Overhaul or get a Rebuilt Engine? HELP!!

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Do folks really purchase FJ80's for "SPEED"????

I too after reading multiple threads don't understand why folks are trying to run FJ80's as if they are Ferraris...

It's an SUV, it's HEAVY, it's an automatic and it's only a 6 cylinder... and if you're adding a lift kit and much larger tires - why would anyone think they can go 0-60 in 4 seconds or dart in & out of traffic with ease? If you want to go fast, one purchases a sports car (or has one as a 2nd vehicle) to drive when needing speed.

The LC engine in ANY of the FJ80's is more for torque rather than top end anyway, correct???

I mean folks looking to go fast in a LC are along the same lines as the same folks who defeat the purpose of a truck by lowering it and slamming it to the ground as if it's a car...
 
Florida,

I run 35s (not 315s FZJers) true 35s on Non US LC steel rims-they're heavy indead. IN front of those is a ~5" lift with 4.88 gears and ARB lockers F&R. Castor correction is a heated topic here as the OME bushs are ALOT more stiff than the stock rubbers. IMHO REALLY steals away articulation-but the "highway" ride is sure nice. I am at a 5" lift now for 3+ yrs w/o castor correction-no reall bad wear problems and it drives better than my BJ or old 40 EVER did. I am content with it. And my power off the line is "GOOD" I mean REALLY good. There is nary a sole on here that will believe me that my 92 3fe80 will beat my bro's 96 fzj80 off the line with my 4.88s and I hold the hills pretty well too. He runs 315s w/o gearing. Moreover, I CRAWL through ths sand like it was pavement. My only problem on dunes is digging holes with my heavy arse rig.


There was a thread on the yahoo groups 3fe list about porting the intake manifold. Basically the "throat" of the intake ports are slightly reduced in size from the actual width/length opening on the block. I guess it is a result of the unit being cast. In any event (And I can't rememeber who) took a intake manifold gasget and lined up the bolt holes and then drew an outline of the "actual" opening size on the manifold a lot of die grinder or roto tool later, I believe the result in power band increase was noticeable if not pretty dang good. May result in a bit less MPG though. But just about any tweak you do will indirectly affect mpg in some small way.

One thing I also did was fit an inline air tool filter with the element removed on the hose between the valve cover and air intake hose. Some people complain about "gunk" in their intake manifold and it does in fact affect air flow and fuel as well as the operation of internal moving parts. I removed the intake and cleaned really well when I bought it and prior to the "filter." The little filter captures any oil passage through the hose and drops it in the filter bottle. Clean as a whistle in the intake manifold 60+K later.

Those are the easy things. Other easies to check...O2 sensor operation, catalytic converter flow, valve clearances, plug wires, plugs, distributor rotor/cap, etc.

Typically counted as routine maintenance things-but as far as I can tell-usually overlooked quite often. These are things that have really helped maintain the "power" in my 3fe.

Alot of people upgrade exhaust. Then there are the involved things block/head combos, cams, cranks, turbos, etc, etc.

Good luck and as I forgot before... WELCOME!! flipoff2:
 
Sorry, typo!

Welcome :flipoff2:
 
Cobra Jet said:
Do folks really purchase FJ80's for "SPEED"????

I too after reading multiple threads don't understand why folks are trying to run FJ80's as if they are Ferraris...
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There is nothing wrong with wanting a little more power. Just because a person wants more than the stock 155hp doesn't mean they want to drive it like a Ferrari. Maybe they just want to have enough power to get up to highway speed before the end of the on ramp. Maybe they want to tow a trailer without becoming a rolling road block. I don't drive my FZJ like a Ferrari (that's what the wifes 350Z is for), but with 50% more power than the FJ80, I don't have to worry about getting up to speed, and it's actually safer on the hwy because I have the power to move when I need to. There are times that you NEED to accelerate. Not 0-60 in 4 seconds accelerate, but 0-60 in less than a week accelerate.
 
Im with him. I have absolutely no problem with anything thats in this truck. Some things that the PO took OUT of the truck, but thats another story.

I wonder if they built each of these trucks on a different day. I have no reason to complain about the time it takes me to get up to 75 on the on ramp. Hiway speed is even better. 65 is PUD. Holding 75-80 in a headwind kinda sucks, but my little Mazda couldnt do it well either. People will find something in any vehicle to complain about, and if they own it, by all means. The thing that gets me is the "most common" engine swap for these and 40's is a 350. Good motor as it is, cant touch the F series engines for lifespan and reliability. Thats great, tell me your dads grandpas uncles heavy duty has 500,000 farm miles on it. We're talking averages. In general, even the semi hated 3FE, is better than a 350 in almost all ways but power and parts availability. Power can be accomplished in easier ways than an engine swap, and you can always order extras of commonly replaced parts to keep on hand.

Back to your original question. A hunting/camping rig will most likely spend the majority of its intended purpose at slow speed. Something the 3FE has no problems with. It will power through mud just fine, and kicks sand in the nuts.

My money is going to a winch, rear bumper with tire carrier/jerry can holder, slee drawer system with fridge slide, ARB 60 qt(I think) fridge, yadda yadda. I intend to use my truck for the same things as you. Hunting, camping, canoeing....I find no reason to do any big money engine swaps that cost more than all that gear I just mentioned. You leave the city to take your time and see the sights anyway..........why spend all that money to make the trip go by that much faster?
 
I agree with you Skyshark and Walking Eagle. You both are right when it comes to the practicality of getting some speed when needing it.. My intentions with this truck is to take it where it was meant to go and that off-road comfortably. I plan on using for camping/hunting. nothing else, if i encounter a mud pit on my way to where i am heading then i will cross it, i am not wanting to build a rig to where i go and see if i can get it stuck in the mud. I want it to be able to cross whatever gets in its path no matter what it is.. I like doing long trail riding and camping out somewhere.. Does are my intentions.. I have been amazed at my truck since a got in 92. It has been realy reliable, never left me stranded. Thanks for all the input.. This truck is my off-road Ferrari . LOL
 
fj803fe said:
I run 35s with 4.88 gears
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This is a great combination. I run 315s (while not a true 35" at 34.7" :rolleyes: ) with 4.88s on my 96 and the increase in driveabilty of the truck was substantial.

This would probably be the one and only thing that I'd do concerning performance as it will effect both on road driving as well as offroad crawling in a very positive way.
 
skyshark186 said:
The thing that gets me is the "most common" engine swap for these and 40's is a 350. Good motor as it is, cant touch the F series engines for lifespan and reliability.
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Couldn't agree more. If my 40 had come with a 2F in it, I would have left it there. F will outlast a 350 no problem. And you can buy 3 350 long blocks for the price of a rebuilt F. Different strokes.

For what FLoridaFJ80 is looking to do, I'd certainly just leave well enough alone as long as the engine is running good. In another 100,000 miles when it goes south, then I'd have to think hard and long about the options. Rebuilding the 3F seems like alot of work and money to not improve much. Swapping an FZ seems like it'd be a nightmare. And a 350 that is emission legal is probably only slightly easier than an FZ (I'm guessing).
 
Thanks lowtideride got it.. !!!! sent you one back...

I hope that i can get 100,000 more miles out of my engine, that would be great.. I would have to do some really in depth research when it comes to doing an engine swap... I think i would like to keep it in the toyota family and get either a 3fe or the other one, cant remember the name of it... I dont think having a japanese car and having an american engine cuts it for me.. I guess just thats me..
 
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