Motor build suggestions?

[MT Tatman]

Been a while, but life happens that way. Anyway, I have a 22re from an '86 tore down and cleaned up. Block is solid. Looking for ideas on how to make improvements in power.....better cam, and such. My plan is to eventually have an exo-cage, so that's a lot of weight. Suspension is getting renewed as well. Time to make my '85 the rig I really want it to be!!

 

[92-SR5]

Cam and header are about the best things you can do to the 22re.

 

[Chuckles89]

I have heard lots of good from these guys:

Toyota Performance Parts | LCE

 

[Back_Draft445]

Been a while, but life happens that way. Anyway, I have a 22re from an '86 tore down and cleaned up. Block is solid. Looking for ideas on how to make improvements in power.....better cam, and such. My plan is to eventually have an exo-cage, so that's a lot of weight. Suspension is getting renewed as well. Time to make my '85 the rig I really want it to be!!

When I pulled mine I had the machine shop bore the cylinders .40 over, shave the head as far as possible with the factory timing set-up, balanced the crank, threw a mild Comp cam in it, and put a pace setter header on. I saw decent improvements, but then again the motor had 200K on it before the re-build and was leaking everything and burning about a quart of oil every tank or so of fuel so anything would have helped me out lol. If i had to do it all over again I would probably just do a basic rebuild on it, only boring the cylinder walls if need be, the cam, and I would NOT have used the cheap pace setter header. However if its power your looking for there is no replacement for displacement, a 3.4 swap would be the best option.

 

[KidVermicious]

My last 22RE had a 261 cam and a Thorley header - it's in a buddies truck now and the improvement over stock blew him away. My plan was to add an RV head and some intake mods and really wake it up.

 

[MT Tatman]

I think I've gotten a few others who also think, Cam and headers are a nice and not too $$$ way to go. The original motor in it now has around 340,000 miles on it. Still runs solid, but I'm sure not as good as it should. Doesn't leak or burn oil. But a buddy and I split the cost of 2, 1986 4runners.....it was $500 for the set. So I can rebuild a motor while still tooling around, so I'll be sticking w/the 22re. It cleaned up nicely......then comes the suspension mods...Not going too crazy there, and plan on sticking w/my BFG 31.5s for rubber.
I did repaint my camo though! $37 in spray paint goes a long way if ya don't need a shine!!

I can't remember how to upload pics.....

 

[MT Tatman]

Trying to get these pics up...top one is new paint job, bottom is new bumper additions.

 

[92-SR5]

Trying to get these pics up...top one is new paint job, bottom is new bumper additions.
View attachment 116883
View attachment 116884

Is that for catching dinner on your way home? haha jk

 

[txclimber]

Great ideas posted above. Contact engnbldr, call him up and tell him your needs. He'll fix you up. The man is VERY knowledgable regarding these engines.

When I did my rebuild I used his 268 cam, but it sounds like the 261 would be better for your needs.

I choose LCE headers and love 'em.

I also, bored 40 over, but only because that's what it took to get 'em round. Trust your machine shop on this one. Take it to what they say and buy the appropriate rings/pistons. You won't notice a power gain by going bigger.

Also, I choose a new head with oversized valves and springs vs. rebuilding the old one. Affordable choice.

yotatech.com has lots of info regarding 1st gens and I would suggest browsing over there.

If you're interested my engine rebuild is over there at:

Rings, Pistons, Header, A/C too? - YotaTech Forums