HI. I am looking at changing the engine on my 89 4runner. It is a v6-EFI 3.0L. I am wanting to put a larger engine in it. Anyone have any ideas on a powerful engine that is California legal and has good gas MPG? Thanks much.

 

Search for the 3.4 swap - lots of info; fairly straightforward project, and CARB inspectable (by the ones that have been done there).

 

It looks like it will cost around 6000 and a couple of beers to do by myself. Is that what most people typically spend and if I just rebuild my current engine, can I put a supercharger on it for extra power?

 

not sure a supercharger is good on the 3.0. Not to sure it would hold up well. I have also seen people use the 4.3 chevy... just a thought

 

The 3.0 doesn't have much capability of major upgrading (read supercharger or turbo), at least, not easily.

You can bring the price of a 3.4 conversion down a lot from you $6k figure, if you do some shopping around, and have a little time, and patience. Mine ran about 5k, but that was mostly because of buying a whole donor truck. I'll re-coup as much as I can, by parting the rest of the donor out.

You can save by just buying piecemeal, but try to make sure that you get the engine, ECU and harness from the same donor - it will make your life a lot simpler.

 

put in an old supra motor with a turbo or 2, more power and almost 30mpgs