3.0 3VZE Engine: Used Swap Or Rebuild?

[LeftCoast]

My newly-acquired 93 4Runner 4X4 Auto needs a new engine. I have an engine available to me for @ $1000 from a 94 4X4 wrecked truck, with supposedly 60,000 on motor (replaced by same guys 4000 miles earlier, then truck totaled).

My friend (and lead mechanic on the swap; only mechanic actually, including me) is very much in favor of a used engine swap, but I swear for the same money (or less) I could have the heads redone and the bottom end prepped for rebuild for @ $600 (very highly recommended shop, from different sources), plus the cost of the ENGNBLDR 3.slow kit, @ $400. So for the same geezel, I get a new engine...no brainer, right? My friend's worked at a Toyo dealership, and has low end rebuild experience, but I think it'd just be easier for him to pop in a used engine, but it just doesn't feel right to me. I'd certainly throw him some extra cash, or maybe even be worth it to have the shop finish the bottom end...any idea how much in labor is typical?

What do you all think?

 

[Bear80]

I'd go with the used engine but get them down on the price, like $600.

 

[LeftCoast]

I'd go with the used engine but get them down on the price, like $600.

They're being hard-asses on the price. $900 for the engine (pulled), or $1000 for the wreck (if the 4x4 ext cab box'll fit on an 88 reg cab 4x4, it'd make my decision a lot easier; I could then keep a truck I was considering parting out).

The engine has stuff pushed into it from the passenger side front corner, but definitely wasn't hit head on the crank. You wouldn't be worried at all, with zero warranty?

 

[Bear80]

Not if you had them turn it over and make sure it ran. Then I would still only give them $600 for a used engine. Hell I could have bought a v8 tundra motor for $500 already pulled and on a crate. Tell them to shove the price.

 

[LeftCoast]

Here are some pics

 

["N8"]

depends on how much down time you are willing to spend with the fix. If you can afford a few weeks to strip down the engine and send out the parts to a shop DEFINATLY do it!

if you need something done quick and easy just do the swap. the money is about the same with both situations and either solution is a fine way to go.

 

[ajfriz]

find a 3.4

 

[LeftCoast]

find a 3.4

I knew someone would come around to suggesting that.

From the research I've done, the conversion isn't quite "bolt on", and I can count on a lot of extra heartache and expense: harness, etc. We're talking three Gs minimum, right?

 

[LeftCoast]

depends on how much down time you are willing to spend with the fix. If you can afford a few weeks to strip down the engine and send out the parts to a shop DEFINATLY do it!

if you need something done quick and easy just do the swap. the money is about the same with both situations and either solution is a fine way to go.

So you wouldn't be put off by the damage to this thing? Right front corner is pushed into the engine a bit (motorcycle, I'm told). What if these guys can't/won't fire it up? $1000 for the wreck? Do you know if the box from the 94 ext will be usable in an 88 reg cab? They look @ the same size (6 feet), both trucks are 4X4 (if it matters), but I just don't know if it'll work out with the mounts...

Thanks everyone for the responses.

 

[Bear80]

HAHA, motorcycle, those guys are monkeys. No way in hell a motorcycle could do that! I don't think I would trust them about the motor even if they finally came down in price now. There are some things you'll have to address with using a later 3vze in your 88. The oil cooler and filter are switched and as for the harness I'm not sure but the later 3vze's had more power. I would guess they did that with better fuel maping since the heads and block are the same through all the years.

 

[Bear80]

I would go with your plan rebuilding the motor. Take a look around and see if you can find a rebuilt short block for around $500 and have the heads re-done. These bozos just want to rip you off with the motor, I mean common a motorcycle really?? dumbest thing they could have told you.

 

[psfpilot]

I think this was covered in an article in 4WD Toyota Owners' Magazine. That's all I remember.

I knew someone would come around to suggesting that.

From the research I've done, the conversion isn't quite "bolt on", and I can count on a lot of extra heartache and expense: harness, etc. We're talking three Gs minimum, right?

 

[LeftCoast]

HAHA, motorcycle, those guys are monkeys. No way in hell a motorcycle could do that! I don't think I would trust them about the motor even if they finally came down in price now. There are some things you'll have to address with using a later 3vze in your 88. The oil cooler and filter are switched and as for the harness I'm not sure but the later 3vze's had more power. I would guess they did that with better fuel maping since the heads and block are the same through all the years.

Yeah, I have a good sense of people, and I just don't feel right about the used engine.

The bed and engine would go in different trucks; the bed onto my 88 reg cab 4X4 with a 22r-e, and the engine into my 93 4Runner. Monkeys, quite possibly, but dealing with them might kill two birds with one stone, but yes, monkeys still...

 

[tntoyota]

You need to talk to the fatkid,


If you got a 5speed go 3.4 no doubt.

AT, yeah, 3oh.