v8 conversion vs LC100 v8 (cost and driving experience)
- Thread starter Ali M
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400+hp 6L v8 in a 1996 LX...
10mpg around town with a heavy foot. 16mpg on the hwy with normal driving. Was going to post a pic of the scan gauge to show this but I deleted the pic from my phone yesterday.
Cheers
10mpg around town with a heavy foot. 16mpg on the hwy with normal driving. Was going to post a pic of the scan gauge to show this but I deleted the pic from my phone yesterday.
Cheers
I understand your point here but It's not about being fast. The 80 series is a heavy beast when you factor in big tires, bumpers, spares, gas cans, drawers, camp gear, RTT, and more. The 212 hp and 235 ft lb torque barely gets the job done when the vehicle is stock. The extra power the LS swap or diesel provide bring the power in alignment with where it should be based on weight etc... Also if you tow at altitude up and down the hills the extra power is a must. The first ger of the 6L80E makes the drivability off road even better. Throttle control is incredible in first gear climbing and doing technical sections offroad...much easier to accomplish the challenging sections when you can power up or out of most situations. The driver decides how fast or slow or how much power he or she wants to use with the throttle. Extra power on tap is a good thing. The bottom line is with a swap you gain power and get better mpg while maintaining the 80's drivability on and off road.
My sickness!
Also, the emissions legal swap-ready E-rod setup he used is very hard to find in 5.3, if available at all.
The 5.3L is no longer available as an LSx based crate motor. I happen to have purchased one of the last available Last year.
The 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L are not about just speed. Its about drivability with today's traffic. I chuckle at the statements "I like my Cruiser slow" BS. Here's a thought, with the swap done you now have the choice to slow down if you want
You are right on the mark. I hear just this from prospective customers all the time. I hear "I don't want a new Tahoe, I just want my cool Land Cruiser to run like one. They are also savy and realize that their swapped LC is gaining in value while a new Tahoe is moving in the other direction. I have two customers on the list that have cruisers they bought specifically to have a swap done.
LS3 Connect & Cruise in an 89 FJ62
The 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L are not about just speed. Its about drivability with today's traffic. I chuckle at the statements "I like my Cruiser slow" BS. Here's a thought, with the swap done you now have the choice to slow down if you want
You are right on the mark. I hear just this from prospective customers all the time. I hear "I don't want a new Tahoe, I just want my cool Land Cruiser to run like one. They are also savy and realize that their swapped LC is gaining in value while a new Tahoe is moving in the other direction. I have two customers on the list that have cruisers they bought specifically to have a swap done.
LS3 Connect & Cruise in an 89 FJ62
I have had a completely problem-free Slee's 4.7L V8 conversion in my 1997 80 series that I keep out west for about 4 years and 12K miles, and it drives so well that I believe if the factory had produced a special run of 80's with this combination, Toyota could have continued to sell the 80 series for another dozen years of production.
I am not a toyota parts only snob, and I like V8's of any make and model (383 stroked FI 400HP in my 1974 40 series, 350 SBC in my old '67) but the 4.7 is durable, really smooth, has the torque curve right where it is needed in the 80, matches up well with the stock transmission and transfer case, sounds freaking awesome when winding up, and has plenty of power to climb long grades in headwinds at higher western altitudes without slowing to 18 wheeler speeds.
One day in the shop, Christo jokingly mentioned that I should put a supercharger on top of the 4.7. That got me thinking that since I have a TRD SC on my 1999 100 series, should I decide to sell that 99 cruiser first, I could check for sufficient room under the hood of the 80 series to install that SC just for grins and giggles. Hmmm...
I am not a toyota parts only snob, and I like V8's of any make and model (383 stroked FI 400HP in my 1974 40 series, 350 SBC in my old '67) but the 4.7 is durable, really smooth, has the torque curve right where it is needed in the 80, matches up well with the stock transmission and transfer case, sounds freaking awesome when winding up, and has plenty of power to climb long grades in headwinds at higher western altitudes without slowing to 18 wheeler speeds.
One day in the shop, Christo jokingly mentioned that I should put a supercharger on top of the 4.7. That got me thinking that since I have a TRD SC on my 1999 100 series, should I decide to sell that 99 cruiser first, I could check for sufficient room under the hood of the 80 series to install that SC just for grins and giggles. Hmmm...
If you can do this you should, no question in my mind. I just sold my 80, I have a 60 with a 5.7 TBI. Nowhere near the horsepower of some of the vortec options but way better than either the 60 or 80 original drivetrain IMO. I haven't driven a 100 but don't care for the look at all. Having said that as a new to me Lexus owner I have to say the Toyota V8's are especially good. For me though @NCFJ 's point about parts availability and that there are shops specializing in the Vortecs is the key. People have already worked out all the kinks of these swaps and that is huge for both living with the vehicle and selling it at some point.
I was in the toyota 4.7 swap camp for a while...and then I looked at the price. Seems like it is an even more costly swap than an LS the majority of the time. The 4.7 is a great motor but the LS is a no brainer when you factor in $$$. Way more torque/hp, better parts availability, etc.
How much of the high cost is the fact that Slee seems to be the only one doing them, at a near-factory professional level? and how does it compare to a similar level LS swap?
If someone could figure out how to DIY the 4.7 xUZ swap it would likely be a much more affordable option.
