3VZ-E V6 SR5 1991 toyota motor stuffed - what to do?

[LuckyLegs]

Seeking some guidance: My 1991 SR5 V6 3VZ-E engine (over 350,000 kms) is loosing power daily!!! Mechanic advised last week the misfire on 6th cylinder was compession tested and found to be 50Psi. Not sure if this is values or rings, and worth fixing one cylinder?? Toyota advises $6,700 for full recondition!...surely there are other options? Don't want to exchange motor from wreckers (as all are old and will have many km's on them), so wondering what my options are?

Is this an opportune moment for rebore to larger power? I saw one guy posted here his 1991 3VZ-e rebuilt and supercharged - is that worth considering? I'm clueless, so seeking any tips/info/contacts on the best way to go about a rebuild of my motor?
Pete

[Evski]

I have a 1996 4Runner which were stripping at the moment. It has 188,000 kms on it and the previous owner spent $2000 rebuilding the heads on it before he lost interest. I'm in Sydney though, so depends if you can get the engine from QLD. PM me if your interested.

[Struth]

The 3VZE is a very hearty engine when it's running right, despite all the BS about poor power etc, they go good enough and certainly work very well in lo range.

But very expensive to fix once it's stuffed. Most times the dollars to fix it will outweigh the cost of a good second hand motor (if you can find one).

A V8 fixes most things, but not everyones cup of tea.

If you can lay your hands on a good 3VZE (and I mean a good one) then jump at it.

Be prepared for little bits (vacuum trees, engine sensors, etc) to break during the changeover and be prepared for them to be very hard to replace.

Cheers


Cheers

[TWISTY]

Drop in a Prado/Hilux 3.4l V6 (5vz-fe)

There was some info getting around on here, or the 4WD Action forum. Bolts up to the same gearbox, and possibly engine mounts from memory.

[LuckyLegs]

Thanks fellas.

Sruth, yep finding a good second hand will be difficult!...What V8 would you recommend (I'm not opposed)? Yep when it was running well it went like the wind, never missed a beat, no oil loss...That was a while ago, of course!
Evski, thanks mate but a bit of a gamble from Melbourne (I'm in Brisbane), thanks nonetheless.
Twisty yep I read the Prado 5vz info - sounds like a difficult one (I'll need someone else to do it for me - I'm crap at motors!)

...I can't afford another, so the expense of rebuild is actually cheaper for me. Any further tips? What about rebore to bigger if I'm going to that expense (which I think I'll hafta!) is it worth that?
Pete

[Struth]

Easiest solution by far is a carburetted 308 running straight gas.

Requires some conversion parts such as bellhousing, engine mounts and exhaust, but is a simple install with minimum wiring.

My recommendation would be an EFI 5.0 or a Lexus but they are a hell of a lot more work than the straight gas 308.

Cheers

[azriel]

Drop in a Prado/Hilux 3.4l V6 (5vz-fe)

There was some info getting around on here, or the 4WD Action forum. Bolts up to the same gearbox, and possibly engine mounts from memory.

I've done this to my 4runner and set me back $3000 complete but saying that i did all the work myself. If you were to pay someone to do it the labour costs, new exhaust etc will blow it out over what your rebuilt motor would be.

[LuckyLegs]

Thanks Sruth and everyone...Maybe the V8 is not such a good idea. It looks like I need to bite the the bullet for a rebuild. Just need to find someone to do the job in Brisbane...???
Pete

[DarkHorse Vitara]

My old 3VZe threw a rod and punched a hole in the block. Cost me over $5k to get it replaced (not something I can do myself).

Replacement was installed with a dodgy thermostat, failed within a month and the new motor blew the head.

Be careful with all the ancilliaries if you do get a replacement, or with any parts you replace yourself.

[a1 mech]

If u can find a good condition complete 5VZ with ECU and lume a mechanic will be able to swap it over easy enough, The 3VZ and 5VZ share the same block and they are more or less a direct replacement with the swapping of a few bits and pieces.

The 5VZ is a considerably stronger engine, TRD and URD in the states make a heap of factory and aftermarket performance gear for them. Cheap and easy to service also.

[thrashlux]

mate i am in brizy could fit and wire a 5vz for cash if you are keen or anything for that matter how does a 3ltr twin turbo supra engine or a 1kz turbodiesel
i will be out of town for a few more weeks though after that would be good to go and have it going in a short time ie less than a week
i have done heaps of different conversions
pm me if you are keen

cheers

jonathan

[LuckyLegs]

Thanks to the further posters. Appeciated. Thrashlux your offer sounds good, but I want to first investigate the following I found out on the Toytota Surf Owners 4WD Forum (thanks to Deno70 on that website). It seems like it may just be the head gasket (although I would think that all cylinders would be misfiring not just one in that case, but here's hoping it is a headgasket prob only:
A headgasket recall on the 3VZ-E was issued in 1998 and a stearing rod relay in 2005 as follows
1998: Code No. 7514L
2005: Code No. 5525H

So I will be calling Toyota ASAP to find out why mine never got the '98 recall. I only have the recall sticker inside my driver side door for the 2005 stearing rod recall.

Deno70 posted a pic of the coded recall stickers to look for:
see:
http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/view ... 655#199655" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hopefully Toyota will still honour this 98 recall...???

[Cruiseruser]

So have you talked to toyota yet ?