Pros cons 3FE and FZE.....
- Thread starter WarWagon
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There is a belief that the 3FE is less prone to head gasket failure because the head is iron just like the block and thus has the same coefficient of thermal expansion.
I personally think that's a load of bullflop. The 1FZ-FE is more prone to warpage and head gasket failure because that engine has the PHH and was paired with less durable radiators. Catastrophic cooling failure causes those problems, not thermal expansion coefficient discrepancies.
Anyway, even if you believe that, it would appear that with every major revision (2F to 3FE, 3FE to 1FZ, OBD1 to OBD2) the power and MPG get better.
I do in fact know guys with 60 series rigs who talk about getting the head off a 3FE to get the reliability and efficiency of a 3FE without losing the low end torque of the 2F.
And that while us 1FZ guys heckle the weakling 3FE and simultaneously lust after diesels and V8 engines with real muscle.
If you love the rig, and it's good, buy it.
I personally think that's a load of bullflop. The 1FZ-FE is more prone to warpage and head gasket failure because that engine has the PHH and was paired with less durable radiators. Catastrophic cooling failure causes those problems, not thermal expansion coefficient discrepancies.
Anyway, even if you believe that, it would appear that with every major revision (2F to 3FE, 3FE to 1FZ, OBD1 to OBD2) the power and MPG get better.
I do in fact know guys with 60 series rigs who talk about getting the head off a 3FE to get the reliability and efficiency of a 3FE without losing the low end torque of the 2F.
And that while us 1FZ guys heckle the weakling 3FE and simultaneously lust after diesels and V8 engines with real muscle.
If you love the rig, and it's good, buy it.
I have had a couple 92s and a few 96/97s. I am generally more cautious with the newer ones. While the 3fe is not a speed demon it is a tank. Sunk my last 92 on at least a few occasions. The pic below sat like that for at least a 40 minutes. It originally sunk to over the side mirrors must I was able to throw it in reverse and got it up to there before I shut it down. Only problem was a vac line had come off the distributor so it got water in it. After drying it out we were able to complete Kane Creek and drove home back to Salt Lake.
I have the 3fe in a 92 w/ 179K on it. IMO, it runs just fine and has no problem cruising highway speeds or kicking down to stay out of the slow lane going over a mountain. I'm not going to win any drag races at the red lights, but couldn't care less. I'm not going to get any tax breaks for fuel efficiency either at about 12 mpg local/highway mix! It's the first and only FJ80 I've owned and I love it. I purchased a FSM and have had no problems with maintenance, any issues which there have been few, and overall understanding of how everything works. Pretty simple and perfect for what I use it for.
IMO, both are reliable and both get abysmal gas mileage. In those 2 aspects I think it's even money. The head gasket issue on the 1FZ may be cooling system related, but I really don't know. The headgasket part number was changed at some point by Toyota.
Both are getting pretty long in the tooth about now so regardless of which one you purchase, you're going to have to add a significant amount of PM parts/time to the cost. Because both are so reliable, they tend to run forever even after severe neglect.
The 1FZ has more power and will be a better daily driver if both are kept stock. If the 3FE is regeared to 4.88 it's even money.
Later models get you factory lockers/ABS/air bags. US spec went from semi-float rear with drums to full float with disks. IMO, this is also a draw. It's all about the maintenance and I don't worry about breaking axles running 36" Swampers in the woods.
I've driven my 91 loaded up round trip from Jersey to Utah twice pulling a trailer. She has no trouble sitting at 70 mph for hours at a time. The climb to the Eisenhower Tunnel took a while, but she made it 4 times.
She has been rode hard and put up wet (literally). I sunk her in 1999. She sat overnight under water up to the bottom of the dashboard. After getting pulled out and towed to a shop, fluids were changed, plugs were removed, starter was rebuilt, ignition system was dried out, and she fired up as if to say, "is that all you got?" Same engine/transmission/transfer case/etc that sits in my driveway today. Starts every morning.
How is the parts availability in US comparing the 3f and 1fz engines? I have a 3f in a 1989 FJ70, and I'm considering to swap for a 1fz, but one mechanic says the 3f will be easier/cheaper to find parts, and another says the 1fz will be easier/cheaper.
Also, I'm in south America now, and will be importing the FJ back to US. Hoping the non-stock engine won't cause problems. TIA!
Also, I'm in south America now, and will be importing the FJ back to US. Hoping the non-stock engine won't cause problems. TIA!
Ifz is a better engine. Bigger displacement, more power.
I think a swap from a 3FE to a 1FZ is diminishing returns. Why even bother? The youngest 1FZ in US spec is now 27 years old, assuming you're getting a used engine. OEM parts are becoming more and more difficult to come by. 3FE parts even moreso.
Both engines are anemic by todays standards. If you're going through the expense of a swap, make it worthwhile. If you want to stay Toyota, a 2UZ would be on the list.
I found a thread from 2018. Apparently there are several fitment issues that make it very difficult.