To every vehicles its all about maintenance. Yes HG is known but it happens on high mileage 80s. Mine had 247k miles before doing the HG as a preventive maintenance, so 30+ yrs on factory HG is pretty good.100% agreed on V8 or like a diesel swap. the 1FZ is great, but still under power and the sensitivity to engine coolant temp and its track records of blown HGs is giving it a bad rep. With that said, the 3FE is the most logical sense, on dirt, it is just as good. Save your money, go V8 or go home.
3FE has limited options for HP gain...like @80t0ylc said....LS swap is the only option....unlke the 1FZ (super charge. Turbo or engine swap)