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Replace 3.0L with 3.4L engine, 1991 Winnebago Warrior V6
Is there anyone else here besides johnjab01 who has done the 3.0L to 3.4L engine swap in a V6 toyhouse?
Can anyone recommend a shop in New England, New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania that can do the swap (meaning a shop that has done it before and knows all the details)? I asked a local (Manchester, NH) shop that specializes in Toyotas and after they turned me down flat, here are their reasons: ? ? 1. Will need wiring harnesses and engine computer, custom wiring.?
? ? 2. Exhaust work.??
? ? 3. You would be looking at 40-60hrs of labor at $135 hrs most local shops.?
? ? 4. Plus cost of engine,? wiring,? Exhaust,? cooling system....?
? ? 5. It would be a lot cheaper to sell it and buy a newer model.?
Does that sound reasonable?? I've read (here and elsewhere) that the swap is more of a plug-and-play than that.? Does it really need a new wiring harness and computer, for example?? Why the need to work on the cooling system? As for "selling it and buying a newer model", there aren't any newer models that I can find that don't have the same 3.0L engine (right?) until you get into the Winnebago View and Itasca Navion from the mid-2000's, and they start at $50K for a decent used one up to $200K+ for a new one. Bottom line, for those of you who have done it, was it worth the expense and effort?? Did you do the work yourself (I'm not physically capable of doing that even if I knew how) or hire a shop to do it? Thanks... Rick in NH ? |
I don't know of anyone on the east coast, I've been looking for one for several years!? If you find somebody , please let me know.? I have a 22re so it's not as simple a switch as you would have.? An experienced shop on the west coast quoted me a cost of almost 14 k...but that was with many more mods (Including adding ac, which it doesn't have right now)Yours would be much less.? You probably don't want to trek to the west coast, but if you look at their website it will give you an idea of costs for your swap and needed mods.? They also sell some of those mods- like a wiring harness.? Toy Only Swaps in Oregon On Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 5:18?AM <fld@...> wrote: Is there anyone else here besides johnjab01 who has done the 3.0L to 3.4L engine swap in a V6 toyhouse? |
There are likely several discussions of this topic in the forum archives (hopefully TIka will step in here and direct you to some).
If you'd like an overview of what is involved in the swap, I found this guide from a company that specializes in this sort of work and makes some of the necessary conversion hardware. As for the expense, there is simply no way around the fact it will cost a great deal. While the engine swap does not appear to be much more compicated than a like-for-like engine replacement, engine replacement jobs are time-consuming. Then you add on the time to install the necessary conversion parts and, most likely, the time to refurbish the donor engine (which is going to be 20-25 years old if sourced from a junkyard, the 5VZ engine was discontinued in 2004). Is it worth it? That's up to you. I don't think there's any economic justification for the swap. Maybe if the original engine was toast, the extra cost of converting over direct replacement could make sense. I would spend my money in other ways, but I was reasonably happy with my 22RE-powered ToyHome. Your tastes and priorities may be different. Good luck. Buzz L. Phoenix, AZ Former '86 Dolphin 500, '89 HiLux, and '96 Tacoma owner |
Yes I have done it and I did all the work myself so it cost me $0 by purchasing a wrecked donor T100 taking all the parts I needed and then selling what was.
I'm well pleased better performance and power and mileage went up about one more mile per gallon. Can climb mountains and pass semis with ease. If you want to see my post with my friend who did it at the same time you can just search? 5vze on: |
Rick,
This is a good summary of the options provided. This was the response from Toy only swaps. There is another company called Northwest toys. They are both in Oregon. This is a copy of the email that I received when I was first enquiring about the swap. This is from 3 years ago, prices may have increased. I have a buddy in NW Pennsylvania that ended up doing most of the work for me. I just bought the swap parts from Northwest toys. I found a 97 4runner that had a rotten frame. It had 107k miles on it. I was able to hear it run before the engine was pulled, which was a big deal for me. I bought the engine, it came with all the accessories alternator, starter, etc... for $950. I bought a new gasket kit, O2 sensor, spark plugs, timing belt, water pump etc..and put that all on the engine before it was installed. I bet I have close to $6500 in the entire swap with all parts, I didn't cut corners and bought all Toyota parts. I had a burnt valve or 2 on the 3.0 and needed to do something. I plan on keeping my toyhome for a long time, so I opted for the upgrade. There is no motorhome on the market that is comparable to the old Toyota's that are not big bucks. I bought mine 10 years ago for less than $10k, so I didn't mind adding $6500 to it. Anyway, here is the emailed that I received: John,
?
Below is our quote sheet take a look and let me know if you have any questions, if you would like a solid price, highlight or list any of the options you want added and we will put together a formal invoice for your approval, thanks.
?
3.4 swap 90-95 3.0 V6 Toyota RV.?
