V8 to Tacoma feasibility

[Silver Taco]

First off, I would like to introduce myself.

My name is Jacob, and live in Houston, TX US. I have just joined the forum.

I am seriously looking into the feasibility of replacing my Toyota Tacoma V6 with a V8 maybe from a Lexus, or possibly higher performing V6. I have been thinking about this subject for a while now, and have found little about it on the web thus far.
Not looking to do this for drag racing, but for the torque for off-road and on hwy power. My current V6 is a good engine, and has served well, however, it is getting up to the 200k mark, and instead of replacing the same.... ya know.

Any comments and/or guidance in regards to this are welcome. Engine suggestions, configurations, etc.

Thanks.

 

[Tacoma_Kyle]

Sweet.

You have a auto or manual tranny? That is kinda of a large one due to cost.

If you have a auto---get a bellhousing and maybe the torque converter (may be different, may not be, I am not sure on that one) from a Tundra, LS400, SC400 or anything with a 1/2/3uzfe and a A340E tranny stock (<---thats a lot of them). Then the engine will bolt up, but you still have to do engine mounts and wiring.

I do know that bellhousing is about a 1/2 inch longer than that of a Tacoma A340E V6 bellhousing.

If you have a manual it will be significantly more spendy because you need a special flywheel, clutch, bellhousing/adapter plate.

The 1/3uzfe's re aluminum blocked so they are probably lighter than the 5vz in your truck. More power though, but probably not as much as the Tundra's iron blocked 2uzfe. The 2UZ also has a 5500 redline where as the other have a 6500 redline.

1UZ's are super cheap---3UZ's and 2UZ's are more spendy.

The only PITA would really be the wiring as far as I can see. I am sure the tacoma engine compartment is plenty large. You would probably have to put a electric fan in cause they are far thinner---but thats relatively simple.


Come early summer I am putting my 1UZ into a 77 Celica. Depending how much I like it, time and money, I -may- want to put one in my Tacoma next summer and drive the Celica.

 

[JBrady]

Someone must have done a Toyota V8 swap into the Tacoma. Probably one of our OZ or NZ members. It would seem that a complete Tundra 4.7 2uzfe swap would be usable with the Tundra ECU, wireharness ect.

You/others probably can guess... do not want my opinion on my choice of swap.

 

[Silver Taco]

It is a manual tranny.

So in regards to this trans, would that Marlin adapter come into play? The one that leaks? Or is this only for auto? Would the trans and frame hold up well to the 8, or would this require a complete trans swap?

How much is super cheap for the 1UZ?

Thanks for all your input bro.

 

[Silver Taco]

Someone must have done a Toyota V8 swap into the Tacoma. Probably one of our OZ or NZ members. It would seem that a complete Tundra 4.7 2uzfe swap would be usable with the Tundra ECU, wireharness ect.

You/others probably can guess... do not want my opinion on my choice of swap.

If it is constructive, please do share. I am starting ground up, so objections, opinions, etc, are always welcome. That is why I am here.

Thanks!

 

[dulobast25]

your engine swap

1. the hp output of the 1uz is 250-260
the hp output of the 5vz is 188-200
so the uz wil yield you around 60 hp. to avoid the swap headache, you should consider the trd supercharger (2nd gen). this will increase your gas mileage by 3 mpg depending on ur driving style. If ur a lead foot your mpg will go down.. However, you will likely have around 230-240hp with the trd supplied pulley. You can likely get 250 with an smaller blower pulley. the sc 5vz is only 10 hp less that the 1uz but the cost and hassle are prob not worth the 10 hp difference. Not to mention the downtime. If you had a 3vz, or 3rz thats a different story.

if you have a 5spd try supercharging. It. Do a comp. test, do a 200k mile service, flush all fluids, check for leaks, bolt on the blower, change to a sythetic blend. and sav eurself some trouble. If u insit on doing the swap, go 1uz for price and avail of repl parts, should you want to go 3vz blower later, you can swap heads and intake etc.....

