88 4runner build

S

SV_Dude

Moderator
88 4runner build (pics added)

Not too much to this build thread yet... just getting one going. I took my 4runner to a mechanic today and we're gonna get this pig going good! Right now it's got the 22ret in it with a t2/t4 turbo. Currently there is not enough fuel to support this turbo so we're going with some 550cc injectors, a top mount intercooler, and a stand alone engine management system. I learned today that this motor can safely support up to 1100 horsepower. I am not going to put nearly that much power into it but it will be kinda cool to have a 4x4 toy that will smoke my 350z! Pics to come soon for some before and after shots! Stay tuned, this is going to be a kick @$$ project! Soon to come after engine work, SAS swap! :naughty:


Update 18 FEB:

I got my front lift kit in yesterday so I spent part of today tearing the truck apart. Here's where I'm at so far:


Installing a rough country 4 inch lift:
S6300191.jpg~original

S6300190.jpg~original


It's about time for some dinner... then some more wrenching in the cold.


Hopefully I'll have the rear kit in tomorrow... the rear will be 10 times easier than the front!
 
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Wow, 1,100 HP on a 22RTE!!?? I don't know who told you that, these motors can "safely" put out around 250 hp...but even then motor will not last all that long. Things start to tear them selves apart at around 300HP. A T3/T4 is a pretty big turbo for these and if you do upgrade to larger injectors, install an intercooler with new fuel/timing management you will be already pushing upwards of 200 hp, pretty damn cool if you ask me. Are you going with Supra injectors?

I guess you are already prepared to bleed greenbacks on this build..just building up a stock RTE costs more cash than most people are willing to spend. Keep us updated!
 
According to the mechanic, the cylinder walls on the 22ret are much thicker than the 22re and the pistons are different allowing for less compression than the 22re which is why it is capable of so much more power. Now like I said, I do not plan on running anything over 350hp, but I would be happy to get even 250-300. I'm going to talk to him more tomorrow and get exact details of everything that we're going to do to this motor but I do have a decent budget for this build and it will be done with reliability in mind. I'll keep this updated when I can.
 
SV_Dude said:
According to the mechanic, the cylinder walls on the 22ret are much thicker than the 22re...
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Not trying to knock your build or your mechanic, I'm pretty stoked to hear about what you are going to do with your RTE but... your mechanic has some bad information that he is feeding you. The RTE block is the exact same as all post '85 22RE blocks except that it has the oil feed and oil drain machined into it. That's the only difference on the block. The pistons are different but they are still cast slugs, Toyota never forged pistons for the RTE, you can get forged slugs for them aftermarket though. He is telling you the truth about the lower compression...this is waht makes boost possible without self destruction.
So far with what you have planned I predict you are going to be in the 200-210 hp range with just what you have going, talk about a sleeper!
Also, this forum is great for general 4runner information, if you want to get deep into these motors I will suggest that you take some time and read up at http://22RTE-trucks.com
 
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turboSR5 said:
Not trying to knock your mechanic but...where is he getting this information from?
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That's a good question but after a bit more research I am starting to doubt his knowledge... I am going to do it all myself and take my time and learn as I do it.

From what I have seen on the net a T3/T4 turbo is way too big for this motor to start with. It can produce a LOT of power but at a higher spool rate. It would be more benificial to get a smaller turbo that spools at lower RPM's and get more power earlier. If I can get 300hp on this stock motor and keep it reliable I'll be happy, but if I can only get about 250 then I can live with that.

I'll be taking the next couple weeks off of work so I'll have plenty of time to dedicate towards this project. I'm going to start off by pulling the whole motor and cleaning up the engine bay. I have a nice patch on the right side inner fender where it has rusted though. I'll patch that, sand everything down and re-paint the engine bay. I have never done anything like this before so it will be a slow project but with enough research on my end I'll know it will be done right.

Any info or advice is appreciated!
 
I know of several guys that are running .60 trim t3/t4 hybrids. They are laggier than say a .60 trim T3 but you will never get near 250 hp with a T3 of any size. For your HP target I would stick with the T3/T4 as it is the best combination of quick spool and it is capable of supporting the HP range that you want to achieve. If you decide that you don't want to upgrade to larger injectors and stand alone fuel management, then get a .50 trim T3 and enjoy boost off of idle but you will only be able to push around 150 HP..your engine will be very reliable in that range as well.
 
I am going to get a set of 550cc injectors and use an engine management system. What RPM range am I looking at for the t3t4 to spool at? It doesn't necessarily need to be at idle but I don't want to get spool near the top end of the rpm range. I would like to get spool no later than 3000 rpm, maybe 3500 at the latest.
 
Hard to say without knowing the specs on your turbo, but 3k-3,500 RPM sounds about right, I wouldn't expect anything before 2,800 RPM.
 
