2002 Corolla - VVT to Non VVT Engine Questions

[Agoff]

Hello all, a friend brought me his 2002 corolla with a bad bottom end, and a motor he sourced for a replacement.

The trouble I am running into is the donor motor is non vvt, and from my
Reading, it is not feasible to swap this motor in, is it?

What happens if the car thinks the vvt actuator is unplugged, would it be drivable?

Could I swap the heads between the motors easily?

Could I simply find an ecu from a non vvt car?

The first difference I noticed was that the donor motor has cool packs, an the car had coil over plug. The next was that te throttle
Body was different, no big deal there, but I am concerned about the drivability of switching to a non vvt motor

Thanks in advance...

Aaron

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

Also don't forget to consider if doing this would be emissions legal.

 

[Agoff]

Anyone know or have insight on the drivability of this swap? Or head swap? Or ecu swap?

Thanks for that info, but...
I could not care less about emissions, in Florida there is no emissions textin of any kind

 

[Scott O'Kashan]

A hyper/liberal/socialist/Democrat was re-elected President, so you can be sure mandated emissions testing for the entire country will eventually be forced in place.

 

[spartanhiggy]

I would like some info on this as I did the same swap. Mine is a 01 and I swapped a 98 engine into it. I used the valve cover, fuel injectors, and intake/ throttle body assembly from the 01 on the 98 engine. I also shaved the coil packs so they would fit into the older head. Still using the 01 ECU as I didn't get one from the donor car. Have spark and fuel, but no start. That leaves timing. Anyone have any insight?