Best engine for 87 Toyota 4x4

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TURNMEOVER said:
When I smoked the motor in my 89 pu I purchased a s-10 blazer 4x4 w/4.3 used for 600. Pulled the motor, trans, transfer case and pcm. took a couple of days and another 200 in incidentals but it has 2x the power ane 3x the fuel milage as the 3.0 .
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That's fine, but please don't fool people into thinking they will have twice the power and 3x the mileage, just not going to happen with the 4.3.
 
best engine for '87, continued

I'm new to this site so, patience please. The best engine for '87 question pulled me in. I have an '87 4Runner, 22 RE, 282,000 miles- no leaks, no burning oil, really surprised at how well it runs. I need to start planning for the future.

One of the replies was to go to FAQ on more power for 22 RE. I can't find that. One was to put in a Chevy 3.4. I have one in a van that needs head gaskets. My dreams of towing power and being able to sustain 60 MPH on highway with a headwind make me want to trade that 22 RE for the newly gasketed 3.4.

Is this sensible? Anyone know the details of the transfer? Is there a conversion kit? Is this a mistake?
 
TerryC said:
Is this sensible? Anyone know the details of the transfer? Is there a conversion kit? Is this a mistake?
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Yes, it's very sensible, a lot of people have done it with good results. Yes, there is a kit. No, it's not a mistake. I believe you have to install a bodylift to get the air plenum to fit under the hood, and it's not a cheap swap. But it's worth it!

These guys are the experts on the swap, I've been to their shop, super nice.

Off Road Solutions - Products - Engine Upgrades
 
Sorry about my dyslexic question. My spare engine is a 4.3 Chevy, not a 3.4.

If only it were a Toyota 3.4. I think that my cost might go too high if I had to buy an old 3.4 Toyota and tranny. Maybe I should look around.

Anyone know about the Chevy 4.3 conversion? Am I better off with the 22R E?
 
Here's the mo-22RE power links:

4x4Wire.com's TrailTalk Forums: 22R/RE: Simple power tips

Off-Road.com BBS: Maximizing 4 cyl output

Diesel auuggggghhhhhh (drool....) :D

https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/157712-91-pickup-diesel-conversion.html

4Wheeling.ca - Off Road Junkies! - Installing A Turbo On A 3L Hilux Diesel Engine

The 4.3 is a good engine, but I'm a purist... :D My wife's 01 4Runner has the 3.4 and it hauls pretty dang good. I'd like to start saving up for the 3L-TE that I linked to, friggin sweeeet!!!! :D Oh and Welcome! :flipoff2: Glad to have you aboard!
 
Wow! I'm really getting an education. Thanks for all the links and advice, I've been checking them out. I wonder how much he paid for that diesel. It looks great. A lot of highly detailed advice on building the 22R E up, too. When I used to build VWs I had to drive all over town to get help and good machining and knowledge. That town is a lot smaller with the internet so thanks a lot!

I look forward to someone's advice on dropping in the Chevy 4.3. No doubt, the quality 22R E rebuild is easier, but don't know if it' s enough.
 
I put in a 7MGE, new head gasket and ARP hardware.

I picked up (3) engines over time for about 500 dollars.

Bottom line you need:

aluminum radiator
fan
clutch
power steering line
head gasket
arp hardware for head

I was not happy with the engine power on the street so I have been HAMMERING it on the trail, it has run hot, been floored, etc. and still is quiet
as a mouse. Go figure, when you try to break em they never do!
 
2ndGenToyotaFan said:
That's fine, but please don't fool people into thinking they will have twice the power and 3x the mileage, just not going to happen with the 4.3.
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Exactly.... I've done two of these (same truck). Average mileage was same as the 3.0's that I currently have. Power was not any better, with possible exception of low-end torque, but the 4.3 TBI's do not like to rev....
 
Has anyone out there put a Chevy 4.3 into an old 4Runner? The 22R E seems to have a lot of fans (me included.) My lust for HP is making me want to cheat on Toyota, though. Conversion kits I've seen so far claim that I need to lift it at least 2 inches, which I don't want. Can't I upgrade my torsion bars and cut a hole in the hood for engine and air flow?

Anyone else have experience with after market turbo on the 22R E? I found someone claiming 200+ HP for the turboed 22R E. That's scary to me. Around 170 would be great, though.
 
TerryC said:
Has anyone out there put a Chevy 4.3 into an old 4Runner? The 22R E seems to have a lot of fans (me included.) My lust for HP is making me want to cheat on Toyota, though. Conversion kits I've seen so far claim that I need to lift it at least 2 inches, which I don't want. Can't I upgrade my torsion bars and cut a hole in the hood for engine and air flow?

Anyone else have experience with after market turbo on the 22R E? I found someone claiming 200+ HP for the turboed 22R E. That's scary to me. Around 170 would be great, though.
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Have you exhausted your bolt on options?
 
I've not exhausted any options yet. I've got the 4.3 sitting there in a '96 Astro. I've got the 282,000 mile 22R E sitting in it's 4Runner. I'd like my 4Runner to be able to haul a 1200lb trailer through the mountains of Wyoming and Montana and cruise at highway speeds in a headwind. I know the 4.3 could do it. I've read a bit on what different engine builders are doing for more HP but haven't seen what that additional HP does for them. I other words, does a 150 hp 4Runner do what I want? If not, does the 200hp (supposedly) turboed 22R E run reliably? And I have to compare costs of everything. How to get the most bang for my $ and my labor?
 
TerryC said:
Has anyone out there put a Chevy 4.3 into an old 4Runner? The 22R E seems to have a lot of fans (me included.) My lust for HP is making me want to cheat on Toyota, though. Conversion kits I've seen so far claim that I need to lift it at least 2 inches, which I don't want. Can't I upgrade my torsion bars and cut a hole in the hood for engine and air flow?

Anyone else have experience with after market turbo on the 22R E? I found someone claiming 200+ HP for the turboed 22R E. That's scary to me. Around 170 would be eck out great, though.
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cheat with gears. 4.88's make you feel like you have power. heck try some 5.29's

you want high power 22RE's?

check out LCEngineering

and its still the best engine availible

EFIEngineShot1.jpg
 
Tim is a one-man-show shop (unless he's grown). He's VERY knowledgable, and if you get him on the phone he will talk your ear off about tuning these engines. I've called him for advice a couple of times and he's freely spent time on the phone, even though I wasn't buying anything.

I also have his metal chain guides in my engine now, good stuff.
 
I've been pretty happy with my DOA engine thus far....and Tim doesn't mind spending time on the phone. I don't think you would be going wrong with LCEngineering either. It was a very hard decision for me....and my 22RE was still running. :D


...as it was I still spent a few grand with LC on other parts.
Engine small.webp
 
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