Hi All....I know I haven't posted in a long while, I've been busy with other life duties.

Anyway, It's time to feed the beast.

Tl;DR: I want to do either a swap or engine upgrade. What would you do, what is your take on both and why or why not.

I have a 95 with a SAS, 35's, Winch, custom Flowmaster 40 and cat back exhaust, however the problem is the cat got stolen so I had to put in a Califonia legal one due to insurance reasons. That being said I'm not adverse to registering it TRAIL ONLY, if i need to do this to pass smog. Smog is the least of my concerns. There was no recall on the 3vze per the dealer as it was one of the last built by Toyota.

That being said, I've researched a good bit and found out a good bit of information, but have lots of questions. I work in IT and that is where my strengths are currently. But most of my staff are gear heads and know their stuff. I have access to many resources so that is why I want costs for a "friend" mechanic and say a normal one. I also want to know parts costs, time, headaches, etc.

I just want opinions and use you all as a sounding board. I appreciate any and all help in the past, now and future. Here goes:

Option A. Engine Swap- Domestic, Toyota/Lexus/ Diesel
Vs.
Option B. Rebuild with the following: Wiesco or JE Pistons
Micropolish the crank
Blueprint balance
Port and polish head
5 angle valve job
Extrude honed intake manifold
Throttle body upgrade
Headers
xpipe
1 injector upgrade –stock using 7mge or 1 UZ

 

ENGINE SWAP!!
I have to admit i am a 3.0 hater. So i think anything would be better.
Heres mine. 1994 gm 4.3 , l460e
It will cost more, take longer than you think to do a swap.
For me the pro's. Super easy to work on , parts are every where , parts are cheap, 195 hp stock. Great power and drivability . Fits like a stock motor. Cal smog legal.
The con's. Bad gas milage 13mpg average around town 16 mpg freeway. Which is about what my 3.0 was getting.
Would i do again , hell yes. My 4runner is a 92 obd1 smog . I wanted to stay obd1 because its a little easer to pass. If i was to do again i would think about the toy 3.4 a little more, swap is easer . Also i wanted an auto and the gm 4.3 works very well with an auto. I don't think i would ever want to wheel/drive stick again.

 

I vote engine swap also.
I've read and seen too many people that dump money into a 3.0 to have them fail again.
You didn't state if you had manual trans or auto trans.
You need to pick an engine that fits your power needs

 

Yeah, I'd go swap. And if you want to toss performance $$ at something, you're further ahead. (Started a 3.slow rebuild, got bad machine work done; stalled out, its an anchor now. Looking for a 3.4 probably now; although watching some of these 4.7 swaps on here too.. My tundra's a 4.7; pretty sweet).

 

can't go wrong with a 3.4 imo...

i get between 14 city and 20 hwy depending on how hard i drive it.

haven't really tried to max out the hwy miles though, if i drove 60-65 mph i probably be in the low to mid twenties.
driving a 3.4 is awesome, compared to the 22re i had.

 

I don't doubt the 3.4 is little more efficient . But my milage is in a lifted rig with 35' tires , fj 60 axles , full roll cage , winch ..... Weighted in at 5000 pounds unloaded. Ive heard a 3.4 in a similar rig gets close to the same maybe 1 or 2 mpg better .