Which engine swap would be best for me? (5.3, 6.2 diesel, other?)

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The big advantage of the GM Vortecs aside from what has been mentioned already is parts availability.

This definitely is a huge bonus.

I run a 2006 5.3l in my 80. I average about 15mpg in combined mileage which gets me about 300 miles per tank (light comes on).

I did all the work myself and still spent about $6k on the swap. I sourced the engine and 4l60e trans from a recycler in new hamphire. I used an adapter from Marks 4wd in Australia to mate the 4l60e to the stock full time case. However my case has since been converted to part time.

Thanks for the real world mileage report and the cost. Right now I'm averaging about 250 to a tank with the 1FZ-FE, so that wouldn't really do much to increase my economy/range. I sure would love that increase acceleration, but I'm saving for a CTS-V to fill that role :)

As for MPG, with the NV3500, I pulled 18 once, but averaged 16 with 3.54 gears and 35" tires (over 15k miles). When I swapped in 4.56 gears, my MPGs dropped to 15 average (over 10k miles). I never did get mpg readings with the 4L80E, but they would be worse. Keeping a full time transfer case will also impact mpg negatively.

I appreciate the mileage numbers from you too.

Military 6.2 is the way to go. Easy to put in and work on. I'm lovin it. Not sure about my mpg's yet but I already can tell its better than the stock 4.5.

I'm really looking forward to hearing more about your MPG figures. I've commented in your threads :)

My vote is for the Bomb Proof 4BT with the NV4500 behind it. I would have to say good luck realistically getting any of these diesels into you rig for $5k. Money adds up quick on these swaps. Especially when you do it right. You will for sure be doing almost everything yourself for 5k.

Just saw you were asking about MPG. There are guys pulling 20+ mpg out of their rigs all day long with the cummins. Obviously not with 44" tires though. Boots4 I think that his name on mud I know has a real nicely set up FJ60 with one in it. He is a great resource for knowledge on the 4bt if your interested. I know it's a different model LC but they are close enough. The other reason I will do a Cummins 4bt or 6bt over a Chevy diesel is one the simplicity of the motor.

I've considered either the 4BT or 6BT, and would actually love to do that swap. My issue is I think the vibration and 'unpolished-ness' of the Cummins engines would take away from the comfort and refinement of the vehicle. I'm a Scout guy, so I put up with a lot of 'raw-ness'. It's not what I'm looking for with my LC. Are there ways to make them more refined? Are there decent overdrive autos you can put behind them that will adapt to the stock AWD transfer case?

Drive a converted rig with the motor you think you want before you swap one in.. it will be a good investment. Going from a 1fz to a 4bt is a huge difference in noise and vibration. HUGE. Check out Boots' build in the Extreme section. Take note of all the go back and start over things he dealt with. I think a 6bt or 6.5 gmc would be the most easily fit diesel into an 80, with a standard tranny it is tough to squeeze in all the clutch related stuff. Vortec Gas motors have a lot more support for conversions and related parts. IF paying someone else to do it go with a proven shop (with cruiser experience)
To keep under the 5k total stick with a complete donor rig with a good running drivetrain and make the whole works fit- maybe keep the t-case or go part-time/ 60/62 case-
I'm going on 2.5 years with a 4bt / NV4500 to a split case.. Sigh... Almost road worthy ..

Thanks for the feedback. I'd love to find someone near Portland with a swaped FJ80, I should probably ask around. So you think the 6bt would be an easier swap than the 4bt?

Keep it Toyota and drop a 2UFZFE vvti

I'd love to, but I'm pragmatic.
 
Is there any merit in importing any of the 70/80-Series I6 diesels, such as a 1HZ or 1HD variant? (I'd imagine the single or twin V8 diesels (1VD-FTV) would be nice but far far from $5k ;)
 
Is there any merit in importing any of the 80-Series I6 diesels, such as a 1HZ or 1HD variant? (I'd imagine the single or twin V8 diesels (1VD-FTV) would be nice but far far from $5k ;)

Exactly. I see no benefit in any of these foreign engines. Cost, parts availability, etc. just kill any power/efficiency gains in my opinion.
 
Pushing that kind of power through any level of build in a 4l60e going to cause it to have a short life. Just because it failed for you in a racing situation doesn't automatically make it junk. They will handle a stock 5.3 all day long.

the first 2 i killed was with a stock LT1, they just are not the best. sure the 1st gear is lower and sure they are easier to put in... but you better get good at it as you will be putting them in all the time if you even think about towing or crawling. the 700R4 was no better either.
 
