GS430 Piston Vs. Lexus LS400 Piston (1UZFE Vs. 3UZFE)

If you haven’t read the 3UZFE Rod vs. 1UZFE Rod piece yet then this article might not make too much sense.

, I will try to compare the two pistons here. On the left we have a GS430 with 3UZFE piston and on the right we have 1990 LS400 1UZFE piston.

From the measurements, the 3uz is little thicker from the center of the pin to the top of the piston. However, the 1UZ is taller in over-all height from end to end.

The picture below demonstrate the side profile of the two
different pistons.  The 3UZFE seems to have a special
thermo coating.  I am not sure what type of coating it is,
but pretty impressive.

Here is another picture of the two pistons side by side.  You
can clearly see the ring lands on both pistons.  The 1UZ
have thicker ring lands then the new model piston.  Do you
see anything wrong with the 3UZ piston from the picture below?

Here is an impressive view of the 3UZ piston.  Its a very
complex design and I am sure John Brady can explain all the tech
details about the pistons.

The above and below pictures are incredibly different.  From
my limited experience with engine materials, I think the 3UZ
piston was forged and the 1UZ was casted.  I am not 100%
sure, but I should take the pistons to a local engine builder
and let him validate them.

The oil system in both pistons are very interesting.  The 3UZ
piston has 4 little openings from the oil rings for oil flow
from the outside of the piston to the inside.  Please see
the picture below for more graphical descriptions.  The 1UZ
has 4 huge openings slightly below the oil ring and enter near
the piston pin.

The 1UZ have something that the 3UZ don’t have.  A special
ported opening feed oil to the pin for cooling and lubrication.
Very interesting design.  However, the later model deleted
that configuration.

Here are the huge two openings right below the ring land and near
the piston pin.  1UZ piston design seems to have better oil
flow.  The openings are large and allow massive oil to flow
in or out of the pistons.  These large openings also have
less chance of being clotted if the oil is dirty.  However,
the 3UZ oil system is more sensitive to dirty oil.
Clotting is much greater in the new model pistons.

Here are few more pictures of the 1UZ oil system. Below is a
picture taken from the inside of the piston.

Another look at a close up picture of the 3UZ piston oil system.

If you didn’t catch it earlier, now you can see the weakness of
3UZ piston.  I was told by an experience engine builder
about Lexus piston ring land weakness.  He stated that is
the biggest problem with Lexus pistons.

Now which piston was well made and designed?  I don’t know.
It seems like FI the 1UZFE would be better, but NA form the
3UZFE have bigger bore.  Personally I would prefer 1UZ for
FI application.  From what we found the rods for the 3UZ
are also weaker then the 1UZ.  I guess the GS430 owners can
get the 1UZ rods as an upgrade for FI application.  For oil
circulatory system, the 1UZ has higher flow and increase piston
cooling and lubrication.  Secondly the design of the 1UZ
piston has more meat on top of the piston and more material
around the shirt of the piston too.  I guess you can ask your questions
in here. 

Here are the specs of the two pistons:

Here are some pictures of 3UZ piston with 1UZ rod.  Its a
great combination for the 3UZ owners.  Its a perfect fit.
You can use the stock 3UZFE pins.  Its a direct fit.
The 1UZ rod is much beefier and able to handle more hp then the
3UZ.  The 1UZ rods are dirt cheap.  You can get less
then $50 usd for the whole set.  Much better then custom
rods.  You will save thousands on the rods.

Other articles of interest:
Lexus 3UZFE rod vs. Lexus 1UZFE rod

GS430 Block Vs. LS400 Block (3UZ vs.
1UZ)
1UZ Vs. 3UZ Main Fasteners

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