Cheers,

My 3vze is feeling tired and is starting to run rough, with 227K in the clock. I was thinking about a rebuild, when someone offered to swap in a 3.4 for me for $2,700. The engine they are going to swap in is a fresh rebuild, and I will get to keep the 3vze.

I dont know much about this guy, but he said he's done a lot of these. I feel like this is a killer deal, but am having that "too good to be true" anxiety.

So here is my question: Is $2,700 a good deal for a 5vze swap with a freshly rebuilt motor?

Any input greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

Not a bad deal but not great. Is he replacing, or cleaning, the radiator? New belts, ac gonna work? Ob2 will be functional?

Really depends.

Just dropping a motor in and making it run isn't that hard. Making everything last a long time, takes money. If he is doing it right, then it's not a bad deal.

 

I have no AC

-rebuilt motor, 0 miles
-New Timing Belt
-New Water Pump
-aftermarket op guage
-custom exhaust crossover $350 extra
-He said the wiring is 17 wires.

Quote: "Four days of downtime, and I'll have it back to you running like new"

I'll ask about the radiator! I dont believe thats included.

 

Where could I shop another swap price?

 

no clue, ask him if he is gonna solder all splices or just crimp... i would definately solder anything that has to do with engine control...

 

A LOT more to a proper 3.4 swap than 17 wires.

Parts and labor for $2700 is low unless you are getting subpar non OEM parts and not everything is getting done like AC, emissions, cruise control etc.

Too good to be true usually is

:wabbit2:

 

I dunno, mine had only 26 splices and I'm using A/C, ADD, and Cruise control. Like dntsdad said- not outrageously cheap, but not too bad expensive either. I'd want to see some of his other work, or references at the least.

 

For example last swap we did was 95 4Runner "WabYota" as seen on my projects page
$1500 for complete donor 97 4Runner
$450 for Toyota OEM parts - timing belt, tstat, water pump etc whole list on build
That's $2k right there and no way I'd pull 2 motors, do a crossover, install everything for $700 in labor/everything else
Fluids are going to be $100 or more
Radiator if HG on 3.0
Then you got all the systems if you have inspections

We are on number 4 in doing this 89 (see thread) and no way I'd do one that cheap parts and labor. You're not making any money if you're doing it up to par IMO.

Then if you gotta pass CA stuff too

:wabbit2:

 

I think its a great deal if its done right ,will pass CARB requirements and the engine was rebuilt properly .. if for that price it doesnt include a/c and cruise .. are you ok with that ? a rebuilt 5vz around here is no less then $1500 .But be careful man ! i think thats to low either way.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've done a ton of research and I think that $2700 is low, meaning the job will be shoddy.

Additionally, I saw a guy selling a 3.4 swapped 4runner on CL and I contacted him to see who did his swap. It was this $2700 guy - Cliff!

The story is that it took "Cliff" nine months to complete this guys swap, and he always had excuses for delays. Cliff got a parking ticket on the 4runner, and also put 4,000 miles on the vehicle over this time. Can you imagine this happening to you? I would lose my marbles. 4,000 miles?!? Why are you driving this thing anyway?!

Anyways, thanks for the help and based on the information I have, I recommend you dont get a swap from Cliff in Denver.

 

Wtf :confused: glad you did some research!

 

LOL! Good for you to find that information. 4k miles is a lot of test driving