| Author |
Message |
Robert Faggian
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31
Posts: 279
Reg: 02-2009
|
I'm looking for a VVT-i turbo. Originally I'd been looking at the auctions in Japan, but the local price has dropped so much that it's probably a better option buying one that's already in the country.
So, as a V8 owner I don't know a lot about the twin turbo's, and even less about the VVT-i' turbos. What should I look out for? Are there any show-stopper problems that would make you steer clear of a VVT-i? Or is it all the common stuff that we are all familiar with on Soarers?
Thanks in advance. |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3294
Reg: 09-2006
|
Not really. Vvtis are the top of the crop in terms of soarers in my years of all ownership v8,TT,vvti |
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)
Posts: 708
Reg: 12-2010
|
The single turbo in the vvti is pretty piss weak if its been boosted up. |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo
Posts: 1706
Reg: 10-2008
|
Robert, I came from a V8, which my father now has, and jumped into a vvt-i turbo. My thoughts on ownership below;
- 9 times out of 10, the early model 1JZ parts do not work on vvt-i
- The single CT15b can have shaft play but you'll only know once it's been taken out. Mine was looser than a prostitutes ****
They do not seem to respond as well as the Twin Turbo's do, with regards to basic modification, and at best, will only net about 215rwkw. (This is all down to the single CT15b)
Parts needed will be full exhaust (including aftermarket dump pipe), upgraded intercooler, boost controller and ecu or fcd.
Boost tapers off once you reach about 15psi, and either the turbocharger wastegate and/or the blow off valve can't hold much more than this.
- However, the response will be fantastic and will easily munch any twin turbo (with comparative mods) down low and out of corners.
- The ECU's in these later model cars were rubbish. Toyota sub-contracted to Denso, who used Chinese capacitors, so often the main engine ecu and throttle control ecu caps leak. Spares are difficult to find for late model cars. Consider getting your ECU re-capped for peace of mind.
- If you jump into one and the scrolling dash has the slip control/ect and o/d flashing, this means the throttle control ecu is in need of replacement (a few vvt-i Soarers looked at had this issue)
- Radiator header tanks seem to go yellow and crack. Upgrade to a nice alloy or copper radiator.
- Due to the fact they're vvt-i, the engine also runs a wasted spark setup, as opposed to sequential ignition on the twin turbos, and airflow meter instead of a MAP sensor, thus making tuning of these models a little more challenging. The fuel injectors are also top feed instead of side feed.
- Other things; if you want a Torsen, try find a vvt-i that's had the Torsen diff from factory, as when Toyota introduced vvt-i, they changed the tailshaft coupling making them smaller, thus requiring mods to get a Torsen to bolt up.
- Also, if Auto - the gearbox has no kickdown cable as the twin turbos did, so the early model tt gearboxes won't work on a later model vvt-i's. I was searching for a spare gearbox to grab the valve body out of, to be sent off for a shift kit.
Otherwise, as Joshua said, the vvti's are the best of the best when it comes to Soarers, and they're miles ahead of early model V8's and tt's due primarily to the fact that they're way newer, so you'll have less squeaks, groans, clunks. The interior is newer, door trims thicker and stronger. In addition, the dash brighter and sharper, plus you get all the nice things like an extra airbag etc.
Whenever I get into my vvti, I really feel as if I'm home.
If you can find a well looked after one, you're well on your way to having an amazing and reliable car. |
Scott Vim
DieHard
Vic
Soarer (1uz) Chaser (1jz)
Posts: 709
Reg: 12-2010
|
Well sais James also he has had experience with the TTs. Basically if you want a cheap easy to modify and easy to get parts dirt cheap get a TT. If you want a really nice soarer get a vvti. Fuel economy is great from a stockie too. If you want the best of both worlds get a vvti and spend a bit extra on a tomei to get the power you really want. |
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Posts: 1886
Reg: 07-2005
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Very good information James. |
Robert Faggian
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31
Posts: 280
Reg: 02-2009
|
Thanks all.
James - above and beyond the call of duty there...excellent information. Best of all its here for everyone to find when they need it. Great contribution.
Actually, I picked up a low km's (100k-ish), stock VVT-i today for $5000! Crazy cheap price so I just jumped at it. As far as I could tell, it only needs new brake pads all round, a new drivers door hinge and probably new steering rack bushes. I took it for a few runs along the highway and up through the hills and everything seems fine. I'm pretty stoked with my score. And the launch acceleration compared to the V8 is amazing!
Looking forward to cleaning her up and starting the next project. |
Ian Johnston
Goo Roo
South Australia
1995 UZZ31, BA XR6Turbo Ute. 2007 VE GTS.
Posts: 1887
Reg: 07-2005
|
Sounds like good value Robert. Pics of course. |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo
Posts: 1707
Reg: 10-2008
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Not a problem, glad to provide some useful information.
Congrats on the new purchase, I remember when I test drove mine. Was hooked straight away. As Ian said, get some pictures up! What are your plans for it besides the few things you already mentioned? 5k is stupid cheap for a vvt-i |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3297
Reg: 09-2006
|
"- If you jump into one and the scrolling dash has the slip control/ect and o/d flashing, this means the throttle control ecu is in need of replacement (a few vvt-i Soarers looked at had this issue)"
Omg you have no idea how much I did on my old vvti to fix without knowing that. What I would have done to read that a few years earlier!!! Thank will tell new owner |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo
Posts: 1709
Reg: 10-2008
|
Josh, when I bought my vvt-i, it had that issue, and the owner lowered the price because of it. I took a chance on the car.
