#ZedShed Project - Vixxen (track car)

[GazHyde]

You all know by now that we like a project in the #ZedShed, so this is our winter project to keep us out of trouble.

@Oldguysrule bought a late 2.8 facelift Sienna a while back and for various reasons I can't be bothered to go in to it's being broken for spares. That decision primarily is down to the fact it has a solid 2.8 TU in it, and Sam's 2.2 is in need of an engine upgrade - and we just love a good project to get our teeth into in the 'shed...

Today the process of removing the 2.8 engine from the Sienna begins! Here are some pics we took along the way, nothing too detailed just enough to give you the idea of what's involved in an engine swap. There are a few things we will need to work out during the journey such as differences in the wiring looms, exhaust systems and many other things...

Picture time... before she crosses the threshold we drained the coolant system, this way our nice carpet tile floor isn't wet and horrible to work on!

Viscous fan, radiator and air box removed.

Headlights removed

Front bumper dropped...

Slam panel removed. We know that these are spot welded on, but interesting one side had one spot weld and the other side had 6. Rather odd that it should be that way, but just meant more drilling required to remove it.

Wiring loom being removed from the air intake side.

A pile of parts, some of which will soon be appearing in a For Sale section near you... but not for a while, and don't spam this thread with requests as we aren't ready to do that yet!

A-hoist me hearties... purchased specially for the job, just missing the spreader bar from the delivery but will be here in time for the removal.

 

[pgunter]

Good fun today and great to see how all the bits fit into the engine bay too.

 

[Dino D]

Nice one.
Maybe whack a little turbo on whilst you in there an all that

 

[Jack Ratt]

Should be a relatively straight forward job. You've got everything you need already as long as the 2.8 engine and associated bits are good for transfer.
You will have to think through the loom differences between M52TU and M54 but you have the looms there for visual comparison.
Best of luck with the project

Hopefully my black Zed will be undergoing an engine swap in the next few weeks but I'm not doing the work myself. Mine will be a like for like swap.

 

[Lee]

Should be a relatively straight forward job. You've got everything you need already as long as the 2.8 engine and associated bits are good for transfer.
You will have to think through the loom differences between M52TU and M54 but you have the looms there for visual comparison.
Best of luck with the project

Hopefully my black Zed will be undergoing an engine swap in the next few weeks but I'm not doing the work myself. Mine will be a like for like swap.

Very valid points. So far I’ve noticed the M52 has cats further down the line, the m54 has them on the manifold so that will require some thought. Also worth noting both cars have two different types of traction control, the M52 uses a throttle cable throttle body type which I think is asc. This will also need some thought. Will the 2.2 TB transfer over or will we be throttling the air flow maybe even the M54 TB. Who knows. All to come

 

[Jack Ratt]

The exhaust wont be a problem because you could just use the complete 2.8 system from the donor car. The M54 inlet manifold and throttle body will bolt onto the M52 head. It might be easier to just do it and see how it runs.

 

[Lee]

I had an idea with these M52 manifolds, I was planning to use them and run a pair of high flow sport cats. That will at least unlock a few horses. I’ll see if I can get my hands on a M54 3.0 TB. I don’t want to do this engine swap and find myself strangling the intake.

 

[Jjim]

Watching with interest.

 

[billz]

I am sure you Guys will make short work of any problems thrown at you

 

[DaveP]

Loving this thread.

Can you call it Project Zinky ? (For any others who watch too much car stuff on YouTube)

Dave

 

[Sean d]

OMG why would anyone wreck the most balanced Z on the planet,

 

[Lee]

OMG why would anyone wreck the most balanced Z on the planet,

The sienna is very rotten underneath. Sams zed was one of the last off the production line just shame it only had a 2.2 that drinks oil. The 2.8 will make a perfect combo

 

[Sean d]

The sienna is very rotten underneath. Sams zed was one of the last off the production line just shame it only had a 2.2 that drinks oil. The 2.8 will make a perfect combo

Interesting stuff mate, hope it goes well

 

[g8jka]

Is it in and running yet?

 

[Lee]

Is it in and running yet?

It's ready to be lifted thats it at the moment. sourcing some new bits, clutch, M54 TB with manifold. maybe some cams, will see what I can get my hands on.

 

[t-tony]

It's ready to be lifted thats it at the moment. sourcing some new bits, clutch, M54 TB with manifold. maybe some cams, will see what I can get my hands on.

Not looking to get it done for Christmas then Lee? Watching with interest mate, but was sure it was going to be the diesel donkey.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

ZedShed on a FridayI hear you say! Yes! The project continues with removal of the M52B28TU engine removal...

The intake manifold has to be removed to expose the rear engine lift point, so here is the engine with it removed.

Annoyingly there was a fair bit of crud on top of the manifold which fell down in to the top of the cylinders. Quick blast with the air line sorted that out for now, the engine is getting a thorough clean and partial strip down so will be double checking they are clear.

The manifold once removed.

Engine hoist connected to the front lift anchor.

Engine host attached to both lift points. In retrospect we should have pushed the main beam out further, but it worked a treat.

Back of the gearbox

Gearbox off. Looks like it was taken off once before as whoever did the work cross threaded two of the bolts, which snapped off (no choice on that, but will be easy enough to drill out and re-tap the threads.

Clutch plate getting low, don't forget the Sienna donor had a towbar on it and it was used quite often for towing.

Pic of the flywheel. May get a lightened replacement...

That's it for now, next stage is a partial tear down of the engine and general clean up. Definitely needs a new rocker cover. More updates as that progresses. Spent the rest of the day stripping the interior and other parts out of the donor ready for sale!

 

[GazHyde]

Always looking for a comfy chair, and may just have found the perfect throne! Hail king Gaz

 

[Mint]

...Always looking for a comfy chair, and may just have found the perfect throne! Hail king Gaz ...

Suits you Sir

 

[pgunter]

Always looking for a comfy chair, and may just have found the perfect throne! Hail king Gaz

View attachment 94410

We were tempted to pull the bonnet down and feed him through the front grills.