Engine swap, 3.4 to a Toyota 4.0, good idea?

Has anyone done a swap from the 3.4L to the 4.0L? I have a 2001 PreRunner DoubleCab 4x2 TRD, and I may have a cracked head or blown head gasket on my 3.4L. I have 166,000 miles on it, and I've heard that the repair,( new gasket, new head, or both) can get pricey, and there is no guaranty on how long it would last before something else happens. I saw where someone had asked about swapping to a small block V8 and they were told it would be pretty tough and expensive. One guy suggested the Toyota 4.0 or a supercharger. Well, a supercharger would do me no good at this point, so, I figured I'd ask about the 4.0. I'm curious if this would even be a good idea. Would I be able to swap in a Toyota V8? I'd like to keep the same transmission and rear end.

 

No, not a good idea. If I had a 2nd gen, I would be doing it the other way.

3.4L > 4.0L

But in all seriousness, again no. For the same price, you can get a built 3.4L and its would be way easier to drop in.

 

The 4.0L is a better engine, but you'd have to deal with integrating the 2nd gen ECU and throttle-by-wire controls. The ECU also controls the transmission, so you'd need the 2nd gen 5-speed auto (fine transmission, but again, more work for you).

 

COMAtized transplanted a Tundra V8 into his 1st Gen several years ago I think. Maybe you can do a search and locate his post. I think it is very labor intensive if you decide to go that route.

 

I installed a crate Chevy Vortec 4.3 LUC in a 1987 4Runner with the help of Advanced Adapters mounts with plenty of room, power and fuel efficiency. I sent the ecu to a company in Cali that programmed it and built the wiring harness very reasonably.

 

Awesome! I would think that'd be the way to go. I wish that I didn't live in a smog check required area of the state!

 

Although I had the 02 sensors canceled in the reprogram they could of left them to allow for a passable exhaust .

 

If you are going to do that much work, why not just V8 it instead? Be the same amount of work involved, but you have more power! A guy on here has a 4.7 V8 from a Tundra in his first gen and it's a screamer from what he says.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/301564-comatizeds-tacoma-v8-power.html

 

^COMAtized99 had the 5-speed manual, which simplifies things a bit. Not sure if the 1st gen Taco's 4-speed auto had its own control electronics or used the engine ECU.

 

Man, I do appreciate all the advice. I love the V8 swap. I would love to make mine 4 wheel drive too. I got a call today saying that all I need is plugs, wires, and a good fuel system cleaning. The plug wires are bleeding out the sides and the plugs are showing wear. Both were changed just over a year ago. Now, the wires are AC Delco, and I can't remember, but I think I put the stock plugs in, they are the dual ones, and I've only put about 13,000 miles on them. They say that's what my problem is. (Misfire on #6) We'll see. I'm praying they are right. Compression test I did showed 150psi on #2 after about 2-3 revolutions and 120psi on #6 after 6-10 or more revolutions. They said they KNOW that the plugs and wires will fix it. I do know I need the throttle body and injector cleaning.

 

^Lol, GM strikes again. Get Denso wires which are OEM-grade and $10 cheaper than ACDelco.

I suppose the problem could also be the ignition coil, but it would be more likely to affect both cylinders it's driving.