SoCal v8 swap shop recommendations
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mckennar
New member
This isn't answering your question, sorry, but make sure if you do this, you're comfortable with never operating it on a public roadway (in CA) again, OR you go through the extra step(s) of getting it BAR / CARB certified (and you follow the requirements - engine must be newer than one it's replacing, etc).
Here's a primer:
https://www.bar.ca.gov/Industry/Engine_Change_Guidelines.html
As such, most shops won't touch swaps like that unless you're willing to pony up serious cash to have it meet CA requirements. (or you're turning it into a purely off-road vehicle... or you happen to live in one of the counties in CA that is smog exempt, which I think there are 2 or 3).
Good luck!
Here's a primer:
https://www.bar.ca.gov/Industry/Engine_Change_Guidelines.html
As such, most shops won't touch swaps like that unless you're willing to pony up serious cash to have it meet CA requirements. (or you're turning it into a purely off-road vehicle... or you happen to live in one of the counties in CA that is smog exempt, which I think there are 2 or 3).
Good luck!
Scramble
New member
phattyduck
Elite Member
Yeah, the standard advice is if you have to pay a shop to do a swap like this, it isn't worth doing. A UZ series motor will require moving the transmission back along with all the wiring and custom engine mounts. Getting it fully CA legal is yet another hurdle (possible with the right choices though).
Of course, this is coming from somebody who will be doing a 2jz someday...
-Charlie
Of course, this is coming from somebody who will be doing a 2jz someday...
-Charlie
Aznwolf118
Member
Having done a 1uz in a first gen and getting it bar/carb legal.
Here are the hold ups.
-bar/carb looks at every part number to verify its from the correct year and donor.
-bar/carb checks all smog devices. Evap, cats, and map, plus all the sensors. Your donor motor should not be a jdm motor cause they can't verify the vin to identify the parts number and year (complicates the process, some have sneaked it through but that is case bay case and how knowledgeable and by the book your Tech is)
-bar/carb checks your transmission too. If your using a motor the was usdm and only offered in auto. Then you have to retain auto.
-bar/carb requires motor or donor to be newer than current year, or they won't even look at it. So if you have a 2002 good luck cause the motor range is tough with the vvti wiring. (Not saying it can't be done)
-if your paying someone to do it your on the hook for a ton of labor hours. Most will be figment and then wiring. It took over 6month to do an obd2 1UZ
-be prepared for little things gremlins that will come up after shake down runs.
Ooh any bar/carb does check that the dash lights work before they drop it on a dyno. They also insure that is it in open loop, and parameters have been met. (Stops people from pulling battery before test to clear check engine light)
-lastly once you go to bar/carb and fail you are entered into the system and as the tech would say your flag for your next registration.
If your curious click the link for sleepy and you can see what was done to get smog legal in California.
If you were in a different state I would say go for it, but in Cali my suggestion is really think it through before you invest any money and time
Here are the hold ups.
-bar/carb looks at every part number to verify its from the correct year and donor.
-bar/carb checks all smog devices. Evap, cats, and map, plus all the sensors. Your donor motor should not be a jdm motor cause they can't verify the vin to identify the parts number and year (complicates the process, some have sneaked it through but that is case bay case and how knowledgeable and by the book your Tech is)
-bar/carb checks your transmission too. If your using a motor the was usdm and only offered in auto. Then you have to retain auto.
-bar/carb requires motor or donor to be newer than current year, or they won't even look at it. So if you have a 2002 good luck cause the motor range is tough with the vvti wiring. (Not saying it can't be done)
-if your paying someone to do it your on the hook for a ton of labor hours. Most will be figment and then wiring. It took over 6month to do an obd2 1UZ
-be prepared for little things gremlins that will come up after shake down runs.
Ooh any bar/carb does check that the dash lights work before they drop it on a dyno. They also insure that is it in open loop, and parameters have been met. (Stops people from pulling battery before test to clear check engine light)
-lastly once you go to bar/carb and fail you are entered into the system and as the tech would say your flag for your next registration.
If your curious click the link for sleepy and you can see what was done to get smog legal in California.
If you were in a different state I would say go for it, but in Cali my suggestion is really think it through before you invest any money and time
Last edited:
TheDurk
Elite Member
Why would they want that? Or did you mean closed loop?
Aznwolf118
Member
Auto correct from mobile device, thanks good catch
Bar/carb wants to insure it is not in open loop. They will send you packing and not complete the test, so if there is some thing in the next phase you won't know until the next time you come back and fail. If your lucky the tech my have time and check but experience says they send you off cause of the amount of appointments, carb/bar inspection stations are usually backed up and the cert process is pretty comprehensive
Bar/carb wants to insure it is not in open loop. They will send you packing and not complete the test, so if there is some thing in the next phase you won't know until the next time you come back and fail. If your lucky the tech my have time and check but experience says they send you off cause of the amount of appointments, carb/bar inspection stations are usually backed up and the cert process is pretty comprehensive
IBallEngineer
New member
Yes he meant closed loop, lots of good advice in that post though. Having done THREE engine swaps, I can tell you it will cost THREE times what you budget for, and take THREE hundred times as long as you want it to. If you already have the motor, figure on 5-7K on the low end. If you did it yourself you might get away under 5K including the donor motor.
:whipping2
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
Why not just sell yours, buy a lower mileage 3rd gen, then supercharge it?
White Stripe
New member
Buy a wrecked suburban or Yukon for a ls swap. That will give the shop all the emissions stuff. Just have them drop the motor and tans from the chevy in your truck and use tcase of your choice. Will cost u around 25k to do it right and pass emissions. While that may sound like a lot of coin, it's far less than a new 4runner. As far as what shop to use. I would ask all pro offroad. They should be able to tackle it. Your 4runner will be a rocket and get good MPG as a bonus.
I love my 3rd gen and the body style (the exterior and interior looks like it only has 30k miles lol)
I sold my 5.7 v8 2008 tundra, and down sized to the 3rd gen so I can save for a house. The power on the truck was amazing and it makes the 3rd gen seem so weak lol. I really like the look of the 5th gen but sad it doesn't come in a v8. I've been keeping my eyes out for a 4th gen 4wd v8
My 3rd gen body and interior is almost perfect! I don't want to let it go lol. It's hard to find a low mile good condition for a fair price
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
4th gen is what I want. They're not the best looking generation, but they can be made to look good. Love my friends 08 sport. And URD sells a supercharger for both the 4.0 and 4.7! That v8 supercharged. Awesome
Good color and great wheels
Scramble
New member
You can get a 4th gen V8 with under 100,000 miles for 15 Grand.
White Stripe
New member
No disagreement their sir. But he has a really nice 4runner, and if he want to put a v8 in it I was just giving him a route he could go. U gotta admit a ls 3Rd Gen would be wicked.
