LS and other engine swaps.

BoatRacer

BoatRacer

New member
Have many here done swaps? I've read a couple builds here and there, but have not seen much info combined for different options. I'm interested in an L-33 swap, because the aluminum engine is fairly light weight and the wiring harness's are easy to swap over and retain the GM injection. My issue is with body lifts, I hate them. If I had to build a custom hood to fit for height clearance, that would be fine, but will it fit elsewhere?

I like the idea of a Toyota 3.4, but without the supercharger it still lacks power, and with it, the combo gets spendy real fast! I have not read any real world experiences with the little 2.7 4cyl. either. I'm really just wanting enough torque to not need the constant down shifts for normal driving up hills and such, but the cost and time also need to be worth while in the power dept. for the fun factor. I also want to retain the Toyota 5 speed and transfer case, I'm not opposed to another brand trans in the end as long as its a manual.

What are some of your guys experiences with these swaps in first gens, for both normal street driven and lifted T4R's?
 
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How about the Lexus LS/SC 400 engines? They require a body lift, but is that just for the height clearance? Is the power potential worth the effort, ect?
 
I'm going to keep an eye on this thread. I had planned on a 3.4, but in the last couple days, i've started leaning a different direction.
 
I'm going to do a swap of some sort in the future, starting with my daily driver '87. I just don't know what I'm going to use yet. I've swapped a few of the GM LS series engines into 60's cars, but never anything like this.
 
If I ever do a swap for a daily driver, it'll be the 3RZ for sure. It's basically an updated 22RE - just as small, just as reliable, almost as bulletproof. You get another 50 horses or so, it fits in the bay with room to spare, and you keep the W56 so the only fab required is motor mounts.

If my truck ever turns into a trail toy, it'll probably get a 4BT.
 
The 4.3 Chevy, as was mentioned earlier, is a solid option if you're not one of those offended by a non-Toyota engine. It has ready-made adapters and mounts, and tons of aftermarket support for any future mods. I did a Chevy 350 on my last truck, and the engine's length was a problem--after moving the whole drivetrain backwards about 4", I still had to go with a 16" pusher fan in front of the radiator (where all the A/C goodies USED to be). The 4.3 is just a 350 with two cylinders lopped off, so you get the low-end torque without the added length. Just a thought...
 
the 3.4 is a good swap. you'll notice a big increase in power over the 22r.

i swapped in a 68 302, but i used the for auto behind it. its for wheeling tho, it does the job.:D


i often have contemplated swapping a different engine in my runner as my DD, for the same reasons you mentioned. another 302/5.0 FI this time was an option, as was the toyota 4.7.
i also wouldnt want to add a body lift for it. thats makes it much more tricky however.

but, then i bought the 06 with 4.7.


i think i'll eventually swap the 302 out of my wheeling rig into the 4runner, and start wheeling that. and i'll do it without adding a BL, whatever it takes.
 
I have seen a few nicely converted 4.3 chevys, but I would like to drive one. It's a lot of work to do and seems like a waste to go through all of that and not just use a V8. When I was a kid, the "hot" set up was a Buick 231 V6, people have been swapping engines into these for ever it seems.

I have been looking for a decent Lexus LS400 for sale, the engines are not easily found with reasonable mileage and are expensive. I'm still not sure if I can make one fit without the body lift either. I'm starting to think the Toyota 3.4 might the best compromise.
 
BoatRacer said:
I have seen a few nicely converted 4.3 chevys, but I would like to drive one. It's a lot of work to do and seems like a waste to go through all of that and not just use a V8.
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Two reasons in favor of this over the V8--it fits a lot better, giving you more options for cooling and accessories, and the 4.3 has the same output of many V8's (especially older ones). Besides that, there is a whole aftermarket support system for these, whereas many others you'll have to do from scratch. Just some considerations...
 
If I ever get the money together for a swap in the future I would swap in a 12HT from a Land Cruiser into my '85.
 
BoatRacer said:
I have seen a few nicely converted 4.3 chevys, but I would like to drive one. It's a lot of work to do and seems like a waste to go through all of that and not just use a V8. When I was a kid, the "hot" set up was a Buick 231 V6, people have been swapping engines into these for ever it seems.

I have been looking for a decent Lexus LS400 for sale, the engines are not easily found with reasonable mileage and are expensive. I'm still not sure if I can make one fit without the body lift either. I'm starting to think the Toyota 3.4 might the best compromise.
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Nothing wrong with a supercharged 3.4 - it's been done lots and lots of times so you've got a roadmap for the swap, and 200+ hp is plenty for a little first gen.

[MENTION=82047]BigBluePile[/MENTION] is rockin' the 3.4 swap, but I don't know if he's supercharged his yet.
 
Oh I'm sc'd all right!!!!!

Converting a 4cyl to the 3.4 is a little more involved than just upgrading the 3.0. However, the power of the 3.4 and low end grunt is amazing over the 22re. Its nice having power on demand. I like keeping my stuff Toyota though. Parts are easy to find, you'll upgrade your tranny, wiring is easy and the vehicle will look factory. There is hood clearance issues though. More so with a sc. So a body lift :barf: or a quality hood scoop is a must.

IMAG0532.jpg~original


I do like the 2rz/3rz option and if I did it again I'd go that route.
 
Awesome, thanks! That's the kind of first hand knowledge I was hoping for. I'm no stranger to engine or wiring harness swaps and I think I could take this one on. I recently read a thread on a 3.4 swap where the guys cut a hole in the hood to make it fit, looks to me like a well thought out scoop could look cool and keep the body lift off.

Unless I find a donor rig, these 3.4 are spendy here and the SC is crazy expensive by itself. I'll keep an eye out for a package deal though. Did you drive around before adding the SC, was the extra power worth the hassle?
 
ToyotaFiberglass.com ("slacker" on the forum) has a sweet hood for the 1st Gen's with a raised center section that may solve the clearance problem with some style. Not sure of the overall height gain, though.
 
BoatRacer said:
Awesome, thanks! That's the kind of first hand knowledge I was hoping for. I'm no stranger to engine or wiring harness swaps and I think I could take this one on. I recently read a thread on a 3.4 swap where the guys cut a hole in the hood to make it fit, looks to me like a well thought out scoop could look cool and keep the body lift off.

Unless I find a donor rig, these 3.4 are spendy here and the SC is crazy expensive by itself. I'll keep an eye out for a package deal though. Did you drive around before adding the SC, was the extra power worth the hassle?
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Its easier if you know people that know people lol. Having the complete donor rig is the best option.

I think my hood scoop is a mustang scoop. I can't remember. Theres no reason to body lift imho.

I drove for a year without the sc and had never planned on it. Came across one on ebay with everything for a good price and jumped on it. Without the sc the motor was fantastic!
 
It's a pipe dream of mine to motor swap my '87 next year. It's finally nice and mean looking, but I want the sound and power to go with it. 1uz, 3.4, and 3rz would all be on the list.
 
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