jakes_runner

Hello again. Im trying to decide if I want to do the swap or not on my 90 4runnner. Well I know I want to but my wallet is screaming no. I have a little over 2 grand I can spend on this thing which from what I understand isn?t really enough to do the swap. So my question is if I was to build a 3.0 myself and so say internals, cams and what not do you guys thing it would be worth it or should I just try to find I stock 3.0 to go into it until I can afford the swap? Has anyone built the 3.0? If so what kind of power did you get out of them and did it still pass smog in California?

rezrunner92

My 3.0 has over 210,000 miles on it and still I think it gives me all I need out of a heavy 4x4 runner. If and when this thing falls dead, I will be swapping in a rebuilt 3.0 from NAPA for around $2600 after core return. Doing the work myself makes swapping in another 3.0 the best all around solution to me. *edit* I will probably be putting a set of cams in the rebuilt motor though after I have driven it past the new break in period. Now if I were building a truck for just occasional use and had plenty of funding I might swap in a crazy motor. Any swap is possible if you have three things, A good cutting torch, a solid welder that can handle thicker steel, a pocket full of money.

95RunnerSR5

yes it is a waste of time and money....you can swap in a 3.4 for not much more than you would spend on polishing your turd.

chimmike

prices for these motors is RIDICULOUS!

you can pick up a freaking VQ35DE from a 350z for like a grand less than a freaking 3vze with core return from napa!

Dan.3

I have researched this heavily. I have come to the conclusion to either spend the money and do a swap or just save your money for a reman or rebuild it your self depending on condition of the motor and heads, time, and mechanical ability. I have yet to read a thread where someone pulled 200hp out of the 3.0 and its stable for less than $2k

tc

x2

If my 3.0 goes, a 3.4 is going in. No matter how well you build your 3.0, it's still going to get dismal gas mileage and have NO aftermarket support.

xcmountain80

WASTE OF CASH!! Had one dont want another. Wait it out if it last forever lucky you if it blows swap a 3.4 in.
Before the motor swap

After the motor swap


Aaron

95RunnerSR5

^^^ seems your engine conversion came with a little body work too eh?

runnerfreak88

both 3.0 and 22re are under powered go 3.4

1styota4X4

go with the 1uzfe or even a small block chevy swaps are pretty easy if you can fab

Elton

do what i did see my sig

pruney81

OrientEngine.com has a very good rep on this board and you can get a rebuilt 3.0 from them for under 2k. That's what I'd do If my motor goes, or should I say when. Either that, or you could sell your truck while it's still running and use that money and the 2k to buy a 22re or a 3.4 or 2.7

rezrunner92

I absolutely do not understand why this is. Any thoughts anyone? The re man from Jasper engine costs $6800!!!!!!!! WTHeck?

Everyones needs aren't the same. I could put the 3.0 in myself, do the swap in a day and be driving that evening. I am totally out the door with one days down time and under $3000 total. When I do it I will also be swapping in a completely rebuilt A340H I will have around $500 in the trans. I am also going to completely rebuild the front brakes and rear also. All this for LESS than the cost of the swap, I am not paying any labor though. If I were to go with the conversion, I would be down probably at least a week if not two or three, looking at at least twice the cost. And to tell you the truth, I don't get off really on working on cars. I do it everyday for at least 4 hours.

I have been planning the 3.4 swap but I am not at all dissatisfied with the 3.0 in my daily driver. I just can't seem to justify the expense. I would just sell and buy a 3rd if I wanted that. And if I wasn't so in love with my tailgate. But now I have 2 runners so maybe, just maybe I can turn one into a 3.4 fire breathing monster.

mudbutt

2 grand is a little too tight of a budget for a 3.4L swap, or any swap for that matter. A good 3.4l with 120k or more will go for around $1200-$1500 in Denver. $500-800 would be tight for the other swap pieces that you need, but if you are thrifty and did everything yourself it could be done. My last sway was 2500 running with lots of reused parts, my first swap was over 3500 without the supercharger and fuel mods.

I've found that 1uz are cheap to buy but will require more fabrication then a 3.4l. I hope to start on this kind of project soon so I don't have any real money figures yet but, engine 500-700 and tranny 200-300(need to swap direct clutch and oil pump to my 340h) exhaust pieces 300, wiring??, and all sorts of other crap?? This swap will add up also, but will have a good fun factor.

Schralper

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYOT...1397QQtcZphoto

Doesn't seem like that bad of a deal.

95RunnerSR5

if you have a manual tranny swap in a 2.7 out of a newer tacoma or 4runner. marlin crawler makes a bellhousing adapter for it so it shouldn't be too tough

MonsterMaxx

For reference, I just rebuilt my ultra shiny 3.turd again and spent about $2500. Other than assembly of the shortblock I did all the labor myself.

I didn't add any goodies (other than the $60 oversize valves and a bunch of ceramic coating) because I already had the turd built to the hilt with everything possible. intake, porting, polishing, cams, headers, exhaust, injectors, ignition, ad nausium

It runs good for a 3.turd, no question, but it's still a dog.

For the $ I've spent over the years on the 3.turd I could have swapped a supercharged 3.4 three times over.

I wish I'd done the swap.

Kyle95sr5

get far, far, far away from the 3.slow as soon as you can....

Kutter

Swap is the only solution for reliable hp in any real quantity IMO.

I bought a donor 3.4 plus ECU, and required electrics, and EVAP items from donor vechicle for $1600.00 I bought a conversion electrical harness form ORS for $695.00. $100 for factory tubular exhaust manifolds and crossover.
3.4 swap link

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showfl...5&o=14&fpart=1

The whole thing was around $3000 including exhaust piping, cat, muffler.

It can be done in a week or two depending how fast you work. I was back on the highway in 50 hours from pulling into garage for swap.
The swap is not real complicated.

Not trying to bash the 3.0 but the 3.4 is a much better platform and can be upgraded pretty easy.

I tried the whole header, big exhaust on the 3.0. Was not happy. Got more noise than HP.

Now I get better gas milage with the 3.4 and lots of power.