3.4 Swap Shop Options

[9494runner]

Alright here it goes and I know there will be lots of flames in this thread:

3vze 3.0 4x4 1994 auto. Engine has been rebuilt already and bored to max .04 err .4 whatever by PO. Burned a valve and have 85 PSI in #5, combined with a varying 10-15 psi across the board with the highest at 155. So this brings me to my dilemma. This happened 5 days before I was set to leave California for Montana. Now that I reside in the great Big Sky State and my truck, still limping and running but barely, is in front of my parents in CA..... sad day..

I unfortunately, but it brakes my heart, am going to part with my miata, my first love, to fix my runner because shes a beast and just that much more practical. I have done my research and have thought long and hard and I am going to replace my 3vze with the 5vzfe and a 5 speed swap. Since I do not have the space to attempt the swap, living in a different state, and need the vehicle up and running in the next few months, I am turning to a shop to perform the work. I have rebuilt most of the steering, all of suspension, hubs and bearings, maintenance, and more parts than I care to add up and see the total. Basically my own blood is invested heavily so, yes, I understand I can purchase a 3rd gen or even sell both vehicles to get a 4th; BUT this is my other baby... the red-headed one (no offence to anyone).

My real question is does anybody have any shop options; preferably in southern California. I do have a friends dad who is in shipping and can have it 18 wheeled at a reasonable price. HER FINAL DESTINATION IS Montana. So I would like to pick the brains of you gentlemen and the occasional lady for some ideas or experience with shops. Preferably, and I was trying to keep my 3.0 living until I could do the swap myself; but, my runner just decided to be needy:attention:......

My Options:
Offroad Solutions - I wish.... - they no longer have their shop, just a store

NW TEAM YOTA - leaning heavily toward them as they will swap it to a factory look, no cel, ect NW TEAM YOTA - YOUR TOYOTA ENGINE AND REPAIR SPECIALISTS! Have not heard any negative things, mostly positive; BUT Holy SH!T that price with everything said and done & in Vancouver WA so shipping will hit me there, though it is a 6hr drive or so to pick it up.

Yotamasters in Corona - Eric is a great guy, I have not given him a shout, I know they are always hammered and I am not sure if they would have the shop space + time to source, rebuild, swap.

And I leave the rest to you all if you have any ideas :artist:

 

[KidVermicious]

[MENTION=3959]slacker[/MENTION] at toyotafiberglass.com does swaps. He's definitely not in Socal though.

I vote you shelf the idea though. Throw in a junkyard 3.0 to get you to Montana and then approach the idea with more time on your hands. You don't want to be hasty with something like a motor swap.

 

[9494runner]

problem is I am in MT or I would have ripped the heads and patched her up to get me here. shes been with a burnt valve since the end of Dec. I thought about going with a JDM or a partial rebuild, but I already know exactly whats going to be in the future; lug up them passes and slow to freeway speed, and that one low compression check around the corner. I want to be able to tow light......... Most importantly I also want the capability to move with traffic and go up the @#$#$%% passes without semis flying by me. Currently shes got 4.56s and a gear up to 4.88s would not be the wow factor as I'm slinging only 31s.

I seriously thought I was going to get killed on Cajon Pass the first trip to MT. I was going 35 in the truck lane e/flashers on; pretty much the fastest speed I could muster with out the engine screaming and trucks were moving out of the climb lane to pass me............

The auto is a joke. I have babied this beast through the SH!t in Montana all though school and the only thing ive got to say about the 3.0 is she starts. She starts in - 0 she starts at 100 degrees; never have even thought about getting stranded.

I know I am going to be in for a full motor; shes been decked and bored to the max. I cannot do the work myself as I am living in an APT; so even if i had all of my tools, to the shop she has to go. Even in CA, I do not have a garage or the ability to put her on blocks for any amount of time (association), All the work ive done has been jack her up, haul ass, dusk hits and shes down on 4 tires, driving or not.

I would just hate to throw more money into the pit that is a 3vze. she got me where I needed to go and I am just thinking its time to move into the 5vzfe; I need the reliability in terms of power train. I have/can fix most any other issues myself (harbor freight is my wonderland).

Money is very precious to me; and this is one of those things that I want done right the first time, and have the results that I am looking for in a truck that I love very dearly. I would have put this off this swap as long as I could and done it myself, getting a donor and doing a part out, but that time is come where I have to do major engine work.