Chevy 350 V8 vs 1UZFE V8

[Hathan]

Hi people i have a 1984 Fj40, im thinking of putting a 1UZFE Lexus V8 in my fj40, but i have friends telling me that the chevy is alot more on HP n Torque side then the lexus V8.....is that true and whats the reliability like on the 350, and also how can i source one in the UK....

 

[bikersmurf]

Can't speak to the Lexus motor.... Reliability of the Chevy though...

I'm running a Sept 1969 Chev motor...
V8-350, 4 Barrel carb, 4.001 bore x 3.48 stroke, 10.25 compression, 300 hp @ 4800, 380 ft-lbs @ 3200

It has got around 135,000 miles (~220,000 km) on it... At around 110,000 miles I replaced the cam, litters, rockers, and replaced the carb. Compression is around 195 psi across all cylinders.

It is a 41+ year old motor which still is running strong... I'm running 33" tires with 4.11s... It has enough torque to easily start in second, and pull in third from about 10 miles/hour.


I don't know how the latest generation blocks compare... But when I swapped mine, there were orange, blue, and black blocks... Roughly 60s-70?, 80s, and 90s... The older orange blocks were said to be best, and four bolt mains are better than the two bolt mains.

How/where to get them in the UK, don't know.

 

[bouncin betty]

What transmission

I have vehicles with both motors. I would say that they are both very reliable motors. My experience with Toyota motors is that you don't have to do anything with them for 200,000 miles. On the small block chevy you might have to have head work done at just over 100,000 mi. That is alot of miles. You really can't lose with either choice. The aftermarket has unbelievable support for the small block Chevy. If don't know of alot of performance parts for the Lexus motor. Perhaps a TRD supercharger. What transmission do you plan on running? THere are many more options and adapters available for the small block chevy.

Again, you can't go wrong with either choice. I find the most difficult part of such swaps is accessories/computers/fuel injection/cooling/etc.

 

[middlecalf]

But when I swapped mine, there were orange, blue, and black blocks... Roughly 60s-70?, 80s, and 90s...

My 283 block is blue (but it could have been repainted in the PO past) but the block casting number dates to 1958.

 

[Combat Chuck]

From what I've heard, the 1 and 2 UZ's are comparable to a mid-spectrum SBC with a higher deck. Their power-to-weight ratios are off the charts, the 2UZ only weighs something like 350lbs and can put out alot more torque stock than a stock SBC.

SBC will be cheaper, both in price, and construction.

Toe-to-toe, neither is cleanly "better" than the other, but they each have advantages over each other.

Bottom-line, I'd swap in a rebuilt 2F before doing the V8 dance, I hate working on wire harnesses, and either V8 swap will mean spaghetti, and not the delicious kind.

However, speaking as a biased semi-puritanical Toyota Superiority-type person: I would only use a Chevy small-block as a boat-anchor.

 

[lrowe_csp]

I am running a 350 small block chevy in my '74 FJ40. It has a 400 crankshaft and some other modifications, making it a 383 ci motor. Horsepower and torque are right around 400/400, and the motor can sit for months and starts right up. Toyota makes great motors, but this four bolt main motor is definitely quicker than a boat anchor.

 

[bikersmurf]

I am running a 350 small block chevy in my '74 FJ40. It has a 400 crankshaft and some other modifications, making it a 383 ci motor. Horsepower and torque are right around 400/400, and the motor can sit for months and starts right up. Toyota makes great motors, but this four bolt main motor is definitely quicker than a boat anchor.

The 383 is an awesome combination.

As for sitting for months... mine has sat for too many long periods of time. The worst was sitting in a carport without any attention for 2 years...
The battery was toast. I pored some gas in the tank, hooked up some jumper cables, started it up, drove to the gas station, filled it up, and drove it 80 or so miles on the highway to where i am now living. After I got home I put a new battery in it.

I've driven it for 3 years since without anymore than basic service.

The key to reliability seems to keep it fairly close to stock... If you modify the heck out of it to get 800 hp, it idles rough, is barely drivable, is hard to start, and reliability is ok at best.

300-400 hp seems to be a happy place for them.

 

[alumacruiser]

Spaghetti wiring? Boat anchor? Whatever!!

 

[lrowe_csp]

That's one pretty install!

 

[kellyo]

Alumacruiser --- that is gorgeous. I vote for the chevy. I have put over 250K on three different 350 and one went to 385K before being worn out. And all had little to no work done but the usual maintainence stuff.

 

[dx379]

Have you ever replaced the starter on a 1UZ?? I vote for Chevy!

Jonny

 

[bikersmurf]

Spaghetti wiring? Boat anchor? Whatever!!

One day my Cruiser may be that clean... Wow! They weren't that neat from the factory.

Have you ever replaced the starter on a 1UZ?? I vote for Chevy!

Jonny

No, but I've replaced a Chevy one. Supper easy in a 40, and only $90 for a rebuilt high torque one with a cast iron nosecone from an earily 4speed vette (or something like that).

 

[dx379]

No, but I've replaced a Chevy one. Supper easy in a 40, and only $90 for a rebuilt high torque one with a cast iron nosecone from an earily 4speed vette (or something like that).

LOL - I was actually talking to the OP. I have owned many Lexus's and am very familar with the 1UZ platform. The starter is a nightmare job for something as ridiculous as a starter. Have to remove the intake manifold etc just to get to it

Jonny

 

[TCinVA]

Chevy 350/383 is what I would do (and did!). My last truck with a 350 was still going stromg at 300.000 when I drove it 5 hours to swap it for a hilux. It's probably still rollin'. The 350 carb motor is ridiculously easy to wire up.