87 swap

[Edub246]

Well my 22re is starting to make some noise, and it barely pulls the 33s anyways. So what would you guys suggest as a motor swap. I dont want to spend big money but would like more power?

 

[fourwd1]

There's no swap that is going to be cheap.
The 2.7 4 cyl (3RZ) is a good possibility.
The Toyota 5 or 7MGE 6 cyl, Chevy 4.3 or Buick 231 V6's are some other popular swaps.

 

[cometobanks]

I think he could build a 22r to be competitive (financially and Horsepowerally??) to any of those motors. 22r is an easy build. And if your going to go to the trouble of a swap GO BIG!

I bought an NPR delivery truck once to swap the turbo diesel into my 87...

 

[Brand X]

I did a 4.3 swap on my 86 and it went fairly smooth. I made my own motor mounts and just bought a bell housing adapter kit so I could still use the original tranny and transfer case. It came with the bell housing flywheel and clutch, kind of pricy though, but it is needed in order for the starter from the 4.3 to actually hit the flywheel. My only problem was the electrical. I couldn't make the gauges in my dash work right for the 4.3 so I just went to the auto parts store and bought some dash mount gauges and wired them in. As far as the computer goes, I still have the toyota and chevy computers working with both wiring harnesses still connected, I just cut everything off the toyota harness that wasnt being used.

 

[zombie]

I did a 4.3 swap on my 86 and it went fairly smooth. I made my own motor mounts and just bought a bell housing adapter kit so I could still use the original tranny and transfer case. It came with the bell housing flywheel and clutch, kind of pricy though, but it is needed in order for the starter from the 4.3 to actually hit the flywheel. My only problem was the electrical. I couldn't make the gauges in my dash work right for the 4.3 so I just went to the auto parts store and bought some dash mount gauges and wired them in. As far as the computer goes, I still have the toyota and chevy computers working with both wiring harnesses still connected, I just cut everything off the toyota harness that wasnt being used.

That`s a swap I have been considering, were you happy with the increase in power?

 

[FubarGrn]

That`s a swap I have been considering, were you happy with the increase in power?

The 4.3 is a beast motor, that's why GM put a turbo on it (The Regal Grand National). It's a VERY popular motor, with cheap upgrades to wring more HP out of it.

 

[Brand X]

I put a 350 in it first and just tore everything up, from the clutch all the way to the rear end. After I replaced everything I broke I pulled the 350 and the 4.3 dropped right in its place. And its a perfect medium between the 350 and the 22re. Its got good low end torque, but I don't have much top end. I am definitely satisfied with the overall performance though. I'm positive that a new set of gears will balance my power out put. I don't know exactly know what gears are in my rear end right now, bc when I tore up my old rear end I just slapped a complete used rear end under it. I'm in fifth gear by the time I hit 45 mph. I don't know much about gears and rear ends though, I'm and engine builder. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them. It does amazing in the mud, I know that much, I just have to keep it at low rpm until I do get new gears.