My engine swapped 3rd Gen build thread

BananaMan · Jan 18, 2023

Watching this for more updates. What a friggin amazing build!

tonered · Jan 18, 2023

Drewthecarguy[OP] initial post: ↑

Hello thanks for visiting my build thread. Let me start off with a little bit of history.
I’ve done a couple builds with engine swaps and what not, I’m always looking for a challenge and something that’s not been done before or something different. I’ve done tons and tons of LS swaps in older trucks and cars but they seem to easy now a days.

My last build was a Duramax swapped 80 series Landcruiser and it was a blast to do and super challenging.

So after i sold the LC80 I bought this 2016 Tacoma TRD OR with fairly higher miles but was in great condition

My whole plan was to build a truck that I could do some over landing and I wanted to take a trip to Moab and hit some trails. I live in southern Illinois so I needed something that I could drive almost across country, go off-road and drive back home.

I know I needed to do a little bit of a build to take the Tacoma to the next level

Couple exterior mods, black out emblems, trd pro grill, hid headlights, Baja designs fog lights

Next was wheels tires and suspension
I went with Icon Stage 4 suspension with tubular control arms and remotes resis

Wheels and tires are SCS 17s with -38mm
BFG 295/75/17

After those mods it was time for the Moab trip and the truck did great

After the trip I realized the truck needed more power to be more enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong the truck does “ok” but driving on the interstate for hours and hours at a time and the constant shifting up and down, and the truck struggling to get through the mountains in Colorado I decided this truck needs power, everything else about the truck is great, it looks good, comfortable, great off road, but just a turd

So that’s where it all started

I done tons and tons and tons of research before choosing the right power train,

Original plan was a LS3 with 6l80 transmission to keep things simple and be plenty of power

The major problem I came up with for engine swapping a 3rd gen is clearance, the trans tunnel opening isn’t very big and the front crossmember and front differential is all in the way, for a LS or LT to work it would have taken a knurly oil pan or a Dry sump pan

I didn’t feel like dishing out the money for a dry sump setup or hand making a pan

So what I went with was a LF3 out of a 2015 Cadillac CTSV sport. It’s a twin turbo V6

On paper it makes the same amount of power as a LS3 but in a smaller package

The LF3 has an almost flat oil pan all the way from the crank pulley all the way to the transmission pan

After the engine arrived I pulled the OE engine out to see what I had to deal with
And I sat the LF3 in for the first time to see what it was going to take

A couple things had to be done to the engine to have it sit where it needed to go, oil filter and oil filter adapter had to be removed for the engine to clear the front differential

So on the oil filter adapter I removed it, cut it in half, taped the holes in it, thread a -10an adapters in it and just relocated the filter to the frame rail

So the engine mounts from the Cadillac alllllmost laid out perfect to hit the factory Tacoma mounts but I ended up just making my own engine mounts that use the factory Tacoma rubber mounts so I didn’t have to cut anything up from the truck

Next I tackled the transmission cooling, back in the day I use to use the radiator transmission coolers until I decided it’s so much easier to just run remote coolers

So I adapted the stock Cadillac transmission cooler lines to 6an and mounted a cooler with fan under the truck

Next hurdle was power steering

Most modern GM vehicles went with electric power steering and the LF3 was no different

I could have figured out how to mount a pump on the engine like a lot of guys do with LT swap but I wanted something more simple so I went with a Volvo S40 power steering pump

I mounted it behind the front bumper and you can reach it from the top of the grill, worked out perfect

I ran some russel 6an power steering Lines under the radiator and worked out great

Next a couple goodies it needed

Gotta have a CSF radiator to help keep things cool and I went with ZZP downpipes

Next was transmission shifting,

My duramax swap in my 80series I used a Lokar shifter and I always had a problem getting out of Park and it drove me nuts so I told myself I wasn’t going to do that again

