Engine Swaps Swapping an engine in your Toy, here is where to learn how

Chevy or 3.4?

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Old Dec 22, 2008 | 08:15 PM
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Chevy or 3.4?

I did all the research, and planned to do a 3.4 swap into my 93 T100 5 speed 4x4. I've had a hard time finding something in Kansas that has the ECU and harness intact. I'm finding that for the same price I can get a complete 4x4 Suburban or Truck.

I'm not really sure what I want and would like some advise if anyone has any. My goals are more geared to reliablility, and simple(easy) design.

Obviously there is more work to do the domestic swap, but if I get a TBI Burb I would be getting axles for free, and I can sell the Toyota 5-speed and transfer case.

I don't plan to SAS the truck for while, but if I had some axles it would spur me on some I sure.

I could find a V6 5-speed in a truck much easier, I'm not sure I could aford a Vortec engine, transmission and transfercase other than a 5.7L auto. TBI's are much easier to find at this price. Gas mileage is important, but being able to pass w/ ease, and knowing I could pull a decent load make up for the loss in mileage so I'm looking for advise or something that I haven't thought of. I'm not concerned about emissions or anything being in Kansas. Eventually I plan on getting a 93 or newer ECU to make it legal, but it wouldn't be nessicary.

I don't mind being told my questions sucks either, as long as you let me know why

Last edited by M@; Dec 22, 2008 at 08:16 PM.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:56 AM
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ya no, i was wondering the same thing ha ha... i can find all kinds of old chevy pickups and blazers with the 4.3 up here for real cheap cuz most of them, the bodies are shot but the engines and drivetrains are still in excellent shape... but i want, or would like to, stay with toyota mainly cuz once you put a chevy motor in it, its really a chevy with a toyota body, but the power and the availability of 4.3's and the price of parts for them is, in my opinion, so much better than 3.4's... call me stupid but idc, just my opinion
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 04:22 AM
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plus ive heard from mechanics that the 4.3 is possibly one of the best, most reliable engines chevy has ever made. it even competes with the 3.4 in reliablility. not sure of that one, im just quoting a few mechanics.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 05:18 AM
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Keep the 4.3 option in mind. They are very good motors. The 4.3 and the 5.7 are probably the best chevy has ever produced as far as power / dependability
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 05:18 AM
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Originally Posted by M@
...complete 4x4 Suburban or Truck. My goals are more geared to reliablility, and simple(easy) design.
Why do you think just the 3.4 engine/harness/ecu is the same or more than a whole GM product? Because one SUCKS and the other is reliable.

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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by waskillywabbit
Why do you think just the 3.4 engine/harness/ecu is the same or more than a whole GM product? Because one SUCKS and the other is reliable.

Beautiful...

Keep GM garbage out of Toyotas... It just ruins our truck's good names. God I hate General Motors.

Cheers

Dave
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 11:57 AM
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3.4!!!!!!!
dont dont dont go with chevy
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 01:03 PM
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Your right one is more reliable... The Chevy 4.3 Dont get any 3.4 unless you get the ENTIRE vehicle to pull from yourself. the chevy will run you cheaper motor wise and parts wise all around but you will need adapters, motor mounts, wiring work along with misc fab. No motor swap you do is going to be just plug and play so do some homework and dig into looking at a 4.3. The 3.4 can and will give you much power and loads of fun but again do not attempt unless you have it all! I cant stress that enough

As for 4.3 choices Pirate has really informative pages dedicated to the swap into yotas and the people who are against it just cant handle the fact that they made a great motor and that it beats the 3.4. It is one of the most popular motor swaps into the toyota cause it isnt as heavy as the bigger V8, it sits lower, parts are easy to find and get and it has alot of tourqe and HP. Its also very reliable and easy to work on. Its also American which BTW most of us are!

Why the hell are people saying its not a good swap??? Any real reasons other than its not toyota? I Doubt it!
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 01:41 PM
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I pieced together my 3.4. The key part to the 3.4 is that the engine wiring harness and ecu have to be from the same production dates. As long as you have that you should be good. The rest i just peiced together from junkyards here and there. And with the 5 speed it is just that much easier. practically a bolt in upgrade. Only tricky part is the wiring harness. I had someone else fab mine on the account of, for me time is money. Now that I look back on it I should have done it myself after I realized how easy it actually is but I have no complaints. If you want a bolt in upgrade do the 3.4. If you dont mind doing some fab work a 4.3 is another good alternative for the price. I would stay away from TBI though. I know quite a few cruisers that always have problems with the TBI.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 08:18 PM
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Ok thanks. Thats the response I expected. I know the chevy will be more work, I'm not sure I can use the clutch in the Toyota w/ the chevy motor yet, but I'm prepaird for that kind of stuff. That part of the fun. I guess I would really like to have a Toyota too, but the 3.0L SORTA let me down. On that I call it a wash.

My plan as of now is to stay loose for the next two months and see what shows up around here for cheap prices of complete Chevy's and if a complete toyota swap shows up for cheaper along the way I'll consider it too.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 10:22 PM
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Toyota+Chevrolet=Toylet
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by RobD
Toyota+Chevrolet=Toylet
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by RobD
Toyota+Chevrolet=Toylet

Mine's a Chevota, thank you very much
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 07:40 AM
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So does anyone make a Toylet emblem? For all you worried about my Toylet trashing the Toyota name; Since I have a T100 I doubt most folks will know who the origional manufacture is after I get a new emblem on it.

Also BAMF what were the TBI problems related to? Its use at high angles or was there something related to wireing. Using TBI is cheaper and otherwise I believe that I'll need to swap the fuel pump.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 05:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Adam F
Mine's a Chevota, thank you very much
mine is also a chevota, and i wouldn't have it any other way..
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