What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

exactly.

I think i'll be pretty happy for a while with a properly running SC 5vzfe with the 5.29s for a while. Otherwise...i really think I'll just 2jz it or LS it. Idk. The 5vz is a nice little motor. Just..not a power beast.

 

Since you mentioned not liking high boost at low RPM. I hate when I boost in OD under 2k RPM. Even with an automatic I feel like I’m lugging it. It Doesn’t sound super happy.

 

True!
I read that cab bushings where a pain in the arse but that was one of the easiest things I did.

 

I want a 2JZ in my truck so bad. I just don’t have the time or another vehicle to deal with it all. If only someone made a turn key kit. I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

However there is a guy on here that is running 350HP and 400TQ on his stock 5VZ turbo. I don’t know for sure but I’d imagine anything beyond that would almost be too much.

 

there are several turbo guys pushing 300-320hp. Wouldn't go more than that really. That would be plenty of power in one of these truck anyways.

2jz is a super hard swap...but like all swaps...its a PITA. There are now motor mounts for them but I don't know if they work with out 4wd tranny as its designed with an r154 in mind not r150. Its also a long motor and you have to run pusher E fans(lame) as there is no room for a mechanical fan. Poses issues with AC as well. Wiring is a bitch, a company does make a plug n play OBDII harness for our trucks for a 2jz...but it costs $1200 bucks haha

Its an expensive swap. And thats just to get it in and working. Not including the potential for a slight motor refresh/overhaul, or any performance upgrades like USDM twins/upgraded turbos.


My dream is to do a stroker 2jz as then it would be 3.4l still like the 5vz but in a twin turbo straight six so you wouldn't loose any of the low torque the 5vz does so damn well and the 2jz inherently..doesn't.

 

Moved my extinguisher- much easier to get to, protected well under the seat when in the driving position, a lot better feeling than having it out where it was in the back of the cab. Not glamorous, but the little things make life easier.

 

I’ve been considering doing a built 5vz. The rods from LCE are just so high. Here’s a link to a 4Runner thread where it was mentioned that Nissan forged rods could work. And I’m thinking that since they’re a bit shorter lower compression would help? Correct me if I’m wrong.

 

I like it!!
#1What extinguisher is that that fits so great?
#2 what rubber mount is that?

 

@BlackSportD ive noticed that turning OD off frees up some load so boost comes in later. This doesn’t help in the mts? Maybe I’m wrong but it seems to work for me.

 

That is a great mod.

Shorter would sort of help with a turbo high boost application, but high compression gives you better low torque. That's kind of a fine line.

As Zane pointed out, there just isn't the support for the engine so isn't really worth it unless you've got thousands to blow for not a huge gain. Could easily just buy a 4.8 or 5.3 LS and swap some heads around and cams and make 400hp all day NA.

Then stuff a snail in there or blower!

 

@Blackdawg ive also thought about about fabbing up a way to make a M90 work on the 5VZ. You can get them for like $300 on EBay. Clearance issues front to back and contacting the hood would probably be the issue. But that way I think you could run more boost and it would run cooler which would give you more power. We should have gotten an M90 in the first place.

 

To the contrary I pop into OD to reduce the chances of going into boost while going up the grade. Running ECT seems to just be negligible in difference. Its all good, I will have all the parts to pull off "no S/C, now I have S/C" mod very soon.

 

I would want the stronger rods, but I think you'd want the length the same, you'd just use pistons designed to lower the compression. Still need a forged crank too. Then theres the issue with the amount of overlap of the cams (no one makes 5VZ cams, gonna have to have them ground), The main bearings don;t have a lot of bracing so you'd need to have a girdle made, there's no real way to degree the cams individually since they're drivin off a single gear. I dunno, it helps to either start with a better power platform or have some existing aftermarket support. My cheapo old Nissan 300ZX (3.0L VG30ET engine) has fully girdled main bearings, 13 head bolts per head, easily degree-able cams, block ribbing to prevent torsional distortion, and it's easy to modify the EMS system. This is an engine you can find regularly for $200-$400 used at a junkyard and they're reliable under insane boost (know two people making over 500hp and 450ft tq daily on them). I'd like to see someone support the 5VZ, but there's a reason they don't I suspect.

 

LS would be awesome. Looking on CX racing that motor fits in there really well. But then you run into the same problem as a 2jz. All the custom work would be really tough, expensive, and time consuming.

 

I believe that is colloquially known as the Mad Max mod.

 

Aaaannnnnd now I know what to put on the rocker switch!!

 

That sounds like a lot of work for little gains again.

Wouldn't be utra hard. I'll end up doing that or the 2jz I know it. Only major downside for me with the LS is not a good manual made out there for them anymore. NV3500 or NV4500 is about it. And wow those are worth way more than a junk yard LS haha

Motor swaps in general though are a LOT of work. Not for the faint of heart.

Few have done LS swaps in tacos though.

 

Maybe it’s my 33” tires and stock TRD axel gearing? Idk...

 

I like the idea of that- our S/C is already high-strung at stock boost, 9.5psi pulley already pushing it, 10+psi pulleys requiring tricks and diminishing returns. A larger S/C much more within it's efficiency band would be great. One with an intercooler setup like the new-gen TRD setups even better.

Probably explains it.

 

Would you need all that for 400HP? There’s another guy that had a badass turbo extended cab for sale. I think the just had the rods and pistons, maybe a forged crank. IDK he just listed it as LCE 5VZ-FE. But he was making tons of power.