So I went with PCS electric shifter
I had a buddy of mine with a laser cutter cut me out a perfect hole for the remote in a piece of aluminum, I then did a small bit of trimming in the center console to get a nice flat surface for it to sit in and it turn out great, I think I’m going to just brush the aluminum and clear coat it and call it a day

Next I went with a ZZP intake for a Cadillac ATSV and it fit perfect in the Tacoma, I’m going to relocated the battery to the passenger side since I won’t be using the stock intake anymore

Also from ZZP i picked up one of their heat exchangers and high volume water pump that I mounted behind the front grille, fits perfect in the behind the grill, they also included a stencil with it if you wanted to put a logo on it so I did

I also picked up a awesome fuse box setup from Overland Equipped, that way I can power my heat exchanger pump, power steering pump, and all the engine swap power easily and neatly

Installed a 2018 Camaro SS PWM cooling fan onto the CSF radiator and it worked out good after making a few small brackets

Intercooler heat exchanger reservoir mounted and plumbed and everything flows nicely, the CTSV sport has a sealed system from the factory and that was the number one complaint was, air in the system and how much it sucked to bleed it. So I went with a open system and plugged the bleeder port with a fitting I had laying around

Fuel system is done, I should have taken more pictures but i forgot, I mounted a Aeromotive 340 in a Second Gen bucket, 3rd gen Tacomas have a awesome PWM brushless fuel pump but it’s returnless and hard to control, so I went with a 2nd bucket that has provisions for a fuel return. I then went with the basic LS swap configuration, corvette fuel filter, regulator to a -6an fuel line up to the rail

and thats pretty much it
I’ve been driving this thing working the bugs out for a little while and I can say it was all worth it, it’s way quicker, gets into 8th around 50mph and doesn’t hunt for gears, interstate cruising is worlds different then stock, I still have things to do to the truck like finish 4wd but that will come soon for now enjoy the pictures and any questions let know

Click to expand...

It looks like you are the first to do a swap on a daily driver Taco. Nice work!

I am really curious as there a many networked ECUs in the 3rd Gen, what stuff is not working? I see that you don't have the mechanical side of the 4WD sorted yet, but what about dash, controls, traction / stability control, ABS, etc.

Thanks!

SoCalTacoTuesday · Jan 18, 2023

Dude, that is f'ing awesome man. Lots of work and lots of info. Keep it up!

WrecklessAbandon · Jan 18, 2023

tonered said: ↑

It looks like you are the first to do a swap on a daily driver Taco. Nice work!

I am really curious as there a many networked ECUs in the 3rd Gen, what stuff is not working? I see that you don't have the mechanical side of the 4WD sorted yet, but what about dash, controls, traction / stability control, ABS, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

damnit tony....can't we just enjoy this for what it is? The truck is out driving on the road, everything else is just superfluous

tonered · Jan 18, 2023

WrecklessAbandon said: ↑

damnit tony....can't we just enjoy this for what it is? The truck is out driving on the road, everything else is just superfluous
Click to expand...

Hahaha! If it was any vehicle that we had prior to the Taco, I wouldn't care if a lot of things didn't work. But as weird as it sounds, the TRAC system works much better than expected.

If someone out there pulled this off, like @Drewthecarguy , and all the other stuff works, that'd be friggin' killer. Like I have said, the angry pixie side is a larger part of the project.

Tacospike · Jan 18, 2023

Wow!

Drewthecarguy · Jan 18, 2023

tonered said: ↑

It looks like you are the first to do a swap on a daily driver Taco. Nice work!

