FJ40 V8 Transplant

[antidamage]

Hi there. I've never transplanted an engine before but I'm looking to buy a V8 to put in my FJ40. This is totally new ground to me, so any advice or suggestions are welcome.

Right now I'm at the stage where I'm trying to figure out what engine to look at. I've had suggestions of 1UZ, Holden and Chevy. Ideally I'm doing this a bit on the cheap with secondhand gear.

What would you suggest and how much would you expect to pay for the engine/transmission?

[skid]

cheapest way is the dirty ol tree fiddy

[chevrolux]

350 all the way. been done ten million times. chevy stuff is cheap. feck all wires to join and the rest is mechanical. cant go wrong =D

[wopass]

chev

easy

good power

lots of parts

lots of info

then when you can afford it you can get lots of cool go fast stuff for them

[Beer_Cruiser]

350 is the way....
Or maybe Ford if you want...

[antidamage]

Sounds like the advice I've had elsewhere, so good advice!

Where would you get a 350 chev from? Trademe? How much would you expect to pay for the engine, transmission, installation?

Is it possible to retain selectable 2WD/4WD/low-range with it? Seems like a serious waste to keep the old four-speed FJ40 gearbox that can barely do 100, but I don't want to lose its offroading ability.

Also, it's time for some new shocks. The old ones have way too much movement in them. Any recommendations for a budget road/occasional beach option?

[Petemcc]

doner truck http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 655278.htm

[antidamage]

Good plan. I'll try to find one in Auckland.

What are common things to look for in a chevy 350 to tell you if it's in good condition or if there's something obviously wrong with it?

[wopass]

google it dude, its all over the net, been done a thousand million times before. hell even use the search here and you will find a fair bit of info.

just so we dont have to re write it all over again...and again...and again...



http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... ne+upgrade

theres one of them

[antidamage]

Cheers

[antidamage]

What do you think of a Diesel 6.5L as opposed to a 350? I think it's a V8, wouldn't bother otherwise:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 075038.htm

Engine needs reconditioning.

My FJ40 *used* to be diesel. Hasn't got much of that left to show for it though.

[skid]

Is it possible to retain selectable 2WD/4WD/low-range with it? Seems like a serious waste to keep the old four-speed FJ40 gearbox that can barely do 100, but I don't want to lose its offroading ability.

leave gearbox in it, get after market adapter kit for it.

my old 350 powered 40 easily got to 160kph and beyond with standard 4 speed gearbox

[antidamage]

Well if that's not a concern, sweet.

So apart from TradeMe, where's a good place to look for a donor vehicle?

Off to see my mechanic today to talk about all the stuff I want to do. Good thing his hair is already grey.

[skid]

google it dude, its all over the net, been done a thousand million times before. hell even use the search here and you will find a fair bit of info.

just so we dont have to re write it all over again...and again...and again...



http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... ne+upgrade

theres one of them

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=350+chevy+into+fj40

[niblik]

lol skidder.. that shiat always cracks me the fark up..

that donor that petemcc pointed out is a real good option.. lockers front and back, disc brake conversion ready to go, possible later model 5 speed gearbox just depends on modding of air actuator, of course the dirty 350, safari snorkel and front bar to on sell for funds..

having the fee eight in it must mean theres an adaptor of some sort.. might pay to inquire?

ultimately dude, it'd be wise to go that way for your 'one stop' conversion, so to speak.. if funds are a worry, go halves with someone for shared parts etc? mate, theres always a way..

as for options on locatin v8's, word of mouth, ad's in local rag, buysell exchange, chat with local hot rodders, seem to be the old tried and true methods. depends how much work you're wantin to do ultimately as to what ya get and which way ya go.

good luck guy..

[antidamage]

Funds aren't much of an issue, it's more timing. I can't jump on anything right now, just planning it all out. I'll get in touch with that guy though, cheers.

I love the ih8mud forum but they dominate FJ40 search results. It's tough finding local info. I'm just more looking for local classified sites to keep an eye on. TradeMe is probably still the best bet.

Just wondering, anyone want to go halves or thirds on renting a workshop in West Auckland for the next few years?

[antidamage]

It's a small world. I showed that donor Landcruiser to my mechanic and he recognised it. It used to live down the road from where I live now. Current owner bought it sight unseen from TradeMe after it'd been sitting rusting for six months. Got it shipped down to Wellington and found it was riddled with rust.

Mechanic reckons to check out some Aussie Chevy 440s and Chrysler 360s on eBay. A donor vehicle is still preferred, but I might get a brilliant motor at a much cheaper price from there.