I just picked up a 91 4runner, 3.0/5 speed, 311k on motor. Trying to decide what to do, rebuild the 3.0(beef it up a bit) or swap in a 3.4.

I live in California and smog requirement are pretty strict. Anybody know if this swap is "legal" in California?

That will probably be the deciding factor for me. Otherwise, all the other threads seem to have all the information I need! Thanks guys!

 

Take a look at this swap: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f160...ex-cab-196823/

The swap is california smog legal if you are swapping a newer motor into an older body style. You must retain all smog equipment from the newer vehicle, ie cat, o2 sensor, evap canister etc.

How easy it is to pass depends quite a bit on the ref you go to.

Surprisingly I have just started my first steps in the swap in the exact same body style, a 1991 4 runner that I've just found a 1998 T100 for.

The deciding factor for me was the fact that any work on the 3.0 would have been basically the same cost as the swap maybe slightly less. But, the gains on the 3.4 swap is pretty well documented in this forum. That and there's always the option to supercharge...

 

I wouldn't put a dime into a 3.0 and no way in hell I would add and performance mods to it.

You can do legal in California. It will just take a few more steps and be a tad more expensive. If you are planning to go auto, with a 3.4 Taco 340H tranny, then its a fairly easy swap. Manual makes it a bit harder and probably more expensive, unless you get a ref that will pass a drivers side drop. I didn't