Thinking About an Engine Swap. Who Has Experience?

Okay, don't flame me. I know some guys will say "get a new truck before you yank that V6 out of there". And they are probably right. It has 135,000 miles and doesn't give me any trouble.

But.... I have driven this truck for 13 years and it has never failed me but it would be fun if it was more powerful. I keep pondering the possibility of replacing the V6 with some small V8. I would like to retain the 4x4 and all the creature comforts but improve power. I see the 1UZ Lexus LS400 engines are available for $1,000 to $2,000. A stock 1UZ could give me about 300 HP and 300 ft lb torque. My present is 190 HP and 220 ft lbs torque.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro....H0.X1uz+engine.TRS0&_nkw=1uz+engine&_sacat=0

Google searches don't give me much info as to the degree of difficulty of this swap. Ideally it would bolt up to my V6 motor mounts and then to my 5-speed bell housing then I would connect everything, but that is likely not even close.

Does anyone have links to where someone has successfully performed such a swap? I could consider another V6 or V8 engine if the ease of install was greater. Some of today's V6's have 300 HP, such as those in the new Camaro and other Chevy products.

In the end I might not do it. But at least I can still dream about it.

 

Each engine swap has it`s own challenges If you want to build a truck why not get one with a bad engine for your project .

Unless you already have several vehicles

We put a 1UZ in a Mita so a truck would be no problem

 

Why not find a used trd supercharger for your 3.4 and run yours until it blows up , then think about doing the motor swap ?
I've seen some 3.4's with the s/c that were pretty quick and they seem to last forever.
I always thought it would be fun to drop a tundra 5.7 in one or go the gm route with an Ls-6 but it always seemed like too much work and hassle with emissions inspections in my area

 

Why not just build your present engine? It would probably be way easier.

 

Define build. And please quote specific successful results with these motors, including costs.

 

This. My searches show that no one is building these engines for performance. If I could add a cam and headers and get up to ~ 250 HP that might be a good option. I can find nothing that supports this option.

Oh, and the engine doesn't need rebuilding. I replaced the timing belt at 120,000 miles so it is good to go for a while longer.

 

I have 301,000 now, 3.4, runs great, only problem right now is slight oil leakage from rear of intake, got to block out some time to get to it as the intake has to come off to get to it....treat them right, they will last a long time...

 

I would consider an FJ engine with 4x4 tranny, again if the swap was minimal fitting for minimal down time. 260 hp and 270 torque. I do have an extra vehicle in the meantime.

 

I mean build it as in high performance cams, pistons, rings, headers, computer chip if available. I am new to these trucks so I am not sure what is possible/available. You are starting with a great base. Now build it up.

 

Some time ago I heard putting gaskets on the valve covers and oil pan was rebuilding .

Things must really have changed I need to get out more

 

If it ain't broke....

 

I actually knew what 'build' meant.

Which is why I added "And please quote specific successful results with these motors, including costs."

Was hoping you'd dig around a little. Unfortunately I think you'll find the expense for the gain is a losing proposition.

 

Whenever you put money into high performance engine parts you put a lot of money in and don't get nearly the same out in horsepower gains. You sound like you already knew that though.

 

As long as it is faster then a team with a wagon I am happy