 

[Tacoma_Kyle]

2 things.

1-Supercharging will ONLY increase your milage if you engine in not operating properly. In order to get the TRD charger working properly enough to yield close to stock, you will have to get the URD fuel system; injectors, mapping or whatever it consists. A little more than the 7th injector... The charger not only uses more fuel along the entire power band (load of the system) but also spits more fuel in. A lot more? Not at all when its running properly. But if bad---it isnt good.

2-Also he said his engine is near 200k and want to replace it. Forced induction isnt a typical solution to a near tired engine. How tired it really is---I do not know.

 

[Tacoma_Kyle]

The manual tranny would hold up without a problem at all. Same with the auto that comes in Tacomas (4x4's and prerunners). Frame would be just fine as well.

Marlin adapter? I dont know which your talkin about. Post a link if possible.

How cheap are 1UZ's? You can typically find them on ebay for 400-600 if you look for a month with 50k miles or so. Cheaper yet if it is close enough to avoid shipping. I got mine with the ECU, wiring harness, igniters for 440. Had to spend 100 bucks on gas but thats it. 120k miles.

The 3/2UZ's probably go for 800 (cheap) or more typically. I havent paid too much attention.

 

[dulobast25]

super charger

2 things.

1-Supercharging will ONLY increase your milage if you engine in not operating properly. In order to get the TRD charger working properly enough to yield close to stock, you will have to get the URD fuel system; injectors, mapping or whatever it consists. A little more than the 7th injector... The charger not only uses more fuel along the entire power band (load of the system) but also spits more fuel in. A lot more? Not at all when its running properly. But if bad---it isnt good.

2-Also he said his engine is near 200k and want to replace it. Forced induction isnt a typical solution to a near tired engine. How tired it really is---I do not know.

1. i dont think u understand i am telling him to keep the 5vz platfrom not keep the 200k bottom end. According to toyota it can increase mpg. if he puts in another 5v and sc then he will be within what toyota was referring to. even at 200k, my nissan hardbody consumed no oil and had great compression, so there are other ways 2 determine motor longevity.

its all just an option..its not like he has a 22r or 3vz...

 

[Tacoma_Kyle]

5vz's cost more than 1uz's. Significantly. Yeah it is a bolt in---but the there is the SC. I've read a bit on them over the last few years, not tryin to buy one just on installations and performance on the TTORA forum. The best results come with the URD fuel system. The 7th injector was a incredibly terrible idea on Toyota's behalf, or whoever they sourced to design it. Actually I recall Toyota doesnt sell them 3.4 SC any more new. Why? The 7th injector didnt give the engine the proper amount of fuel and the stock system was unmodified otherwise. It would run lean.

They do now have a SC for the newer 4.0. it gets a entire fuel system make-over like the URD system on the 3.4's.


Little note: 3VZ-E's were the crappy engines, bad rep anyhow. 3VZ-FE engines on the other hand are quite popular with MR2 V6 swaps. Good strong engines...

 

[Smitherz]

I would never put one of those superchargers on the Yota V6. I've seen a couple of mechanics put them on their own Tacos and they said that they were fast but the mileage went down to 9 and 10mpg!! Screw that. They seem rather high maintenance and hard to get tuned just right according to what I've read. Now there are a few guys that have put turbos on them with great results and that gets expensive.

I just absolutely hate the V6 exhaust noise! It's horrible. I drove a brand new Nissan Frontier with a lift and new tires and rim yesterday and the engine had some great power and sounded MUCH better than the Toyota V6. ANyway... I prefer to see a slightly tuned 1UZ under the hood anyday compared to the above options!!! The fuel consumption is relatively low for a V8 and they run so damn smooth. The durability of the engine is pretty amazing as well.

