Ma61+1mz

[mullett]

The hunt is on for a new daily driver, and I've gone through a handful of different possibilities, WRX was going to be the first choice...but I know I'll hunger for RWD pretty fast. S15 was another option, but...it's not a toyota

The brief is that it has to be reliable, *reasonable* on fuel, fun to drive and comfortable (with air con). That rules out anything heavy.

So I was thinking that a 1MZ conversion into an MA61 (which I've always had a soft spot for) would probably fit in pretty nicely, keep the weight over the front wheels down, and be a bit of a laugh to drive, possibly with a small turbo hanging off each side.

I've already got springs and shocks to suit (they're in my SA63, which will NEVER be licensed again) along with a few other goodies I could use.

Stuff I'd like to know is:

W58 to 1MZ bellhousing adaptors...are they still available?

Aircon: Will this be a pig to install?

Turbo: I want to keep the factory ECU on the engine, for the sake of reliability and fuel economy. Can I use an interceptor/rising rate regulator to give it enough fuel, keeping in mind that it will be low (7psi or less) boost? And does the 1MZ use an AFM or a MAP sensor?

Any other issues anyone brings up are welcome...the fabrication side of the conversion isn't a problem...other things might be

-RM.

[TA22 1MZ]

You can use a 2S or 4Y bellhousing to mate the 1MZ to W5x Supra box.
3SGTE and 1MZ use the same clutch and flywheel, just cant remember which Gen 3S it is though. Main hurdle will be exhaust manifolds, water lines and a few other fiddly things.
I was doing this conversion into a TA22 Celica, but ended up going 1UZ because they are more proven engine.

[mullett]

Thanks mate, I didn't realise you could use those bellhousings. Are there any compatibility problems, or is it a straight bolt-up?

-RM.

[vanman]

Has anyone sorted a way to mount the starter motor in a RWD 1MZ? Starter motor hangs off gearbox side which would foul the firewall, if I'm looking at it right...

What made a 1UZ the better option for the TA22 than the 1MZ, TA22_1MZ? Keen on this idea for my Ta22 in the future... was there any major problem you came across?

Cheers
Vanman

[TA22 1MZ]

Most of the holes line up between the bellhousing and the block. A few will need the be re drilled in the bell housing.
When you look at part numbers for clutches for 1MZ, it also lists 3SGTE, but cant remember which Gen it was.

[mullett]

That's pretty handy, that'll save me a lot of work. Interesting point about the starter motor, that'd take a bit of looking into. Probably just a teething problem though, worst case would be having to cut and weld the firewall/trans tunnel a little.

-RM.

[TA22 1MZ]

Has anyone sorted a way to mount the starter motor in a RWD 1MZ? Starter motor hangs off gearbox side which would foul the firewall, if I'm looking at it right...

What made a 1UZ the better option for the TA22 than the 1MZ, TA22_1MZ? Keen on this idea for my Ta22 in the future... was there any major problem you came across?

Cheers
Vanman

No major issues at all mate, just more so that the 1MZ engine has really been proven yet without spending $$$ on internals in boosted apllications. 1UZ has seen heaps of boosted conversions making big numbers on stock internals.

Starter motor requires the bellhousing the be dremeled out so it can be mounted. So, where the starter hump is on the bellhousing, you would just take out that hump and some surrounds so you could mount the starter on the gearbox side of it, opposed to the motor side like normal.

[mullett]

Yeah, I did consider the 1UZ path, but the main thing that puts me off is the fuel consumption and extra difficulties in going to RWD. Out of curiosity, did you bolt up the 1MZ to the RWD box? And do you have links to the info from people who've done it?

-RM.

[TA22 1MZ]

here are some bits and peices when I was doing the conversion, from page 4 on.
1MZ conversion pages 4-8

I have some other pics floating around which arent in the thread. When I find them, I'll put them in this thread for ya.

[cambelt]

Id go a SA63 or RA65 for a 1MZ over a looong front MA61.
Dave

[CrUZida]

Yeah, I did consider the 1UZ path, but the main thing that puts me off is the fuel consumption and extra difficulties in going to RWD.

Both myths!

[mullett]

Haha, still looking at 1.5k+ to convert 1UZ to rwd last time I checked...and it'd have to use 20% more fuel that 1MZ...

-RM.

[JustenGT8]

Haha, still looking at 1.5k+ to convert 1UZ to rwd last time I checked...and it'd have to use 20% more fuel that 1MZ...

-RM.

eh, have yet to see a 1UZ that wasn't RWD?? I suspect you mean convert to manual?

[CrUZida]

Bellhousings are $500ish
Adaptor plates are closer to $300
Flywheel's anywhere from $300 upwards
Clutch anywhere from from $300 upwards

So it can be done for under $1000.

You're up for at least $500 to convert the 1MZ to RWD (ignoring the potential starter motor issue), so its not a huge difference.

Fuel consumption wise I've never checked the 1MZ, but the 1UZ is sub 10L/100km on the open road.

[mullett]

Whoops...yes, manual was the word I was looking for Nightshift-addled brain not helping out there...

Hmmm, it's not looking so bad. Although 10L in the country probably means 14+ in the city if you're nasty to it (and I would be). Plus i've already got the 1MZ sitting around I might just stick with the 1G, one of the reasons for the 1MZ was the lighter and more compact motor, but given the extra length of the A61 chassis it's probably not such an issue as I first thought...

-RM.