Has anyone DONE the axiom engine swap?

[etlsport]

I'm not saying more than this till mine is done...
I bought the engine out of a wrecked 02 Axiom for $500, engine runs perfectly.
I am saving up now for the R&R labor... extras... etc...

ANY engine from an 02 Axiom with 8th digit in vin 'X' whole year will work...
ANY engine from 03 Axiom with 8th digit in vin 'X' up to May 03 will work... Same tranny as VX in both till May 03
The mechanic says Might have to use the stock VX intake etc... for the stock VX ECU to work with engine... I have dibs to try the wreaked Axioms ECU if stock VX ECU doesn't work on Axiom intake, but won't find out till I have the $$ for the R&R...

I am going to try and get it done by May and bring it to Moab...

I will take pics and keep the forum posted to progress as I get this done...

BTW, I don't care about the mpg... I just want the HP!!




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i could have sworn the 02 and 03 axiom had the exact same engine as the VX.. and that only the 04 was DI.. i havent done much research on the subject though

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

i could have sworn the 02 and 03 axiom had the exact same engine as the VX.. and that only the 04 was DI.. i havent done much research on the subject though

Yup...the 02 and 03 have a better flowing intake giving them 15 hp more than stock VX and ONLY the 04 was DI.

[TheGanzman]

i could have sworn the 02 and 03 axiom had the exact same engine as the VX.. and that only the 04 was DI.. i havent done much research on the subject though

I BELIEVE that the piston/ring "issue" was fixed on these engines as well, so excessive oil consumption is not SUPPOSED to be a problem on these...

[iamironman]

Yup...the 02 and 03 have a better flowing intake giving them 15 hp more than stock VX and ONLY the 04 was DI.

CORRECT!!
Since the intake IS different (TB is diff too) is why the concern if the VX ECU and wiring harness will work with the 02 Axiom engine... In my case it won't matter, I will have either ECU and WH available... My mechanic says he WILL get one combo or another to work...

I BELIEVE that the piston/ring "issue" was fixed on these engines as well, so excessive oil consumption is not SUPPOSED to be a problem on these...

DOUBLE CORRECT!!
I will still check the oil RELIGIOUSLY, but I hope to never, ever, have to live in mortal fear of blowing an engine again!!

Actually, it I remember correctly, trans is different, it is an aisin instead of the 4l30E.

This should answer any concerns on the tranny... it is the same, look here and do the search on a 2002 Axiom, Transmission. Several listed have the 4L30E # for the tranny (make sure you pick the 4x4 option, on second page).

oops edit... forgot the link... lol

http://www.car-part.com/




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[taylorRichie]

Interesting...

There's a
2004
Engine
Isuzu Rodeo 24k comp 160-180 24,000 RR7141 $1800 Crabtree Auto USA-UT(Ogden)

Near my house... low miles good price... Is that the same engine as the 2004 axiom? It came up on the search.

[iamironman]

Interesting...

There's a
2004
Engine
Isuzu Rodeo 24k comp 160-180 24,000 RR7141 $1800 Crabtree Auto USA-UT(Ogden)

Near my house... low miles good price... Is that the same engine as the 2004 axiom? It came up on the search.

I'd be careful... I've heard of some that had a 3.5L as an option.
This from http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...zu-rodeo-4.htm
"Depending on the model, a Rodeo could have a mild-mannered 4-cylinder engine with 5-speed manual shift, or a 205-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 with either the manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 4-speed automatic transmission became available with the 2.2-liter I4 in 2001. New for 2004 is a 3.5 liter 250-hp V6 engine, which replaces Rodeo's 4-cylinder. "

I've done a lot of research on this.. the Rodeo 3.2L engine has a designation 6VD1(L). While the VX 99-01, Trooper 98-03, and Axiom 02-03, ALL had the designation 6VE1. I can't find the designation on the 3.5L DI engine that was offered only in the 04 Axiom or 04 Rodeo. It won't be the same as the VX/Trooper/Axiom's 6VE1. And the 04 Rodeo had a different upgraded engine like the 04 Axiom had/was upgraded with the DI, so it is not the same 6VE1, I'd call that place in Ogden and ask what that engine's designation # is.

If it's the 250HP V6, it won't fit/bolt right in the VX... different trans (aisin I think)and also ask what the VIN is on the engine... it has to have the 8th digit 'X' to fit the VX for sure.

So, just to recap... ANY 3.5L engine with designation 6VE1 AND the VIN's 8th digit is 'X' will fit/bolt right in our BELOVED VXes, the only problem MIGHT be the Intake/TB/ECU on the 230HP version from the 02-03 Axiom, which I will be finding THAT out in the next month or two when I do mine.

I hope this helps all.



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[iamironman]

Oh yeah...

The 02-03 Axiom (up to May 03) had the 230HP 3.5L V6... The 04 and after May 03 had the 250HP 3.5L DI V6, the difference of course being the DI, that would mean totally different intake, TB, injectors, ECU and wiring harness, and transmission.





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[deermagnet]

Here's the possible configurations for a '04 Rodeo-


A search on the Crabtree site of the two possible Rodeo engines shows no 3.2L for a '04 Rodeo in stock. It does show they have two 3.5L engines from a '04 Rodeo, so I suppose the 3.5L engines they have are the DI versions.

Mark Griffin