MX73 1JZGTE Engineer and general questions

[Granny]

Hello everyone,

I have a MX73 which I am planning on putting a 1JZGTE out of a JZA70 in.

I just have a few questions with passing engineering and just general MX73 questions.

Firstly what are the pros and cons of removing power steering? It's not really going to be a daily and all my other cars do not have power steering, although they do not weigh 1400kg like the Cressida. I have done a bit of research on the matter and a lot of it is people saying you won't be able to park, not really an issue to me. Others have said it's easy to feel the steering without ps but more work on the track, but it will teach you to be a better driver.

The main reason I want to remove is because I'd like to remove as much as possible from the engine bay as it's not really a daily. My goal is for everything to be accessible and easily fixed and to me power steering is just another thing clogging up the engine bay with the potential to break and more fluids I will need to pack in the boot when I travel.

Has anyone removed or added power steering to the same model of car and found any great significances (Apart from ease of parking) Essentially I would like to remove, if there isn't too many drawbacks.

With that said it would come down to how easily a bolt in conversion would be for it. From memory mz1x/ra65/ma61 are very similar cars to the mx73 in regards to steering. Wouldn't I be able to use the steering out at an RA65 and it basically be bolt in? I happen to have a friend with a parts RA65 with the steering easily accessible.

Secondly will I be able to pass engineering with a battery located in the boot? I have all the wiring ready to do it and a battery box just wondering if I'll get knocked back on it. Also if they do allow it where is the ideal cable route for an engineer?

Thirdly when ordering parts for my 1JZGTE apparently there are two cam seal sizes, alone for the non-vvti. I am unaware of the year model of my engine. Just wondering if anyone has any more information on this before I pull it apart and measure it up. I'd like to avoid because the parts will take a few weeks to arrive and I know I'll lose something important.

Lastly I know engineers prefer most cars to be stock but how do they react to bigger FMICs, single turbo setups and custom ECU? The turbos on my 1J look like they're on their way out and I'd prefer to just do the single conversion at once instead of having to do everything twice. As with the loom and a custom ecu. If everything is done with a certain quality will the fact of modifications upset the engineer too much?

All answers are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich

[Bigblue2]

Good luck with the conversion!
I will also be following your thread as I'm doing the same conversion very soon to my mx73 but it will be a daily.

[Granny]

Still looking for some answers. Another question also... I've read that MX73 brakes were upgraded in 1986. But then I've also read that it isn't the case with Australian MX73's.

[dnegative]

Your going to want powersteering, you will struggle to steer and park at low speeds otherwise.
Battery is fine in the boot
Not sure on 1JZ stuff but as far as I know its either VVTI or not so pretty simple?
Engineer is a tricky one, most dont mind FMIC's provided you dont chop up anything structural to fit them. Aftermarket ECU's are a no-no unless you lie, and turbos are just as fiddly to get passed as it depends on who you use. Some will say "no way fuck off" and others will do it.

[lexsmaz]

I don't get the no power steering either, if it can't work / couple up etc fair enough but it does work on these cars, you also talk about the fact that you don't like taking extra fluids when going on a trip, but as its all Toyota the chance of it suddenly shitting itself is pretty rare, I think there is plenty more other things that are more of a concern ..

The battery will need to be an externally vented one like the European cars use, otherwise battery fumes can enter the cabin which is a no no ..

[Granny]

I live in the country very rarely do I have to turn at slow speeds and I have no problems turning my ms55 even when I am moving slowly. Basically it's one less thing to worry about, one less thing in the road when working on my car, one less thing running off a belt and one less thing to break. My main question is for on the track performance will power steering actually be any help, everyone seems to have a mixed opinion but I'd like to hear from someone who has removed or added it to the same car.

Also making the 1jz power steering pump work with the mx73s power steering will probably be more work than converting it.

For battery relocation battery ventilation shouldn't be too much of a problem.

My engine is a non vvti, I was considering of putting a custom ecu in putting it behind the glovebox where the original ecu is and not mentioning it.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a engineer in nsw?

[dnegative]

Power steering on these is about as easy as it gets, run a $20 rubber hose to the return on the rack from the reservoir and get a $100 high pressure hose made from your local Pirtek.
These cars drive like shit without power steering, and to remove the PS pump from a 1JZ is more of a fuck around compared to making it work with the rack. It runs a serpentine belt (they dont throw belts) and from memory the AC compressor and a few other bits are bolted to it.

[Granny]

Okay thinking I will keep powersteering due to all this feedback. Would still like to know if anyone has done anyways. Apparently RA65 doesn't work due to the crossmember being further back? Haven't confirmed. It's not worth searching for a rack, it doesn't mean that much to me, still curious though...

Thanks for the comments people it's awesome, would appreciate all input on all questions.