Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a V8 swapped FJ60. I've found one that is too far away to go see, so before I fly out there, what are some specific to V8 swaps questions I should ask? It's a Chevy 350 swap done by a performance shop. What should I be weary of? Thanks.
Checklist for V8 swapped FJ60 search
- Thread starter Dan0
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You should ask why they put a 350 and not an LS 
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- #4
I was gonna call the shop and ask about the swap.Be wary of “performance shops” doing V8 swaps
Look and check their hose management, and wire management. You can know if they didnt take the time to route hoses or wires neatly, they definitely skipped steps elsewhere. Overly long heater hoses or rad hoses that are all over the place just scream rushed job to me. You could look for kinked hoses or wires that arent properly sheathed. There shouldnt be any straight up exposed wires in the engine bay, they should all have some kind of abrasive protection on them.
Personally, if i see any of those nylon insulated wire connectors, butt crimps, or terminals, I would turn around and walk away. For Engine wiring at least. A light bar or something like that is a different story, but for important stuff, those crumps are a no go. If you want to nitpick even more, electrical tape instead of heat shrink is a big one for me too. If you can get up close to it, check out the motor mounts. The welds on them, and if they are poly mounts or oem style rubber. The rubber ones are preferred. With V8 swaps there are swaps that are done just to get the motor in there and to work ok, and there are some that are done with detail and care for long lasting reliability
Personally, if i see any of those nylon insulated wire connectors, butt crimps, or terminals, I would turn around and walk away. For Engine wiring at least. A light bar or something like that is a different story, but for important stuff, those crumps are a no go. If you want to nitpick even more, electrical tape instead of heat shrink is a big one for me too. If you can get up close to it, check out the motor mounts. The welds on them, and if they are poly mounts or oem style rubber. The rubber ones are preferred. With V8 swaps there are swaps that are done just to get the motor in there and to work ok, and there are some that are done with detail and care for long lasting reliability
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tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
Bring or send a qualified person to look at it.
tmxmotorsports
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Where is it located?
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- #8
Thank you.
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- #9
Bay area
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
Cool I'm no help with that distance I'm on the far east coast. We can give you all kinds of questions to ask but if you don't k ow what your looking at they won't help. Thus is something I have been thinking of offering along with shipping but I'm not there yet.
Tommy
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- #11
I'll definitely see the car before I pay. I know what to look for in general, but just wanted to know if there was any specific related to a swap that wasn't obvious I should rule out before I even go. Thanks for your reply!
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
The fact that it doesn't have an ls model engine in it would be something I would steer away from. Is it fuel injection or carburetor game changer between those two for sure.
Tommy
Agreed, my post up there wasn’t a jab lol. They should have a solid reason they chose that over an LS
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
More than likely an old swap or old school shop.
If the swap was done 10-15 years ago, then a 350 makes a bit more sense. Anything more recent is suspect. What trans is behind the V8?
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
We are all just guessing as of now no information at this point besides 350
POTATO LAUNCHER
TLCA #6928
Looks like a direct swap out of a early 90's Chevy to me. Obviously automatic with the dipstick and the engine location looks good since it is forward of the firewall. More than likely the TC is in stock location. AC is straight out of the swapped vehicle.
Very likely done years ago but from the lack of modern bolt on accessories. More than likely a TBI set up. Very reliable.
Very likely done years ago but from the lack of modern bolt on accessories. More than likely a TBI set up. Very reliable.
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- Thread starter
- #19
Thank you.
tmxmotorsports
SILVER Star
Nothing jumping out to big. The blue wire tap and no fan shroud
