I need opinions... Lexus v8, Vortec 5.3, or Vortec 5.7

1uzfe Lexus V8 , Vortec 5.3, or Vortec 5.7?

  • Total voters
    9
Vudujoose

Vudujoose

"Down by da beach mon!"
Joined
May 2, 2012
Location
Elizabeth City NC.
Okay so as the title says I am in search of the right engine to swap into my 1995 Toyota 4Runner

I currently own a complete 1uzfe (Lexus 4.0 v8) engine set that is in need of a refreshing. I am buying an R150F Toyota manual trans from 89toy here on the forums so that will be my transmission (prefer manual to auto gearbox).

The issue:

I'm not convinced the 1uzfe is the engine for me. The choices are numerous and I don't mind sub swapping (I'm not a Yota loyalist though I love them) I also really enjoy Chevrolet engines and have recently been tossing the idea of using a few different engines. Here's the list, help me narrow it down?

  • Vortec 5.3
  • Vortec 5.7
  • Lexus 4.0 1uzfe V8
I will be tuning with a megasquirt 2/3 setup since I have experience with it and it's a cheap option.

I can easily pick up a 5.3 or 5.7 from Pick N Pull and a rebuild is a lot cheaper than the 1uzfe. Adapters are not an issue due to Advance adapters.

I am leaning towards the Vortec 5.3 for decent power with fuel mileage (flex fuel) and availability.

Any thoughts?
 
I'd go 1UZ just because you already have it, if it's cheaper I would not hesitate to go with the 5.3 vortec. I would pass on the 5.7 just because a 5.3 or 1UZ would be a better option.
 
I'd go with an LS style motor myself. I'm quite partial to the 4.8/5.3/6.0
 
My opinion in order assuming stock for stock and same price to acquire etc.
5.3>>5.7>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...>>>>>>>>>>>>>>1uzfe

Of course this depends on what and where you wheel, but Id much rather be in Harlan, KY looking for a widget for a 5.3 Gm than a Lexus V8...and thats not even taking he performance differene into account.
 
Ron said:
My opinion in order assuming stock for stock and same price to acquire etc.
5.3>>5.7>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...>>>>>>>>>>>>>>1uzfe

Of course this depends on what and where you wheel, but Id much rather be in Harlan, KY looking for a widget for a 5.3 Gm than a Lexus V8...and thats not even taking he performance differene into account.
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This is a very valid point. Parts for a Chevrolet are available almost everywhere. The Lexus engine is very hard to even find parts for a stock rebuild sitting on my stand at home. A shop I work with occasionally has offered me an older 5.7 block for 75 bux, think I'm gonna grab it up, throw some Vortec heads on it, keep FI with a Vortec manifold and run dual tunes (One for power one for fuel mileage). I would prefer to do the 5.3 but this 5.7 is basically falling in my lap.

Any reservations?
 
i'm not all too familiar with the Toyota/lexus v8's, but looking at the power numbers, they don't even come close to stock Chevrolet 5.3 or 5.7 hp and torque, i'm pretty sure they would be biased more towards peak power at the mid to top of the rpm range. for practical purposes, i'd go with the 5.3 and run a factory style computer and injection with a tune to eliminate what you don't need and a stripped down engine harness. the 5.7 is an ok option(better off idle torque), but i'm not overly fond of their fuel injection "spider" which can be a pita if you have a problem, plus there's not a whole lot of support for upgrades. if fuel injection isn't a requirement for you, both gm engines can be setup fairly easily with carb setups and you can throw the computer away.
 
I am a toyota loyalist. However, like said above, I would go with the 5.3. If you need a part, you can find it in almost any parts store or redneck backyard. Also, If you have engine problems at Harlan, URE, wherever, Im sure there will be quite a few people around that know their way around that engine.
 
flatblackzj said:
i'm not all too familiar with the Toyota/lexus v8's, but looking at the power numbers, they don't even come close to stock Chevrolet 5.3 or 5.7 hp and torque, i'm pretty sure they would be biased more towards peak power at the mid to top of the rpm range. for practical purposes, i'd go with the 5.3 and run a factory style computer and injection with a tune to eliminate what you don't need and a stripped down engine harness. the 5.7 is an ok option(better off idle torque), but i'm not overly fond of their fuel injection "spider" which can be a pita if you have a problem, plus there's not a whole lot of support for upgrades. if fuel injection isn't a requirement for you, both gm engines can be setup fairly easily with carb setups and you can throw the computer away.
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I'm not sure I understand the comment about 5.7 aftermarket support. I have never had a problem finding a performance part for a an SBC 350. As for the spider setup I agree, but I have not had any issues with the work truck which is an MPFI (later 2002-2007) setup and it can be installed on any Vortec engine pre-2002 without any modifications.

As for the carb setups, I just prefer FI these days. Nothing against a carb but I can run multiple tunes for multiple duties with stand alone fuel management (Power / Fuel conservation).

The 5.3 Isnt out of the picture just need to get to pick n pull and see if I can find one.
 
Vudujoose said:
I'm not sure I understand the comment about 5.7 aftermarket support. I have never had a problem finding a performance part for a an SBC 350. As for the spider setup I agree, but I have not had any issues with the work truck which is an MPFI (later 2002-2007) setup and it can be installed on any Vortec engine pre-2002 without any modifications.

As for the carb setups, I just prefer FI these days. Nothing against a carb but I can run multiple tunes for multiple duties with stand alone fuel management (Power / Fuel conservation).

The 5.3 Isnt out of the picture just need to get to pick n pull and see if I can find one.
Click to expand...

I think he meant for the spider injections that there's not a lot of upgrades. If I was going to run a 5.7 I'd go vortec with tbi, mainly because they are stupid simple and easier to work on.


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Redneck92 said:
I think he meant for the spider injections that there's not a lot of upgrades. If I was going to run a 5.7 I'd go vortec with tbi, mainly because they are stupid simple and easier to work on.


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Click to expand...


The shop I'm getting the block from has successfully done the marine MPFI conversion on the 5.7 Vortec engine. and assures me it is relatively cheap. This is probably not the route I will go if I can't pick up a 5.3 though they do have 2x 2000 Silverado 1500's (doubtful the engines are either in them or good).

Either way though the 2002+ MPFI setup is good to 400Hp and that's plenty for me.
 
I would go 5.3/4.8 ls. They are iron block and have been proven to hold upwards of 1000+ hp on stock internals. Just saw a 4.8 ls complete long block for sale on hpj for 350 recently. So I know they can be had cheap
 
if you can do the marine mpfi conversion on a 5.7, great, it's awfully similar to the crate motor ramjet setup in function. I was speaking more about the 96-2000 5.7 vortec setup being not well supported for fuel system purposes. other than that, a 5.7 is about as solid, simple and reliable as a sledgehammer.
 
Camping, Surf fishing, some off road trail riding, some mudding in the swamp during hunting season (and during the winter), and the occasional towing of my 200sx is all this truck will ever be used for. While I respect the fact that the 5.3 /4.8 can do 1000HP that's excessive for my purposes. I prefer massive HP in my car.

Just wanted to put into perspective that all of these engines will reach my power goals.
 
Not saying you need 1000hp, just noting the strength of these newer motors. Not to mention they have a HUGE aftermarket support.
 
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