I was cruising down the interstate when My 4runner started to make a louder growl and started to loose speed. I pushed in the gas more but still was slowing down. Finally I couldn't get it to go over 15mi/hr. I got stuck in a town with one shop. They told me that my engine was shot and I would have to junk it. He quoted me $4700 to replace my engine with a used one. Can someone help me make a decision. I just bought it last winter for $6300, added new bilstein shocks, K&N air filter, Springs. It hurts too much to let it go. Is there an alternative aftermarket engine i can put in? Thanks

 

What motor? And get a second quote!

 

3.0 liter engine, are there any engines that are much more powerful and efficient?

 

From what Ive read, a lot of people prefer the 3.4 to the 3.0. I prefer the 22R/RE though.

 

Ha!!! The 3.0 gets V8 gas mileage with 4-cylinder power!! Naw, it's not quite that bad. I love mine. But there are MANY engines that are better. Like Toyota's 3.4 V6. It swaps in quite nicely. Don't pay that price though!!! You can get a remanufactured long block for much cheaper and do it yourself. Then you pretty much have a brand new motor, and are ready to go for another 300,000

 

Id drop a 3.4L V6 in it. That engine would have all the power you could even need.
Cap'n

 

Get a second opinion before making any rash decisions.

 

I really like the 3.4 liter engine (5VZFE). Does anyone know of a reputable place that will sell this engine? Also from a 3.0 liter to a 3.4 liter what other parts need to be installed? (ECU, Tranny, etc.) Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate this!!!

 

Do you mean just replacing the block? What else would I need to accomplish this?

 

Lots of companies take old motor blocks, clean them, and basically rebuild them to where it's more or less a brand new motor. Jasper is a good place for this I have heard. I believe a new motor runs about $3000 there, don't quote me on that though. You just gotta watch, there's a major difference between "rebuilding," and "remanufacturing." Remanufacturing is what most of these places do. They re-hone the cylinders, do a 3-angle valve job, install all new parts (except for usually the crankshaft, which they re-cut). So you end up with a brand new motor. I've heard good things about Jasper. If you go this route, they ship you the new motor, and you ship them your old motor. Basically, you just leave the block and heads on it. Everything else, like the intake, exhaust, etc., you will re-use. It will come with new water and oil pumps, and most likely a new timing kit that you have to install yourself. MUCH better than paying the same price, and still ending up with an older motor, in my opinion. Let us know how it goes!

 

It really depends on the time you have available to have it out of service, the amount of money you have to sink into the project, and who you have who you trust to do the work if you don't or can't because of either of the two above.

A 3.4L swap is a very worthwhile option if you have the money and if you have a manual transmission. If you have an automatic, it's a lot more money and the results are still up for debate about the reliability. If money is a major deciding factor, and you have the time, do a straight swap with another remanufactured 3VZ-E from a reputable engine builder is the best way to go. You can find a good long block remanufactured for about $2000 - $2500. Be very leary of anyone offering a "rebuilt" 3VZ-E for $1500 or less. You may get lucky and buy a good engine, but you're likely going to be driving a time bomb that will fail on you much sooner than the remanufactured engine.

If you have the time to be without it for a few weekends, are mechanically inclined and like to tinker and problem-solve, doing the engine work (regardless of which engine you go with) yourself would be an invaluable experience and very rewarding once you get it running, I'd imagine.

If not, and you can't jack around with the time frame, it's worth while to pay a professional to get it done.

Ed

 

I agree, it all hinges on your budget, your time frame, and what you really want in the end. A rebuilt 3.0 swap will be possibly the cheapest and least mechanically challenging. The 3.4 could be more $ and is a lot more technical.

All depends on what YOU want to do. We can suggest things all day, but it still hinges on what you want to do with your 4Runner.

 

The 3.4L really isnt all that hard to swap in. All you need is the ECU and the 3.4L engine and it just drops right in.
You could get a remanufacturered 3.0L but you would still have an engine that, as was said "makes 4-cylinder power on V8 mileage".
Id go with the 3.4L; more power and better milage.
If you arent going to go with a 3.4L, Id go with a 2.7L. Same power, better milage and MUCH easier to work on!
Cap'n

 

The 3.4 does, however, require a body lift. Either that or one good, hard slam of the hood It has a little bit taller of an intake than the 3.0.

 

And, to reiterate, only for the 2nd gen 4Runner with a manual transmission.

 

You might want to see if it's the head gasket issue. there's tons of info about that here and other places..... how many miles you got on this engine?
You might just broke the timing belt ....did the guy tell you exactly what's wrong with it?

 

If the timing belt broke, its an expensive repair. Usually the piston hits one or more of the valves.
Cap'n

 

That would be incorrect. The 3VZE is a non-interference motor. So if the timing belt breaks, it'll just leave you stranded.

 

Tell us what kind of tranny you have....manual or auto.