DragonLTD

I am considering a engine swap in my 91 extra cab, right now I have a 3.0 with downy headers, 2.5" exhaust, and K&N intake. But its still a 3.0 and a dog, so I am wanting to do a motor swap, either a Toyota 3.4 or a Chevy 4.3. I have been doing research and estimate that I will spend about $8000 for a 3.4 swap. I have a couple of questions regarding the chevy stuff: is it more or less expensive to do the chevy swap, can i use the R150 toyota tranny or do i have to go to a chevy tranny, if i do have do swap transmissions do i need different transfer cases, is the chevy engine reliable? I know there is a lot more parts for the chevy stuff, and I can potentially get alot more power. What are you opinons? Any thing will be helpful. Thank you.

Dare44

i threw around this idea on my old truck and decided it was easier to just buy one wiht the 3.4. but the 4.3 will have more power but be prepared for more problems, u can use the r150 tranny u just have to buy the conversion kit. i cant remember who makes them but someone does. and the 3.4 will be much easier to wire, put in, bolt up all that stuff cuz it is still a toyota motor and not all that much was changed. so the concludsion the 3.4 is easier and cheaper if u can get a cheap motor, and the chevy is more difficult, but has more power and parts available for it. hope that helps

DragonLTD

Thanks, that does help some. That is kind of what I was thinking, doing the toyota swap would be easier, but there is just so many parts out there for chevy stuff.

breknraj

I'd be interested in finding out how you got to $8k for the 3.4 conversion. I bought an entire donor truck, and used the full ORS kit, and still came in around $5500. I still have stuff to sell to recover some of that, too.

The 3.4 is about as simple as engine conversions can get, since it is the same family as the 3.0. About the only true fabbing that needs to be done is for the exhaust - the rest of it is bolt on. It is a great upgrade, as you get more power and better gas milage at the same time. I really like what it did for the drivability of my truck.

fillsrunner4

Both are really easy to do. Wiring for a 4.3 is cake and the ability to basicaly drop, wire, and fire a 3.4 makes it the easiest choice IMO

Judging by the question howeven tells me you need to did much deeper into what you are about to embark in. Dont take that as a the wrong way, as Ive rushed and failed but think that the number one way to do such a think like this is to research as hard as you can. The info is out there. Check out mine and others swapns on this forunm and youll find all the in's and outs of both swaps

RobD

I'm not sure where you got the $8k mark, either. I bought my complete 3.4, from fan to flywheel, intake to oil pan, computer, wiring harness, A/C compressor, power steering pump, and alternator, for $2000. I figure I have another $1500 into it, including a brand new exhaust. Sold the 3.0 for a couple bucks. Probably could have gotten more.

I never used any parts other than off the shelf stuff from your local autoparts place. It's as bolt in as you can get, with very little fab work, as has been mentioned before. And it's ALL Toyota.

Did the work last August and I've put 40000 kms (25000 miles) on it since, with nary a hiccup and a whole lotta fun driving it.

DragonLTD

The 8k is rounded up, but with the ORS kit which is about $1750, supercharger for $2700, complete 3.4 engine for $1200 comes out to about $5700, what i am estimating with the 8k is worst case (if i have to replace all the 3.4 parts i.e. p/s pump, alternator, water pump, starter, etc.), plus if you go with the URD or TRD 7th injector kits that is another $900. The 8k isnt taking into account the price I would get for the 3.0. I am giving a higher estimate than what I will actually spend just in case I run into any major problems. I have been doing research for a while I am just interested in other people's opinions, see what they liked or what chalenges they ran into during their swaps.

RobD

Your best bet, if you want supercharged, is probably to find a complete supercharged engine. I know that it has been done by piecing things together, but I think it would be a faster, less painful way to do it, and probably cheaper in the long run.

krazybonz

And a more efficient way is to add the horsepower is by using the STS turbo system, allowing 300+ rwhp. Cost may scare you but the final results are amazing!

Kiroshu

You better put a 3.4 in it cuase you will be sorry with the 4.3. The 4.3 is a good motor but the 3.4 yota is one of the toughest v6s alive.

JamesD

Whoever is saying the 4.3 is not reliable as the 3.4 is talking crap. The 4.3 IS just as reliable as the 3.4 if not better. UPS has been using them to power their trucks for many years and same with the post office and they rarely have problems with them. The 4.3 will give you more torque and parts are plentiful. Wiring is EASIER with a 4.3 if you go with a throttle body injection. The cost is CHEAPER if you go with a 4.3 than the 3.4. So please people spewing garbage about the 4.3 please stop. Some of you just do not like American engines and are brainwashed that they are not reliable. If you want to stick with Toyota engine by all means use the 3.4 other than that the 4.3 is the way to go.

James

RMA

Dude if you want to drive to san jose , I have a 1997 jimmy 4x4 witha 4.3 I will sell you for $1100.
Truck runs and drives clean title currently registered with 220,000 miles on it.
My step son has been using it as a work truck installing direct tv for the past 2 years, truck is not the prettiest missing passanger side mirror (Ladder fell on it ) other bruises around the body.
Cheeap !

