I’ll jump in on the LS vs Turbo debate. Both are great options for the purpose of increasing the drive ability of the 80 series. This is fact, no debate there.
Please take into consideration I have done both at the professional level.
In an OEM to OEM application I think the LS has an edge in reliability (talking purely about motor here) but we aren’t talking about OEM applications here so that reliability argument is not necessarily true.
There are cons and pros to both options and I think the biggest curveball in the whole thing is installation.
Installation/reliability:
I would argue that for the most that the turbos come more reliable out of the box because 99% of the system is still oem Toyota and as long as the engine and cooling system are healthy - which most individuals going turbo have already addressed at some point, especially if the head gasket has been replaced with the newest iteration. Most individuals (generalization here, definitely not everyone) doing an LS swap into their 80 are likely first timers watching YouTube videos or browsing the forums to finish. They cut corners (mostly by accident, just first time ignorance most of the time), are doing it on the cheap because they need a power plant asap and are rushing to get it done. I have seen 100’s of V8 swaps done by the DIY/professionals in cruisers and there is always something that is not done well or becomes a problem later. Wiring, plumbing, exhaust… there is always something that needs to be tweaked or fixed or updated. Case in point (sorry Daniel) but did anyone see Long Cruiser’s posts about coming back from KOH??? Hits Green River UT and lost the transmissions due to poorly routed transmission cooler lines in his LS Swapped limo. I have also seen professional swaps have electrical issues. We were on Kane Creek at Cruise Moab one year and his turn key professionally installed LS swap from a really big well known resto shop kept going into limp mode every couple miles and we kept having to unhook the battery, touch negative and positive leads together to clear the memory so he could move forward. Almost every LS swap diy or professional has something that needs improved once it’s been installed. I have also had to go back and tweak things on LS’s I have done.
Going away from the oem decreases the reliability of the truck.
Since I’ve turbo’d my 80 over 3 years ago I’ve done oil changes, my clients have done oil changes. That’s about it for maintenance that anyone has done. Maybe an improved fan clutch which is easy and new exhaust which likely needed done anyways given the vehicles age. It’s also a much easier install for the diyer and professional. Also the confidence with the turbo systems is high. Last summer we got a truck running with a rebuilt (by us) engine with a turbo 3 days before we had to leave CO for Rubithon… ran the trail without a hiccup besides busting up some control arms
most of you guys aren’t going to the rubicon 3 days after finishing your LS swap.
Cost
DIY - Hands down goes to turbo. You aren’t doing a proper OE level LS Swap for anywhere near the cost of strapping on a turbo.
Professional
Cost still goes to turbo. We can rebuild the 1FZ - Add a turbo - add an intercooler and a transmission and be below what I charge for an LS Swap. Plus all the factory electrical stays Toyota (assuming 95-97 stage 1)
Performance
Depends what LS you use but generally LS wins this vs a stage 1 turbo. The stage 1 turbo is generally like putting a 5.3L under the hood. You gain 65 hp and 100 ftlbs to the ground. Go to a 6.2 and LS is making more than the stage 1. Stage 2 turbo, more power than a 6.2. Also fwiw most people who have driven or ridden in a stage 1 turbo truck say it’s enough power for them. I can keep 70-75 up any grade with stage 1 turbo (this has been well tested on I70 going to the Eisenhower tunnel (11k ft).
For the guys convinced that LS is the only way… it is a great option. Truly it is.
For the guys convinced that turbo is the way… it’s a great option. Truly it is.
Either way you slice it getting away from the OEM is going to have its own challenges. Both are great options and have their place. Really comes down to the end consumer and the wants vs needs. I wouldn’t say one is better than the other, both are proven.
. That last part is what pisses me off about CARB.