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Can a 1.5 prius C engine be installed into a 2006 prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Grahams2, May 5, 2017.

  1. Grahams2

    Grahams2 Junior Member

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    My 2006 prius engine has died and I have an option to buy a prius C engine at a great price..
    Can a 1.5 prius C engine be installed into a 2006 prius?
     
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  2. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    You would need to compare them to know for sure.

    Wild swag is that harness exhaust and other crapola would be different and require more effort than a proper gen ii
     
  3. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    It could be done; but I suspect the cost would be prohibitive.
     
  4. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    Certainly not a drop in fit. Might need to change the engine control ECU. C has an electric water pump. Better, but you'll have to find some power for it. Probably want to retrofit the belt drive water pump onto the C engine.
     
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  5. PriusMechanic

    PriusMechanic Junior Member

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    I am interested to know as well. And why is everyone replying "no it can't be done" without any explanation. They are both 1NZ-FXE engine.
     
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  6. PriusMechanic

    PriusMechanic Junior Member

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    Do you think the timing might be different for the 2 engines? Do you think I can just change all the sensors from the old engine to the Prius C engine and make it work?
     
  7. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    The more I think about this the more I like the idea. There just aren't many low mileage Gen2s out there any more. You could probably find a very low mileage Prius C engine.

    The main problem I'm aware of is the water pump. It might be a trivial transfer of the old parts to the new. Or it could be a real bummer if you need a new crankshaft. You really need to check this aspect out carefully. Other than the water pump, my guess is that putting all the old electronics on the new C engine would work.

    Back in the stone ages I helped a friend put a 1956 engine into a 1951 Chevrolet. It was a perfect fit - the motor mounts were all the same, the clutch/transmission mated up perfectly. The latest new technology in the 1956 engine compared to the 1951 was pressure lubrication :eek: . The 1951 used splash lubrication - no oil pump, no oil filter. Technology marches on...
     
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  8. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    A major challenge could be the electronics. Will a gen 2 engine ECU work correctly with a Prius C engine installed on a 2nd gen transaxel? I don't know. I would compare differences between the C and 2nd gen engine, sensors, and wiring. It may be needed to pull some of the sensors off of a 2nd gen engine and mount them on the C engine, and possibly fake some sensors (water pump) with a resistor, etc. I would look at wiring diagrams for 2nd gen and C and see what differences exist both for wiring and sensors before getting into the middle of the project. My guess is there are some changes to the C's design.

    Super cool project if you do decide to do it. Post plenty of pictures and what gotchas you run into for those in the future that decide to do this.
     
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  9. Grahams2

    Grahams2 Junior Member

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    I ended up putting a Yaris engine in my 2006 prius physically its identical, I used the existing clutch & gearbox from the prius, all the sensors wkd fine & I have just done 8,000 miles with no issues
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats and well done!(y)
     
  11. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    Wow! Did you change the engine ECU to match the Yaris? How is the power & mileage?
     
  12. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Unless you somehow got a hybrid version from Europe, the N.A. Yaris (1NZ-FE) is a conventional otto cycle engine and the prius doesn't have a clutch nor a "gear" box.
     
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  13. PriusMechanic

    PriusMechanic Junior Member

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    I would like to know more detail about it too. Did you notice more power and lower MPG? I know they are physically identical, but like fotmoto said the Yaris is a otto cycle engine. I am really surprise you can just interchange the two! Nice work BTW!
     
  14. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    The Prius' engine is mechanically an Otto cycle too, it is modified in operation to an Atkinson cycle by computer control of the variable valve timing (VVT). Therefore the Yaris engine should function the same using Prius computer control modules.
     
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  15. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    The intake manifold of the Yaris engine probably is different so the Prius intake manifold would be needed to make it work.
     
  16. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Be curious to know if any power difference too. Yaris engine definitely has more power.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  17. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    cam timing is different; compression ratio is lower on the yaris too. if the c has a truly identical block, then the water pump isn't an issue. seems to me the crank might have a belt groove in the balancer even though it isn't used.
     
  18. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    You're very correct. People should provide alternative solutions. For me, the op should compare the transmissions, and or go through alldata for the schematics of wiring diagrams, and layout.
     
  19. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    I also did transfer sets of pistons from a Yaris engine, to a 2006 Prius I recently overhauled. They basically had the same diameters.
     
  20. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    did the yaris pistons have the same top? prius is rated at like 13-1 compression. I would expect the piston crown to be very different, unless the cylinder heads are different.