Steel Block?

So I've been having this recurring thought and it's been killing me because now I want to do it. Has anyone heard of a steel cylinder block for the 1GR-FE? Single VVT-i obviously. But had anyone heard of it being done? I'm seriously considering having a billet steel block milled for my tacoma. Trying to think of any drawbacks but it seems awesome, is it feasible online toyota people?? Would it be worth it?

 

you better have some very deep pockets. For what purpose do you need a billet block?

I've seen people spend 10-15k for a billet block for high HP turbo 4 cyl cars.

Since this would most likely be a one off block you can plan on spending double maybe triple the amount.

 

Honestly no other reason than longevity and if I actually follow through with putting a turbo or supercharger on it. I know it'll add some considerable weight but I'm already going 4.88 for the weight in gear in going to be putting on the truck itself

 

to be 100% honest it is a complete waste of time and money.

 

Keep in mind.....Steel is about 3x the weight of aluminum.

The machinist will not be able to make all the water jacket passages or the oil passages. So a "billet" is not a likely source for material.

A casting process is able to produce these areas. Sand casting would be the least expensive for a 1 off item. Although, it will be expensive. Patterns, cores, cope, drag will need to be created. Then the pour, shake out, clean up and finally the machining. Even the machining will be difficult without the design drawings which locate and set tolerances for the block features.

Its not impossible, but improbable. I'd suspect you will be pushing close to 6 figures for a 1 off machined casting. Assuming, you can find vendors and details for the work.


How long do you need the engine to last?? The 1GR-FE with regular maintenance are known to run beyond 200 kmiles.

 

For the money you will need to spend you'd be better off with a 2JZ swap and probably come out cheaper but really the 4.0 is bulletproof isn't it?

 

Oh yeah it's just a bigger V6 on a lower output, thats why it lasts longer than a comparably sized V6 because it's not constantly trying to kill itself with power output. But idk the steel block idea has just been kinda brewing in my head for the last couple months plus I wouldn't have to clear space for an Inline 6. I think it'd be cool plus if I could be the first to do it that'd be even cooler lol.

 

haha I gotcha yeah would be cool. You should get a job at a machine shop just so you can do this in your spare time.

 

Yeah probably lmao. Kind of a neat idea I think its be cool as shit though

 

Thats kinda the issue I had was finding someone that could actually do it. 6 figures is not as bad as I thought but money isn't an issue for this idea. And yeah I know they last, it's just kind of a brainchild id like to create

 

Luckily for me 2 of the sister companies I work for are machining and milling shops. I'm just too stupid to trust myself with it

 

ROFLMAO...... for a 6 figure spend you could be 2 high trim Tacomas.

Your money.

Good luck finding vendors for the work. Suggest you obtain detail design drawings with dimensions and tolerances first. Then your vendor can offer an accurate quote.

Remember, if you can obtain design details, they will be based for an aluminum block. Steel block will require some modifications to the details. An engineer should review the design to make the modifications.

 

It's not even Friday.

Come on mannnn!

 

Gotta love the internet

 

you could ls or 1uz or 2j or shit even hellcat swap it and still come out ahead.

 

For that kind of money, gluing 2 four bangers together would be way cooler.


Twice the power, half the reliability!

 

Totally fuckin with you man. 6 figures would be alot, being as 7 figures is like a million dollars if I remember right. Although I don't think it would be 6 figures for a machined piece like that, I am expecting it to be heavy on the wallet, I'm not building a drag motor lol. Doesn't need any specialty steel with extremely high tolerance or anything, I mean the block in it already is literally casted aluminum so if cost becomes too high I could just invest in a higher quality aluminum block and send my idea off to someone who's rich lmao

 

At least half

 

Wheres the fun in that

 

I knew a foundry years ago if you gave them the detailed prints they would cast anything you wanted