The Kujira Crown (Might not sell it!)

[MedigoFlame]

The Pathfinder does need some work despite having an inspection till next year. And I'd rather not have it eat into my Crown money...

 

[hawkeye122]

The real solution is getting the Camry back, since they
-Look nice
-Dont break down very often (If at all)
-Are comfortable
-Not slow

 

[Doog]

If not the Pathfinder, you still have two automotive superpowers within your reach.
2.2, or VTEC?

 

[hawkeye122]

If not the Pathfinder, you still have two automotive superpowers within your reach.
2.2, or VTEC?

VTEC gains more Street Cred, but the 2.2 is more of a sleeper.

But none are faster than my 2.2, because Manual.

 

[Doog]

VTEC gains more Street Cred, but the 2.2 is more of a sleeper.

But none are faster than my 2.2, because Manual.

I don't think so, you see, the 2.2 is just so powerful, I mean, it's such a raging beast that no human can contain it. So, unless you like your car manhandling you, the automatic's the way to go.

 

[MedigoFlame]

The Camry is a 2.4L... So... Yes, the VTEC has lots-o-street-cred. But no one knows until I get one of those VTEC stickers on the side. To be honest, I don't find our 2003 Camry that attractive, or comfortable (more than the Accord though), and...it's been in an accident once already. Though just cosmetic damages.

 

[Doog]

The Camry is a 2.4L... So... Yes, the VTEC has lots-o-street-cred. But no one knows until I get one of those VTEC stickers on the side. To be honest, I don't find our 2003 Camry that attractive, or comfortable (more than the Accord though), and...it's been in an accident once already. Though just cosmetic damages.

A 2.4L? Gah, your Camry's just run of the mill then. Nothing compared to that 2.2 then.
What kind of condition is the Pathfinder in?

 

[MedigoFlame]

I'll dig up some old pics... Mainly close ups of the rust.

The side step skirts were so bad that they were removed the day my uncle bought it. So no worries about those.

Surprised no one saw the video.

 

[Doog]

Looks pretty rough...
Seems like the Accord's the best bet.

 

[Punknoodle]

What you mean no one could tell until you put a vtec sticker on it, what about the baaaaaaaaaa*vtec*BAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

 

[hawkeye122]

If the chassis was in good condition, I'd say go for the pathfinder. But all that rust... the Accord is a safer bet.

But with $4k in suspension and tyres... you could make that pathfinder a total beast. Not quite to the same level as a similar-vintage 4Runner, but still quite good.

The Accord probably has a better stereo as well. Blast some Black and Yellow, followed by Big Sean. You will literally be "The S***".

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Keep the Accord.

That Pathfinder won't be worth it.

 

[MedigoFlame]

I am keeping the Honda. Although through this entire week, seems like my dad's been using it more than me. Just rocking the minivan for now.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

That's good that you are keeping the Honda. So after you finished with the Crown, got any plans for the Accord?

And speaking about the Crown, how's the progress on the car?

 

[MedigoFlame]

As for the progress of the car, with the issue getting the 2JZ for $1800 may take a while, so another solution could be a 1JZ. Which was found for $1100.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

As for the progress of the car, with the issue getting the 2JZ for $1800 may take a while, so another solution could be a 1JZ. Which was found for $1100.

Well the 1JZ could be used for an alternative. How's the condition of the 1JZ and does it come with a tranny like the 2JZ deal for 1800 bucks?

But I think it would be good just to save up for the 2JZ though.

 

[hawkeye122]

Or you could, you know, find the 5.7 V8 from a Tundra/4Runner.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Recently, my friend/co-worker who will be helping me build the Crown suggested getting the 1UZ-FE. With a price range of $900-$800 for one with an ecu, harness, and transmission, sounds like it could do. The $1800 for the 2JZ-GTE might just end up to be too much for me. Being a used motor, who knows, maybe it might need new turbos... In the end, with several suggested options, my friend and I worked out that the 1UZ seems like a more affordable and reasonable choice.

Maintenance costs would be considerably lower and working with the 1UZ could offer something more...dependable? Along with the 1UZ, once it arrives, it will be getting an overhaul, bringing the price to about $1200 (including the overhaul).

 

[hawkeye122]

Not as fast. But hey, do what you gotta do.

