1UZFE Lexus V8 converstion

T

tjb101084

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Hi every one! Newbie here. I have a 96 4runner v6 4x4 and plan on doing a lexus v8 swap. I am talking with a guy who has the motor and trans for 600 bucks. Says its only got 40k miles. We will see. If I remove the current motor what would a shop charge to finish this job for me? Any ideas? I live in az
 
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tjb101084 said:
Hi every one! Newbie here. I have a 96 4runner v6 4x4 and plan on doing a lexus v8 swap. I am talking with a guy who has the motor and trans for 600 bucks. Says its only got 40k miles. We will see. If I remove the current motor what would a shop charge to finish this job for me? Any ideas? I live in az
Click to expand...

Sorry meant for 3rd gen forum. Can some one move it
 
Where did he get one of those for $600? Did it come from Japan directly? I've never seen anybody do this swap, but call as many shops as possible and tell them exactly what you want done and start writing down prices. It gets pretty ugly after a while. :roadkill:

Dropping the motor in is the easy part. It's the getting all of the electrical doodads to plug in and work that is a pain. I'm sure you'd need an entire new ECU and that would probably run you much more than the engine and tranny if you got something that actually worked.
 
When my engine died I had to get a new engine and was considering the swap as well. I searched around and asked this guy who installed it into a 3rd gen, and he said there were a lot of modifications like electrical components and fitting the engine which requires a lot of work because its larger. He said his friend and him did it and it would cost around $10k. I'm sure you could find a shop to do it for less, but it seems like it would take a lot of work and take a lot of cash.
 
I've thought about this swap to get the extra hp for climbing these Rocky mountains in Colorado with my pop-up, but it'll be a heck of a lot cheaper to just install a supercharger. The V8 would be nice, but if I had the money to pay someone to put that into my 4Runner, I think I'd be looking to buy a new pickup truck with a V8.
 
BamBam said:
Where did he get one of those for $600? Did it come from Japan directly? I've never seen anybody do this swap, but call as many shops as possible and tell them exactly what you want done and start writing down prices. It gets pretty ugly after a while. :roadkill:

Dropping the motor in is the easy part. It's the getting all of the electrical doodads to plug in and work that is a painI'm sure you'd need an entire new ECU and that would probably run you much more than the engine and tranny if you got something that actually worked.
Click to expand...


I believe I have an easy fix for the wiring. There is a company who I think is in AU that creates the wiring kit to make this a "plug and play" process. Check it out.

Details and Features <------- Click here
"Installing the Smooth 1UZFE Quad Cam Lexus V8 engine is easy! Making her run is the trick! Venom Lexus V8 wiring looms are plug and play solutions. Fit them, turn the key, they just work! Use the link in the main navigation bar (To the Left)to learn more. "

I think if I have this it would greatly reduce the cost of the conversion.....
 
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if you are looking to put a v-8 in your 4runner consider the lexus 4.0 v-8 conversion! I read a couple articles in the past.
 
It's a lot easier to sell the 3rd gen and buy a 4th gen with V8 or Sequoia if you must have V8. That's what I would do but then again I'm the boring practical type.
 
Wanted to bump this back to life. I recently became engulfed in research on this topic. I found some cool forums.

www.1uzswap.com
Lextreme: Lexus-Toyota V8 Forum - Powered by vBulletin

These swaps are not uncommon in AU. though here in the states most of us just throw in a gm v8 or something along those lines.

Ive been bugging the guys @ extreme Offroad now for a while to do a 1UZ swap into a 4 runner and use all Yota parts on a rig, but i havent gotten a response yet, but Ian will pay attention to me if I NEVER GO AWAY!.

I was going to put all kinds of exterior parts on my runner, but decided I wanted more bite than bark so I started looking into this swap and this is what I have surmised thus far.

You need an SC400 or LS400 89-96 v8 motor. Not 97 and up as they introduced VVTi (variable valve timing with intelligence) and the wiring is a nightmare as well as fly by wire (translation: Expert Wiring required)

For practical reasons, I think tearing the motor down and rebuilding it is key. The SC400 motors are known to travel 300K. So why not just do this why you have it on a pallett / engine stand? (most guys on forum did no major internal mods, just some port polishing and head truing, Stock cams, stock crank etc.)

Most guys who have done the swap recommend a 2" body lift for all sorts of reasons, but mainly the motor mounts are easier to access, Headers easier to route, oil pan clearance and finger space all around.

There are a few AU companies that make an adapter for the 1UZ Motor and our stock 340a transmissions.

I believe the transmission mount stays the same, but I could be wrong. If I am, new front and rear drive shafts are needed.

Also you need the Valve body in the transmission altered for firmer shifts or you can kiss your stock tranny good bye.

After all is said and done, If I think I can get this done for 4-5K I think Im going to do it. It will be a "10 or 12 of a kind" ride here in the US and these damn 3rd Gens are hands down the best looking body style 4 runner made.


Thoughts, Feelings?

Token Smiley :happens:
 
runnyrunnerton said:
After all is said and done, If I think I can get this done for 4-5K I think Im going to do it. It will be a "10 or 12 of a kind" ride here in the US and these damn 3rd Gens are hands down the best looking body style 4 runner made.


Thoughts, Feelings?

Token Smiley :happens:
Click to expand...

I totally freaking agree.

I too am looking into installing this into my future runner.
 
Vince (Bushwhacker) has done this on a few Surfs (2nd & 3rd Gen T4R's) over here in the UK. Here's a detailed thread on what it do be:

Parts list for a Lexurf conversion. - Hilux Surf Forum

T3h 3n91ne Pr0n!

Picture003-1.jpg~original
 
That does look really good and these motors sound great but I'm in the might as well just throw in a supercharger or buy a 4th gen with v8. Then again I'm not 20 any more either and victim to such daydreams.
 
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