REVISITED OLD TOPIC: Toyota 454?

Hunter44

Hunter44

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Location
Lexington
I would really like to throw a 454 in my 95 Toyota pickup, for what reasons should I NOT do this? I've read up on many threads and gas mileage is obviously the only big issue, but 10-15mpg isn't all that bad considering that's what I get with my 4banger. Curious about if it'll even fit in the engine bay with a radiator and all the other goodies as well. I know you guys are very knowledgeable so any details, advice, tips, etc let me know. Call me crazy too but the 4banger has to got to go and welcome some serious HP. 5.3 is the most economical and reasonable and what many have recommended but I want something not many have and I plan on keeping the truck till it disintegrates.
 
Vortec 8.1. Don't be a pansy :flipoff2:
 
What ^ said.
Then when you get the frame beefed the increased weight of the engine and frame will mean your front suspension isnt up to the challenge. Meaning sagging front end and horrible road manners.

Plus as blasphemous as this may sound, the 454 really isnt an ideal platform for well....anything. If you want a BBC Id look at the 8.1 as mentioned ut you could get better hp and torque and fuel mileage numbers out of a built 5.3/6.0 than you'll get out of a 454.
 
I'm sure there's a vendor here that does but you have several options, do it yourself (pita but free), buy one online for $500-700, send harness and computer to Jims performance or any LS specialist and pay $450-500 plug and play
 
Wasn't @Wwildman doing LS harnesses at one point?

Never used his work so no knowledge but seemed to have good prices as I remember.
 
Wwildman said:
My cost is 200 shipped
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Is that sending you a harness or you supplying? I may just start letting you do my dirt work, lol/
 
You won't get 10-15 mpg from a 454! Then again, I wouldn't expect very good mileage from any V8 in your truck. It has the aerodynamic efficiency of the broad side of a barn.

You could literally buy a complete 4.8 or 5.3 for 300-400 bucks. Then have a complete wiring harness made from scratch for 550 shipped. That'd put you less than 1000 in a running LS platform, which is less than the cost of a cam swap in the same motor. However, you have to take in to account your transmission and transfer case. Either way, you'll need to buy a transmission. If you go with a 5 speed, you'll need a clutch and flywheel also. You could run any number of married transfer cases with the auto or a 5 speed, but you could also use a 2wd transmission and stay with that divorced transfer case idea you've been pondering.

Keep in mind, if you decide to do a cam later on, you'll more than likely need a higher stall torque converter (depending on the cam). That's another reason I stick with the 5 speeds.
 
Fitment aside from all mentioned above about a newer 5.3 etc being more logical, fitment/space is a problem. There isn't much space between teh gril land firewall, you'll have to extend the front or move the radiator elsewhere. Plus have you SASed already? If not you'll need a body lift to clear the bottom unless you cut a hole in the hood.
not to mention you'll obsviously need a different tranny etc too to mate.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Fitment aside from all mentioned above about a newer 5.3 etc being more logical, fitment/space is a problem. There isn't much space between teh gril land firewall, you'll have to extend the front or move the radiator elsewhere. Plus have you SASed already? If not you'll need a body lift to clear the bottom unless you cut a hole in the hood.
not to mention you'll obsviously need a different tranny etc too to mate.
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Have you seen a pic of this truck? I don't think he'll have clearance problems out the bottom.
 
Check Craigslist and call around. LS swaps are getting easier and more affordable by the day. Ive found places selling hopped up 5.3s already tuned with everything needed to 4 wire hookup for $1500.
 
Falko said:
Have you seen a pic of this truck? I don't think he'll have clearance problems out the bottom.
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I guess the obvious answer is no? I had not.
 
OnlyOneDR said:
For a smaller truck the 4.8 is probably the hot ticket. A little engine work and they can scream with as little weight as possible. My favorite tech story as of late: http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/hrdp-1109-stock-gm-ls-engine-big-bang-theory/
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This. 4.8s are usually a couple hundred cheaper in the junkyard. 15 less hp, and a 400 rpm higher powerband compared to the 5.3.

When it's time to rebuild the 4.8, go way overbore, like .125", and have a short stroke big bore 5.3L, using 6.0 off the shelf pistons. I I remember all that correctly. There is a car craft article showing the difference with 4.8/5.3, and how much you can do to one.
 
I say go 454 turbo 400 205. You would have a bullet proof drive train. The 454 in stock trim is no monster but makes more power easy with a few parts. The thing forgotten about the big blocks isn't the peak horse power but where in the rpm it makes power. I love the ls engines but I also like the old iron. There's also something to be said for the simplicity of a carburetored engine as well.
 
peewee said:
I say go 454 turbo 400 205. You would have a bullet proof drive train. The 454 in stock trim is no monster but makes more power easy with a few parts. The thing forgotten about the big blocks isn't the peak horse power but where in the rpm it makes power. I love the ls engines but I also like the old iron. There's also something to be said for the simplicity of a carburetored engine as well.
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View attachment 190116

454 weighs 625
400 weighs 140
205 weighs 175

Carbs suck offroad.

Fuel spills out of vent tubes and runs down Venturi, along with floats overfilling the bowls over bumps.

Most aren't tuned and are oversized for offroad, fuel injection solves a lot of these issues.

Propane is easy but there are issues with street use. Most 454s are too much motor for one 425 mixer....

If you want 454/400/205 why not go find a one ton truck and swap the Toyota cab on to it?
 
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