my head gasket went on my 88 4runner. i need to know everything there is to know about a swap. 350 swap, 302 swap, or i would like a toyota 3.4 swap. does the truck need to be lifted at all to fit these engines? if so is a body lift sufficient? also how much do the swap kits cost? i would like to keep my stock 5sp transmission unless i found a package deal. speaking of that where can i get a cheap engine? junk yard im guessing.

 

Personally I think the 3.4 is the best, not the cheapest, but best.. contact ORS, they master this kit..

Have you searched? This is a common question.

 

From what I've read, the 350 Chevy would probably be the cheapest to swap in, and they are also the most common engine out there for the aftermarket too so replacement parts and engines are cheap too.

The 302 is supposed to be a good choice because the distributor is up front so you don't have to cut and modify or dent the firewall for clearance like you do with the Chevy. But who wants a Ford engine?

Ideally if you can have the entire donor vehicle you are best off. That way you have the right ECU (if needed), fuel pump, radiator, etc.

Supposedly Downey has some kits that will allow you to swap in a 350 and keep the stock tranny. I may do this to save some cash initially until I can afford the TH400 to go with the 350 engine.

I'm thinking a moderate to low horsepower 350 build would be easy enough on the stock equipment until I could afford to upgrade everything, and still have twice the performance of the 22RE...

Downey offers a wide variety of engine kits, but I think they are pretty pricey from what I've heard. Anything you can fab yourself would greatly cut down the cost.

http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Engine...ents/index.htm

 

somebody who likes having a narrower engine with the distrbutor in the front, who likes the idea of having something 100lbs lighter than a small block chevy

i think the 302 is the best engine to put in a light truck, as it is a higher revving, less torquey(though it'll blow any 22R or 3VZE away with a blip of the throttle any day of the week) engine than something like a 350. there is a such thing as overkill in my book. then again, i don't like replacing ring and pinions more than i have to.

 

the 4.3 vortec engine is supposed to be very simple, and its a v6, and they are very common, and advanced adapters has the kit to adapt to the stock tranny.

 

I have a 92 S-10 Blazer complete vehicle + drive train with 4.3 TBI (non vortec) and wiring harness you can have for like $200 bucks.

 

the advanced adapters site is confusing. wheres the adapters for the 4.3 engine?

i dont know if i said this before or not but im swaping out the 3.0

 

if all else fails..... pick up the phone. most of the guys at those shops are really helpfull and are willing to talk with out and answer your questions about various engine/trans combos.

 

4.3 adapters(with the exception of headers and some engine mounts) are the same as a 350. i think they just refer to it as a "chevy V6" on the site.

 

yeah its the cheby v6. Man if i lived in mich. id buy that engine.

 

Yeah, and a while back i heard when you throw in a v8 youd need some 3/4 or 1 ton axles or to strengthen your current ones.

 

depends on how hard you beat on it.