As long as you are planning on keeping your truck for a long time throw the 1UZ in there if you are going to do anything. The 1UZ engine can be had super cheap BUT the parts to rebuild it will cost you twice as much. Not that you HAVe to rebuild but it's not common you see a 1UZ for sale with under 100K on it. Before you drop a used one in your truck its recommended you put in a new starter, water pump, timing belt and pulleys. So there goes another $500 and the adapters will cost you $500+ no matter which one. And if you don't get the right parts from the seller of your engine then every little thing you need will cost you $100 each. :nutkick:


The good news is that you have all sorts of information here to help out and it's been done many times in different Toyota trucks. The transmission you have can easily handle the power as well. I hope my W59 can keep up for a while. I would rather have yours to begin with. Oh well I guess I get to be the first to really put the 4cyl Taco manual transmission to the test!

 

[dulobast25]

sc

5vz's cost more than 1uz's. Significantly. Yeah it is a bolt in---but the there is the SC. I've read a bit on them over the last few years, not tryin to buy one just on installations and performance on the TTORA forum. The best results come with the URD fuel system. The 7th injector was a incredibly terrible idea on Toyota's behalf, or whoever they sourced to design it. Actually I recall Toyota doesnt sell them 3.4 SC any more new. Why? The 7th injector didnt give the engine the proper amount of fuel and the stock system was unmodified otherwise. It would run lean.

They do now have a SC for the newer 4.0. it gets a entire fuel system make-over like the URD system on the 3.4's.


Little note: 3VZ-E's were the crappy engines, bad rep anyhow. 3VZ-FE engines on the other hand are quite popular with MR2 V6 swaps. Good strong engines...

he proabbly coulr run a rising rate regulator or the fuel pressure increase w.r.t to boost pressure..

I save seen several folk in south cali that run the sc w/o any problems.
One thing ive heard is that the early tacomas have a diff ecu which cannot handle the fuel curves needed for sc, but that the early 4 runner and late 5v vehicles had the reworked fuel map better for the trd sc.
As far as why toyota doesnt make the sc for the 3.4, that is likley becasue toyota doesnt make the 3.4 anymore. Why continue to build products for a seelect few of customers for vehciles that are out of production. Usuually toyota sells what it has left in the warehouses and after that they are out of production. I havent read or seen anywhere where toyota discontinued the sc becasue it didnt work. That coul be why they developed the urd system, for those vehcile that could support the sc. Ive met folks who never had the sc w/o any urd and never had prblems.

on the 3v, i was referring to stock truck engines, not the camry. However those engine only share a block anc crank, the pistons and eveything else is different.

the 5vz has good torque and power and making a bolt on sc work it gonna be more straightforward that a swap. i know the 5v is mor expensive but there are inherent swap costs that offset the price difference flywheel and bellhousing alone are$750-800 with shipping plus the engine which is $450-$800 with accessories. then you have mounts, oil pan mods, headers, exhaust, wiring the tach. pressure plate, shift fork slave cyl. the trd sc can be had for $1500 much would be eaten up by iuz costs. The sc would be less downtime.

 

[dulobast25]

sc

yeah v6 exhaust noise does suck.

 

[Tacoma_Kyle]

Yeah I see what your sayin.

URD is a different company---Underdog Racing Developement. They do Toyota electrical system stuff.

 

[Silver Taco]

I would never put one of those superchargers on the Yota V6. I've seen a couple of mechanics put them on their own Tacos and they said that they were fast but the mileage went down to 9 and 10mpg!! Screw that. They seem rather high maintenance and hard to get tuned just right according to what I've read. Now there are a few guys that have put turbos on them with great results and that gets expensive.

I have put all but about 30k on my truck, and it is not a bad idea with dulobast25's advice. Thanks for the input; almost this exact thought has been weighed on the head for a while now.
From personal experience the 5vz engine is kinda finicky on the fuel side of things and the normal humidity here. The sc will likely affect the fuel millage because significantly; I would probably fall into the lead foot category when the driving environment warrants it / presents itself. :sorry:....... NOT. :biggrin:
Either way I burn some gas but the V8 should get better mileage I would figure overall. Hwy driving is one of the reasons I try to keep a low center of gravity while keeping the truck effective for what I need such as Alot of freeway and the off road / etc. I do plan on keeping my truck for the foreseeable future too :biggrin:. To date, it is all I require in a vehicle. Plus, it will be really cool to hear (much less drive) that V8 with a manual tranny in my taco. haha.. Just paid her off and she is mine. :biggrin:

I just absolutely hate the V6 exhaust noise! It's horrible.