I am really curious as there a many networked ECUs in the 3rd Gen, what stuff is not working? I see that you don't have the mechanical side of the 4WD sorted yet, but what about dash, controls, traction / stability control, ABS, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The obvious is not working, 4wd, crawl control, but non of that matters to me at the moment since I daily this to work and back at the moment, I will have 4wd but it’s impossible to get crawl control and other things working without a functioning Tacoma engine since the 4wd computer requires numerous inputs from the ECM. There are tons of little modules and computers on this thing that requires a lot of can bus between them, I’m working with a company in Australia to try to come up with some sort of Can Bus solution like they have for the FRS/BRZ platforms so push button start and A/C trigger will work

tonered · Jan 18, 2023

Drewthecarguy[OP] said: ↑

The obvious is not working, 4wd, crawl control, but non of that matters to me at the moment since I daily this to work and back at the moment, I will have 4wd but it’s impossible to get crawl control and other things working without a functioning Tacoma engine since the 4wd computer requires numerous inputs from the ECM. There are tons of little modules and computers on this thing that requires a lot of can bus between them, I’m working with a company in Australia to try to come up with some sort of Can Bus solution like they have for the FRS/BRZ platforms so push button start and A/C trigger will work
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I can understand that it is personal preference.

That is great that there might be solution though.

sammyt38 · Jan 18, 2023

You really just came on the scene and instantly put 99.9% of other people on this site to shame (me included) with your first post alone. Well done my friend! I am among the many that would love to see videos of this thing in action. I am sure its a joy to drive!

How is the MPG?

YotaJoe · Jan 18, 2023

sammyt38 said: ↑

You really just came on the scene and instantly put 99.9% of other people on this site to shame (me included) with your first post alone. Well done my friend! I am among the many that would love to see videos of this thing in action. I am sure its a joy to drive!

How is the MPG?
Click to expand...

Yeah probably getting the same mpg as the 3.5 mini van engine.

ancient11 · Jan 18, 2023

Caddyoda, one of a kind. I like it.

SEVtaco · Jan 18, 2023

Bad-ass! would also love to see some sort of video on it! Cool build to read through you deserve a beer

Pchop · Jan 18, 2023

Drewthecarguy[OP] initial post: ↑

Hello thanks for visiting my build thread. Let me start off with a little bit of history.
I’ve done a couple builds with engine swaps and what not, I’m always looking for a challenge and something that’s not been done before or something different. I’ve done tons and tons of LS swaps in older trucks and cars but they seem to easy now a days.

My last build was a Duramax swapped 80 series Landcruiser and it was a blast to do and super challenging.

So after i sold the LC80 I bought this 2016 Tacoma TRD OR with fairly higher miles but was in great condition

My whole plan was to build a truck that I could do some over landing and I wanted to take a trip to Moab and hit some trails. I live in southern Illinois so I needed something that I could drive almost across country, go off-road and drive back home.

I know I needed to do a little bit of a build to take the Tacoma to the next level

Couple exterior mods, black out emblems, trd pro grill, hid headlights, Baja designs fog lights

Next was wheels tires and suspension
I went with Icon Stage 4 suspension with tubular control arms and remotes resis

Wheels and tires are SCS 17s with -38mm
BFG 295/75/17

After those mods it was time for the Moab trip and the truck did great

After the trip I realized the truck needed more power to be more enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong the truck does “ok” but driving on the interstate for hours and hours at a time and the constant shifting up and down, and the truck struggling to get through the mountains in Colorado I decided this truck needs power, everything else about the truck is great, it looks good, comfortable, great off road, but just a turd

So that’s where it all started

I done tons and tons and tons of research before choosing the right power train,

Original plan was a LS3 with 6l80 transmission to keep things simple and be plenty of power

The major problem I came up with for engine swapping a 3rd gen is clearance, the trans tunnel opening isn’t very big and the front crossmember and front differential is all in the way, for a LS or LT to work it would have taken a knurly oil pan or a Dry sump pan

I didn’t feel like dishing out the money for a dry sump setup or hand making a pan

So what I went with was a LF3 out of a 2015 Cadillac CTSV sport. It’s a twin turbo V6

On paper it makes the same amount of power as a LS3 but in a smaller package

The LF3 has an almost flat oil pan all the way from the crank pulley all the way to the transmission pan

After the engine arrived I pulled the OE engine out to see what I had to deal with
And I sat the LF3 in for the first time to see what it was going to take