2big4arunner

Just to make it clear I think both motors are great options. both have their flaws and depending on the mods you wanna do it could be a lot of work. With that being said I will add a couple facts that I have read on this forum.

regarding the 4.3 L swap
the swap is fairly straight forward and advanced adapters has most of what you will need once you find a good engine. I always suggest finding one and doing a rebuild while its out and easy to access. no sense taking a chance with a used engine.
you will need to convert to a high flow 4 core rad with electric fans either way you go. this is a bonus no matter which way you go (3.4 or 4.3) and since your going high power with the super charger your probably gonna wanna put a tranny cooler upgrade in at the same time.
exhaust system needs fair bit of mods or aftermarket "slick fit" headers to pass the frame rails. in the end you can find a set of headers off of a 4.3L or buy a 4.3 with tubular headers that you can mod to clear the frame.
the chevy motor does offer a lot of power options but all cost a fair bit of money however there is a lot of chevy guys out there that use these motors for off road buggy's so I would imagine whatever you wanna do has been done.

regarding the 3.4L swap
the motor can be found and again should be at least looked over while its outside the vehicle. intake and heads have caused issues in the past and you can ask a toyota mechanic if there is anything else they have noticed since they have seen it all since they just got out of warranty.
TRD is probably your best bet for the supercharger and will require some mods depending on the year to make sure top end lean-out doesn't happen.
if you wanna stay close to stock this is probably the better option.

so between those two motors the 4.3L would be my choice
both are extremely reliable engines and have the power and upgrade options you would want. the end choice is gonna sit with what one you feel more comfortable with. I like the option of having cheap parts available to me at auto wreckers everywhere. note that you will wanna get the VIN for either vehicle that you pull the motor from for future parts.

if you wanna consider one more option. I found a hardcore enthousiast that suggested one that I might try in the near future. I had thought about it before and wondered why Toyota themselves never offered this option in the truck.
My motor of choice for my next upgrade is the 3.02JZ-GTE motor out of the Toyota Supra. Great gas millage and more power then you could want. (3.4L bore kit available as well as turbo controllers and more)
before you say that turbo's suck for offroading and rock crawling, note that the original motor has well over 200ft lbs of torque before the turbo's are put on (naturally asp motor option) and that it is a twin inline turbo system which has a small turbo for low end pickup. parts are available for it and you can even find a cheap japan import motor for under 3k.

any thoughts anyone

please know that I have measured and a 3 inch body lift and slight movement of the rad will clear the new height and length.

aksnowboardersr

I have been researching the same idea and have found the websites below to be very helpful. [URL="http:// [URL="http:// http://www.northwestoffroad.com/index.php"]"]
[URL="http://http://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-vault/toyota-truck--4-runner-conversion-guide/"]

YodaPala

I'd swap in the 4.3 for the torque. Power band is lower RPM than the 3.4, there are gobs of aftermarket parts to make that chevy perform (its a sbc 350 w/ 2 cylinders chopped off.) And its CHEAP to do. There isnt much you can do performance wise to a 3.4 unless you shell out some $$$$$$. You can do the headers and the supercharger but the supercharger cost thousands.There is no replacement for displacement. Get the vortec (port fuel injection rather than TBI) for better MPG or go old school and get a carbed one with a lumpy cam+heads and listen to that engine lope. SWEET!

aksnowboardersr

[.There is no replacement for displacement. Get the vortec (port fuel injection rather than TBI) for better MPG or go old school and get a carbed one with a lumpy cam+heads and listen to that engine lope. SWEET![/quote]
I get goosebumps just thinking about it! Thanks.

87hilux7mgze

in my opinion. id go with a 3.4. itll bolt in as mentioned before. and you can find them for between 500-1500 complete usually (sometimes tranny included).

the 4.3 isnt a horrible motor, but i wouldnt want to find one just to throw in. if youre planning on going through the motor anyway, then sure, cuz you can fix the small problems, and build it the way you want it to be.

i wouldnt hesitate to toss a 150k mile 3.4 in there as long as its cleaner, ran good and the timing belt was done.

4.3, no chance.

if you want a solid setup, the 2jz would be great for reliability and power, but youre going to do more fab. the 7m isnt bad, and they bolt in pretty easy, but if they break they are more labor intensive and finicky to get right.

anyway, if you want reliability at a drop in price from a previously good running vehicle, the 3.4 is the way to go. not too mention you can get the m62 supercharger kits for them and up the power some. more-so if you get a stand alone ems

00deztaco

where do you find motors?

bigarms23

my 92 cpi 4.3 swap cost me around 2200 got the donor for 700 and decided to buy a 1500 dollar crate motor and its ca legal

clarion69374

Kinda dead thread but in case OP hasn't made a decision yet I would say 4.3 just finished my swap and I'm glad I went with a 4.3. Not trying to take anything away from the 3.4 because it is a great motor but the 4.3 has more power more parts and you can supercharge them too if you wanted to get crazy. And there's nothing like a 4.3 that sounds like a sbc