V8 conversion, lots of q's

[Camotoy]

Ok this is my first post. I have an 83 toyota 4x4. Its ths 5 speed. It really bogs down on the highway. the engine has 224000 miles on it and things are starting to go downhill. I only have 31 inch tires on it but want to go to 35's but I dont see how the engine would be able to handle it ( I want more power offroad too ). I am now looking into doing a small block chevy 350 V8 conversion. But here is the thing. Since I have an 83 its almost impossible to use the stock tranny because of the one piece bellhousing design. So the question is could I swap in an 84 or 85 tranny from a junkyard to my 83? Another question is would the added weight in the front have cons offroad? After I get this engine stuff all worked out I want to redo the suspension. It already has a 3 inch lift that was on it when i bought it but I would like to change that one out. Im looking at the A.O.R. orbit eye springs, and was wondering about peoples experiance with those. Feel free to give other ideas and any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[84 4Runner]

A 22R can pull 35s, even 37s. You just have to gear the axles accordingly. Put in 5:29s and you should be able to run at least 33s or 35s with a tired 22R. I am currently running 33s with 4:88s and a very worn 22R and I can usually maintain decent freeway speeds. (Although I have 5:29s, a birthday present, sitting at home right now waiting to be put in! :D )

If you still want to put a V8 in there, I would suggest something a little stronger than an 85 transmission, but that is just me. An 85 transmission is still only designed to handle a 4 cylinder. You can fit an 85 transmission into an 83, but I believe you will have to use a different crossmember, or at least relocate the current one.

Personally I would recommend rebuilding the 22R and adding some mods or putting in a modified 22RE (or 22RTE), but that is because I trust an old Toyota motor over Chevy, Ford, or Buick. Otherwise, if you want something bigger than a 4 cylinder, maybe think about a Chevy V6 instead. It seems to me that you will have a greater chance of breaking things with a V8.

AOR Alcans with orbit eyes are supposed to be great. I like my current Alcans (although I don't have the orbit eyes). Just expect the order to take quite some time, as AOR is often back-ordered.

Good luck. Post pics as you go along. :D

[runred4x4]

I AM TURNING 37" BOGGERS WITH A 22R (WEBER CARB, HEADER FULL EXAUST) AND 5.29'S. I WOULD SAY GO WITH A 4CYL BUILD UP, MABYE SWITH TO EFI LIKE 84 4 RUNNER SAID(I AM). THE 4 CYL WEIGHT IS A LOTS LESS THE THE V-8, WITCH IS EASYER ON YOUR FRONT SPRINGS. BUT IF YOU REALY WANT TO SWAP SOMETHING IN GO TO A V-6 (4.3 CHEVY) AND A TH350 TRANS. STOCK TRANS ARE TOO WEAK FOR A BIGGER MOTOR. JUST MY TWO CENTS. GOOD LUCK

[Flexor]

I'm currently running 37's on my truck with a 22re. It was just rebuilt, but even before the OH it still pushed it down the road(full bodied 4 runner). Doing conversions especially a 350 can be time consumeing and expensive depends on involved and what you put into it. I'm currently putting a 4.3(Vortec) with a 4L60E and NP 231 t-case in an 87 Pathfinder. With coversion mounts and custom harness and drivelines and yada yada yada, you be suprised it soaks ya. I'd upgade what you have or rebuild and put a marlin crawler init. A majority of the yotes i seen still have 4 cyls's and geared diffs and marlin crawlers and have not the slightest problem off road......As for the AOR springs there stuff is very good(alcan springs), as long as you don't mind staring at your rig for months and waiting for it to come. There customer service sucks:( :( :(

[Bill]

I have an 82 toyota short bed with a 4.3 tbi and t 350 auto.
I love the power and not having to shift a clutch any more but
it cost alot. It is cheaper to modify your engine.I would use a 4.3 v-6 they fit nice under the hood. here are a few things to think about if you are going to do a swap .

1. Buy a complete engine w/brackets and assesories.
2. Buy ONLY GM SENCERS !!! this Will save you money in the
long run and head aces later.
3. Trans, Pick it on how you will use your truck, I have a T-350
and I am running 33" MTRs Driving on the freeway sucks. Now I
am going to change it for a 700R4 .
4.I needed a 3" body lift to get trans clearance.
5.I am running a 3 row radiater, no over heating problems.

Good luck Bill

[Camotoy]

Yeah I did a lot of thinking today and what I decided was to stick with the four banger (at least for ahwile) and really concentrate on everything else. from what I've learned by researching, and these forums is that as long as the gearing gets upgraded I will be fine. So what Im thinking now is rebuild the 22r or go fuel injected ( I will do a search on putting a 22re in and if its that much of an extra pain and worth it, feel free to comment here though) So then I will regear to 5.29's and go for the aor alcan orbit eye springs 5 inch lift and run 35's. I also would love to run a turbo 22 r but with the cost of a turbo I just dont see it happening. I found a guy with a supercharger awhile back though and could always upgrade to that but I think the 22r will do fine. One thing is for sure though, I will be boring it out and getting larger pistons. Any recomendations on what piston size? Also what about some good headers? I have never done a rebuild, but im very mechanically inclined, is it that hard? Where is the best place to get a rebuild kit? And can someone give me some more info on the orbit eyes, like pros and cons. (note: this will be my daily driver too) Sorry for all the questions, I really appreciate the help. Thanks.

[armithius]

As for your orbit eye question, everyone I have ever talked to that had em has really liked them. Most say they are a bit noisier than other springs, but flex very well. The only downside to them is that AOR will charge your card right away and the orbit eye springs usually take around 6 months to get to ya.

