Cost of a complete rebuild on a 5vzfe?

I have heard toyota heads don't do well when they are rebuilt, just noisier than factory.
When we were swapping the 3.4 in my dad's 98 4runner, we were quotes $1600 for newly rebuilt heads. Both had cracks in them due to bad head gasket. Instead of doing head work we opted for a 140k engine for $700. He had 300K on the 4runner before the head gasket went.
I'm at 493k on mine, and the truck shows no signs of giving up anytime soon. Every day I drive it it blows me away how much power it still has.

 

A reputable race / hotrod engine rebuild shop quoted me $2400. With them you know you'd get all high quality bearings and gaskets - that's better than most rebuilders. It was cheaper to get an engine out of a wreck with the trans for $1400 for me. Besides being in a wreck the donor vehicle was in amazing condition for a 2000.

 

Hey where do you get those 5VZ's from? I'm interested in using one to build a motor ground up.

 

There's no way to gauge what it will cost 'in the future'.
Worry about it then, lots can happen.

 

I was lucky and found one on CL. I found another on CL w/ a blown headgasket for $180.

 

yeah look on CL or even Ebay. you can find some rebuilt already for like 1500

 

I would look for a blown head gasket block and then for heads that are good separately if you want to build an engine. I've seen good heads go for $100 a piece on CL. The heads I pulled off the bhg engine I bought both had cracks between the valves, well one for sure and one possible one.

 

145k, You will be old and gray before you need a new engine, worry about something else like
valve cover gaskets and timing belts, ) those are things you will have to deal with much sooner.
If and when you need a new engine a low mileage engine out of a wrecked truck that you can verify the miles for 1000 to 1500 is the best way to go

 

How can you trust that those JDM engines only have 50-60k miles? I have read a lot of BAD reviews about the various companies selling them, and people getting screwed.

 

You CAN'T, your gambling if you buy one,

 

You can at least do basic health checks, leak down test, check the cam lobes for wear, piston rod bearing play, etc. - all things you should do regardless what engine you're getting. Looking at reviews of specific suppliers is a must if you get one so you can know what to expect if you need to inspect and possibly return it.

 

If you've never re-built an an engine, I highly encourage anyone to do it at least once. If you do it yourself, be prepared with a at least a few weekends and some patience and spend the extra to put upgraded components in it. You're looking at a 3-4 grand for a full rebuild including pistons, but only around $400-$600 for a head gasket, etc, depending on what you replace. repair/rebuild. When I did mine I also ported & polished.

 

I was going to rebuild mine, but I opted for a junkyard motor from car-parts.com, paid 800 for a 5VZFE with 164,000 on it, mine had 350,000 on it. l
Low compression in cylinder 5.
Never pulled the heads off to see if it was a cracked head or valve or what.
Still siting in the corner of my garage.

Not a bad little project either, easier than I thought it would be.

We'll see how long she goes.