Swapping a 2.7L to either a V6 or V8

The 5.3L from GMC is the most reliable American engine on the market. Reliable as Toyota? No. But more reliable then any ecoboost which have a tendency to eat through their turbos or a 5.0 with its timing issues.

Disclaimer: I own a GMC.

 

I can see the added benefit of the v6 on the interstate. That's about it, for me though. I do travel highways pretty frequently and don't feel it's too inadequate after the mods I listed, downshifting into 4th if needed doesn't hurt my feels in the least. If anything, after the 4.88s, it needs a 6th gear to maintain 70+ and be under 3300rpm.
If I set my cruise at actual 75mph, I typically don't have to downshift much on I64 heading west or east for a good 175 miles either direction. It's the damn 55mph roads that make me shift often.

 

Unfortunately around here where I do a lot of my driving, although not mountains, we have a lot of hills. The other thing is we don't have nice big interstate highways everywhere but instead have a lot of two lane highways. That being said, those two lane highways do have passing lanes but guess where they put the majority of them? That's right, on all those hills. With the 2.7, if I can't get a good run and get it up in the power band where it tends to be screaming, I can't pass jack. On the flat and level, it's all good but for uphill power or towing, it sucks.

 

I'm in Kentucky, travel into WV and OH often. There are hills and mountains alike, I get it. Passing on a hill, you gotta get evil with it. You won't blow the motor if it's been at least half ass cared for.
Here's what I do, YMMV:
When I think a downshift to 4th is enough, I go to 3rd. You can't be afraid of the top end. Our hp and tq curve doesn't really see the light together unitl 3k rpm or somewhere like that.

Far as towing. I didn't buy mine to tow. Towing wasn't on my plate at time of purchase, if it was, then definitely v6 or full size v8 or diesel.
Everyone has a different use for their truck. I highly suggest looking into beefing the engine you have if a full swap or completely new truck is out of the picture. DoubleD or something like that has a twin turbo LS, do that

 

Yea, I roll down the hwy at 4k rpm all the time. The motor doesn't come alive until you get over 3k. Still if I gotta let off for any reason on a hill, it's impossible to get back to speed. And there's a few hills where the speed limit is 55mph that I have to crawl up at about 30mph with the motor screaming the whole 3 miles to the top. It's kind of embarrassing to be honest.

 

Not saying whether it's a good or bad option, but here's an other one if you like diesel. Cummins R2.8 diesel crate.

https://www.cummins.com/engines/repower

 

I respect your boisterously voiced opinion.
I disagree that the voices like mine pointing out the absurdity of such a project should be silenced. Facts don’t care about your feelings.
I have done plenty of swaps, both financially and hands on. I work as a parts specialist at one of the leading parts stores in the nation, and I am well educated on cost and procedure for many engine swaps and upgrades, so thanks for your assumption saying otherwise.

if someone is going to post on a forum like this expecting other dreamers with no experience to support his plan, I’m sorry that I’m a realist offering facts and reason.

 

I know what you're saying. It's like doing the old V8 S10 swap.
There's a bunch of hits online when you search V8 Tacoma or a variation on that. I think you'll get results from those that have actually done the swap. As well as recommendations from them on what parts fit and don't fit.
Plus any headaches thst they encountered alone the way.
That and YouTube l think are you're best bets.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Buy used then. The swap is going to cost more than if you sold your current truck and bought a used V6. Although if you're gonna be towing in mountain areas you may want something bigger.

 

This is tacomaworld... Seems like 85% of people are scared of anything more than a suspension swap.

 

On the same page with you.

 

lmao

 

I've noticed over the years here if it's not an easy "return to stock so I can trade it in" mod, people say it's a terrible idea.

Like wtf, I'm going to drive this till I total it or it falls apart.. it's my truck I'll cut shit off it if I want to.

 

I know of someone who is swapping a 4.7 into their 2.7 AC 2nd gen. I don't think he's on here though. From what I've seen, the motor fits really well in the engine bay. His plan is to use the 5 speed from the Taco but I think it has the automatic from the Tundra at the moment.

 

I respectfully agree to disagree. You offered no facts. Just your opinion about what you think it will cost. You didn't even say which option you proposed a cost for. You have your right to an opinion, but spit balling costs isn't furthering the knowledge pool here. I, too, am a realist. But I think we see different sides of reality in the this case. And I'm ok with that.

 

Yeah not sure how you came up with a 15k estimation @cedarpangolin ...
There are no facts there. Write down a list with why you think it's 15k (which is arbitrary on what you will consider labor) and then it might actually mean something.

 

15 grand is a baseline for what someone above suggested - installing a LS with a 480 tranny and labor - an entire new ECU/PCM, harnessing, tune flash, heavier duty driveshafts and axles, new motor mounts/firewall trimming+mount location adds, new differential mounts, custom front end mounts for sway bar and steering rack, and so much more.
Doing the labor yourself may lower it to 10k give or take for parts only.

 

I remember reading a thread there about an actual Tundra V8 swapped into a 2nd Gen though I think it was an automatic. He did the work himself. I'm sure he has all the details but can't find the thread in my watch list. It was a white truck running at least 37" tires.

 

Exactly, it depends on what you buy. So you randomly saying 15k with no context has no meaning.
Hes looking for advice from those that have done such a swap IN A TACOMA, where by maybe using a certain motor / franken combo will lighten the load on the massive list you just created.
He might be able to reuse a lot of stock components depending on motor selection. I think your comment is still outrageous.(because its an automatic discouragement from your LS fantasy)

OP, I've never v8 swapped a tacoma, but I have swapped a bmw. My suggestion is search harder for those that have already documented this.
See what parts they used, and depending on your budget, select the route you want to go. In addition, depending on on your timeline, you can find great deals on parts at junkyards or on CL by waiting.
Everyone on here automatically says "SelL It AnD BUy SOmeTTHInG ELSe MAN!" TOO EXPENSIVE. Just depends on your skill set and what you will swap. Good luck

PS:
Like someone has mentioned, before 4WD swaps were popular, you would get the typical response above. If you find a great way to swap in a v8 at reasonable cost, you might be the first to start the v8 revolution.