I have a magnaflow, and it sounds cool 4 me. It throws peps off with the interesting drone it has around 2k rpm.

I am ok with the cost swap, because it will be a long term project over a year I figure when the decision is made. The 90k "service" was done at about 160k, and all the $$ I could spend on advancing the 6, will go to fund the swap. Takin my time as suggested.

and I will be following Smitherz's thread closely.:fing02:

J

 

[Silver Taco]

The manual tranny would hold up without a problem at all. Same with the auto that comes in Tacomas (4x4's and prerunners). Frame would be just fine as well.

Marlin adapter? I dont know which your talkin about. Post a link if possible.

How cheap are 1UZ's? You can typically find them on ebay for 400-600 if you look for a month with 50k miles or so. Cheaper yet if it is close enough to avoid shipping. I got mine with the ECU, wiring harness, igniters for 440. Had to spend 100 bucks on gas but thats it. 120k miles.

The 3/2UZ's probably go for 800 (cheap) or more typically. I havent paid too much attention.

Cool.

It was brought up in Cebby's Thread from awhile back it appears. http://www.yotatech.com/f161/1uzfe-swap-into-2nd-gen-4runner-54771/index2.html

 

[Tacoma_Kyle]

Oh that. What that does is allow a 2wd Tacoma transmission to be adapted to a transfer case. Which you have the t-case but not 2wd Tacoma Prerunner transmission.

Costs somethin like 700 bucks, I wouldn't do it. I have a 99 Prerunner. I converted it to 4wd. What did I do? Bought a 4wd A340F tranny with t-case outta a 98 4Runner V6. Bolts straight in, cost the same as the adapter alone...even after shipping. Of course there is other parts I had to buy---but thats the tranny side of things.


Probably the single easiest way to fit a UZ engine in you truck (still needs mounts) is to buy a Tacoma/4Runner 4wd auto tranny (500-900 depending on shipping), a bellhousing and torque-o-verter from a Tundra or other UZ engine vehicle (200 topps), engine+wiring (500-900). Plus the odds and ends. 'Odds and ends' can be very broad... Those are all approximations and can vary depending; if you live in Alaska for example.

Or you can keep you manual tranny and do one of two things to adapt it:

Buy a special bellhousing, flywheel and clutch. I dont know the price---but anywhere from 800-1500 I expect.

Buy a adapter plate and special flywheel and clutch. Less than the above, but not by much.

 

[dulobast25]

sc

well it sound like the idea of a v8 is cool to you. It cool to me too. I was gonna drop a 7m in my 4runner. I made the adapter plate and eveything for it but i wen with the v8 so i woul dno tdeal with core support issues, the wieght of the iron block vs v6. Since i have a 7mgte 1st gen supra and plan on dropping a 2j in my 7m mk3 supra, I figure i wanted a diff engine in each car. so compare the diff engine qualities. So if doing something diff and better mileage ur after than i would go v8. If ease and less downtime ur after id go with s/c v6. There are other options that arent cheap, like increasing the displacment of royu 3.4 and porting and polishing heads, however these wont get you the 50 hp min ur looking for.

Good luck with which ever way you go. I do think, however that if you own a toyota with a 5vz, a uz, a 7mgte , a 2j, or a 3sgte that a swap isnt necessay as there are plenty of options, but if ut 7mge, 5mge, 20-22r, 3sge, 4a, 5a, 5mge,4m, 3vz or some othe lame toyota engien then a swap is usually ur best bet.

ultimately if gas mileage is an issue, going to the newer j or uz or 3vfe are ususlly good option wrt power and gas mileage. Ive even heard of folks going 3vsfe over 5vz for smoother pwr and better mileage.

Again good luck,
we will all be supporting ur choice.