3.slow has got to go! Please help!

[cgoodwin96]

Could someone help me out here please? My '95 4Runner with the 3VZE is in the shop because it is fixing to throw a rod. We were quoted $2400 from the family mechanic for a partial rebuild. As this seems rather expensive, I think a remanufactured engine would be the way to go. So I found two sites that have them: Raptor Engines and APR Auto. Here are the links: TOYOTA 3VZE 3.0L V6 ENGINE HI-PRO 190HP/210FTLBS - $1,995.00 : Raptor Engines, 7 Year 70000 Mile Warranty
Toyota V6 Engine 3.0L 3vze, 3vz v6 Long Block 1988-1995
If anyone has had any dealings with these two companies or could offer any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I want to get my truck back!

 

[541joseph]

Haven't purchased anything from either of these companies but the warranty on raptor looks better. Good luck!

 

[cgoodwin96]

Thanks!

 

[KidVermicious]

I've never heard of Raptor. APR has a decent rep, but they recently changed their name and that always makes me nervous.

Personally, I advise a rebuild. So many threads about those assembly line remans, I'd never put one in my truck. If I had to have a new longblock, I'd go to Putnam or a similiar engine builder that does their motors one at a time.

 

[cgoodwin96]

Thanks! I appreciate it! Do you have any information about Putnam to give me, like a website or something?

 

[KidVermicious]

www.22reperformance.com

Maybe I'm senile, but I swear that page used to say something about him doing all Toyota truck motors. Sorry.

 

[bills86e]

Doing the R & R Youself?

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

Have you seen this thread yet?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/class...-oregon-engine-rebuilders-raptor-engines.html

 

[Footofgod]

If you are not rebuilding the one you have, just swap in a 5VZE 3.4. Nothing against my beloved 3.0, but if you have to replace, just upgrade for about the same money.

 

[cgoodwin96]

Yeah, but that would cost a lot more right? New engine mounts and clearance modifications and whatnot? Plus the 5VZE costs a lot more than the 3VZE. I did look into it a bit though. Dream swap would be either a 2JZ or a 350 SBC but both of those would cost a ton of money. Thanks for the help all, but I think I've settled on the APR site. Apparently Raptor Engines has tons of negative feedback and an F rating from the BBB.

 

[Steven94]

Yeah, but that would cost a lot more right? New engine mounts and clearance modifications and whatnot? Plus the 5VZE costs a lot more than the 3VZE. I did look into it a bit though. Dream swap would be either a 2JZ or a 350 SBC but both of those would cost a ton of money. Thanks for the help all, but I think I've settled on the APR site. Apparently Raptor Engines has tons of negative feedback and an F rating from the BBB.

Personally I would not replace with a 3.0. You can buy a 3rd gen that has rolled but the engine bay is perfect for cheap. Then you swap the engine and the parts with little modification. The 3.4 will not require any clearance modifications. My buddy has a 3rd gen and the engine bay is the same size as the 2nd gen. For what we can tell the 3.4 is maybe even a bit smaller than the 3.0 with all the shit on it. The 3.4 is a better, more efficient engine.

 

[Footofgod]

Yeah, but that would cost a lot more right? New engine mounts and clearance modifications and whatnot? Plus the 5VZE costs a lot more than the 3VZE. I did look into it a bit though. Dream swap would be either a 2JZ or a 350 SBC but both of those would cost a ton of money. Thanks for the help all, but I think I've settled on the APR site. Apparently Raptor Engines has tons of negative feedback and an F rating from the BBB.

Nope, the cost difference is honestly not that much. It bolts to the existing mounts and transmission. The block is EXACTLY the same. There is some basic wiring modifications, but they are clearly documented a million times over. Again I say, why swap for the same when an upgrade will cost you about the same?

Read my old posts. I LOVE the 3.0, but if it dies, move on.

 

[paddlenbike]

I had a 3.0 and it was a very reliable engine for me, but it never impressed in power or fuel economy. I now have a 3.4 and it has 40 horsepower more and 40 ft lbs of torque more and it gets a solid 3-4 mpg better.

It will cost more than dropping in a 3.0, but in my opinion, the main advantage of the 3rd gen over the 2nd gen is the engine. If you plan to keep it for a long time, you'll thank yourself later.