Topic: Which Engine and Why? (going 4.3L CPI, Posts pics please?)

[THK Matt]

Opinions.... if you want power, torque, reliability, and ease of conversion into a 22R Carbed truck. what would you pick?

Which Trans?


I have a 1987 Toyota Xcab Long Bed that was 2wd. It came with a 22R.
it currently has no Engine or trans.
Its on solid axles, I am going to run  36 TSL SXs for now, and will go to a 37 MTR or Irok later.
4.10s in the axles, with dual cases or single 4.7 case... which ever i come across.
I need it DD-able yet wheelable.
I dont want to spend an arm an a leg but i need something with more oomph then a 22R or 22RE.

Give me some ideas or tips.
Anything is helpful!


I have these in mind.

1.9L VW TDI
2.7L Toy
3.4L Toy
4.3L GM
5.7L GM

[yotatough]

I'm in flavor of the 2.7 3rz, easy to swap, good amount of power, very reliable. what else can you ask for

[yotatough]

you can also run the w56 behind it easly with your duals, without anymore addapters needed

[46&2]

I voted other and my suggestion is a Mercedes OM617 5 cylinder diesel. 4x4 Labs has a cool conversion kit to use a GM tranny behind it. IMO it would probably be about the same $$$ as any of the other options listed.

http://www.4x4labs.com/products/diesel-conversions/

That or a 3.4 or 2.7. Can't go wrong with either one. I would avoid the VW.... IMO VW anything is crap. Cousin had several Jettas and even a diesel one and they all were nothing but problems.

[THK Matt [OP]]

I'm in flavor of the 2.7 3rz, easy to swap, good amount of power, very reliable. what else can you ask for

you can also run the w56 behind it easly with your duals, without anymore addapters needed

Good points, the wiring is what is going to suck i think.

[THK Matt [OP]]

I voted other and my suggestion is a Mercedes OM617 5 cylinder diesel. 4x4 Labs has a cool conversion kit to use a GM tranny behind it. IMO it would probably be about the same $$$ as any of the other options listed.

http://www.4x4labs.com/products/diesel-conversions/

That or a 3.4 or 2.7. Can't go wrong with either one. I would avoid the VW.... IMO VW anything is crap. Cousin had several Jettas and even a diesel one and they all were nothing but problems.

Finding what vehicles have those up here.. would be the challenge.

[yotatough]

shouldent be to bad

[THK Matt [OP]]

shouldent be to bad

Idaho Sucks LOL

[bigarms23]

i have a 92 4.3cpi on full width and 37s and gett really good milage and the motor itself doesn't take up that much space in the engine bay plus the wiring wasn't that bad

[COToy91]

I did not vote, but here is what I have-

91 pickup with a chevy 4.3L, 700r4, 4.88 gears and 37" tires- 15-18 mpg mixed driving
-low end torque
-stupid simple motor
-expensive adapters


92 4runner with a 3.4 swap, 4.10 gears, 5 speed, 235 tires- 19-22 mpg mixed driving
-high end power( not much low end torque like the 4.3)
-Direct swap for my vehicle at least
-no adapters, but the wiring is fun

[THK Matt [OP]]

how much do you have into the engine swap and what trans you running Bigarms?

[THK Matt [OP]]

I did not vote, but here is what I have-

91 pickup with a chevy 4.3L, 700r4, 4.88 gears and 37" tires- 15-18 mpg mixed driving
-low end torque
-stupid simple motor
-expensive adapters


92 4runner with a 3.4 swap, 4.10 gears, 5 speed, 235 tires- 19-22 mpg mixed driving
-high end power( not much low end torque like the 4.3)
-Direct swap for my vehicle at least
-no adapters, but the wiring is fun

i am leaning towards that 4.3L or 5.7L

what you have into your swap?
as it will be pretty much the same whether I go 4.3L or 5.7L

[COToy91]

how much do you have into the engine swap and what trans you running?

I did the entire 3.4 swap and vehicle purchase for under or around $2000.

