Build a new engine, or just roll with what I got?

Alright, so my taco is an 02 and has only 91k miles on it. I love my truck. I've had to drop about 3k into it since I bought it because it sat for 6 months without use, but it was common things. I changed all the fluids, had the master/slave cylinders replaced, replaced the rack, 02 sensor and battery (previous owner replaced them as condition for me to buy), and now it is running great (until perhaps something else goes bad, like the questionable transfer case).

I'm wanting to run a supercharger, headers and full exhaust. I would do the 7th injector mod as well. I'm honestly interested in getting a nice solid 300hp. Why? Because 'Merica! Honestly, for me, 300hp is always the magic number with any vehicle I have ever owned. 300hp always gave my performance cars enough hp to make me happy. Now I sit with a truck that feels underpowered. I'm not looking for a race car in my taco. However, since I run super swampers TSLs my acceleration is underwhelming. My engine cruises at too high an rpm as well when on the road. I need more power and I'd like to achieve around 300. Not necessarily 300HP at the dyno exactly, but I need more power. especially since I plan to rinoline the entire frame/chassis to resolve the frame rust issue (before it happens!) which will add some weight for sure!

Anyways, I have ranted a bit. My engine has 91k miles, should I mod it and run with it, or build a whole new engine for it?

I like the build a new engine idea because I can do everything I want and then swap it out and be back in business. However, I also like the idea of cheaping out and running with what I have and just modding it as I go. However, my engine is 13 years old regardless of miles it is old. Added power might destroy old gaskets and seals. Regardless my taco needs more power!

 

I assume you have a 3.4 V6, correct? If so, I wouldn't worry about rebuilding it, it hasn't even broke in yet. But, if it hasn't had it done yet, it's definitely due for a timing belt and water pump change with that many miles. Most guys say to change the belt every 60-90k miles and the water pump every other interval. My truck has 84k and I plan to do mine this summer. I too am going to supercharge it and do a full exhaust system with headers later down the road and am confident it can handle it all without damaging the engine.

Do you have any pictures of your truck? Maybe if we could see what kind of condition it is in we may be able to enlighten you better on what you oughta do.

 

Good point. I forgot, that yes the water pump and timing belt I had done. I also did the spark plugs. The only picture I have makes my truck look too good.

It needs tires (coming next paycheck), and possibly the leaf springs. If I got real anal it could use new door seals. The frame looks as solid as a 13 year old vehicle would.

The exterior looks a bit rough around the edges but is solid. I plan to repair the body eventually too.

 

and yes 3.4L v6. I have the TRD.

 

these engines go 300k plus miles so no need to ever think about rebuilding but just don't go overboard with trying to add hp, there is only so much power to get out of a taco and after that you are just spending money doing things that will only make the engine and everything else wear out faster. its not a sports car and will never act sporty

 

I have 211k and about to install my TRD S/C I've put off since my last days wrenching at Toyota. I have the TRD 7th Injector kit, TRD Trans cooler,

$7 Denso IK20 Iridium Power Spark Plug, (Pack of 1)

Denso IK20 Spark plugs and just waiting on my T-Belt kit and some Innovative gauges I ordered.

At 91K I wouldn't worry about a S/C install. You may want to look into a 7th injector kit and iridium spark plug upgrade to remedy the High RPM Lean out, High Gear Low RPM Ping. Although I've had a few former Toyota Tech colleagues that have ran without the 7th Injector kit just fine. IMHO when you S/C you're going to want to drive aggressively, but if you're driving it "normal" you should be fine.

 

I put a S/C on mine at 130k miles. Everything has been fine. Way more fun to drive.

 

Hey to the last two posters, I want to thank you for the heads up. And keakar, I am not trying to make this thing sporty, but I run 33 inch Super Swamper TSL's and need extra power to able to do things like merge into traffic when driving on the road.

 

that's cool, I didn't know you had a legit need for extra power

its just I see guys trying to do things that turn out to just be spending a lot of money for not a lot of real results or at the expense of the long term mileage you will get out of the engine (SC) so I wanted to express that.

the more power you get out of an engine (SC) the more it wears and so by default, the engine doesn't last as long, so in 10-12 years from now it will have a noticeable and measurable effect on engine wear, that's all I was saying. and no im not saying it will make the engine fail, just increase how fast things get worn down and need rebuilding at some point much sooner then without the SC.

when I bought my 4 cylinder truck the PO had a lot of performance crap like headers, SC, and things he did and I took all that junk off and went back to stock and there was just a mild difference in overall performance. the only difference is it was quicker from 0-30 mph speeds with the performance crap but after that small area of acceleration, it made no change that was at all that noticeable other then high rpms. he probable spent well over $1000 on all of it just to go a bit faster but its more important to me to try and make the engine last more years then run with the local speed jocks. I would rather have a stock engine that can reliably be expected to last 300k-400k miles before it could be needing to be rebuilt, then a SC engine that will go 150k-200k miles before it could be needing to be rebuilt.

 

That's why we live in America, because we can each express ourselves how we want. One person wants reliability and economy while another wants better performance. It's like when you chimed in on my motor swap thread about me swapping parts I didn't need to, but for me, it was the right time to make the truck reliable and refreshed. To each his own which is why I love this country!

 

very true, very true.

im just exposed to a lot of guys who think they "need" to do things that are just options for better performance and I try to teach them the difference in what the truck needs to run good verses what you can do to it to improve things if you "want to" and then cry about the money they spent and it still doesn't drive like a 280z lol, so I can get in automatic reflex preacher mode thinking about things sometimes lol.