[Camotoy]

Noise really doesnt matter, just crank up the stereo!:D I was just wondering about highway, and regular road driving. I have no doubt they will be amazing off-road. 6 MONTHS!?!?!?!?! That really stinks. It would be nice if they charged it when they shipped, too bad. Guess I had better order now!

[Camotoy]

Should I get orbit eyes in both ends or just the solid mount?

[TurboKH]

I've done 2 V8 conversions in toyota trucks. the results are amazing, but expensive. depends on how you use your truck. if you're considering doing a v8 or v6 conversion, email me and i'll send you my phone number to tell you the pros and cons.. Karl turbokh@aol.com

[YotaRunner]

he's right, the v8 option is a good one, but it takes alot of time and planning and coin.... Pending on what your doing with it, not worth it in my openion....

The 22r motors are great little mills, and have a great backing as far as aftermarket... there cheep to rebuild and easy to work on... If you rebuild I'd go EFI, every one that's done it has had nothing really bad to say about it....
Headers, exhast, and cam are the biggest upgrades to do to that motor without getting into boring and porting....
•Headers: I say Thorly and LCE have worked great for people...
•Cams, DOA, LCE, EngineBuilder all have good stuff..
•Rebuild kits: DOA, LCE, EngineBuilder

http://www.engnbldr.com/
http://www.doaracingengines.com/
http://lcengineering.com/

[JOKER]

If ya got the money for a conversion you could just get a DOA, and keep the weight down. I have one with a Webber gettin around 165hp, with 5.29s gets a second gear bark and 70-80 on the highway depending on the wind.

[Kyron]

Get the All pro springs that move the front axle forward and get a new front hanger

[84 4Runner]

On a rebuild, I would check into DOA and LC Engineering. They have great products (and entire 22Rs and 22REs). If I had the money I would probably get a complete 22RE from one of those two. For piston size, I am probalby going to do .030 over, but I would suggest speaking with someone at DOA or LCE first.

Sounds like you have a good plan: get everything else built up while sticking with the 4 banger, then move on from there if you decide you need more power. :D

[enduroracer01]

i just rebuilt my little 4 banger less than 200o miles ago. I'd say it's prob. got about 1100 on it right onw.
If i were you i'd stick with the 4cyl. It'll be cheaper on gas, and on your pocket in the long run.
When i rebuilt my motor, i went through LCengineering. THey had the best prices and the best quality. I bored it .30 or .40 over, i had the head milled down .20, and i had the crank turned, new valves, seats, etc. When u do the rebuild i would also tell u to replace the timing chain guides etc. If you havent already. Toyota motors are notrious for this being a problem. The only pieces of plastic in the engine, and those go bad.
Other than that, i can't think of anyhting else to tell you. But if i hear anything or remeber anything else, i'll be sure to let yyou know.

[Boomertoy]

Personally Ive had both and curently am doing another swap into my SAS 89 xtra cab. I will never be getting rid of this truck so I opted to go for the SBC V8. It's going to make my toy more drivable with 40's on it and it is going to save me a ton on gas. This is because I am running this little 4 banger into the ground trying to keep freeway speeds with it. Once I swap to the V8 the motor is going to be working much less and achieve the same power levels thus saving gas. Of course if i have my foot into it all the time that is not going to be the case, but for everyday driving at least it is a choice with the V8 where as with the 4banger my foot in on the floor all the time. My 4banger has an msd 6AL, Tourque cam, Stans header, intake and is bored .030 over. And still this is just not enough to keep it fun daily driving. Off-road it's fine when in low and just playing around but mostly it is on the road as my daily driver. I need highway drivability so in goes the Chevy V8. :P
I'M RUNNING 5.71'S

[vigilantejustic]

I just got a new motor in my truck about 4000 miles ago, got a weber headers and exhaust and I'm turning 35's and I can hit 85 no problem

[illiand]

did you change your axle gears boomer? that would make a helluva difference if you are trying to turn 40s with 410s or something nuts like that.

[Boomertoy]

I'm running 5.71's

[Boomertoy]

I just got a new motor in my truck about 4000 miles ago, got a weber headers and exhaust and I'm turning 35's and I can hit 85 no problem

Hitting 90 mph is possible in my truck but keeping it there just rapes my motor. I don't know about you but keeping a 35" or bigger turning with a four banger once you come to any kind of incline without just staying in 4th gear is a joke, geared or not. I'd like to be able to use 5th since it's there. Plus my justification for the swap to a V8 other than my reasons previously mentioned is that with a little shopping I have been able to gather ALL the parts needed to swap in my V8 for around $1500.00 including the motor.

[Boomertoy]

did you change your axle gears boomer? that would make a helluva difference if you are trying to turn 40s with 410s or something nuts like that.

Yes, I am running 5.71's. Where are you based? Semper Fi! OR Semper F'ed if you have a sence of humor. The big green pickle tappin' you? HAHA hope you can take a joke.

[vigilantejustic]

well if you have all the stuff, by all means go for it man, and take many pictures and document it!!

you can try searching on pirate4x4.com's toyota section, a lot of guys have done the V8 swap there, be careful with your questions or you might end up crispy and burnt (they like to flame people who ask questions about the V8 swap that've already been covered. There's a bunch of jerks there but they know their shit.

Hitting 90 mph is possible in my truck but keeping it there just rapes my motor. I don't know about you but keeping a 35" or bigger turning with a four banger once you come to any kind of incline without just staying in 4th gear is a joke, geared or not. I'd like to be able to use 5th since it's there. Plus my justification for the swap to a V8 other than my reasons previously mentioned is that with a little shopping I have been able to gather ALL the parts needed to swap in my V8 for around $1500.00 including the motor.

[Devils Dream]

SBC conversion parts WWW.pacetruck.com Engine components>Motor Mounts>Toyota Swap Mounts.

:redspotda