Engine and Tranny Swap Opinions

[JCook5003]

Ok Guys-

I went ahead and pulled the trigger and got the 89 4Runner referenced in another post earlier.


It's in super nice shape but it has a thrown rod (through the block) 3.0 and auto. I've heard tons of negative about the 3.0's and even more about the auto's.

So it's decision time, should I put it back stock. Install a 22R 5 speed setup for simplicity (no wiring). Go for a later model toyota 4cyl swap (tacoma 4cyl). Could go for a Chevy v8 swap.

I dont know what to do, I'm just gathering opinions and ideas. I'm ideally looking for a setup that will be fairly inexpensive, pretty easy to swap in, and very reliable.

Thanks
Josh

 

[Downey]

While there is nothing wrong with keeping your Totyota ALL Toyota, the most popular swap has proven to be the 4.3 GM V6. It is a better fit than the V8, and does not have the over-heating problems of the V8 in your small engine compartment. Additionally, the 4.3 does not have the higher torque values that are hard on the Toyota drivetrain. V8 tail pipes sure do sound neat, but for reliability, it has to be the 4.3.

 

[inkpot]

While there is nothing wrong with keeping your Totyota ALL Toyota, the most popular swap has proven to be the 4.3 GM V6. It is a better fit than the V8, and does not have the over-heating problems of the V8 in your small engine compartment. Additionally, the 4.3 does not have the higher torque values that are hard on the Toyota drivetrain. V8 tail pipes sure do sound neat, but for reliability, it has to be the 4.3.

Howdy! Yea, what he said. I'm just dying to do mine with the 4.3 from my wife's 98 Astro van. The paint and interior are shot, but the driveline only has 90,000 well maintained miles on it. It is an easy fit, and the stock driveline will survive it pretty well if your not living on the skinny pedal. Have Fun!! John

 

[black95]

you're going to get bombarded with guys telling you to keep your toyota all toyota with a 3.4.........here's the truth.......the 3.4 is EXPENSIVE and hard to find. And It takes some pretty awesome mechanical skills to install and make work properly, yeah there are guys who have done it for a reasonable price, but they probably cheated somehow.

The 4.3 chevy is a great motor, I have one in my '95 4runner. It's not a powerhouse--you're not gonna pull an RV with it, but it gets around pretty good. My first motor was the TBI '89 version and to tell you the truth, it was pretty weak, and vibrated like MAD('94 and up has the balance shaft). sold it and got a 2001 blazer bottom with 100,000 on the clock (it is fully rollered with roller lifters and factory roller rockers) complete with heads for $165. the bearings looked brand new, so I bought a new ring set for $90 bucks, replaced 2 lifters that were stuck down for twenty something bucks, all new gasket set for $100 and went through the block with a hone. find a 3.4 for that money.

here's the tricky part....I didn't want all the wiring and the crazy amount of o2 sensors that went with the vortec, so I got the edelbrock 2114 intake, a carb to TBI adapter and I run TBI on top of my vortec, with 350 injectors. you can use the factory toyota pump, and it only takes about 5 wires to hook up. vortecs make their power in the cylinder heads, not the intake. I'm in colorado at 9,000 feet elevation and I have plenty of power. Plus I can find any part I need at any auto parts store in the U.S. Thought that was a pretty good deal.

Make up your own mind, but don't rule out the 4.3 because it's a chevy engine!!

 

[BAMF_CT2004]

you're going to get bombarded with guys telling you to keep your toyota all toyota with a 3.4.........here's the truth.......the 3.4 is EXPENSIVE and hard to find. And It takes some pretty awesome mechanical skills to install and make work properly, yeah there are guys who have done it for a reasonable price, but they probably cheated somehow.

The 4.3 chevy is a great motor, I have one in my '95 4runner. It's not a powerhouse--you're not gonna pull an RV with it, but it gets around pretty good. My first motor was the TBI '89 version and to tell you the truth, it was pretty weak, and vibrated like MAD('94 and up has the balance shaft). sold it and got a 2001 blazer bottom with 100,000 on the clock (it is fully rollered with roller lifters and factory roller rockers) complete with heads for $165. the bearings looked brand new, so I bought a new ring set for $90 bucks, replaced 2 lifters that were stuck down for twenty something bucks, all new gasket set for $100 and went through the block with a hone. find a 3.4 for that money.

here's the tricky part....I didn't want all the wiring and the crazy amount of o2 sensors that went with the vortec, so I got the edelbrock 2114 intake, a carb to TBI adapter and I run TBI on top of my vortec, with 350 injectors. you can use the factory toyota pump, and it only takes about 5 wires to hook up. vortecs make their power in the cylinder heads, not the intake. I'm in colorado at 9,000 feet elevation and I have plenty of power. Plus I can find any part I need at any auto parts store in the U.S. Thought that was a pretty good deal.

Make up your own mind, but don't rule out the 4.3 because it's a chevy engine!!

I bolted my 3.4 right into my 88 4runner engine bay. A monkey could do it. You will have to be patient with wiring however but doable. Basically all there is to it.

Black 95 does make a good point with part availablity. Plenty of those around. I cant say the same for toyota, cause personally I havent had anything fail unlike parts consistantly failing like the chevys

All kidding aside toyota part availibilty is limited so if something should fail, you might have to wait for some parts.

3.4s are expensive compared to 4.3s which are ridiculously cheap. It just all comes down to preference