Best cheapo V8 to use? (1 Viewer)

[Foam]

This topic is beaten to death, but I figured why not throw you guys another thread!
I bought an 84 FJ60 as my first car a few months ago for a good price, and as the de-smogged engine is not legal in California I plan to throw a diesel in it. In the mean time through, I'm thinking about putting a cheapo V8 in it until I finish the diesel rebuild and tranny adapter etc.

The part I'm not too sure about is what the best option for me is. This is just a temporary engine to keep the truck drivable for a year or 2, and I would appreciate to spend no more than a grand to 1500 on an engine plus a transmission to match, I don't want to adapt the H55. In your guys's opinion, what's the best option here? I was thinking about a little SBC from a junker with a matching tranny that fits without any adapting. I don't want an LS for the ECU, I want a fully analog engine compartment. Appreciate the input in advance.

 

[SteveH]

Not sure what you're starting with. If it still has a stock engine, I would smog it, or park it until you do the diesel swap and drive a beater Civic until that time. If you do a v8 swap, you'd have a ton of non-recoverable conversion costs by doing a interim swap.

You could also just do a correct V8 swap now and leave it that way. I would not swap in a carbureted/junker engine at all, really - there's not much interest in anything other than Vortec or LS swaps, and you want to leave carburetor issues behind (given the crappy gas we have to buy these days). Just my .02

 

[3_puppies]

Not sure what you're starting with. If it still has a stock engine, I would smog it, or park it until you do the diesel swap and drive a beater Civic until that time. If you do a v8 swap, you'd have a ton of non-recoverable conversion costs by doing a interim swap.

You could also just do a correct V8 swap now and leave it that way. I would not swap in a carbureted/junker engine at all, really - there's not much interest in anything other than Vortec or LS swaps, and you want to leave carburetor issues behind (given the crappy gas we have to buy these days). Just my .02

X2..... why do a swap and re-do it again later on?
I don't have to deal with your issues but my understanding is you need to use an engine that is at least 84 or newer. I could be wrong tho.

Fix what you have or save and do it once.

 

[Elbert]

something you can pull out of a junkyard/salvage yard complete with transmission. The cheapest would be a carb 5.7 with all the stuff, that is if you can find one in a salvage yard.....but likely you'll have do deal with emissions in CA also, so "whats cheap in CA"....

 

[MANUCHAO]

Non-op.....
For the cheapest $$ V8...

 

[Foam]

Not sure what you're starting with. If it still has a stock engine, I would smog it, or park it until you do the diesel swap and drive a beater Civic until that time. If you do a v8 swap, you'd have a ton of non-recoverable conversion costs by doing a interim swap.

You could also just do a correct V8 swap now and leave it that way. I would not swap in a carbureted/junker engine at all, really - there's not much interest in anything other than Vortec or LS swaps, and you want to leave carburetor issues behind (given the crappy gas we have to buy these days). Just my .02

Re-smogging it... Ugh. I feel like this is the best option at this point unfortunately. I've looked around at prices of parts and it seems like buying all of the equipment and neutering my already underpowered engine is the way to go.

Is anyone able to point me in the direction of a list of every part needed on a California 2f? Info seems far and few between.

 

[3_puppies]

Re-smogging it... Ugh. I feel like this is the best option at this point unfortunately. I've looked around at prices of parts and it seems like buying all of the equipment and neutering my already underpowered engine is the way to go.

A good tuned, smogged engine is not neutered. A good carb tune, full tune up and the rig will be just fine.
If you want high speeds to get somewhere in a hurry, this rig is not for you.

 

[Foam]

A good tuned, smogged engine is not neutered. A good carb tune, full tune up and the rig will be just fine.
If you want high speeds to get somewhere in a hurry, this rig is not for you.

I grew up in a 240D that did 0-60 in 20 seconds... I was referring more to the fact that the smog parts are faulty and stupid. I pass emissions test just fine, but no cat or air pump etc.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

This is not going to end well. If you persist with this thought, you will throw more $$ that you think, into a swap you don't want, and then throw more $$ in a diesel swap that will be underfunded.

Way best option is to re-smog the truck. Drive it until you have the funds to do things right. Be very realistic about your budget. Your diesel swap is going to be a minimum of $15k. If that's a scary number to you, don't start. Underfunded swaps always end in abandoned projects and wasted money.

There is nothing wrong with a running stock motor. It's slow, and thirsty but that's the price you pay to drive an FJ60.

 

[John McVicker]

were you able to get all those parts new (dryer, expansion valve, press switch etc)?

This is not going to end well. If you persist with this thought, you will throw more $$ that you think, into a swap you don't want, and then throw more $$ in a diesel swap that will be underfunded.

Way best option is to re-smog the truck. Drive it until you have the funds to do things right. Be very realistic about your budget. Your diesel swap is going to be a minimum of $15k. If that's a scary number to you, don't start. Underfunded swaps always end in abandoned projects and wasted money.

There is nothing wrong with a running stock motor. It's slow, and thirsty but that's the price you pay to drive an FJ60.

This is well said Foam. Take it to heart.

EDIT: not sure how Prowerdriver's quote got in here.

 

[Foam]

I know the cost of a diesel. I'm going to overfund it if anything. I was just looking for a small block or something to use for a year or two while I slowly fab, buy, and rebuild. It just seems more practical to use stock engine until that time.

 

[Elbert]

in two years I would not want to swap engines twice.

 

[SNLC]

5.7L vortec from the late 90's.

Cheers

 

[woytovich]

Buy a running Buick Roadmaster with the LT V8 and swap away!

 

[Rockymtnreaper]

I was in the same position as you when I first got my 60, I refreshed the 2F and desmogged it (Southwest Colorado, no emissions) Now the desmog really helps, but having a refreshed 2F is not a bad solution. In fact, after driving my 60 for the last two years with it, I love it! I might even rebuild another 2F (I swear i'm not a purist) My .02 would be to spend some money getting your 2F road worthy and driving that sucka! You will love it. Its always better to drive a 60 around than have it sitting in a garage waiting for a swap. If you need some smog parts, I still have some. Let me know. Cheers!

 

[TallCanDan]

Sounds like you need a change of address to a more lenient part of Cali...

 

[Spike Strip]

Look in the parting section and try and buy everything at once, if possible, from a junked truck. You should be able to find everything for $250 or so.

Or, find somebody who will *pass the smog* for you for the right incentive and that'll buy you two years. And NEVER stop for those road-side emissions tests. The CHP will lie to you and 'imply' it is mandatory. It is not. Just tell them you do not want to participate in the program and be on your way. Also tell them Jerry Brown is a korrupt weasel and rotten to the core.

Also, with the V8 in Kalif, it must be at least the year of the recipient vehicle and retain all of the smog from that engine, so, you're looking at a 84 or never V8 with all the smog from that engine.

 

[Foam]

Lotsa good responses. I'm kinda torn here on which path I'll take at this point. There's just so many different part numbers and engines to boot. If I can find something cheap I'll just throw in a vortec. After all It's a hell of a lot simpler ditching my ol' sketchy and half an engine compartment with something newer and 'easier'.

 

[Spike Strip]

I'd seriously save your pennies and wait until this is available as a kit:

Cummins R2.8 Conversion build thread

I plan on it.

 

[Spike Strip]

For Sale - May 86 FJ60 smog parts for sale