What engine to pick for my FJ40

[hindsight]

Currently, my FJ40 has a tired 305 chevy in it... The easy thing to do would be to put another small bock Chevy in its place.

For the sake of discussion (assuming a reasonable budget...say $3500-$4000 Max).

What engine would you choose, keep in mind installation, fuel injection vs carb, adapters and exhaust all factor in to the decision.

SOooooo.... what do you think, revert to an original engine, go diesel, V6 or KISS?

Doc

 

[Unoman]

$3500-$4000 is a pretty good budget to work with. How much of the work are you going to do yourself and what do you want to do with the 40?

I debated this very same thing and decided to stay all Toyota and go with the 3FE(demogged). I'm very happy with the way it turned out and it has plenty of power for the 40

 

[hindsight]

The FJ will be set up pretty well for easy off roading...no hard core stuff. Basically, aiming for a nice reliable family vehicle for trails. Nothing extreme.

As far as the transplant...that will happen in a shop. I have just enough mechanical knowledge to screw it up . I will stick to all of the reassembly of the vehicle around the drivetrain.

Doc

 

[Clutchee]

If its still running..... even though tired...... DRIVE IT!

I would take 3K-5K and spend on a family wheeling trip

Now if your hell bent on a engine, common sence would say 350 & afforable fuel injection and call it done

 

[gwalt584]

engine choice

If I am spending your money it would be this Ram Jet Crate motor:
https://store.gmperformanceparts.co...FI with Iron Vortec Heads &model=<!--12499120-->

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

If I am spending your money it would be this Ram Jet Crate motor:

and $1500 above his budget BEFORE install....

what fits your needs:
- fuel injection or will a carb be fine?
- high rpm vs low rpm HP/ torque power

since you wheel, if you stick with a sbc i'd get a low torque cam while it's out.

you can pick up a 350 gm crate for ~$1600, cheaper than most engine builders can do.

 

[erics]

3B / h55

I know where there's a 3b with h55 sitting in a barn and looking for a home - within a couple hours of you...

 

[hindsight]

and $1500 above his budget BEFORE install....

do you want:
- fuel injection or will a carb be fine?
- high rpm vs low power

since you wheel, if you stick with a sbc i'd get a low torque cam while it's out.

I think that fuel injection would be better in the long run as far as lower issues with reliability.

Power: I would like some good torque, seriously, any V* is going to have improved power over the stock engine.

Doc

 

[hindsight]

I know where there's a 3b with h55 sitting in a barn and looking for a home - within a couple hours of you...

Sounds intriguing...details?

Doc

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! If this is not a daily driver where the miles pile up quickly, then consider just replacing the 305 with a 350 or 383 long block. If your car/starter/alternator are all still working OK, then they will swap over. It is a direct bolt in. Minimum labor expense. The performance will be increased with just a stock truck setup. If your not doing a lot of real hard wheeling, then why put the $$$ into fuel injection/diesel conversions? Do a fresh block now, and then if you really need it, convert to FI later, when your budget is ready. John

 

[hindsight]

I think that the money for fuel injection would be well spent in our case...we do occasionally get out to Ouray, Moab and down to Ouchita (sp??).

The 305 that is in it is a POS...it needs to go. I will probably have to rewire everything anyway...so I might as well put in something decent.

Good advice and opinions...please keep them coming.

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Just because the old 305 you have is a POS, don't do yourself a dis-service by not considering the 5.0L TBI, TPI, or 4.8L Vortecs.

After having the 5.0L TBI in my old FJ40, I would not hesitate to consider it again. It was definitely more powerful than the 190hp rated 3.4L engine in my old Tacoma. The rating I saw on it put it below 180hp. Obviously, it is a VERY far stretch for 325+hp of a 6.0L vortec. But still very worthy of consideration especially if you find a 50-80k one for a song and a dance.

Actually, I like the 4.8 liter Vortec....I was merely referring to this particular 305 as a POS

Doc

 

[bikersmurf]

I'd give the 3b some consideration... It would double your range on the stock fuel tank... And the pull from very low RPMs. The down side is they won't get you anywhere fast, but they'll get you there every time.

A 4BT would also bolt onto the Chevy belhousing... Would get expensive and you'd need 4" of lift or so.

KISS would suggest a fuel injected small block. The options are plentiful, and I'd likely select one based on the available donor vehicle. A vortec would seem like a good option, and likely the route I'd go (were I to do it again).

 

[Poser]

RamJet

It will 'bolt right up'.

 

[Mace]

O'l factory soft top?

 

[Poser]

O'l factory soft top?

Yes; 1962.

Guy is very happy with it. It is a hoot to operate.

 

[Bret]

A fuel injected 383 with a small cam and small heads should be very user friendly and not to bad on gas if you keep your foot out of it.

 

[cruiserloser]

Whoa....short of the door openings and the diamond plate (and maybe a little tire) that truck looks a lot like your point and shoot red truck. Mind posting a pic?

 

[Fast Eddy]

Get a 6.5 Turbo Diesel and an nv4500. Or figure out a 6.2 diesel and retrofit a turbo onto it. You should be able to get the engine in and running for under $2k and spend the rest making it run how you want. There's something to be said for 20+mpg these days.

Either one should just about "bolt right up".

 

[Bigslug]

I'd think a small block for another small block would give you the least grief.

I was somewhat intrigued by what Moses Ludel talked about in his Toyota Truck and Land Cruiser book - a 350 converted to 383 with the biggest, heaviest flywheel available to keep the engine turning over on the steep stuff. . .