I would like to see this too,how do plan to make the EFI and PCM function properly when its not in a Toyota?
Toyota 4.3
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Az
Toyota 4.3
Hello everyone,
I just picked up my 1st Corvette, I got a 75 coupe, still doing research on it but I have wanted one since I was a kid. its a project but I think it is in pretty good shape. It has a small block not orig im pretty sure since it had a "PepBoys" manifold on it with an edlebrock carb. I'm still looking into it..
So everything I read the 75 seams to be a bastard step child, is this correct?
What kind of mileage am I to expect?? I know I will probably kick banned for even mentioning this but I was thinking of putting a Toyota 3.4 in it. good gas mileage and pretty good power. Thoughts?
Jason
I just picked up my 1st Corvette, I got a 75 coupe, still doing research on it but I have wanted one since I was a kid. its a project but I think it is in pretty good shape. It has a small block not orig im pretty sure since it had a "PepBoys" manifold on it with an edlebrock carb. I'm still looking into it..
So everything I read the 75 seams to be a bastard step child, is this correct?
What kind of mileage am I to expect?? I know I will probably kick banned for even mentioning this but I was thinking of putting a Toyota 3.4 in it. good gas mileage and pretty good power. Thoughts?
Jason
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
Good luck with your gelded stallion.
When you think about putting that 4.3 or 3.4 motor in it you need to consider the car it was in when you factor the fuel economy. A corvette aint light, that will effect the economy of the engine.
You could also find a wrecked Smart car and put one of their motorcycle engines in your muscle car... Think of how easy it would be to work on with all that room under the hood.
Or heck, since you will be welding anyway, why not take the motor out all together and then cut holes in the floor boards and go Fred Flintstone style. It doesn't get any greener.
When you think about putting that 4.3 or 3.4 motor in it you need to consider the car it was in when you factor the fuel economy. A corvette aint light, that will effect the economy of the engine.
You could also find a wrecked Smart car and put one of their motorcycle engines in your muscle car... Think of how easy it would be to work on with all that room under the hood.
Or heck, since you will be welding anyway, why not take the motor out all together and then cut holes in the floor boards and go Fred Flintstone style. It doesn't get any greener.
Last edited by johnt365; Jul 8, 2012 at 12:38 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
A fuel injected v8 from a newer vehicle along with an overdrive transmission can get close to 30mpg. I'm swapping an LT1 in my '76, and while it doesn't drop just in its still an easier change.
Remember this is a Corvette. If you really want a toyota 6 cylinder, how about a Supra engine?
Remember this is a Corvette. If you really want a toyota 6 cylinder, how about a Supra engine?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Az
Weight
Good luck with your gelded stallion.
When you think about putting that 4.3 or 3.4 motor in it you need to consider the car it was in when you factor the fuel economy. A corvette aint light, that will effect the economy of the engine.
You could also find a wrecked Smart car and put one of their motorcycle engines in your muscle car... Think of how easy it would be to work on with all that room under the hood.
Or heck, since you will be welding anyway, why not take the motor out all together and then cut holes in the floor boards and go Fred Flintstone style. It doesn't get any greener.
When you think about putting that 4.3 or 3.4 motor in it you need to consider the car it was in when you factor the fuel economy. A corvette aint light, that will effect the economy of the engine.
You could also find a wrecked Smart car and put one of their motorcycle engines in your muscle car... Think of how easy it would be to work on with all that room under the hood.
