Yobroe

I am getting fairly high in miles (although I know these 3.4's are known to last as long as 300k) and am wondering if any of you out there have picked up a small block and installed it into a 3rd generation? Like a ZZ4 crate motor with about 350+ horsepower? If so, how much drivetrain did you have to replace? I've heard you have to relocate the front crossmember and remount the radiator to fit a V-8, but where there's a will, there's gotta be a way...

MTL_4runner

Most would stick with a Toyota motor and even a S/C would be a quick way to boost HP.
If you need a V8, you'd probably have better luck mating up with a 4.7L than a Chevy 350.
.....whatever floats your boat though....no, I have never heard of this in a 3rd gen.

Yobroe

Here is a link to one of the motors I'm thinking about--

I'm thinking a 4.7 liter will be pretty expensive and have alot of emmissions, wiring, and computer related crap that will be a major pain. Plus the ZZ4 engine has 400 ft lbs. of torque

96LtdYota

can we say broken axles...

Yobroe

My major concern is if the frame is strong enough for that much torque. You can always put different axles in, but when you punch the gas, and all 4 wheels hook up, will it rip the earth apart or turn into a pretzel?

seaflea

Here you go. It is a lot of good reading.https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/upndairs-rig-new-powerplant-48564/

Yobroe

Thanks Seaflea--those yayhoos are just up the road from me and I never knew it! The thread they are doing is for a 2nd gen, but I'm sure the frames are similar--to know if they are strong enough for the torque. It is also good to know there is someone close that does this work...it would be nice to pay and get it done quickly rather than be without a rig for months.

seaflea

I've never met crash, but from the pics I have seen he does great work. I would not hesitate to have him work on my rig. Too bad he is on the other side of the country. good luck wit hthe swap. Keep us up to date on it if you can. i'd be interested to see a v-8 in a 3rd gen.

Yobroe

You know what, Seaflea? You've given me the best educational thread I could have read. I had no idea there were so many rockin' guys just north of me in GOLD BAR BABY That thread will tell you alot about the MANY things that can happen on a full engine, tranny, dif, axle, etc. swap. But, it still totally looks like it's worth it---right on :rockband:

DudeBud

good luck with your swap

myredyota

You can forget about the warranty from GM. My buddy put one of their engines in his FJ40 and had problems. He took it to the GM dealer and they told him that he voided his warranty by installing it in a non GM vehicle.

kyle_22r

now that's funny, but typical GM.

i don't think a toyota rear end is going to play very well with 400lbs of torque. much less with the front end.

Yobroe

That's why you redo the axles...along with all the powertrain like in the thread above. As long as the frame can handle that much torque, you are good to go.

And...don't buy the engine from Chevy. Buy it from an aftermarket shop...they will warranty their engines for pretty much anything you put them in. http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...29&prmenbr=361