Which LS motor works best with a Toyota 4 speed?

[Flipper1938]

I have listened to everyone's advice and am seriously considering not building the 307 chevy motor and switching to a craigslist LS truck motor. I am still planning on keeping the Toyota 4 speed, split case and the 3.7 geared FJ60 axles. I played with some on-line rpm calculators and they said that I will be turning 2700 plus rpms when driving on the interstate (no big overdrive like stock GM automatics).

Which engine should I pick? 4.8 or 5.3 (3.27 vs 3.62 stroke)? Cable activated or drive by wire?

Anybody on here running a LS and Toyota 4 speed?

 

[davegonz]

Whichever is cheapest and get a five speed

 

[GRM]

I'd choose whichever one is in the best condition, with the most displacement. Drive by wire also can be converted to cable.

Why haven't you put the 6.0 on your list of choices?

 

[Flipper1938]

Why haven't you put the 6.0 on your list of choices?

Price mainly.

Second is the idea that since I don't have the ability to cruise at 1500 rpms, the smaller motors would get better gas mileage.

 

[Mace]

Mileage differences will be negligible while driving a box

 

[SSCR]

I went with a 5.3 LC9, all aluminum gen IV motor. Same one gm uses as their Erod motor. It is drive by wire. Pacific fabrication built the wiring harness for me that also included flashing the computers. I have a 4l60 auto trans I'm running with it.

 

[GRM]

Price mainly.

Second is the idea that since I don't have the ability to cruise at 1500 rpms, the smaller motors would get better gas mileage.

If that's what your looking for, have you considered the atlas series of GM 6cyl's? They are cheaper than the v8's, get better mpg, and put out up to 290hp.

 

[Flipper1938]

If that's what your looking for, have you considered the atlas series of GM 6cyl's? They are cheaper than the v8's, get better mpg, and put out up to 290hp.

I don't think I have see one swapped into anything.

 

[Mace]

I know of one guy that swapped one into a 80 series. He is not totally happy with the power.

But a 40 is not a 80 series.

 

[Flipper1938]

A quick search of the web says that it has a bastard bell housing bolt pattern. It only fits the trans that comes with it.

 

[SSCR]

I heard from a few people that the 4.8 Vortecs actually got worse gas mileage then the 5.3s.

 

[reddingcruiser]

I heard from a few people that the 4.8 Vortecs actually got worse gas mileage then the 5.3s.

Gas mileage and FJ40 in the same sentence!

 

[FJ60Cam]

I went with a 5.3 LC9, all aluminum gen IV motor. Same one gm uses as their Erod motor. It is drive by wire. Pacific fabrication built the wiring harness for me that also included flashing the computers. I have a 4l60 auto trans I'm running with it.

I've got the same setup, but it's a cast iron block Gen IV pulled from a pickup. Drive by wire, Pac Fab harness & computer flash and a 4L60E.

I don't think there's any reason to pick a 4.8 over a 5.3. I also don't see any benefit to drive by cable over the DBW. The DBW works great and is easier to install.

So my vote is a 5.3/ DBW.

 

[sadam_husain]

All LS engines work fine on a 4 speed, whatever displacement is your preference, don't forget to factor in a good strong clutch for the combo

 

[farpolemiddle]

I know the newer motors are all the rage but there is something to be said for a SBC that can be shipped brand new with zero miles to your door for $1,400 from good wrench

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

If I was to consider a V8 it would no doubt be a ready to run fuel injected 4.8

In my mind that's a lot of bang for your buck...but to each their own

 

[Flipper1938]

If I was to consider a V8 it would no doubt be a ready to run fuel injected 4.8

In my mind that's a lot of bang for your buck...but to each their own

Why the 4.8? just curious.

 

[mmw68]

Iam running a 5.3 LS behind a 4 speed. IMO there is no reason to spend the extra funds on a 5 speed.

I have owned a 5 speed before, and I hated the 1st, 2nd quick shift - or starting in second when I drove the truck around town. This was with a 3FE engine in my FJ62. I had 33 inch BFG AT on the truck.. and 4:11 in the rear. The 5th gear and 33 tires are perfect on the highway, and I could do 65-75 all day long with low RPM's - but always wanted a bit more power.

In my old FJ40, I also ran a 3FE engine, with a 4 speed, and with the extra power of the 3FE, it was a nice combo, but again I wanted just a little more power.

Jump ahead to my current project: (link) It's a 1978 FJ40 5.3 DBW Vortec with a 4 speed, 4:11 and Iam running 31x10 tires. I would say, I've got a little too much power now!

I finally took it out for a long drive on the highway the other day, I was running around 1800 RPMs, 65 MPH - and still had tons of power left. Around town the 4 speed - Vortec wicked scary with the amount of power I have. I see no need for spending the extra funds on a five speed. Maybe when I add the 33 inch tires it will make a difference, but I doubt it.

There is tons of information about the 5.3 install on ih8mud, and I called George (@orangefj45) for all my swap parts, he does a lot of these swaps and knows what works. I also used Bryan at BD Turnkey Engines. Iam sure I could of saved a few bucks running around, finding parts, having a computer flashed, and harness made... but I also received tech support from Bryan - even three years later when I went to finally get the truck on the road.

Good luck with your project, Mark

 

[Flipper1938]

mmw68,

Do you really think the 5.3 is too much for the 3.55 first gear of the 4 speed? Do you think you will break stuff? Do you think the shorter stroke of the 4.8 might be easier on parts?

My project should end up looking a whole lot like yours....beige FJ40, Fj60 wheels (on FJ60 axles), and a vortec/4 speed drivetrain.

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

I chose the 4.8 based on the fact that it's 32% cheaper and only 10% less power.