Originally Posted by
Seanz0rz
the way i see it, i have a few options (and their implications):
replace the trans with a stock, low miles unit (likely the cheapest route, but im not sure how much longer the engine would last beyond a trans swap)
You most cost effective and most risk option you have, its cheap, but then again you never know how the trans was treated, drive, taken care of, even if you do get it from someone that rolled there 4Runner, there still some history that can effect its future.
replace the trans with a rebuilt one (ipt?) (again, how long is the engine going to last?)
While slightly more expensive, a good option cause your getting a good product for the money, its a tran built to withstand the torture of a Supercharger, I am sure in a NA situation it will last and do what you want without issue.
replace the motor and trans with a low miles japanese import (expensive, doesnt gain me any power or other benefits)
I never considered this, and really don't see the point, the motors come built from Japan as is, why spend the extra money looking for one from over there to just spend extra shipping costs on and again have the risk of the history of the trans and the engine.
Replace the motor and trans with a 4.0 toyota V6 [1gr-fe](expensive, but gives me a better engine with more power and better fuel economy and 5spd transmission with a tcase, lots of fab involved to get it to fit.)
Oh how I would love to do this one as well, I mean LOVE, but there are things you have to consider, one being that this is probably the most expensive option you have. and here is a list of things you have to consider
1) The motor trans and t-case have to be from a FJ Cruiser, the reason being is that its the only platform that offered the option of a manual J-shift t-case, unless you want to deal with the wiring and installation of that hideous knob for the 4WD system, the FJ is the route to go.
2) The wiring, its going to be really intense and quite difficult to do. I mean i know you will have the wiring harness from the donor vehicle, but you still have to either trick that ECU into thinking all other system of the CAN bus system are there, or make your current ones work for you.
3) The routing of all your lines, like you said LOTS of fab work with a huge emphasis on LOTS, you have to relocate and re run AC, Power Steering, Cooling lines, make sure that you can fit brake booster and everything else you need, probably going to have to switch to electric fan, and so on and so forth, it can get really hectic and tax your brain to the point you go "Why the heck did I choose this option?"
Your a determined guy Sean, but this one is an option to consider like as a full year, every weekend kinda thing and even vacation time....
replace motor and trans with a 4.0L lexus V8 [1uz-fe] (expensive, more power, lots of fab, cool v8!)
Another fun and extensive one that also goes along the lines of the 4.0 V6 however I don't think you have to worry about the can bus system of the engines ECU as much as you would of the V6, I do believe that 98 was the last year the SC came with that motor so that would be perfect for you.
But then you have to consider transmission options, I haven't done the research for that swap but is there a bell housing that will mate the V8 to our V6 trans?
I mean you could just keep the trans that comes with that v8 and run an atlas or something similar and that gives you more options for gear reduction and such.
replace motor and trans with an unknown diesel. (more power, more torque, better fuel economy, option of bio diesel, massive amounts of fab and converting nearly every system on the truck, regulations to deal with in california)
for engine swaps, california is pretty strict (as some of you know). the swap to diesel i cannot get a straight answer on since now they smog diesel engines. it looks to me like my engine choices are the TDI's from vw and audi and possibly a few BMW and MB vehicles. all engines would have to be 98 or newer and out of the same class of vehicle as mine (passenger vehicle) so no 7.3L powerstrokes here...
While diesel would be an awesome option, like running either a Cummins 4BT or getting the 3.0 Diesel from Japan, its just not going to work for you in Cali, just way to strict. And yeah the 7.3 is just not an option unless you do a 3" body lift, custom bracket drop and pretty much just no lol, but that would be totally awesome! lol