Replace Vvti With 7Afe?

[priffe]

Is this doable? There's a nice 2000 year model with low miles here but the engine is shot. Would rather replace with the earlier engine since I have found them to be bullet proof.

And the 7AFE is cheaper to buy and easier to find in good shape.

[Konrad C]

Hi Jens.

It can be done but you will need the wiring loom, ECUs, complete exhaust system, some of the coolant hoses, air filter. I think you will need the engine and transmission as the starter motor is at the back on the 7AFE. This is because the exhaust is mounted at the front, so there is not much room plus the heat.

All that is from what I know from own a 7AFE and comparing the VVTI. There may be something I have missed.

You may not get the ECON light to work, even if you swapped the instrument binnacle but keep the speedometer, so leave that alone, unless you run all the vacuum and wiring. You will loose top end power if that matters to you, but the car will drive the same. If there are any computers for fuel economy, that may cease working properly. Also due to the ECU change the car will not support OBD2, but you will gain the self diagnostic (jumper wire trick) to get any fault codes if any arises.

You will be better off looking for a slightly newer (2006 onwards) VVTI engine, that does not suffer from oil burning issues.

Good luck,

Konrad

[priffe]

Hi Konrad!

and thank you for a comprehensive answer!

that is exactly what I was hoping for from this forum

obviously then this is too much work and money spent

I don't trust the older VVTIs and the newer ones here are four times the cost of a trusty 7AFE

too bad then as this car was in really nice shape

[Konrad C]

Hi Jens again,

Not every VVTI engine has suffered the oil burning issue. If you can source a proven example from a crash damaged car, then it should be nearly as cheap as obtaining a 7AFE engine without the extra hassle and expense.

[priffe]

Nah I will steer clear of the VVTIs.

I did find and buy a nice 2.0 litre instead. :)

I don't know why, but people here stay away from the 2 litres. Perhaps they are confusing them thinking they are the trouble engines? 1.8 cars are usually sold within a few hours.

This is a 3S-FE car with all the extras

fuel consumption is close to or on par with the 7A-FE

[Konrad C]

Jens you seem to know the mk1 Avensis well. Yes the S3-FE is a very good engine, with decent economy and good performance.

I have noticed that the bodies seem to be fairly rust free. Only things like dents and scratches can let the car down.

Let me know how you get on.

Good luck

Konrad

[priffe]

Would you say the 3SFE is as durable as the 7AFE? What turned me on to these cars was a friend recommending them,

Bought one 1.8 for my wife and she likes it a lot. I noticed even with the miles on it it doesn't use any fluids, other than gasoline. It doesn't rattle, shake or knock. Appears very tight. Nice and quiet inside. Inspires a lot of confidence.

I have always liked Toyotas but they do rust quite a bit, among the worst cars here in salty road Sweden in that respect.

I drive Landcruisers esp the old ones like HJ60, fantastic cars. Extremely well built. But they also rust, a lot.

I have been looking for a car to replace the RWD Volvos that I have been driving for thirty years, 200-700-900 series-

These are now getting old, and it is very hard to find one in good shape.

I enjoyed them for being durable, dependable, economical and easy to work on.

The best candidate for replacement I have found so far is the early Avensis.

I am just getting to know the Avensis.

This forum seems to be one of the best resources :)

...and let me compliment your country for the assembly of such a nice vehicle.

In Derby was it?

The other British cars I've owned were made in Coventry I believe. Nice but very different-

[Konrad C]

Some will say the S3-FE is better than the 7A-FE but they are as equally durable. You get the extra flexibility, with slightly less but still good economy.

The engine is easy to maintain and the fluids hardly are lost if nothing is wrong - like my radiator having a hairline crack in the plastic section.

This forum is great.