A couple things had to be done to the engine to have it sit where it needed to go, oil filter and oil filter adapter had to be removed for the engine to clear the front differential

So on the oil filter adapter I removed it, cut it in half, taped the holes in it, thread a -10an adapters in it and just relocated the filter to the frame rail

So the engine mounts from the Cadillac alllllmost laid out perfect to hit the factory Tacoma mounts but I ended up just making my own engine mounts that use the factory Tacoma rubber mounts so I didn’t have to cut anything up from the truck

Next I tackled the transmission cooling, back in the day I use to use the radiator transmission coolers until I decided it’s so much easier to just run remote coolers

So I adapted the stock Cadillac transmission cooler lines to 6an and mounted a cooler with fan under the truck

Next hurdle was power steering

Most modern GM vehicles went with electric power steering and the LF3 was no different

I could have figured out how to mount a pump on the engine like a lot of guys do with LT swap but I wanted something more simple so I went with a Volvo S40 power steering pump

I mounted it behind the front bumper and you can reach it from the top of the grill, worked out perfect

I ran some russel 6an power steering Lines under the radiator and worked out great

Next a couple goodies it needed

Gotta have a CSF radiator to help keep things cool and I went with ZZP downpipes

Next was transmission shifting,

My duramax swap in my 80series I used a Lokar shifter and I always had a problem getting out of Park and it drove me nuts so I told myself I wasn’t going to do that again

So I went with PCS electric shifter
I had a buddy of mine with a laser cutter cut me out a perfect hole for the remote in a piece of aluminum, I then did a small bit of trimming in the center console to get a nice flat surface for it to sit in and it turn out great, I think I’m going to just brush the aluminum and clear coat it and call it a day

Next I went with a ZZP intake for a Cadillac ATSV and it fit perfect in the Tacoma, I’m going to relocated the battery to the passenger side since I won’t be using the stock intake anymore

Also from ZZP i picked up one of their heat exchangers and high volume water pump that I mounted behind the front grille, fits perfect in the behind the grill, they also included a stencil with it if you wanted to put a logo on it so I did

I also picked up a awesome fuse box setup from Overland Equipped, that way I can power my heat exchanger pump, power steering pump, and all the engine swap power easily and neatly

Installed a 2018 Camaro SS PWM cooling fan onto the CSF radiator and it worked out good after making a few small brackets

Intercooler heat exchanger reservoir mounted and plumbed and everything flows nicely, the CTSV sport has a sealed system from the factory and that was the number one complaint was, air in the system and how much it sucked to bleed it. So I went with a open system and plugged the bleeder port with a fitting I had laying around

Fuel system is done, I should have taken more pictures but i forgot, I mounted a Aeromotive 340 in a Second Gen bucket, 3rd gen Tacomas have a awesome PWM brushless fuel pump but it’s returnless and hard to control, so I went with a 2nd bucket that has provisions for a fuel return. I then went with the basic LS swap configuration, corvette fuel filter, regulator to a -6an fuel line up to the rail

and thats pretty much it
I’ve been driving this thing working the bugs out for a little while and I can say it was all worth it, it’s way quicker, gets into 8th around 50mph and doesn’t hunt for gears, interstate cruising is worlds different then stock, I still have things to do to the truck like finish 4wd but that will come soon for now enjoy the pictures and any questions let know

Click to expand...

Goddamn man, impressive as fuck. How does it sound? I am sure your going to do something to the exhaust, bet it sounds sick AF.

Drewthecarguy · Jan 18, 2023

sammyt38 said: ↑

You really just came on the scene and instantly put 99.9% of other people on this site to shame (me included) with your first post alone. Well done my friend! I am among the many that would love to see videos of this thing in action. I am sure its a joy to drive!

How is the MPG?
Click to expand...

