V-8 Conversion

silverstatelegal · 01-09-07, 06:09 PM

I am a newbie, but have enjoyed your forums for the past year or so. I have owned a 1993 Land Cruiser since 1995 (second owner), which now has 135,000 miles. While this truck has always been a good vehicle, I always felt it was underpowered for its weight and size. Therefore, I recently purchased a new TRD supercharger from Slee Off Road and had it installed. Unfortunately, it has been nothing but problems since, starting with a blown (literally blown apart) radiator, which led to an overheating problem that led to an engine meltdown. While it ran perfectly with some power before the meltdown, it wasn't as powerful as I had hoped, I couldn't get the exhaust to sound right (installed a magnaflow with 3" pipe which sounded like a rice burner--no offense to anyone just trying to describe the sound as best I can) and it would detonate everytime I floored it. Long story short, the motor is blown and I have decided to do a V-8 conversion instead. Any thoughts into whether a Chevy 350 or 454 would be preferable to a newer Land Cruiser V-8? Would a newer (say 2003) Land Cruiser V-8 engine and tranny fit right into my 1993? Any input would be much appreciated. By the way, the TRD supercharger is mint, unharmed and is for sale with or without the blown engine if anyone is interested.

firetruck41 · 01-09-07, 06:18 PM

Not sure about the V8, but if you post your SC in the 'mud classifieds, (make sure to include location, price, etc.) I bet you'll get a buyer pretty quick.

Waggoner5 · 01-09-07, 06:21 PM

The Chevy V8 is an easy install with all adapters readily available. The Toy V8 has a few more hurdles to do a clean install and somewhat more expensive for minor Torque gains.

cruiserdan · 01-09-07, 06:24 PM

I'm eyeing the NEW 5.7 I-FORCE V8......

381 horses and 401 lb-ft of torque. Damn, it's beautiful..........

firetruck41 · 01-09-07, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

I'm eyeing the NEW 5.7 I-FORCE V8......

381 horses and 401 lb-ft of torque. Damn, it's beautiful..........

Got one of those engines on order yet?

What's a longblock run?

cruiserdan · 01-09-07, 06:28 PM

Prolly 17 G's for a new one.....

There will be a shit-load of these trucks built and it's only a matter of time before they get wrecked.

I'm such a vulture sometimes....

firetruck41 · 01-09-07, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Prolly 17 G's for a new one.....

There will be a shit-load of these trucks built and it's only a matter of time before they get wrecked.

I'm such a vulture sometimes....

Yeah, one will get wrecked, they'll tow it to your dealership for an estimate, where it will be declared totaled by the insurance co, you'll run into the adjuster, offer to take the wrecked rigs engine off their hands for a couple hundred bucks... yeah, it sucks to be you.

EDIT: oops sorry to the original poster for the OT.

Sackman · 01-09-07, 06:33 PM

That sounds unfortunate, maybe the SC is jinxed... how much are askin for it?

lt1fire · 01-09-07, 06:59 PM

Personally i'd go for a chevy lsx engine.... cheap, reliable, easy to find and has tons of parts for it.... no question the new i-force is going to rock but the price... god damn

Beowulf · 01-09-07, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverstatelegal

Any thoughts into whether a Chevy 350 or 454 would be preferable to a newer Land Cruiser V-8?

There have been several documented SBC installs, keeping the tranny from the cruiser. I am not aware of any SBC installs going to a manual tranny. There are a couple of semi-documented Toyota V8 installs. I am not aware of any documented large block (427/454ci) installs into an 80-Series. I know there have been some in a 40-Series.

If it were me and I was determined to swap engines, I would go with a TPI SBC; maybe something like the LT1 engine. Lots of torque down low in the RPM range. They are a bit of an oddity in the SBC world though and parts are not as easy to come by as say a late model Vortec or a more common TBI engine.

Have you considered building up a 4.5 1FZ-FE? Robbie bored his and did a bunch of "hot rod" type mods. Increased CR, porting and polishing, etc. This might give you the HP bump you need without the hassle of an engine swap. There are also some DIY turbos and some turbo kits. The guys with turbocharged 4.5s are as proud as a puppy with two pee pees.

Good Luck and keep us posted on what approach you take.

-B-

pbr streetgang · 01-09-07, 09:12 PM

Have you looked at the GM Goodwrench 383 as an option?
Supposedly 420 HP & tons of torque.
A built 502 would be cool though..........
With a blower.............
He he he he .............

silverstatelegal · 01-10-07, 11:44 AM

Thanks for all of your replies. Seems like a newer Vortec 350 is the way to go. Can I use the tranny that comes with the Vortec and simply modify the drive train, or do I have to use the bus tranny (I never liked the shift patterns of the original tranny)? Where do I obtain the other adapters and which ones will I need other than the motor mounts, obviously.

With regard to the supercharger, I just paid $4,500.00 for it brand new from Spector Off Road a year ago, so I guess $3,500.00 would be reasonable. However, I invite all reasonable offers, as it is no use to me anymore and will post it in the classifieds, so as not to bother you guys in the forum.

cruiserdan · 01-10-07, 12:11 PM

New Super chargers sell for ~2,975 dollars.

Tools R Us · 01-10-07, 02:01 PM

Dan, are you planning on a super for that 5.7L? 580 hp, zoom zoom!

Ting · 01-10-07, 02:09 PM

Sorry that SC didn't work out for you. Do you know any reason why it didn't work on you? Could it be high mileage?

LandCrusher'70 · 01-10-07, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverstatelegal

I recently purchased a new TRD supercharger from Slee Off Road and had it installed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverstatelegal

I just paid $4,500.00 for it brand new from Spector Off Road.

Slee or Spector?

$4,500 is a hellava lot . . .

silverstatelegal · 01-10-07, 02:27 PM

I think the problem with the S/C was the cooling system. When it overheated the first time due to the radiator explosion, I believe the engine was already hurt and never recovered. I put 100,000 miles on this engine and babied it with 2K mile oil changes. I don't think high mileage had anything to do with it, but rather a faulty cooling system and would recommend to anyone who is thinking of installing one to install a 3 stage radiator and a low temp thermostat to prevent this same thing happening to them. I also ran with premium gas, octane boost to reduce the detonation and synthetic oil.

With regard to the price of the S/C, I think it cost me a little more due to the fact that TRD doesn't make the adapter kit anymore for the new S/C's, which is needed for the 1993 and 1994's. This S/C would obviously come with this adapter kit, so it would bolt right onto the 1993-1994 engine. As I said before, I would entertain all reasonable offers, as I have no current use for the S/C.

tea LC · 01-10-07, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

I'm eyeing the NEW 5.7 I-FORCE V8......

381 horses and 401 lb-ft of torque. Damn, it's beautiful..........

What else does one change on an upgrade like that? Trans? Brakes? Cooling?

What do you estimate it would cost for parts and labor?

Beowulf · 01-10-07, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tea LC

What do you estimate it would cost for parts and labor?

If you have to ask then ....

-B-

cary · 01-10-07, 03:44 PM

Sticking with the original question, it is a no brainer in my book, between the BB and SB chevy, choose the small block. There is no point in using a BB and it will be that much harder and that much heavier than the SB.