? ? Complete 3.4 swap/conversion,? parts and labor including engine $4500 Base price If you are automatic add $500 in most cases. This is a start to finish 100% completed conversion ready for pickup,? We have customers from all over the world, we can accept transport of your vehicle or arrange to drop you off/pick you up at the Airport/Train/bus station business hours.?
? ? Engines are all fully tested and inspected to ensure they have been taken care of, come with a 90 day warranty,? average mileage in the 125-150k range. Lower mileage engines can be found prices vary. We will select your engine and let you know exactly what year and mileage is available before we purchase your engine. We need 4 weeks or less to complete your conversion from the time you drop off your vehicle.? A deposit of half down is due before we purchase your conversion, and hold your shop time. Ask about our lead times, we can have swaps booked out for 2-3 months at times.
?
Motorhome specific cost's
?
Steering box / A steering box from a 89-95 2wd 4 cylinder is needed for alternator clearance. Good used steering box installed $150
Exhaust / Additional exhaust modifications are needed to drop the exhaust on the passenger side, then crossover below transmission and connect back into current exhaust system. This is necessary because we do not have enough room to clear the column shift automatic transmission linkage on the drivers side firewall. $200
?
Automatic Transmission upgrade
We reuse your original 3.0 transmission standard, or we can upgrade to a 3.4 automatic transmission at the same time. We find the 3.4 Automatic transmission preforms better, and if your original transmission is giving you problems it would be a good time to upgrade it. If your original 3.0 Transmission is in good working condition then we can re-use it no problem.?
?
3.4 Automatic transmission upgrade parts and labor $750
?
Factory systems?
Not all our customers have these options, and they require additional parts and labor to keep functioning. If you currently have these options and would like to keep them functional
?
Cruise control $150
Air conditioning $150 "if your system is currently functioning and charged."
?
Options, All parts are Factory Toyota, or Aisin OEM replacment.?
Often times the engines we source will have timing belt stickers or show signs of a recent timing belt and water pump. Front main, rear main, and cam seals are inspected and rarely show any signs of leaking. Below are commonly requested maintenance? by our customers, if you have any other requests let us know.
?
New Aisin water pump and Toyota timing belt $250 installed
New Aisin belt tensioner and bearings add $150 installed?
New factory Toyota thermostat $25
New Bando Alternator, ac, Power steering belt $60
New factory Toyota spark plug wires and spark plugs $85
Rear main seal replacement with Factory Toyota Seal $100 installed?
Factory Toyota Front main seal replacement $50 Installed "if done at time of water pump/TB"
Factory Toyota Cam seals $60 "if done at time of water pump/timing belt/valve covers"
New factory Toyota valve cover gaskets, spark plug seals, rear cam caps $150 "highly recommended"
New OEM Toyota engine mounts $100
New Denso Front and rear 02 sensors $195 "highly recommended"
?
Clutch
We reuse your original 3.0 Clutch/flywheel standard, they hold up fine to the 3.4, but the 3.4 clutch is larger/stronger if you want to upgrade now is the time.?
3.4 swap Toyota/Aisin OEM clutch kit $385 with new flywheel
?
Cooling
We reuse your original 3.0 Radiator as long as its in good shape, if not plan on a going new.?
New plastic aluminum radiator $150 "plastic tanks"
New All aluminum HD Radiator $275 "best cooling one we have seen and proven reliable"
New HD all copper radiator $275 "factory replacement"
New Rad Shroud $75 "often customers have broken or missing fan shrouds"
New late model fan blade $75 "we use late model 3.0 fan blades without the ring"
?
Exhaust?
? ? We reuse your current exhaust system, if you have a aftermarket Catalytic Converter, or your stock Catalytic Converter is defective then you will likely get a check engine light for po420 code, Insufficient catalyst flow. In that case we can install a new catalytic converter cost is $250 t0 $450" or can simply add a rear 02 Simulator to send the ECU the proper signal and keep the check engine light off.?
Cost is $135?
?
? ? Complete Exhaust systems, If your Current exhaust is in bad shape, or you just want a larger exhaust we offer full custom exhaust systems, We use 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust tubes for Ideal flow, Magna flow mufflers and High flow catalytic converters, and Gasket-less V-band 'turbo style" Clamps at connection points for easy removal. If you have a preferred muffler rather than magna flow we can look into using it, typically we go with 2.5" pipe, but can go with 2.25" if you prefer,?
Cost is $1000
?
Hood Clearance?
The 3.4 makes contact with the hood and clearance is needed. We can add spacers to the rear of the hood it will have a 1" or 2" gap at the back of hood at the cowl, or we can cut a hole in the hood and add a hood scoop, or we offer low profile intake plenums, we take the upper and middle intake plenums and have the gasket surfaces machined down to gain clearance, this will keep the stock appearance.?