MPG is around 20 or so but hard to say when i can just drive normally lol

the twin turbo sound is addictive, even with the by pass valves being 100% recirculated it still has a very impressive whooosh sound

Bcjammerx · Jan 18, 2023

erok81 said: ↑

I can’t find that turbo kit anymore but I saw some for sale ads that listed the new price as $7k for the base kit. Add in a fully built engine and OP’s swap is going to be less expensive and still provide more power stock. Obviously different skill levels involved between the two kits.

Then there’s this, which would be hard pressed from the twin turbo kit I’d imagine.
Click to expand...

yeah I was thinking how that engine has "stronger" rods...not sure what that means though. either way it's already mostly built for what it is...and 420 is nothing to yawn at fo sho!

however, I forgot...the 2grfks HAS forged connecting rods pistons aren't. it wouldn't have to be FULLY built, I don't think. kit wise, meh, if you can swap a gm motor into a toyota you can manage to custom make piping

Sorry, I'm just jealous. Saw one of these cadi's in town today, said 350 t...I was like...is it THAT engine!?!? this is so freaking cool! the supercharger for our tacoma doesn't even make 420, TRD or aftermarket...ends up like 310 or something

Bcjammerx · Jan 18, 2023

Drewthecarguy[OP] said: ↑

good question, cheaper, probably. Easier, lol bolt on twin turbo kit, that’s like a weekend job lol But my theory which is probably different than others, the LF3/LF4 engines are made for boost. 3.5 Toyota engines are not unless built to be. I’d rather not open a motor up unless I have to. 500hp is easy with the LF platform I’d be there with a tune, but I’m in no hurry to get there. I wanted a truck that does great on the interstate and still capable off road.

hope that kinda answers your question
Click to expand...

well...the 3.5 does have forged rods, of course I'm sure the gm motor might have better pistons since it was "meant" to have boost...just curious. I imagine your route was easier...maybe even faster. sure does make NICE power from the google search I did lol. props man! gonna be a blast to drive

vivid02 · Jan 18, 2023

Bro we need to all go your place and have a big ass BBQ and drool over your creation.

brandon78lusch · Jan 19, 2023

tonered said: ↑

It looks like you are the first to do a swap on a daily driver Taco. Nice work!

I am really curious as there a many networked ECUs in the 3rd Gen, what stuff is not working? I see that you don't have the mechanical side of the 4WD sorted yet, but what about dash, controls, traction / stability control, ABS, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There are a few diesel swapped tacomas out there but all of them have the 1KD from the Land Cruiser

nudavinci64 · Jan 19, 2023

Wild! Do you have more photos of how you mounted the fan? Some other Tacoma folks have been retrofitting that fan setup and looking for ideal mounts; it looks like you're just laying it flat on top without any "shroud" as the Tacoma has. Curious how its working out and also what PWM you are using. I have seen a few but were using Lingenfelter controller and some folks with Mr. Cool but def interested to see how you mounted the shroud, and I have wanted to keep the factory one as you have. Since it did not cover the entire radiator, I wondered if that would cause issues. @Murphinator @MonkeyProof @XPOTRPR if you have not got your setup going, check this one out. Not a Tacoma engine but its got our fan.

RushT · Jan 19, 2023

Drewthecarguy[OP] said: ↑

This is where I’m at at the moment until I have more time to figure the small details out for tach and temp gauge

Speed works just fine since it’s ran off the ABS sensors
Click to expand...

Somebody makes a full dash digital swap for the Tacoma. I wonder if that will help you with the conversion.

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My engine swapped 3rd Gen build thread

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My engine swapped 3rd Gen build thread

#81 BananaMan Well-Known Member

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#95 Bcjammerx I'm not ALWAYS an a-hole, I swear

#96 Bcjammerx I'm not ALWAYS an a-hole, I swear

#97 vivid02 Buy a Tesla…..I need the gas.

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#95
Bcjammerx I'm not ALWAYS an a-hole, I swear

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Bcjammerx I'm not ALWAYS an a-hole, I swear

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vivid02 Buy a Tesla…..I need the gas.

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