Need T4R Direction

[tomtundra]

My beloved 98 has come down with a Head Gasket Leak :crybaby:. In weighing all my options (stopleak, repair, transplant, sell) I find myself wanting to have my 5VZ rebuilt. I know I can by JDM or go donor, but I'm choosing not to. It's not that I want to through money at a 30 year old vehicle, but I want it done right.

I plan to have it completely rebuilt and would like to give it a bit more umf, but I don't want to travel the SC road. I figure headers are a must and performance cam as well as heads. I would also like to have the transmission rebuilt - you know, in for a penny...

This is wear I need to poll the experience of the T4R audience: What else should I do??

I know some will ask for more info, so here goes...I want this to be my daily driver and I'd like it to last. I do about a 1000-1500 miles a month for work. I've owned it since 2009, it 's an SR5, A/T, 4x4, with 280K miles. I just had the valve covers replaced, new tires and 5100 bilsteins installed.

I welcome all comments, suggestions and questions.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[Coward]

I geeked out on this last year. Can you really build a naturally aspirated 3.4 that adds significant HP? The answer is of course it can be done, but is it worth it? A supercharger is actually the least expensive route and the easiest. (I'm sure a DIY turbo kit can be done cheaper). The SC kits are nearly plug and play and perform well. They were a Toyota option back in the day. Most guys will tell you that headers on an N/A 3.4 add nothing but cost. So short answer is you could easily spend double the cost of a supercharger kit on trying to rebuild the engine with higher HP.

You need head gaskets though so you are thinking rebuild anyway. For me I would get a used low mileage engine and buy the SC kit.
For reference:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/188971-high-performance-5vzfe.html

 

[audiness]

I would only rebuild if you have a confident trusted machine shop

 

[I_bRAD]

My beloved 98 has come down with a Head Gasket Leak :crybaby:. In weighing all my options (stopleak, repair, transplant, sell) I find myself wanting to have my 5VZ rebuilt. I know I can by JDM or go donor, but I'm choosing not to. It's not that I want to through money at a 30 year old vehicle, but I want it done right.

I plan to have it completely rebuilt and would like to give it a bit more umf, but I don't want to travel the SC road. I figure headers are a must and performance cam as well as heads. I would also like to have the transmission rebuilt - you know, in for a penny...

This is wear I need to poll the experience of the T4R audience: What else should I do??

I know some will ask for more info, so here goes...I want this to be my daily driver and I'd like it to last. I do about a 1000-1500 miles a month for work. I've owned it since 2009, it 's an SR5, A/T, 4x4, with 280K miles. I just had the valve covers replaced, new tires and 5100 bilsteins installed.

I welcome all comments, suggestions and questions.

Thank you all in advance!

I'm a fan of naturally aspirated too, but for the cost and effort of a rebuild I'd be seriously considering a swap. 1UZ-FE or 1FZ-FE both sound interesting. I don't know if anyone's done the 6, but looks like plenty have had success with the 8

 

[Scramble]

There's no need to rebuild the bottom unless you overheated it. Have the heads replaced or resurfaced & call it a day.

Or replace the motor with a low miles one & get a S/C. It will probably be cheaper than a full rebuild.

If money is no object, do what you want! Have fun & check out LCE for all of your performance parts.

 

[cpitti13]

:rapture:

 

[BoarderDave]

There's no need to rebuild the bottom unless you overheated it. Have the heads replaced or resurfaced & call it a day.

Or replace the motor with a low miles one & get a S/C. It will probably be cheaper than a full rebuild.

I agree with this one here. I'd just redo the heads/gaskets and get her back on the road.
Unless you actually WANT to rebuild fully and start fresh specifically and you are looking for a reason to do so. And then in that case if one had a fresh motor in a 3rd Gen.. you'd be crazy NOT to S/C it. hah. :yo:
:tea:

 

[phattyduck]

I'm a fan of naturally aspirated too, but for the cost and effort of a rebuild I'd be seriously considering a swap. 1UZ-FE or 1FZ-FE both sound interesting. I don't know if anyone's done the 6, but looks like plenty have had success with the 8

I think you'd have a lot of trouble fitting a 1FZ-FE - it is too tall and you'd have to do a custom oil pan. A 2JZ is a better fit (has been done) with more TQ/HP at the cost of (maybe) some reliability.

The only downside of a 2UZ i can see would be a slight drop in mileage. Assuming you can do the wiring and welding needed to install it...

It would be a huge challenge to make a 'performance' 5vz, and probably a bad choice when there are better engine options for the same/less money (2jz or 2uz).

Another thing to note: If I was going to stay with a stock motor, I would prefer a 'used' Toyota factory built motor with, say, 100k miles on it over any freshly rebuilt motor. There is something almost magical about Toyota factory motors (reliability). They are never the same once rebuilt.

-Charlie

 

[sakoluvr]

Just as an aside, I wonder how much longer "low mileage" engines can be found for our 3rd gens? The supply is drying up each year no doubt. Might be a crazy thing to do, but if you find one at a good price it might be worth buying even if you don't need it....yet. It can always be resold.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Hey OP, I understand your thought process and in the end it's all going to be up to you to make the final decision. I believe everyone has provided you with all of the most realistic, yet possible options.

My own .02 on rebuilding heads. You seriously want to be extremely careful about doing a complete head rebuild. A new top end will eventually push everything out the bottom.

As for a complete high performance rebuild - think $$$$$$ and lots of it. I've already priced it out with LCE as [MENTION=7105]Scramble[/MENTION] mentioned and you can buy five JDM or "plug-n-Play" motors for the same price, that is if you decide to go .020 or .030 over and sleeved with high compression pistons and chro mo rods etc. You can always get a good machine shop to make your cam. Tell them what you want and they make it. You're probably thinking high lift, low duration. Again, deep pockets needed. Need to have a lot of love for your rig.

The absolute best option IMHO for you is a refurbished set of heads (new seals and cut the valves, slightly resurface. Install and call it good on the top end. Next is the SC with a standard pulley until everything is broken in and then move up from there. IE: and larger fuel injectors and fuel pump to support it. Now you're running 92 octane everyday.

Trust me, I'm always thinking about what I'm going to do when the time comes. We all know what the options are, it's just all comes down to making the right decision that works for you and your family in your situation. My wife keeps telling me to pass mine on to my boys and "you can always go out and buy a new 4runner anytime you want."

Again, not much advise here that you haven't already read. Best to you.

 

[Scramble]

"Pass it on to the boys". ppfftt! tell them to buy their own 3rd gen!

 

[tomtundra]

Lot's of great information - I'd expect nothing less from this group!

Got to admit, I LOVE the idea of a SC, but don't want to pump premium on a daily driver.

Rock_Rat - think you hit the nail on all heads. Don't want to waste my gain up top, hence the idea to do complete rebuild.

I'm going to start looking for some low mileage replacement options as well as refurbished heads. Then break out my abacus and bank statements.

Definitely anxious to get my rig back on the road!

Thank you for all the replies - more to come!