TheOneOnlyNinja

Hello all,

I bought my first Yota on Craigslist about two years ago, with 227k miles on it. I bought it because I have read all the stories about how reliable these engines are, and I believe it. The 22re is small and dependable, but it just lacks the power that I'm looking for. Over time I realized that it burns oil pretty badly and it has a random missfire when at warm idle. I know that stock, these engines are supposed to crank out roughly 100hp, but rolling at 240k miles now I expect the power output to be around 75hp, more or less. Combine that with 32" mud tires and it just performs poorly on the road, especially on the Interstate:



It needs a rebuild badly, and I thought that I would just get a rebuilt 22re, and maybe install a few bolt-ons to increase power, but still, if I'm going to replace the engine I might as well go with something better from the start.

This leads me to my question - What is the most cost-effective, efficient, and easiest to swap in place of the 22re? I'm looking for a swap to where I can achieve at least 200-250hp. It MUST retain these functions:

1. Manual Transmission
2. 4x4
3. A/C is preferred, but I can let that one slide

I've done A LOT of research, on this forum and plenty of other websites, but I still haven't narrowed it down to my specific needs. Built 22re's are out of the question because of the expense for only achieving small gains. I've found a few popular options: (I did not include the chevy 4.3 or SBC swaps because I want to keep it Toyota)

1. A 7m-gte swap out of a MKIII supra.
2. A Lexus 1uz-fe swap
3. A Toyota 3rz from a newer pickup/4runner
4. A Toyota 5vz-fe from a newer pickup/4runner

Each swap has it's ups and downs, and I was sure I was dead-set on a 7mgte for the simple fact that I love supras and love turbos. However, it's hard to come by MKIII's or any supra for that matter in NC.

On the other hand, I can find wrecked Lexus' to rip the engine out of. However, this swap seems to be the most difficult, time consuming and expensive.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge the 3rz/5vzfe would be the easiest. I might be leaning towards these swaps more if that's the case.

Thank you all for checking out this thread, and if anyone can help shed some light on this or point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated. If and when I do this swap, I'll make a build thread here on Yotatech. Thanks again!
-Ryan

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

from my research (also have a tired old 22re that will need love sooner than later) i would go with 3rz or 5vz-fe. They seem more abundant, thus could be found cheaper. They're fairly popular swaps and there are wiring kits available, requiring less custom fab work. Most of the 1uz swaps ive come across end up with an automatic trans. The 7m-gte i believe is one of the more rare engines of the lot, thus would be most expensive and hardest to find parts for, if you found one at all.

JasonYota

iTrader: (1)

A 3rz will be more bolt in with your existing 22re. But a 5vz requires more work it's a fairly easy swap. I vote 5vz.

TheOneOnlyNinja

Thanks for the input guys, I will probably be going with a 3rz/5vz if I can find one. I'd love to have a v8 under the hood but I don't want to deal with all the adapting and hassle that deals with converting it to 5spd. Maybe throw a turbo on a 3rz in time? I'm trying to get at least 200hp.

JasonYota

iTrader: (1)

Turbo 5vz. If you want to mess with forced induction.

RobotMoose

iTrader: (1)

3Rz if you want a little more economy, 2Rz would go even further, because it's still nearly 30 more ponies under the hood than the 22R-E, but still about the same displacement so it sucks down the fuel less rapidly.
A 5Vz-E swap is the way to go if you want power more than anything, they're ballsy motors that produce power and torque that blow Big Three V6s away all the while still pretty much sipping gas by comparison.

It all depends on what you want to do with your rig. Personally, I'd sacrifice the brawn of a 5Vz for a 2Rz swap and up the gearing where it counted. It'd be the best of both worlds: more power for getting around, but moderate fuel consumption and a simpler overall internal arrangement than the 3Rz. Guts, simplicity, economy.

87-SR5

You can keep your 5-speed and it is not as difficult as everyone makes it out to be. This is the swap I am doing.

lobukbuild

just stay with the 22re and install the proper gear sets to turn the larger tires, you would be surprised at what gearing can accomplish. horse power doesnt correct incorrect gearing

87-SR5

Or step down to 31" and just put the 22RE in. But if all you are doing is light weight stuff stay 22RE!

Back to the Future

My vote is 22re with proper gearing. They don't don't put out tons of power but they are a sure bet for reliability. There is a reason these little ngines last so long. Just my 2 cents.