The 6bt is probably more motor than the 80 really needs- It is a lot bigger and heavier than the stock engines too, the 80 can take the extra wait and torque but realistically the 80 is engineered for a certain level of reliability and when you add more weight, power or torque it is going to push the limits.
Physically the layout of the 6bt moves the turbo forward, the engine mounts work better with the space available in the engine bay, the exhaust and intake allow easier arrangement and routing, The factory layout of the components in a stock Dodge configuration can be worked with easier than the variable industrial on and off road variations and parts are easier to fine- Cummins doesn't chase parts for you and the parts are available but I have found that many local autoparts suppliers don't have as much as I expected. The firewall and radiator are a little tight but there is probably more support.
There are other things involved like cutting the pan-hard support to accomodate the pan or you could mod' the pan.. The variables are endless.
 
the only diesel i would consider is the cummins 6bt. I have been in a few rigs powered by 4bts and man, they will vibrate your teeth out. The 6bt has huge aftermarket support and will make more power than you could realistically use.

Now about the fuel economy thing - don't do an engine swap hoping to see a huge improvement in economy. These trucks are bricks and you will be had pressed to find anyone getting much better than stock, unless it's a cummins. Do it for the power. You can gain a significant boost in power and keep, or maybe get a mile or two better economy. To bad you are not in the denver area - i would take you for a fun little ride. It's a surprise to ride in an 80 that can actually get out of it's own way and come out in front during those impromptu stop light drag races.

And for the 4l60e haters, mine is stone stock and had 90k miles when i installed it. I did not rebuild it. That was two years ago and I drive this truck every day. It's my daily ride. since day one, torque management has been removed, shift pressures have been bumped (this is done through the pcm programming), and the tune on the motor has been bumped to about 335hp. I have wheeled the rig several times and drive it to/from the trails and never has the trans given me a single issue. If/when it blows, it will rebuild it to 4l65e specs and let it ride.
 
The shakes can be ridden from the 4bt and if you get the inline pump motor it's super simple to turn the power up. I like the 4bt over 6bt for the extra room to add a charge air cooler and it weighs less. Down side to 4bt is the usually cost more and you have to add accessories.
 
I don't get it. Why would anyone buy, love. maintain and discuss landcruisers or LXs so much then want to swap the engines? And for the love of the Creator Jesus Christ, a stinking General Motors product !! That is the oxymoron of all oxymorons. I just can't comprehend that blasphemic activity.
 
Oh I don't know, more power, reliability, parts availability come to mind. Maybe the creator tells us to do it. :) I admit it, I am a sinner, I like some GM products.
 
Why is it that there are not a lot more Toyota V8 conversions?
Just a quick search of Ebay and there are a ton of 4.7 V8's from $650 - $2,000, depending on what all comes with it.
Transmissions seem to run around $450 for the 4.7.

The guys with a 100 series don't seem to think it's under powered in stock trim.
 
There is a lot to be said for 4.7 conversions.
Slee has been doing quite a few & they are really slick.
The majority of the parts they use are OE (nothing weird to source or find for PM) & the completed build really looks as if it was a factory option.
Our 100 (2000) had tons of power running 33s with stock gears, I imagine a newer (post '05) 4.7 VVT-I motor would be great in an 80.
If I end up lunching the 1FZ-E (with S/C) in ours I'm leaning this way.
Although an LS is appealing I think the Toyota route has a lot of merit if done properly.
 
The 6bt is probably more motor than the 80 really needs- It is a lot bigger and heavier than the stock engines too, the 80 can take the extra wait and torque but realistically the 80 is engineered for a certain level of reliability and when you add more weight, power or torque it is going to push the limits.
Physically the layout of the 6bt moves the turbo forward, the engine mounts work better with the space available in the engine bay, the exhaust and intake allow easier arrangement and routing, The factory layout of the components in a stock Dodge configuration can be worked with easier than the variable industrial on and off road variations and parts are easier to fine- Cummins doesn't chase parts for you and the parts are available but I have found that many local autoparts suppliers don't have as much as I expected. The firewall and radiator are a little tight but there is probably more support.
There are other things involved like cutting the pan-hard support to accomodate the pan or you could mod' the pan.. The variables are endless.

