Yaris Engine Swaps!!!

[mikeukrainetz]

before diving headlong into the projects im working on over winter I looked into a 2zz swap for the yaris, might even buy the parts for it if I can sell one of the other projects. Trying to find a wrecked or tired 2000+ celica, vibe or matrix around here is impossible for less than 8-9k.
From the research I did do at the time it seemed the only daunting task of the swap was the wiring. Youd need a whole donor car or engine with complete harness to pull off the swap unless you want to spend weeks chasing wires.
Only other issue is lack of front tranny mount which could easily be solved with a cross brace. Like its been said, weight is negligeable, size also, engine mounts on either side are (should) be the same. Some minor clearance issues on the passenger side pulleys and building a complete exhaust from the header back.
Nice thing is the matrix came with an AWD and six speed for a couple years, celica had a six speed in the gts didnt it? cant remember now.
I do know I took all the measurements from the AWD matrix and other than having to mock up rear suspension mounts, cutting down the driveshaft (about 4 inches to long) and putting in a tunnel it would all fit.
Course the straight engine swap is the easier of the two evils. Either way if youve never done a swap or dont intend to do it yourself it may be super daunting and overly expensive to get a shop to do it.
I for one will never spend what youd need to on the stock 1nz just to get 150 reliable hp out of it.
Ive also bounced around the idea of getting a small displacement aluminum longitudinal v8 or v6 and four link with a rear live axle from a miata so dont laugh to hard at the small block chev idea....

A guy in town here built a mini with a small block in it for the 'knox mountain hill climb' was the craziest thing ive seen, think the tranny was bolted direct to the rearend...

Anyway, dont think youll see any extreme yaris anytime soon.