Which Engine?

forbsie · Post by **forbsie** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:41 pm

Hi um just after some peoples advice and opinions on a engine conversion of a 85 hilux surf. Currently has the 3y 2.0 petrol engine.
I want to do a conversion sometime in the future when money and time allow.

I've been reading the forum and other websites and are interested in what engines people would pick and why or why not. Or just people thoughts on options and the pros and cons of each case. e.e the power or price or difficulty or how accessible parts are or just the wow factor.

Thanks alot

philux · Post by **philux** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:03 pm

supra 5m would be about as cheap as they come, commy v6's have lotsa grunt, 2jz arent bad either, but then the lexus (1uzfe) sounds and goes wonderful

forbsie · Post by **forbsie** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:07 pm

I heard something about having to possibly cut the firewall to get the supras 2jz in a 85 surf but i dont no if this is true or not. The v8 would really be something.

Thanksfor the input

philux · Post by **philux** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:15 pm

forbsie wrote:I heard something about having to possibly cut the firewall to get the supras 2jz in a 85 surf but i dont no if this is true or not. The v8 would really be something.

Thanksfor the input

Ive got the 2jz ge in my 86 double cab hilux, no firewall hacking (unless they did a mint of a conversion job) only issues i have is overheating but there are ways around this

, normally the cheapist part of the conversion is buying the motor

surf_tomo · Post by **surf_tomo** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:19 pm

supra engines are a common replacement, a good one too. Only downside is that parts are expensive, not a very common car, and a high preformance engine.

forbsie · Post by **forbsie** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:19 pm

So you payed someone to do it for you?
Didn't consider doing it yourself?

SupraLux · Post by **SupraLux** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:34 pm

I've done both a 1J and a 2J conversion and I like it as a motor, although the conversion is a bastard - fiddly and time consuming. Lots of torque, revs to 8.5k and sounds good.

1UZ - heavy and revvy - personally I don't like them.

350 V8 - heavy but chevy

- what could sound better than one of these.

3.8V6 - probably the best torque vs. weight motor, and very compact.

realistically it will come down to your budget and preference. Everyone has an opinion, but you will have to choose

Steve

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:44 pm

For a Hilux the Commodore V6 would have to be a good option.

Price wise about the same as doing a Lexus conversion. Not a huge amount less power but a cleaner conversion.

More room for fans and radiator, you can retain the engine driven fan and run a large radiator with no probs unlike the V8 conversions.

The V8's sound wicked but are a lot more work to get engineered properly.

Go the V8 :-)

Matt.

LOLYF · Post by **LOLYF** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:54 pm

SupraLux wrote:I've done both a 1J and a 2J conversion and I like it as a motor, although the conversion is a bastard - fiddly and time consuming. Lots of torque, revs to 8.5k and sounds good.

1UZ - heavy and revvy - personally I don't like them.

350 V8 - heavy but chevy - what could sound better than one of these.

3.8V6 - probably the best torque vs. weight motor, and very compact.

realistically it will come down to your budget and preference. Everyone has an opinion, but you will have to choose

Steve

funny how you say the 1uz is heavy when your beloved 2jz weighs more

gtblair · Post by **gtblair** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:30 pm

you should narrow down what you want a bit more maybe. Personally I like the 3 litre hilux motor (1kzte?) they have mountains of torque and are reliable. The thing for me too would be the running cost, if I had a supra in a hilux , i would think twice about driving it to the coast or down south etc, but with a diesel.... just my 2 cents

spanky · Post by **spanky** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:30 pm

by time you add ruc/serviceing/dearer rego i would do some sums before the diesel.im looking at replacing the wifes forester 98 done 281000ks with no problems, all open road driving would get a another one but they are all 2.5s which have problems, mine is nz 2.0l manual.have been looking at something to tow the scudo like a vx but with the ks we do i would be better off with a petrol one on lpg compared to diesel, but for you go the 3.8 v6 good and torquey and easy to get power out of. if you were in the nth island i have a complete car to sell that would be perfect. :lol:

.
vaughan

Steve_t647 · Post by **Steve_t647** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:44 pm

Also the higher maintanance on a diesel (Regular oil changes, fuel conditioning and oil filter changes) add up and if you don't do them the the poor old oil burner ends up getting sick.

Diesel is fine in a farm or company 4wd as maintanance is written off against tax and the 4wd, individuals don't have the same benefits.

I would seriously look at the commodore v6 or 2jz (non turbo) for the power and smoothness and quiet (Rick can sneek up on you in his if he has the brick under the loud pedal) because the rad and fan noise is behind the cab.

Rick is running 40" tyres in his slightly tweaked hilux, and it has no issues turning them even on the open road :shock:

Remember with any swap you may need to change the diff ratios to suit the motor the holden can be thirsty if doing over 2000+ rpm at 100kmh ish but has the torque to do 100kmh at 1000rpm if you gear it right

Jafa · Post by **Jafa** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:40 pm

7m Supra or cressida 3.0l twincam 24 valve 6cylinder 200 hp ...best bang for buck coneversion to do, damn near bolt in...except you have a 3y which will need new engine mounts. piece of piss.
Look here for my swap, all up cost me $2500 inc engine

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3999

forbsie · Post by **forbsie** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:59 pm

Is 2500 about a average price for a conversion? ... ... has anyone ever tried turboing the engine i have is thier a version you can buy that is tuboed from the factory is only the disel turboed?

spankmeister · Post by **spankmeister** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:19 pm

Go the commy V6. I am very happy with mine. Plenty of torque. Goes like a charm.

muddymatt · Post by **muddymatt** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:03 pm

Hi just to add my opinion - Rover V8 3.9 - simple Efi or even simpler carbs. Built to run safely at crazy angles. Adaptors to fit your box, v8 noise!!! light and powerful too...... you can get bits to take it to 4.2 4.5 or even more....

SupraLux · Post by **SupraLux** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:26 pm

forbsie wrote:Is 2500 about a average price for a conversion? ... ... has anyone ever tried turboing the engine i have is thier a version you can buy that is tuboed from the factory is only the disel turboed?

Thats average for an old-scool supra swap, most everything else will cost you upwards of $5k

The problem is finding a manual setup for an old school supra now - I kinda wish I had kept mine as it was straight and tidy and they're getting to be worth a bit... but I just had to tear it to pieces and get the engine into my Lux

Steve