redneck81

Just some questions for future engine swap in a 81 yoter. Give me any other insight about these swaps if ya want. Ill change the tranny with the swap.

Ok im wonderin if a 5.0L will fit without crazy amount of cutting?

Would a turbo kit not be a good idear for the mud?

Does someone make a good turbo kit for the 4.3L?

Mic09dcsm

Could you be more specific? The GM Vortec 4.3 I assume, but what 5.0?

georgiayota

probably the ford 5.0L 302

ozziesironmanoffroad

go chevy, imo the ford 5.0 is a pos. not their best engine. has power, yes. but in terms of reliability... eh.

Ed H.

chevy 5.0l's have junk bottom ends go with a 350 its identical in every way except for displacement, i would stay away from ford to i had a mustang with a 50 and it ran great, but they are more expensive, less common as far as finding parts for a decent price, and are a little bigger, the chevy 350 is everywhere, it has been used in all kinds of models of different years by gm and they are great motors.

JamesD

Ford 302's a very good engines for the swap, but not many companies transmission adapters. The 5.0 HO motor is a very durable motor and it would fit better than a Chevy small block would.

James

JamesD

Again, 305's have very good bottom ends so I do not know what you are talking about. The only thing about a 305 is they are weak but if put into a Toyota it would be perfect.

To answer the original poster's question, I would go with 4.3 since parts are cheap and plentiful not to mention their is adapters for this engine.

James

refried

There's really no need to put a V8 in a Toyota, unless you want to break things or replace the entire drivetrain with parts that will handle the torque from an 8. I've been running a Buick in mine for 25 years and have only broken one set of gears.
If you do go with a V8 swap go with the Ford, Thet're smaller and have the distributor in front wich really helps with clearance problems.
If 302s are so crappy why did Ford make them for over 20 years?
350s and 305s have the same bottom end, the differance is in the bore not the stroke, Forged cranks and 4 bolt mains are available on the 350s though.
4.3s are great motors and will put out lots of hp but are wider than BuickV6's and don't fit as well. Downey makes the best kits for most engine swaps

My Buick swap, Lots of room, no cutting, welding, or moving the radiator forward ahead of the support (like in V8 swaps)

redneck81

Thanks for all your input guys. Ill go with the 4.3l or maybe the Buick engine. Unless i feel up to the challenge and have the money ill go with the 5.0L ford.

JamesD

Do not waste your money on the Buick 3.8L, those are gutless. That was the hot thing to put in Yota's in 80's. Go with the Chevy 4.3 and forget it.

James

refried

Have you driven a Buick conversion? how do you know they're gutless?
with a mildly built 3.8 and 3.90 gears my truck is faster than a supercharged 3.4, has no problem hauling a full load of wood (almost a cord), and will smoke the tires without having to lock the front brakes to do it.
Buick engines are much smaller and weigh much less than 4.3s that's what makes them so good for Toyota conversions they also make lots of torque.
Trucks are nose heavy anyway, why do you want to make it worse.
take a look at both conversions and see what you like.