Do a little research on toyota/lexus v8s (1uz & 2uz). The only down side to these motors is that they do not come with a manual and it sounds like you are OK with an auto. The 1uz is all aluminum and weighs less than a 2jz or a heep 4.0. If you are set on the heep motor the early models used toyota trannys both auto and manual so it shouldn't be to hard to convert. ax15= r150 aw5(I think)=a340f. Some parts are different but you get the idea. People are recomending the 3rz because it is a lot less work than any of these others.
Around the Portland Or. area the pre 97 1uz go for 300-400$ in the junkyards. These motors are extremely reliable and run past 300,000 if cared for. What ever motor you do it will be better if you can buy the whole vehicle. I paid 500$ for a wrecked 93 Lexus with 100,116 miles,
Lexus 1uz 250hp 260tq.