Or heck, since you will be welding anyway, why not take the motor out all together and then cut holes in the floor boards and go Fred Flintstone style. It doesn't get any greener.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
How much do you intend to drive your car? The cost to transplant a 3.4 into your Corvette would pay for a lot of gas. From doing a little quick research, it looks like the 3.4 gets 26 mpg on the highway in a Tacoma. The Tacoma is actually quite a bit more aerodynamic than the Corvette, so it won't get as good mpg in a Corvette body. Properly tuned and with a modest rear end, your Corvette should be capable of 20 mpg with the V8. You'd have to drive a ton of miles to justify the cost of the engine swap from an economical standpoint.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
all flames aside. I think the conversion will be pretty intense. Your 3.4 truck has 190 hp and an overdrive transmission. With a few minor changes, that 350 could easily see 190+ hp and all your accessories would be there, parts are at any local parts store and there is no other engine that has more aftermarket parts. If you change the motor you gotta change the transmission as well. If it was me, I would
swap the transmission to a 700R4 which has an overdrive and fun low first gear,
duel the exhaust and put in headers,
tune it up and recurve the distributor.
That should put you at about the same power as that 3.4 and give you an overdrive which is what is making that T-100 get the good MPG. If you drive the T-100 around for a day or so in 3rd gear you should get an idea of what is killing the Vettes economy.
If you still want to do this, consider that it is not uncommon to see Corvette motors in other cars. After all, a Corvette is just a big fiberglass container for your engine. Yes, there is no cooler looking car than a Corvette. However, just imagine the deflated smiles and empty looks of confusion as you pop the hood to flash that rice motor to your friends.
Last edited by johnt365; Jul 8, 2012 at 02:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Az
all flames aside. I think the conversion will be pretty intense. Your 3.4 truck has 190 hp and an overdrive transmission. With a few minor changes, that 350 could easily see 190+ hp and all your accessories would be there, parts are at any local parts store and there is no other engine that has more aftermarket parts. If you change the motor you gotta change the transmission as well. If it was me, I would
swap the transmission to a 700R4 which has an overdrive and fun low first gear,
duel the exhaust and put in headers,
tune it up and recurve the distributor.
That should put you at about the same power as that 3.4 and give you an overdrive which is what is making that T-100 get the good MPG. If you drive the T-100 around for a day or so in 3rd gear you should get an idea of what is killing the Vettes economy.
If you still want to do this, consider that it is not uncommon to see Corvette motors in other cars. After all, a Corvette is just a big fiberglass container for your engine. Yes, there is no cooler looking car than a Corvette. However, just imagine the deflated smiles and empty looks of confusion as you pop the hood to flash that rice motor to your friends.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Az
I'm sure all you rich guys that can wipe your butt with hundred dollar bills can afford these porches and new vettes, but us lil guys that actually work for a living and have wanted a corvette and just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get a deal; doing what they can with what they got.... i came here for help, ideals and research. I don't think I could get a prius for 1200 
Last edited by rockrdr; Jul 8, 2012 at 05:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
You don't typically buy a C3 for its fuel economy. Rather than insult (agreed that's only my silly opinion) the legacy of the only Amercian sports car by installing a Japanese engine, why not do an LS swap that will give you horsepower and economy? You can easily run 400hp and still get around 28mpg. On top of everything else, I'd bet the LS swap would be much more cost effective.
Last edited by damoroso; Jul 9, 2012 at 07:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Same as what I posted about the guy thinking a 4.3L would be such a great swap because it'd be unique and save so much fuel. Unique isn't all it's cut out to be. The Toyota engine is a dog compared to your other options, just like the 4.3L is a crappy engine to start with. An LS engine isn't just a drop in either but the swap is documented and one of them will perform better and give better fuel mileage. There are good reasons many people are using the LS engines for many swaps.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
I'm sure all you rich guys that can wipe your butt with hundred dollar bills can afford these porches and new vettes, but us lil guys that actually work for a living and have wanted a corvette and just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get a deal; doing what they can with what they got.... i came here for help, ideals and research. I don't think I could get a prius for 1200
Frank
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
I'm sure all you rich guys that can wipe your butt with hundred dollar bills can afford these porches and new vettes, but us lil guys that actually work for a living and have wanted a corvette and just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get a deal; doing what they can with what they got.... i came here for help, ideals and research. I don't think I could get a prius for 1200