Valid point. I haven't really seen much on anyone else doing them other than Slee. Nothing against Slee either their work is incredible - currently it just seems the job is too expensive to justify.
Someone just needs to go ahead and pioneer the inevitable Tundra 5.7 swap. That is the swap of dreams.
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Thank you all for the diverse points of view on this topic. All great perspectives.
Does it matter what year fj80 to buy for a V8 conversion? the 93-94 ones are at lower price points than later years. Also, watching Jonathan Ward's outrageously expensive resto-mods from 4x4TLC videos, he has done multiple of these ranging from 92-97 but he prefers working on 95-97. What do you guys think?
Does it matter what year fj80 to buy for a V8 conversion? the 93-94 ones are at lower price points than later years. Also, watching Jonathan Ward's outrageously expensive resto-mods from 4x4TLC videos, he has done multiple of these ranging from 92-97 but he prefers working on 95-97. What do you guys think?
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If you live in an area where DEQ laws apply, stay away from the late model 80s with OBDII interfaces.
You'll probably also need a CARB compliant engine like the erod mentioned above if you live in a DEQ zone and you're expecting to register it. Do your research here. You don't want to drop 50k only to realize that now you can't register your car in the county you live in.
If you live outside of the DEQ zone and you don't have to smog test via OBDII, get the straightest late model you can find. The swap will be a money pit. Then you'll want to make the rest of the LC perfect.....no rattles, squeaks, vibrations.....it will cost a lot depending on your level of OCD. Mine is very high.....
Then there is a 4" lift, tires, brakes, bumpers, interior, winch, roof top tent.......like you said, it's a rat hole
Money will fly out of your bank account.
You'll probably also need a CARB compliant engine like the erod mentioned above if you live in a DEQ zone and you're expecting to register it. Do your research here. You don't want to drop 50k only to realize that now you can't register your car in the county you live in.
If you live outside of the DEQ zone and you don't have to smog test via OBDII, get the straightest late model you can find. The swap will be a money pit. Then you'll want to make the rest of the LC perfect.....no rattles, squeaks, vibrations.....it will cost a lot depending on your level of OCD. Mine is very high.....
Then there is a 4" lift, tires, brakes, bumpers, interior, winch, roof top tent.......like you said, it's a rat hole
Money will fly out of your bank account.
I've had my 96 80 Series worked on by his shop TLC in Van Nuys, CA, he quoted me just over the phone before anything was looked at $45K for the LS conversion. More likely $45K+ for other unexpected expenses.
thats insane. All of the really good landcruiser shops have quoted me less than half that price
Howdy,
I just found your thread on an internet search. It looks awesome! Do you do conversions Or was this a personal project?
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This is a post from a guy who has never driven a v8 Cruiser. It is flawed logic. Now I am not bashing him either, nothing wrong with the 3FE or 1FZ but to say a 40mph over the Rockies is alright, it is simple, you haven’t driven a v8 swap done right.
I have had clients tell me they feel unsafe in the slow lane doing 40-50mph with semis blowing by them at 70+mph.
How fun do you think trails are with a v8? If all you do is go slow you don’t need it but go snow wheeling, hit the desert or sand dunes and the v8 shines big time.
Cheers
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Also to ad this....
Nothing wrong with the 2UZ and swapping it in as well. My 100 weighed 8,000lbs fully loaded and the 2UZ did the job to Panama and back no worries. But $ for $ the Chevy is better and it will cost you less to swap in. Any day I would much rather drive a v8 swapped 80 to Panama and back over the 100 series and I have done that trip more than three times in Toyota’s.
Chevy = easy swap and Toyota = difficult swap. You are not gaining more hp or mpg with the 2UZ, it is strictly all about keeping it Toyota. And I get that and I support it but again, can’t say this enough, get over the fact you are putting a Chevy in your Toyota and it all aligns and makes sense, not to mention cheaper and just as many smiles.
Heck man, I had people come up to me in my v8 swapped 92, it has special paint work that said “v8”, anyways more than once somebody came up at the gas station and asked me what years they sold a v8 in an 80!
Cheers
Nothing wrong with the 2UZ and swapping it in as well. My 100 weighed 8,000lbs fully loaded and the 2UZ did the job to Panama and back no worries. But $ for $ the Chevy is better and it will cost you less to swap in. Any day I would much rather drive a v8 swapped 80 to Panama and back over the 100 series and I have done that trip more than three times in Toyota’s.
Chevy = easy swap and Toyota = difficult swap. You are not gaining more hp or mpg with the 2UZ, it is strictly all about keeping it Toyota. And I get that and I support it but again, can’t say this enough, get over the fact you are putting a Chevy in your Toyota and it all aligns and makes sense, not to mention cheaper and just as many smiles.
Heck man, I had people come up to me in my v8 swapped 92, it has special paint work that said “v8”, anyways more than once somebody came up at the gas station and asked me what years they sold a v8 in an 80!
Cheers
If it's a 91 to 94 I say go LS swap. I really encourage having a cruiser shop do it though. Getting it integrated so it's a factory like install is difficult. Most cruiser shops charge about 25 to 35k for a swap which is a great deal. May make that price easier to swallow when u think about how people pay 50k for new 4runners. And a v8 triple locked 80 is way more fun and capable. For 95 - 97 I'd go turbo.