This is basically how I see the 6bt swaps. It just seems like a much more difficult and costly swap.

the only diesel i would consider is the cummins 6bt. I have been in a few rigs powered by 4bts and man, they will vibrate your teeth out. The 6bt has huge aftermarket support and will make more power than you could realistically use.

Now about the fuel economy thing - don't do an engine swap hoping to see a huge improvement in economy. These trucks are bricks and you will be had pressed to find anyone getting much better than stock, unless it's a cummins. Do it for the power. You can gain a significant boost in power and keep, or maybe get a mile or two better economy. To bad you are not in the denver area - i would take you for a fun little ride. It's a surprise to ride in an 80 that can actually get out of it's own way and come out in front during those impromptu stop light drag races.

And for the 4l60e haters, mine is stone stock and had 90k miles when i installed it. I did not rebuild it. That was two years ago and I drive this truck every day. It's my daily ride. since day one, torque management has been removed, shift pressures have been bumped (this is done through the pcm programming), and the tune on the motor has been bumped to about 335hp. I have wheeled the rig several times and drive it to/from the trails and never has the trans given me a single issue. If/when it blows, it will rebuild it to 4l65e specs and let it ride.

I sure wish I was nearby! You say not to do a swap for economy or range, but I don't see how my girlfriend's 2005 5.3 Tahoe can get 15/20mpg, or a 6.2 suburban can get 20mpg+, but our cruisers with the same drivetrain can't. Maybe because of the AWD?

The shakes can be ridden from the 4bt and if you get the inline pump motor it's super simple to turn the power up. I like the 4bt over 6bt for the extra room to add a charge air cooler and it weighs less. Down side to 4bt is the usually cost more and you have to add accessories.

As I mentioned above, the vibration of the 4BT is what concerns me. How much can you refine them?

I don't get it. Why would anyone buy, love. maintain and discuss landcruisers or LXs so much then want to swap the engines? And for the love of the Creator Jesus Christ, a stinking General Motors product !! That is the oxymoron of all oxymorons. I just can't comprehend that blasphemic activity.

Oh I don't know, more power, reliability, parts availability come to mind. Maybe the creator tells us to do it. :) I admit it, I am a sinner, I like some GM products.

I agree with NCFJ.

Why is it that there are not a lot more Toyota V8 conversions?
Just a quick search of Ebay and there are a ton of 4.7 V8's from $650 - $2,000, depending on what all comes with it.
Transmissions seem to run around $450 for the 4.7.

The guys with a 100 series don't seem to think it's under powered in stock trim.

When comparing engines and considering power, weight, cost, difficulty, economy, etc. I think there are better options out there. I admit though, I don't know much about the 4.7.
 
Oh I don't know, more power, reliability, parts availability come to mind. Maybe the creator tells us to do it. :) I admit it, I am a sinner, I like some GM products.

So why not go ahead and buy the GM product in the first place? Still don't get it.
 
So why not go ahead and buy the GM product in the first place? Still don't get it.

I think you know the answer to this. Each manufacturer has pluses and minuses.
 
Why is it that there are not a lot more Toyota V8 conversions?
Just a quick search of Ebay and there are a ton of 4.7 V8's from $650 - $2,000, depending on what all comes with it.
Transmissions seem to run around $450 for the 4.7.

The guys with a 100 series don't seem to think it's under powered in stock trim.

Why not use a 4.7L? That is like saying why go to 35inch tires from your stock 275 Michelin's? A GM 4.8L puts out more hp and tq than a 4.7L and is cheaper to purchase hell even a 5.3L is cheaper than a 4.7L. People who usually comment and say GM products are crap are still living in the 80's and with the 305 mentality. These Gen 3 and 4 motors are just as reliable and produce more power than the Toyota motors. Someone mentioned why not buy a GM product with this motor in it, ask all the 40, 45, 55, 60 Series guys why they upgrade their drivetrains. LACK OF POWER!!! Bullelk why did you sell both your LX's and buy a 100? I think the 4.7 is a good motor in Sequoia's and possibly 100 series but it would not meet my power needs for a 6500-7000lb rig. I have around 30k on my motor since rebuild and have replaced NOTHING but the starter.
 
Slee's conversions are top notch but it carries a hefty price tag to just say you kept it all Toyota. How are they estimating this fuel economy? The Sequoia and 100 get less than that lol
 
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