LS Swapping a Tacoma - Chasing 100mph

After 12 years of my 2001 Tacoma living its life adventuring across much of the western US backroads, it is time to change course and do something completely different. I slowly built it up from its humble beginnings as a stock truck with 100k miles, to its pinnacle point, supercharged, great suspension, big 35 inch tires, and of course the most overlander mod of all, a Roof Top Tent.
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We had picked up a van as our adventure rig and the trucks purpose was lost.


So what else do you do with a built Toyota meant for the dirt, you pivot and build it for the track!

The original plan:
Chevy v8 for power, keep the Toyota 5spd, keep the 4x4, and lower it. It still needs to work as a truck after all. the catch.... I have no idea what I'm doing! Let's see if this Tacoma can reach 100 in the quarter mile.

The current plansubject to change)
5.3 Chevy thunder power, T56, 2wd, fed by a bottle.

First things first, set a baseline and so we can use real data to see how much the performance is improved. Our drag strip is at about 2500ft in elevation and the truck was running a 2.2" URD pulley.
https://youtu.be/YrOICxfb2QQ
Best run was a 16.669 at 85.7mph. A time that we are sure to make gains on even before the V8 goes in. But that is for another day




Step one was tracking down an genIII Chevy v8, aka, an LS. I figured it might take a while. I had found an LQ4 6.0 locally on craigslist but couldn't get a response from the seller. Then I stumbled upon an LM7 5.3 that someone had swapped into their 78 Camaro but was already jumping to a 6.0 LS2. So a 5.3, unknown mileage, unknown internal condition, supposedly bone stock for $1000, I bit.


First thing was first, getting it home. Used the spare for the van to support the motor, strapped it in and went home. Took two of us to load it, and I managed to get it out of the truck solo, although it was a sketchy challenge.


The motor was greasy and grimy as one would expect for an engine with either 150k miles or 250k miles. So next was plopping it onto my brand new harbor freight engine stand and rolling it outside for a thorough wash using degreaser, some brushes and the pressure washer. I was going to rip it apart and needed it to be clean.

 

I noticed I forgot to plug the dip stick hole, so I was eager to tear the motor apart and make sure I didn't have standing water in the engine. So I dove straight into it! There was a ton of crud under the intake and spent a while cleaning it up. Looked good for a few minutes at least.


Knock sensors crumbled upon removal. Looks like they lived their life sitting in water at the bottom of their tubes.


Next up was pulling the valve covers and inspection the valve train. To my untrained eye, it all looked ok!


Next up, pulled the heads to reveal the valves and cylinders covered in carbon. A bunch of this will be cleaned or replaced so not a big deal.



A moment of truth for the leap of faith on buying this engine was getting the oil pan off. I really didn't want to find metal shavings down there as i am hoping to keep the stock bottom end in one piece. And luckily, it all looked good, some mile sludge at the bottom, not a big deal. This pan wont work with the Tacoma so no reason to clean it up.


Then the big one, did i buy a 4.8 or a 5.3? They share the same block. it is cast on the side as 4.8/5.3. The crank though will have a stamp to tell you. 12552216 for 5.3 and 12553482 for the 4.8...


its a true 5.3 and it looks to be perfectly serviceable for this build! And a ran out of energy so i have a bit more tear down to do, then more research and a lot of cleaning. Need a strong carbon cleaner...

 

Little soak in some mineral spirits cleans stuff right up wear gloves unless you hate your liver and kidneys

 

I should note early on here, I really am a complete newb at this. I have never pulled a valve cover, the most ove done on an engine is install the Magnuson Supercharger on the 5vz, I am all ears to tips or tricks along the way! I have a copy of the LS Bible to help me along but we all know there is more knowledge out there.

 

Did something fail in your stock engine? Or just doing this for giggles?

 

Lol..Mine was so much worse than that and runs like a champ.

 

That's good news! How many miles did yours have?

 

Mine had 65 or 75k I can't remember now but I saw the van it came out of and a pic of odometer. It looked like a 500k mile japanese motor. Taken me 3 oil changes to get the shit out of it. That pcv fucked those motors up.

 

Damn. Well I call it a win seeing what this one looks like inside. It's a bit nerve racking to drop $1000 on something that is either good or crap.

 

Looks really good in there, top end being clean is a great sign. Pan has super minor sludge, that'll clean right up.

 

I love the spunk. Keep a list of all the new tools you acquire in this adventure. Looks like a cherry picker and an engine stand so far.

 

I forsee gutting the floor and trans tunnel and possibly firewall to fit that in there while retaining the 4x4

 

Cherry picker I had, got free when a friend moved away. Finally validated for having it sitting in the corner of the garage for these years. Engine stand is new. Next up is a damper puller so I can finish the teardown. Hopefully harbor freight has something that will work.

Naaah, it should not be that bad. The biggest hurdle on that end should be finding the right oil pan that will clear the diff, crossmember and steering rack. Stock pan is not going to work, but a front sump could. Canton makes one that seems close but I won't know until I get the motor mounted in the truck so that's going to be one of the last things I'll have to find. Stay here and see just what happens! Most LS swap first gens are 2wd or SAS trucks so this will be an adventure.

 

There's a special puller just for LS truck crank pulleys. I'm pretty sure just about every parts store on the face of the Earth rents it.

Looks like this

 

Good

To know, I should see if that's an option!

 

Sub'd for the action!
Curious to see how involved it will all be in the end and how feasible it is.

 

This will be a fun project. My learnings from several engine swaps, Buy yourself a few organizers/ tackle boxes for bolts & miscs items.
Have you already found your adapter for the GM-toyota bell housing?

 

V interesting.

 

Is it too early to call dibs on the 5 VZ and Magnuson Supercharger???

Asking for a friend