beach_yota

I've been brainstorming possible swaps for my 86 4runner, and I was wondering if anyone had ever seen any of the 3T engines swapped into a pickup or 4runner. One of my good friends used to race corollas and he swore by this engine. It's lighter than the 22re and has far more power potential. His dad used to have a 81 corolla with a built 3T-GTE that cranked over 500 ponies to the rear wheels. Seems like it shouldn't be too hard of a swap, but I've searched all over and can't find anyone who's done it

egesledder

Probably because its a 1.8L motor that makes peak torque at 4,800 rpm. Not exactly a great truck motor.

2big4arunner

3S-GTE 1999–2007 1,998 cc 256 bhp at 6,200 rpm 324 N·m (239 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm found in Caldina GT-T (ST215), Caldina GT-Four (ST246)

the 22R-TE 135hp at 4,800 rpm and 173 at 2,800 rpm as a turbocharged 22re, single row timing chain

what people assume is that a sports cars like the celica gt-four (4wd rally car) wouldn't want low end torque as well as just a great all round power band. The VVT-I setup broadened the power band GREATLY even though peak power on that car was at 4,400 rpm. I personally think the motor will work great if you plumb it right and dont cook the rings.
With that being said there are some other motor options to think about. I have seen people put in the 1.6L and 1.9tdi turbo diesels with great success as well. If I was in your shoes I would look at what I want and had access to. If you want a lighter motor and dont care where it comes from or the gas mileage, how about a 13b rotary engine. They hit their torque band under 2k rpm and produce more as the rpms go up (seen those as daily drivers since the rotary was better on fuel then the 22re). Plus you cut the weight of the engine bay by a couple hundred pounds.
In the end there is one main problem with running a performance car engine in a truck. The cams are really not cut for constant low end crawling ..... but.... depending on what your doing with it. It really shouldn't be that much of an issue Especially in 4L

ps. have you thought about a bigger motor.... like a 7m-gte and making 400hp reliably with lots of torque

egesledder

So the 3S is completely different than a 3T. Still not something I would want in a truck.

Also, the 7m still doesn't make a lot of low end torque like most newer truck v6's do, ask me how I know... From 3500 rpm and up though, its quite exciting.

2big4arunner

How about a 1gr-fe with a 6 speed manual?

beach_yota

ive got a guy near me who cuts cams and has been for decades. he cut a backwards cam for my buddies honda so it sound run backwards and keep tracton on the front wheels. so im sure he could cut me a cam to get some more low end torque out of a 3T. this isnt a crawling truck its a daily driver that sees mud

MudHippy

W T F are you talking about?