!GE-FE in a 3rd gen.

[Roc Doc]

I guess my search skills suck, as I looked for someone that had done this swap but came up empty. If you've got a link post it up, TIA.

I know people have done UZ swaps, but a 4.0 kinda makes more sense to me. It's more compact, lighter and it's a V-6 so should work with the tach, etc., but I can't find any threads where someone has done this.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I have not yet heard of a swap, or at least a successful swap. I think that's the reason why you came up empty.

Swaps into 3rd Gens are not very common since we have a readily available, CARB approved supercharger system. Yes, you'd get more power by swapping in a 1GR-FE with a couple of bolt-ons, but when you factor in time, fabrication costs vs a simple one-day supercharge install, it's not very cost effective anymore. A simple TRD/Magnuson supercharger costs $3000 or less if used, brings crank power up from ~210 lbs/tq to about ~270 lbs/tq, which is exactly the output of a stock 1GR-FE with a whole lot less work and costs.

Now obviously if you were to supercharge a 1GR-FE you're blowing that number out of the water but now you're adding $5700 on top of the engine and fabrication costs, bringing a supercharged 1GR-FE swap cost to $8000 - $10,000. It would definitely have a "cool" factor but for comparison I've put about $4000 into my engine (if you include about $1,500 for the used supercharger it came with) and I'm pushing close to 300 RWTQ based off my last dyno run, so that's around 350 lbs/TQ at the crank. Just isn't cost effective to do that swap and there's power to be had in the 5VZ-FE with the supercharger system.

 

[rickashay]

I have not heard of this being done either. I like the idea but like [MENTION=93458]Sleepy[/MENTION] said you might be better just getting an S/C in terms of $$$ vs. HP/TQ. However if your not just after more power and are after HP/TQ but some originality and the ability to run regular fuel, I would like to see it done Certainly is a pretty maintenance free engine and the early 1GR's had a great powerband in the low RPM range.

I've been throwing the motor swap/SC debate around in my head for a while (even before I purchased the most recent 3rd Gen I'm building). The S/C is appealing but I do like the idea of running regular fuel, especially if you ever plan to drive to MX or further south. Not to mention, I'd like to see the MPG comparison of a 1UZ/2UZ/SC'd 5VZ. The 2UZ seems like the most common approach but I personally like the idea of the 1UZ and it's bombproof internals, low entry cost, and all aluminum construction. The powerband isn't as ideal as the 2UZ but I think with the lower weight it would be pretty fun, especially with a 5 speed behind it.

/Motor Swap rant.

 

[weekendclimber]

Check "Tom's Turbo Garage" on youtube. His current project is swapping an LS into a 1st Gen Tacoma which has pretty much the same engine bay as the 3rd Gen 4Runner. The Tacoma he has is 2WD with a 4-banger, so there is that difference.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Check "Tom's Turbo Garage" on youtube. His current project is swapping an LS into a 1st Gen Tacoma which has pretty much the same engine bay as the 3rd Gen 4Runner. The Tacoma he has is 2WD with a 4-banger, so there is that difference.

Looks like a cool project. If he's able to document well how to mount the engine and mate it to the transmission (if he even keeps the Toyota trans) it would open up a lot of opportunities.

 

[weekendclimber]

Looks like a cool project. If he's able to document well how to mount the engine and mate it to the transmission (if he even keeps the Toyota trans) it would open up a lot of opportunities.

I don't think he'll keep the transmission and I think he mentioned that in one of the videos. If you've seen is LS swap into a Miata series he documents everything very well, so I bet he shows how he does it. The Miata has basically a bolt on kit for the model of LS he used, so it'll be interesting to see if he's got to fab something.

Sorry for the thread jack [MENTION=138073]Roc Doc[/MENTION]

 

[JohnMc]

There are swap kits to stick an LS engine onto an R150F transmission (the manual 5 speed 4Runner trans), I haven't looked for the automatics before, but since they're far more popular as a transmission, I'd assume they exist as well.

I'm about 90% through a turbo LS swap in an old RWD Volvo station wagon, and I can say with some degree of authority that simply setting the engine in the car (custom mounts) and bolting up a transmission (bellhousing/flywheel/clutch adapters) is not an easy task, requiring fabrication (engine mounts) and even very precise fabrication (trans adapters), but that's only half the work, at best. After that it's a bunch of work getting everything to fit in. Assuming you have a small, snug engine compartment, which a 4Runner certainly has.

Unless you want a LOT more power, then a supercharger certainly seems to be the far better way to get a nice boost. Don't spend time fighting every little and large issue that comes up on a swap (getting gauges to work? OBD2 in many jurisdictions on a 96+ vehicle? A/C? Steering/exhaust clearance? Cooling?), just bolt on a nice solution that was professionally engineered to go on the motor.

 

[Roc Doc]

I have not yet heard of a swap, or at least a successful swap. I think that's the reason why you came up empty.

Swaps into 3rd Gens are not very common since we have a readily available, CARB approved supercharger system. Yes, you'd get more power by swapping in a 1GR-FE with a couple of bolt-ons, but when you factor in time, fabrication costs vs a simple one-day supercharge install, it's not very cost effective anymore. A simple TRD/Magnuson supercharger costs $3000 or less if used, brings crank power up from ~210 lbs/tq to about ~270 lbs/tq, which is exactly the output of a stock 1GR-FE with a whole lot less work and costs.

Now obviously if you were to supercharge a 1GR-FE you're blowing that number out of the water but now you're adding $5700 on top of the engine and fabrication costs, bringing a supercharged 1GR-FE swap cost to $8000 - $10,000. It would definitely have a "cool" factor but for comparison I've put about $4000 into my engine (if you include about $1,500 for the used supercharger it came with) and I'm pushing close to 300 RWTQ based off my last dyno run, so that's around 350 lbs/TQ at the crank. Just isn't cost effective to do that swap and there's power to be had in the 5VZ-FE with the supercharger system.

Yeah, a SC would be much easier, but having to run premium and the decreased MPG have kept me away from it. I'm already having to fill up every 250 miles or so, and that gets old. I'm thinking the 4.0 might even get better MPG than the 3.4 with more modern FI tech, etc.

 

[Bad Luck]

I don't have a supercharger so take this with a grain of salt, but I vaguely remember a guy on youtube that has a supercharged 3rd gen that uses methanol injection and runs regular.
YouTube
YouTube
YouTube

LS swaps into everything are really big in Australia. There's one company in particular that makes a pretty thorough adapter kit for it. It's a dream swap for me. Toyota Hilux LS1 V8 engine conversion - 4Runner / Surf

 

[weekendclimber]

I don't have a supercharger so take this with a grain of salt, but I vaguely remember a guy on youtube that has a supercharged 3rd gen that uses methanol injection and runs regular.
YouTube
YouTube
YouTube

LS swaps into everything are really big in Australia. There's one company in particular that makes a pretty thorough adapter kit for it. It's a dream swap for me. Toyota Hilux LS1 V8 engine conversion - 4Runner / Surf

Speedy is pretty awesome. Totally jelly of his garage!!

 

[Roc Doc]

I don't have a supercharger so take this with a grain of salt, but I vaguely remember a guy on youtube that has a supercharged 3rd gen that uses methanol injection and runs regular.
YouTube
YouTube
YouTube

LS swaps into everything are really big in Australia. There's one company in particular that makes a pretty thorough adapter kit for it. It's a dream swap for me. Toyota Hilux LS1 V8 engine conversion - 4Runner / Surf

Yeah, Marks makes some great products. I was looking at some of their stuff when I had my FZJ80.