It took me long enough to figure this out too. I tried ABS sensors, gearbox speedo sensors etc. A mechanic where I live even suggested the ABS unit itself..
Advice on numerous forums was all wrong too, but finally cracked it with the ECU. |
Joshua Rao
Goo Roo
WA
TT (for sale $5.2k), 97 Blk UZZ31, 97 JZZ30 vvti turbo white manual, 96 vvti turbo manual, Legnum VR4, MR2 sw20, Alfa 156
Posts: 3301
Reg: 09-2006
|
Your a genius. I tried,
- recalled Ecu
- different Ecu
- Gearbox sensor (this what my diagnosis came too) and cost $500 or so for nothing
- a few mechanics
All for nothing. I can't wait to see if this is it. But from what I can tell it never effected the car so I have up and put up and shut up.
Can I use a TT unit or else where did you come by a good Vvti unit? |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo
Posts: 1711
Reg: 10-2008
|
Unfortunately it's a vvti specific ecu, so the tt ones won't work. Chasers also have our motor, so I bought a chaser throttle ecu thinking that would work. It did, but enabled snow mode permanently. Not what you want..
I put up with it for long enough, drove the car to work one day In the rain, and without slip control, the rear end stepped out on me, right before I drove into the work carpark. Bloody scary, so I persevered with finding the fix.
While browsing eBay one night after a few too many drinks, I came across a seller in Adelaide who'd listed it as a JZX100 throttle control ecu, but if you look at the Chaser throttle control unit, it looks quite different to the Vvti Soarer one.
I think the seller name was JSpares.. Anyway, I checked the part number on my faulty one, and confirmed the part was the correct one, the asking price was $100 bucks, so I bought it. At this stage, I still had no idea if it would fix it, and just took the chance. It worked correctly and the error hasn't been back since. Car has worked as per the factory intended.
Occasionally import monster has the ecu's for sale, otherwise check Amayama.
Worst case scenario - you're welcome to my old faulty one for free, and it might just be the caps that need replacement. |
Robert Faggian
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31 and VVT-i JZZ30
Posts: 281
Reg: 02-2009
|
A few photos.
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Robert Faggian
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31 and VVT-i JZZ30
Posts: 282
Reg: 02-2009
|
It's very clean, no mods, 11 months rego. A few car park dents and scratches but that's about it. Also the previous owner was a smoker who rolled his own cigarettes, so lots of tobacco everywhere...I'll give the car a steam clean this weekend to start getting rid of the smell.
I had the roadworthy check today and not much came up. Two leaking struts and the rest was minor (blown tail light globes, etc). The short 7-day turnaround on roadworthy's means I'm going to have to get Pedders cheapie replacement struts then turf them later.
I think with stamp duty and roadworthy costs added on, it'll come in under $6000. Very cheap for a car like this! |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo
Posts: 1712
Reg: 10-2008
|
Looks like a nice clean unmolested example. Well done, and crazy price you got it for. Plans for a little more power, or leaving it as is? |
Robert Faggian
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31 and VVT-i JZZ30
Posts: 283
Reg: 02-2009
|
James, regarding my plans for the car...after getting the maintenance up to scratch (timing belt, etc) I want to work on the suspension. In my V8, I've replaced just about every bush with OEM rubber bushes, and installed whiteline adjustable swaybars, amongst other things. The car went from handling like a boat to being enjoyable to drive and now I can't go back to crap handling. Beyond that, I'll have to decide once I've driven the car some more, but I'm keen for suggestions! |
Robert Faggian
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ31 and VVT-i JZZ30
Posts: 284
Reg: 02-2009
|
...and yes, more power. After the initial excitement of the better-than-V8-acceleration, I found myself thinking today that a little more power would be good. I assume that thinking is going to grow the more I drive the car! |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
Vic
vvt-i turbo
Posts: 1715
Reg: 10-2008
|
I got lucky with my suspension in my vvt-i, it does not squeak/groan etc and the shocks that came in it are the perfect compromise between handling and ride. I've thought about whiteline swaybars, but I'm happy with how it is currently.
However, all that said, I think the time will come when my bushes will need replacement.
My cam seals needed replacement about 5 months into owernship, so check yours. For reference, the vvt-i cam seals and non vvt-i are different.
I also added the Supra four piston brakes, as the ones standard weren't up to scratch once I started upping the power.
In terms of power mods, take a look on my profile. I'm more than happy to point you in the right direction - send me any questions if you want.
If you want more response though, whilst keeping the stock turbo, by far the best bang for buck mod I did was replacing the factory dump pipe & cat with one of Kurts dump pipes. |
James Buchan
Goo Roo
V
Vvti twin turbo 6 speed manual
Posts: 2010
Reg: 10-2008
|
Back in the day when a vvti turbo auto could be picked up for 5k. Covid has certainly changed the used car/collector car landscape.
Not complaining the value of our cars has increased but seemingly supply has also dried up too.
Still enjoying mine, lots of little things sorted out, added coilovers, whiteline swaybars, and a twin turbo upgrade. |
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