2006 4.7l engine comparability ( help please)

Hello Everyone,
I recently bought a really nice Toyota sequoia with 208,000 miles on it. I purchased in through an auction. It sold cheap because of "engine problems" my assumption was timing which turned out to be ok and in time. Next assumption was coil packs, also fine. I did replace all spark plugs as well. After taking compression readings on all cylinders I have no compression on the passenger side back cylinder, the rest are between 120 and 140. My assumption is that something catastrophic has occurred in the back passenger side cylinder. This has prompted be to look for engine replacement options. The newer 4.7l motor ( which this rig has) is significantly more expensive and much harder to find than the older non VVT-i. Is it possible to use a non VVT-i in a newer VVT-i era rig? If so what would be needed to make the switch? If not possible, how challenging is a rebuild on a 4.7l? I have some experience and have friends with much more experience.

 

going non vvt-i may take you back to the mid 90's.. with the 1UZ... You can try to expand your search to the 07-12? Tundras since they also carried the 4.7 until it was replaced by the 4.6l. You can possibly look up the 4.6 for a suitable replacement as I'm sure will bolt up, but you may need a digital dash to swap in, which may be more costly. For a rebuild option you may need to get an estimate first and weigh your options as to what's more financially suitable for you.

 

I hope someone can help with your issue.

 

Borescope the cylinder for damage first. If the cylinder looks good inside, pull the cam cover for inspection. You might get lucky.

Welcome from the Texas Hill Country.

 

I searched car-part.com for my southeast region and there are 3 pages of VVT-i engines with various mileages and prices. They do seem to be pretty proud of the lower mileage engines price wise.

 

I'd go with @JohnLakeman inspect first, and would swap if its absolutely necessary as you can run into the same issue with the new engine plus the extra labor for the swap and electrical.

 

They are very proud of the variable valve motors, the non VVT-i are much cheaper and easier to come by but it I just dont know if I can make it work. I did take the valve covers off hoping for something obvious but that looked fine. I will try the bore scope and see if I can see what things look like. Has anyone rebuilt the 4.7l motor and have any suggestions on if it is worth it? $2500 for a used motor with 193000 miles is hard to swallow.

 

Following suit here, I would pull the valve cover and take a closer look before throwing in the towel on the engine. Is it possible you're having a VVTi problem? Any codes being shown?

 

Codes: Multiple misfires on cylinders 2-7

 

I got this code as well and it was just a shot Intake manifold gasket. What are the symptoms, does it start, does it run?

 

View my first thread if possible, people told me to do a compression test but it was just the gasket that was shot, just maybe, that could be your issue if you’re lucky

 

If it does turn over and able to drive it but has rough idle, pour some water, not to much maybe like some drops near the gasket of the intake manifold is placed and hear if the idle changes

 

You can also do this with propane. When the propane gets drawn into the leaky gasket spot, the RPMs rise slightly..

 

As to your original question, no, you can't swap in the older 2000-2004 non-VVTI into your Sequoia easily. Computers will all be different, ECU and TCU, and the older non-VVTI was never mated to the 5 speed transmission in the Tundra. Would be lots of headache I would imagine. Best bet is to pull and tear down the engine for a rebuild or find a replacement. If the numbers don't look good financially to do so, you may want to consider selling and looking for another Sequoia. Every time my son talks about motor swapping his car, I'm like sell it, and buy a car with the motor you want. Unless you enjoy all that trouble, some do. They're called Masochists. And they're bad at math.

 

It does run, and drive, just rough idle. The intake manifold gasket will be my next check.
Knabores, thanks for the info, that it what I am realizing about the nonvvti motors. I think I am just gonna have to break down and rebuild or buy a motor if I cant get anything else figured out.