 

[McZachenF1138]

Man, you're lucky to have found one of those in Maine let alone anywhere else. And especially in such excellent condition. 👍
I really like that car and can't wait for it to be done!
As far as suggesting colors, how about a pale yellow? That and pale blue are the colors that come to mind when I think of '70s JDMs.

I wish so bad I could have a project car, but I'm unfortunately a poor, jobless first year college student living at an apartment complex (affiliated with the school and included in tuition) with no place to work on one.
I salivate over the thought of having a 510, Karman Ghia, 240Z to wrench on.
But that's why I do model cars.

Edit: I know this isn't the prettiest color, but it doesn't look half bad on it I think.

I hate to admit that these look pretty cool.

Here you go, you could have done this if you put the 2JZ in like this person has.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Thanks for the comment, McZachen! Trust me, I'm also first year college student as well, but living at home... Commuting, school, work, working on project car, and hanging out with friends is pretty much my life.

As of the color, I'm thinking of doing some type of red, since the interior paint is red as well, so to keep the costs down...I'm hoping for some type of red.

And yes, I'd love the wagon form. (Bit of a wagon obsessive person, love 'em!) Of course, I'm sure it's not like I had to a choice of body style, considering this is the only one I've seen in Maine.

I can still choose to do the 2JZ, but with my money, I just can't... I wish I could, but I'd go for something more "reasonable" and "practical." Though, I'm sure the 1UZ would sound great with magnaflow exhausts.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

The 1UZ will probably be the better cruiser motor anyway.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Recently, my friend/co-worker who will be helping me build the Crown suggested getting the 1UZ-FE. With a price range of $900-$800 for one with an ecu, harness, and transmission, sounds like it could do. The $1800 for the 2JZ-GTE might just end up to be too much for me. Being a used motor, who knows, maybe it might need new turbos... In the end, with several suggested options, my friend and I worked out that the 1UZ seems like a more affordable and reasonable choice.

Maintenance costs would be considerably lower and working with the 1UZ could offer something more...dependable? Along with the 1UZ, once it arrives, it will be getting an overhaul, bringing the price to about $1200 (including the overhaul).

Hey, that's a even better deal with the 1UZ. Just 100 dollars more than the 1JZ, but reasonable. And hey, you could add a turbo to a 1UZ also later in the future.

 

[Cano]

The 1UZ will probably be the better cruiser motor anyway.

This. You don't want the car for racing nor anything, but it will be no slouch with the V8, it will still have a cool shock factor when you pop the hood, and will be hella reliable. I also say it's a good choice.

 

[hawkeye122]

A 1UZ would be pretty good. Not too slow, still probably runs efficiently.

2UZ.... Yes. Supercharger. So fast.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Of course, finding a 1UZ individually has been a pain. Mainly with the cost being quite high without tranny, ECU, and harness... So I probably should have thought of this before but, I'll be out looking for junkyards and websites for Lexus SC/LS/GS400 parts car with, of course, a running engine. Might snag a few other parts off of one of those Lexus parts cars if I can use them.

Nothing has been found on craigslist of a Lexus parts car... I also wish I knew if there were any walk-around junkyards to find, but no luck. I'll probably do some further research later on.

If only I could convince one of my close friends to stop trying to get me to buy the 2JZ-GTE. He won't stop complaining how the 1UZ would be "slow and boring."

 

[MedigoFlame]

Double post...

After having my craigslist wanted ad for about a week, I got a call today from someone offering to take a 1UZ out of their 1992 Lexus LS400 project car. Has 192,000 miles on it, with a new alternator, and had "other things" put into it. They want $1500 for engine, tranny, ecu, wiring harness, and anything else needed. (The seller didn't exactly know what was needed with the swap, so he just said that we could take what we needed) Reason for the price is that they put about $1500 into the engine, so they think it's worth that much. Something about it seems a tad...overpriced about it? Anyways, I'll be bringing my mechanic friend(s) (maybe bring a couple more) to have a look sometime later, possibly next weekend. Thoughts?

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Have a look. If it looks good and seems worth the money, go for it. Maybe you can haggle the price down a bit.

 

[oopssorryy]

What all was done to it? New head gasket? If the engine has 1500 it's had work, and you need too know what work was done and were it was done.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Seems a lot high. You can probably buy a rear-ended LS400 for noticeably less...

And that way you'd have access to literally everything you could possibly need.