Hi guys, I couldn't figure out a way to word these questions for the search engine but i am considering buying a 2nd gen 4runner that has been swapped with a Chevy 4.3 Vortec. What are the pros and cons of this motor? It currently has 115,000 on it, is that high for a 4.3? I know its getting there for a domestic motor, but have heard good things about this motor. The timing is the only drawback due to it being off, not sure how bad but i won't be driving it for some time anyway so do-able. If you boys with the 4.3 knowledge could help me out on this i would love that, i'd be giving up my 95 4runner with only 119,000 on a fresh top-end rebuild for her, i dont want to regret this decision, thanks.

 

can we get a little more info on the 2nd gen to make a better decision for ya?

 

the 4.3 vortec engines are a very good motor. i had one with 198000 and i know a guy that has over 260000 on the motor in his truck . the same man had one with 210000 on it that he trade in on the 2nd truck . these motors had the tbi fuel injection ,the ones with the spider web injection had some problems with fuel leaking into the oil system . and i don't know much about the ones with port injection. back to the point 115000 on a tbi motor would not bother me at all.

 

3000....

 

I have a 2000 chevy truck with a 4.3 with a 178000 on it, don't use a drop of oil. I'm working on putting a 4.3 in my 87 4 runner, got a 4.3 w vin from a blazer with 220000 on it. Ran like a top. However i could not force myself to put in my truck without at least putting head gaskets on it, long story short i ended up tearing it down. I'm glad i did as the camshaft had a nick on one lobe, which is odd, and one rod bearing didn't look the best. So i planning on getting the crank turned, and re-ringing it and going call it good. With 220000 on it the cylinders were suprising not egg shaped.
What is the deal with the timing? You talking bout ignition timing, or cam timing

 

Vortec 4.3 is a good motor. I wouldn't get any motor with more than 150,000 miles on it unless someone gave it to me and I needed another motor.

EDIT: Hahaha just noticed the banner ad on the top for breast augmentation from chevy chase plastic surgeons.

 

Yeah you are fine getting one with 115k. 4.3 may not be yota, but its still a damn good motor.

 

I heard 438 was about 400 too many.

 

So turns out it was just the distributor cap was bad, he said the rig is fine now. Dont think i am gonna buy it tho because he keeps uppin' the price on it, jumped from 4650 to 5000 then 5500 to 6000!! He's acting kinda shady about it all, so i'm just gonna keep my little reliable runner around and drive the piss out of her. At least i can finally get to that rear main seal leak Thanks for all your input guys-

 

Why dont you just 4.3 swap your 4runner?
You can do it for 2-3 grand. And thats buying most the stuff, if you make it, you can do it for even cheaper.

 

The 4.3 is a better engine overall compared to the 3.0. Parts are cheap and plentiful.

James

 

x2
Its used in like every chevy, so parts are EVERYWHERE. And you can get a good motor for cheap.

I got my 97 CPI Vortec for my 22re. My buddy gave the guys HIS 22re, the guy gave me the 4.3, and im giving MY 22re to my buddy
Or i could have given him only 500 bucks.

Oh, and it only has 90k miles

 

I don't like GM's but honestly thats prob the best motor they have put out... It will run a good bit... I still would never take it over a yota...

 

might be a question for the engine swap thread but might be relevant to longevity as well, but which one is actually better to have and build up. an old carbed one or the vortech ones. I believe the swap is pretty much the same right?

 

They all have their ups and downs.
Carbed ones are easy to wire. Like 5 wires and your done.

TBI (throttle body injection) is the most common swap. Its more updated, more power, but slightly harder to wire.

CPI (central port injection) is even MORE power, although more electronics, so its even harder to wire than the TBI.

MPI (multipoint injection) IMO this is the motor to get if you have the money for one. They may be a bitch to wire, but you get awesome power

Thats just the quick description. Look at wikipedia to get more details on them. But in my opinion either tbi or cpi is your best bet for the swap. Doing a carb is the easy way out

 

this is most likely a hijack but anyone see this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5ej6SPKk3w

 

That's seriously bad ass! Yeah, i'll do the swap eventually, i still have a lot of miles to go on my 3.0. I'll wait until she dies, then go bigger, i do love driving it anyways and i actually get about 16-18 mpg with 33s. Not too shabby for a V6 IMO.

 

got a 73 fj40 with a sb chevy.
want to swap for v6.
see alot about tbi 4.3,just how hard are they to wire.

was thinking of going back all new yota parts,
just not sure. NOT going back STOCK. 4 play not for restoration.

 

I don't know what you guys think, but I honestly think the 4.3L motor is the best motor alive, other than a diesel engine. I currently have a 4.3L engine sitting in my garage on an engine stand, with 650,433K exact miles. Never been took apart, or worked on, besides, starter, Alt, and water pump. Nothing else has been done to it, and it still runs like a champ. I'm currently in the process of buying all the necessary parts to adapt it to my 91 yota with a 5spd trans in it.

 

Come to think of it, I don't remember any of the s-10 blazer guys etc etc I know ever complain about their motor, it was always the fuel pump that went on those things.