Well guys, here's the thing.... The 22R in my truck is on the way out. It still runs well enough, but I've seen enough to know that it's days are numbered. The chain guides are gone, you can hear the timing chain rubbing. It's got a burnt valve ( I think), or something that causes it to miss a beat now and then. It should make it through winter, but I want to replace it in the spring. I have an '85 22RE in the machine shop right now, waiting my go-ahead. I was planning to rebuild it with a few upgrades and switch the truck to EFI in the spring. The machine work alone is a grand, and parts to build it, including a cam and header, will come to around $800. $1800 total for about 120 hp, give or take. Well, I started looking around at JDM swaps, and for the same price I can get a 1JZ twin turbo with an auto trans swap. For a little more, you can get a 1JZ with an R154. I know there would be considerably more work involved, but nothing I can't handle. What to do? I bought the truck as a workhorse for my other projects, and as a winter driver. Now, I'm getting all these crazy ideas! Like ShoNuff says- Help me, I'm sick!
Going stupid on this truck will mean having to sell a car or two. Then, I could find another vehicle for winter....you don't really want a 280hp mini on some of our winter streets. I'm gonna hold off for a few days, sleep on it and see if I come to my senses. The "right thing" is to keep the truck sane, finish building the cars, and go from there. Sell the cars, find another project vehicle, and build it up, would make more sense.
It's really easy to get all crazy with these Toyotas, from the pickups to the Coronas, to the Celicas. They're just great cars and so much fun to restore, upgrade, pump-up. I've got to remind myself EVERY SINGLE DAY to stay focused because I'm not a millionaire. I've even resorted to an actual "WISH LIST". I do want a hopped-up SLEEPER 70's Toyota pickup, so I plan on doing it to a Pre-75 HiLux due to California's smog laws. At least I can go all nuts with it and not have to worry about smog checks. My 79' daily driver has to be reliable, safe, and practical. I do plan to do some motor upgrades; Webers, headers, hi-flow cat and can, and an upgraded air-filter, but other than that nothing to crazy. I personally feel before you really go nuts with performance upgrades it wise to do all the little things that bring your ride up spec, and that alone can add up to a nice chunk of change. Know in your heart what you want out of the truck. Then from there, sit down and write out a list of everything the truck needs, then a list of what you want. Plan, commit, and focus. Believe me, bro, I have to remind myself everyday. Everyday.
Good advice. I ordered the RE parts. I want the truck to be solid and dependable, here's the plan- rebuild with stage 1 Crane cam, a header, a Celica flywheel, new stock clutch, and replace the G57 5 speed with a W55. Do the bodywork, spray it, and enjoy it for what it is. I do intend to put a JZ in something before I'm done. A mini is a good candidate IMO. The R154 will bolt in, engine mounts can be fabbed. A little suspension work and a stronger diff would add up to a solid 12 second toy.
1800 bucks for a 120hp 22r... ehhh Id rather spend 1800 dollars elsewhere... but my honest opinion look into a chevy 350 swap.. the kit is like 400 bucks and its a much more realistic goal than a 1jz 2jz swap because the 350 just needs to be bolted in.. no computer no wires nothing... infact there is a running 1992 pickup with a 5 speed 350 for 2500 by me for sale right now.. for 800 bucks more you got 2 trucks, and a bad ass motor... http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/944981161.html
Uhhh, that's about a continent or so away from me. I actually have a 350 in my garage already. It needs a rebuild, but it's a good 4 bolt main core. Money isn't really the issue here, I just got sidetracked by a little "comparison shopping"! I want to go with a JZ mainly because I like messing with toyota engines. I've had a woody for a JZ for years, so it WILL happen someday. I'm never happier than when I'm running with the V8 crowd with less than 3 litres. Most of them don't believe it, and none of 'em like it!
