funrunner91

hi guys, i've had my rig for 3 years and it's just how i want it. well last week my oil was low and it through a rod or so my buddies say. it's bad when i start it so it's either time for a new engine. what i am looking for is input on which wy would be the best way to go and cost efective. it's an old 3.0, and i was looking at an other 3.0 engine but it's just to hard to work on and eats gas. it is automatic. can a 22re go ing there??? is a 3.4 my best option but it does cost a lot and need mods right??? any input would be great guys

Elton

3.4L swap would be best but looking to spend atleast 3k do it

Epic Ed

3.4 swap is really only financially viable if you have a manual tranny. Parts alone for a swap with an auto tranny will run you around $5000, and that's not including exhaust relocation, headers/exhaust manifold, and various other stuff. Plus labor cost.

You can find a good remanufactured 3.0 engine for $1500-$2000. Labor to install shouldn't run you more than another $1000, or save the money and git-er-dun by yourself. As much as I hate the 3.0 (and boooooooy do I hate her), it's by far the most economical way to replace the engine. A 22RE would be nice and reliable, but I hope you like crawling. I'm not sure about the particulars and cost for that kind of swap, but I just can't see putting less horse power under the hood of a 2nd gen 4Runner.

My FOURTH 3.0L 3VZE POS has now failed me. I'm done. I'll get the lower end rebuilt or drop in another engine and then it's GONE.

Ed

funrunner91

thanks ed, i guess i'll find a 3.0 and replace it. i'm looking to get a 3rd gen runner before i do that so i can stay on the trails. after the engine swap i'll sell it.

95RunnerSR5

or you can find a 4BT cummins turbo diesel and swap it in! around 100 hp and 300ft lbs of torque right off idle, it gets 24 mpg in the big frito lay's van's. the potential for this engine is great

funrunner91

has anyone done this, what kind of truck does this come out of???

funrunner91

so i'm looking and i found a 3.4 engine for $600 it sounds good but i have an auto tranny, so i'd need a tranny ecu wire harness and headers.....anyone know where to get a 3.0 engine from???? and so cal Mechanics???

MonsterMaxx

I'm just wrapping up my 4th 3VZE rebuild. It took 3x of them in a row to get one good one that only lasted 30kmi. (thanks a freeking lot DOA dickhead)

I've got every doodad and thingamabob that can be done to the 3.slow. One finely polished turd that's for sure. At the point it was at before it burned a hole in the piston I had $10k in it.
Yea, it's a little faster than a stocker, but no $10k worth, or even $5k worth for that matter.


This latest iteration was a simple rebuild. Bored it, replaced pistons & stuff, re-balanced it, bigger valves and ceramic coated everything that sees fire. With the new clutch and a variety of other BS I'll have $3k in this round.
Other than assembling the shortblock I did all the labor.

We'll see how it runs...but I'll tell ya this, I don't expect no $13k motor that's for sure.

Take the advise of someone who's polished the turd just as shiny as that turd can get, do a swap. Believe me, if my damn driveway wasn't at 10 degrees with anything round headed for the storm drain across the street, I'd have been doing a swap this time.

Call Off Road Solutions they seem to be pretty knowledgeable about the 3.4 swaps.

Personally I think I'm going to get a rolled V8 4Runner and section the whole front of the frame, then steal the interior too. That's next year's project...

dcg9381

Is buringing a hole in the piston an engine design/assembly problem or a tuning issue?

funrunner91

wow, i guess i'll be more serious about the 3.4 swap....thanks

Pozi

Yes. You should really look into doing the 3.4L swap. Depending on where you get your engine it can be done for about $3k give or take. I think I have about $3200 into my 3.4L swap. And this included the wiring harness from ORS.

I am very impressed with the power the 3.4 has over the 3.0. It is very fun to drive now...and it even accelerates up hills.

The possibilities are endless. The S/C and 7th install would be sweet and I would love to do but this would just about double the install cost. If I had a little extra dough I would of sought out a stock S/C'ed engine. Just stick with the newer 3.4L engines (I think 98 and up) that will accept the S/C in the future.

Another good thing about the swap is there are TONS of people here on the board that have done it with lots of advice at the ready.

Good luck.

funrunner91

hahaha, never mind....6,200 for a swap and i do the labor.....wow.....i found a shop that will swap the same engine for $500 and found the engine for $800 and a $750 core change, i guess thats the best i've found....i will have the head gasket upgraded so i dont have to go through that after 10K miles....who wants to know where to get a 3.4 engine only for $600????

MonsterMaxx

Only thing I've found 'wrong' with it is the plastic on the knock sensor was cracked.

I worked that biotch 600 miles pulling a uhaul parachute. Got 'er done too. Right as I got it home it gave it's last gasp.

My theory is that I got some lousy gas at the last stop, I'm running a whole bunch of advance and the knock sensor didn't retard it for the poor gas.

When we tore it down we found it had serious oiling problems, with the look of the middle main bearings and two of the rod bearings I don't think it would have gone another 10k - and THAT imho is a design flaw.

wharfrat1031

"..who wants to know where to get a 3.4 engine only for $600????" I do!!
Does anyone else know something about the diesel swap? How difficult is that with automatic? Is it even possible?

funrunner91

hey i found the engine on orange county craigslist in california, it's $600....any locals should check it out

wharfrat1031

Thanks. Ill take a look.