4.3 was around the same, $1600 or so, for just the swap-motor mounts, adapters, wiring, exhaust, etc

[THK Matt [OP]]

I am aware I am going to spend money either way. I just dont want to spend the money and wish I would of went bigger. which is why I want to stay away from a 4cyl.

any tips or tricks you suggest for the 4.3L?

[COToy91]

I am aware I am going to spend money either way. I just dont want to spend the money and wish I would of went bigger. which is why I want to stay away from a 4cyl.

any tips or tricks you suggest for the 4.3L?

don't bother with a V8 the toy gear will not hold up and you don't need that much power for crawling. I started out with a manual trans  and now I have a 700r4. I like the auto more and you dont need duals because of the reduction in the torque converter, I have a single 4.7 case.

[THK Matt [OP]]

Good to know, you run an AA toy case adaptor?

I think having an Auto would be nice for the ease of DDing and wheeling. I can run a ratchet shifter if I want to control it more.

I think I am going to run a Ford Tank, pump and sending unit... so the fuel delivery will be fine. as the carb wont work.
the wiring is all that scares me.

[COToy91]

Good to know, you run an AA toy case adaptor?

I think having an Auto would be nice for the ease of DDing and wheeling. I can run a ratchet shifter if I want to control it more.

I think I am going to run a Ford Tank, pump and sending unit... so the fuel delivery will be fine. as the carb wont work.
the wiring is all that scares me.

I run the AA toy case adapter. I bought it used to save money and it is a very nice piece. I also used AA motor mounts also.

As for the wiring, I bought a harness and computer that was reflashed from howell. It has labeled wires and it is plug and play harness. You can also buy a version to run a more modern electronic trans, 4l60e for ex, from them. Here is the website http://www.howellefi.com/customer/

I run an external pump and filter, the old 22re pump is still in the tank. The pump is from napa and so is the filter

[THK Matt [OP]]

I run the AA toy case adapter. I bought it used to save money and it is a very nice piece. I also used AA motor mounts also.

As for the wiring, I bought a harness and computer that was reflashed from howell. It has labeled wires and it is plug and play harness. You can also buy a version to run a more modern electronic trans, 4l60e for ex, from them. Here is the website http://www.howellefi.com/customer/

I run an external pump and filter, the old 22re pump is still in the tank. The pump is from napa and so is the filter

Hmm I guess I could do that and leave the stock sender in the toy tank.

[COToy91]

Also, my motor is out of a Astro van which has manifolds that hug the block compared to the blazer. This allowed me to save money and not buy headers, I just had to make a crossover

[THK Matt [OP]]

Yeah I remember talking to you about the Van manifolds before.

My best bet is find a wrecked or cheap Astro Van and strip the B*tch.

[COToy91]

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff180/kins5402/

There are some engine pics and trans swap pics in here page 8 i think. Feel free to browse.

[bigarms23]

also when doing a 4.3 swap its alot easier if you buy the entire donor vehicle

[THK Matt [OP]]

also when doing a 4.3 swap its alot easier if you buy the entire donor vehicle

Im going to get a complete driving Van! im seeing them for $500 or so on my local craigslist

[COToy91]

Another suggestion: when you get the trans to tcase adapter you have to swap a new output into the trans. I would suggest having it rebuilt and just have the new output out in at that time

[THK Matt [OP]]

whats the new output shaft from? or does the AA come with that shaft?

[COToy91]

whats the new output shaft from? or does the AA come with that shaft?

It is part of the adapter kit

[THK Matt [OP]]

lol yeah i see that now... im blind. i find it funny.... the AA kit is cheaper on Inchworm then it is on the AA site

[COToy91]

usually is, I have heard many people say that they got AA parts cheaper through vendors

[THK Matt [OP]]

Crazy.

So Astro/Safari Van, AA tcase adaptor, engine mounts, crossmember, electric fuel pump, inline filter.... what else..... saying everything in the van is kosher.

[COToy91]

Crazy.

So Astro/Safari Van, AA tcase adaptor, engine mounts, crossmember, electric fuel pump, inline filter.... what else..... saying everything in the van is kosher.

Crossmember is in the stock location, but i have a budbuilt. You will need a shifter for the trans, I used a B&M, some guys like lokar better. Also a transcooler. I am sure there is more, its always the small things