Not sure where to post this, but my plan is to sell my 82 corolla wagon and the 94 mini and buy and old school truck. Mid 70's to earlier or stout would be sweet.

Heres my dilema:
What do i do about an engine. My goal is to make it fast and streetable. but im a noob to engine tear downs. The farthest i've been in an engine was adjusting the valves on my 22re last weekend. but im hungry to learn so i'll figure it out. I need an easy build but i also would like to know, are the stock engines in these trucks worth building or do i need to do a swap?

My goals are a simple build (since its my first) and making it fast

With that in mind what engine/Truck combo out of the pre-75's would be best suited for me?

 

I'm not too informative on the old minis. Actually none. Lol. But what kind of power we talkin here? If your thinking like 500 HP+ then go with any of the Supra series motors. Or go with something like a blown 327 or an LS1. That's what comes to my mind for big power! Anything will work it's just taking the time to do it and do it right.

 

I'd say keep the wagon but I'm biased because I have a 81 corolla wagon.
The 22r(e) has big aftermarket support and it can run has fast as the amount of money you are willing to spend.

I wanted a fast truck and I kept it simple (simple is relative to skill) by dropping in a stock 1uz/ 5speed. 260 hp /260 ft-lb tq at around 2500 rpm is nice in these light trucks. Starting off with a truck that is already fuel injected makes EFI swaps easier.

High output carbed engines are fun but consider that you will have to tweak the carbs during extreme swings in the climate. The weather has been so crazy here in VA, I am happy I stopped playing with sidedraft carbs.

 

Good info thanks.

Yea i love my te72 wagon. its going to be hard to get rid of it but an old school hilux should ease the pain.

i been reading up and it looks like a fairly common option is a 22r block with a 20r head. but i suppose that doesn't really help me with a hilux since thats still an engine swap if i get a truck with an 8r or 18r or even a 20r

 

22r is a bolt in swap.

 

Almost still some minor modifications to be made to make it work, but nothing dramatic.

 

if it is a perfect swap its not worth doing

 

Where are you located and do you have any pics of your TE72?