones are AWFUL), window actuators, removal of aftermarket alarm system, key programming, full cosmetic detail, taillight replacement, full hose replacement, etc. but it's coming along.
I also just got some really awesome tires today which I'll post shortly. Stay tuned!
This car was discovered through my personal mechanic/LC expert Jacob, listed on Facebook Marketplace for $2,200. I went to go check it out and discovered the 2UZFE motor in it was completely blown. Like, bad. Beyond repair. Technically, I know it's possible to destroy the "million mile motor" by neglecting oil and coolant, but wow – I never thought anybody would be that destructive. I was wrong.
Here's what it sounded like at the seller's house when we tried to crank it:
Owner tried telling me that he had a mechanic friend that could fix it without a full engine longblock assembly replacement and decided to use that as a negotiation tactic. I got him down to $900 and towed it away.
Took it home and ran compression tests. Heart sank...
- 155psi
- 45psi
- 20psi
- 72psi
- 72psi
- 30psi
- 24psi
- 35psi
Naturally, you know what happens next...
Swapped in a motor with the upmost help of California's finest, Jacob Krogen. We stayed up all night and completed the job in around 16 hours straight. New motor has 130k miles and 210-230psi across the board. Excellent! And at $1,100 shipped it was a total score.
Just have a few more things to figure out regarding some (likely) faulty coil packs and then it'll be running great. There's a lot of things I need to mend to, like new front seats (current ones are AWFUL), window actuators, removal of aftermarket alarm system, key programming, full cosmetic detail, taillight replacement, full hose replacement, etc. but it's coming along.
I also just got some really awesome tires today which I'll post shortly. Stay tuned!