We'll see... when I get home from work I'll look up the p/n and do a bit of research. The guys who had this runner before me are lucky they didn't blow the engine or destroy the turbo. The turbo is pretty much bolted onto a stock 22rte motor with stock injectors. From what the mechanic was telling me, the motor was given too much air from this turbo and was running really lean. Also with a turbo this big there needs to be a blow off valve to release psi from the turbo itself, there is not one. Hopefully there isn't any piston damage from this and I'll find out when I start tearing into the motor.
 
turboSR5 said:
these motors can "safely" put out around 250 hp...but even then motor will not last all that long. Things start to tear them selves apart at around 300HP.
Click to expand...

As much as I hate to say it... I think you're right. I think that the guy I talked to yesterday was giving me some pretty radical numbers and giving me ideas that aren't very practical. I did a little bit more research and called a few guys and it seems like 200hp is a safe number for a reliable engine without putting some serious money into the engine to support wads of power.


turboSR5 said:
A T3/T4 is a pretty big turbo for these and if you do upgrade to larger injectors, install an intercooler with new fuel/timing management you will be already pushing upwards of 200 hp, pretty damn cool if you ask me. Are you going with Supra injectors?
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to stick with the T3/T4 turbo, injectors, a top mount intercooler, and an engine management sytem. If that gives me ~200hp, I'll be happy... reliability is my main concern, as long as I have a little pep and a healthy motor then my goal will be met.
 
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I would love to see an engine compartment shot. Really curious as to what manifold and exhaust setup you have on there. Log style manifolds like the OEM bottom mount are great for a stock setup but if you had a tubular manifold like what LC Engineering sells you can really crank up the flow. Also for perfomance and totally awesome bombproof durability take a look at SteedSpeeds manifold, it's a thing of beauty. A 2.5" exhaust from downpipe to tailpipe is one of the best performance upgrades you can make, it is the backbone to any future performance mods on these motors.
 
turboSR5 said:
I would love to see an engine compartment shot. Really curious as to what manifold and exhaust setup you have on there. Log style manifolds like the OEM bottom mount are great for a stock setup but if you had a tubular manifold like what LC Engineering sells you can really crank up the flow. Also for perfomance and totally awesome bombproof durability take a look at SteedSpeeds manifold, it's a thing of beauty. A 2.5" exhaust from downpipe to tailpipe is one of the best performance upgrades you can make, it is the backbone to any future performance mods on these motors.
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I'll post pics soon of the engine bay. The turbo is not in the stock location and I don't know what manifold is in there now.

The exhaust on it now is ratty and will go bye bye. Right now it's a 4inch exhaust and it's way too loud. Plus, I think that a 4 inch exhaust will hurt the performance of a turbo right? There needs to be a certain ammount of back pressure for a turbo to work right from what I understand, and I think that a 4 inch is way too much flow for a turbo setup.
 
So come to find out the turbo itself is a T04E t/c from XS POWER. I cannot be sure on the manifold, it may be a stock cast manifold.

Doesn't the stock manifold put the turbo near the bottom of the engine hear the oil pan? My turbo now is near the top of the engine on top of the manifold. It is a cast manifold though.

I cannot take pictures now because the camera battery is dead. I'll have pics soon, maybe tomorrow.
 
Oh boy, I would lose that turbo and fast. XS Power, notorious unbalanced chinese trash, add in the fact that it is a straight T4 which is way to big for these motors... Hopefully you don't have the steam pipe top mount manifold made out of "Weld L's" to complete the package. As soon as I see a picture I will let you know.
 
What's a good t/c that won't break the bank that has a working psi of 5-20psi? I would like to be able to hit about 10-15 psi.

Do you have a link to that "Weld L" "steam pipe"? I would know it if I see it.

I will be able to take pics tonight now that I have good batteries for the camera.
 
turboSR5 said:
This > TOYOTA 22RE 22RTE Turbo Exhaust Manifold Garrett T3 with or without 38mm WGF For Sale

Avoid having one of these at all costs!


I would reccomend that you go with a smallish T3/T4 hybrid, it should keep up with your build and can support higher HP. I also strongly suggest that you head over to 22RTE-Trucks.com and ask more questions/dig through threads, lots to learn over there.
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Nice... I do believe that is what is in my truck now. I just talked to my mechanic and I misuderstood what he was telling me about the power this can handle. He told me that the bottom end is very strong and can support wads of power. Either way he advised me to get a used sti or evo turbocharger off of ebay and that will fit the bill at a good price. He also said that we can make our own manifold instead of buying a $700 steedspeed manifold.
 
So I decided to just take the 4runner back to stock on the turbo side of the house. I ordered a 5inch rear lift kit with bilstein 5150 shocks from wabfab. For the front, I ordered a 4-5 inch lift. I'll do the solid axle swap later down the line maybe.
 
Not at all, they are just made from steam pipe and badly welded at that. I have seen them warped up to 1/4" on both ends, pulling studs out along the way. They will warp like that just after a couple of heat cycles. I have even seen one with a blown out weld that had gapped to about half an inch between the elbows, the guy that had it was pushing 20 psi though...
 
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