?
Hood scoop $150
Low profile intake plenums $200
?
Security?
Protect your investment from thieves by having a hidden kill switch added. This small toggle switch in a hidden location can be flipped to disable your vehicle insuring no one can start it without knowing its location. Cost $100
?
*Additional prices may apply if your vehicle has excessive aftermarket wiring, stereos, winch, lights, alarms ect...
?
Let me know if you have any other questions, thanks.
Cliff Vann?cliff@...?541-895-2020
-- JohnJab01 |
These folks in Ellington, CT replaced a 3.0 engine with a different 3.0 for me about 10 years ago. ?I was very satisfied with their work, although it was pricey. ?You can ask them if they would do a 3.4 swap. I’m sure it would overall be cheaper than a double cross-country drive to get it done in Oregon. ?The first task is actually sourcing a donor vehicle with a 3.4 in your region. ?Let us know how your project goes. ?Tika |
Hi Rick,
I wanted to offer a few comments about "newer models" for consideration.? I have both a '92 Warrior and a '08 View - we spend a lot of time in Baja and out of the way locations so did not want anything too big.? There are several nice things about the View: I can pull a toad (but don't), it has the power to easily go over mountain passes, etc, significantly larger holding and fuel tanks (great for boondocking), and admittedly fancier.? However, the Warrior has its own list of benefits: We can park anywhere and do not stand out (we can leave a music venue or such late and just stay in the RV before returning home); I don't have to worry about overhead clearance nearly as much; the layout is fantastic, even with our two kids, a real oven!, there are parts available everywhere. and it can be maintained with automobile-sized tools (I needed to get tires installed at a truck installer on the View).? I love the Warrior and it is difficult to sell her - so she is still part of our family.? If I had the 3.4L it would be a tough call about which RV I would choose as the keeper. It amazes me that there isn't a more modern smaller RV that is as well thought out / designed as the older Toy-based ones.? Good luck with your decision! |
On Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 09:54 AM, johnjab01 wrote:
The above is from last June.? I've been out on a couple of trips to the Southeast in my toyhouse (and all went reasonably well) so now I'm revisiting this engine swap discussion before I put the toyhouse to bed for the winter.? A total of 5000 miles in two trips since May, limited to around 60 MPH max, was a bit of a struggle although there were no problems. There is a new auto maintenance shop in town (southern New Hampshire) called Auto Care Plus that says they can do the swap (but of course I'm not ready to take their word for that just yet).? Its the newest in a chain of Auto Care Plus locations all around New Hampshire and Maine, total of 10 locations, so at least it's not some fly-by-night operation and the other locations have some pretty good reviews.?? John, you relayed the quote you received of $5000 (for the auto transmission version) then below that you showed an itemized list with prices for all the work needed.? Are those itemized prices in addition to the $5K?? It seems really low if $5K is intended to be all inclusive (plus or minus the options mentioned). I'm told that a new wiring harness and a new computer will be needed, which isn't on your list.? When I spoke with the manager at Auto Care Plus today, he mentioned some concern about finding those.? So if they really are needed, any idea where I can find them? Eric in NH |
I can tell you for a fact you do need a new computer which you can find online used for $200 to $500. From a salvage yard they're 50 bucks from a Toyota T100 3.4 automatic but just about impossible to find.
Yes you need a new wiring harness which you can buy from toyonly or off-road solutions. Someone could manually modify a cable harness which I did but it took me several days and most mechanics wouldn't want to do that. I believe toyonly and off-road? solutions would have to include those in their quoted price for a swamp..? I get the feeling that your local shop that says they can do it has never done it before and don't really know what they're getting into. There are a lot of backyard mechanics like me that have done it themselves so it is possible. It was a common thing with 4runners but not so many have done it on on Toyota motorhomes. You can Google "Toyota 3.0L to 3.4L engine swap"and find a lot of info. |
Thanks, Edward.? Yes, it's true that they have never done that specific engine swap (3.0-3.4 in a toyhouse) but they claim to have done many engine swaps of simiar scope.? Of course people can claim whatever they want, but at least this isn't a shade tree mechanic organization (see autocareplus.com).
Their website doesn't get into any major work but their local branch manager says they're fully qualified and equipped to handle anything up to a major engine overhaul.? And a good sign is their service bays are large enough to easily handle a toyhouse (that has been a BIG problem around here, finding a service bay that will fit). Obviously, lots of research yet to be done. Eric in NH |
Eric,
Yes 5k was the starting price that included the engine & labor. The add-ons were on top of the $5k. I think the 5k included the wiring and computer. You would have to double check with them to confirm. I found my computer from a salvage yard that sold on eBay. I hope this helps. If you plan on keeping your Toyhome for a while, its definitely worth it. JohnJab01 |
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