You could argue this is a little unnecessary given the famed durability of Toyota’s 5VZ-FE six-cylinder engine, but one company believes preventative maintenance is the best kind of maintenance, even for a Toyota. LC Engineering out of Arizona is offering a fully rebuilt and refurbished “Stage 1” 5VZ long block for your vintage Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma.
A Zero-Mile 5VZ For Your Toyota
LC Engineering
The long block isn’t cheap. It’s $10,000, and for nearly that amount, you could end up with one of these higher-mileage cars that could probably benefit from one. Each Stage 1 block gets ported and polished heads, ARP head studs for better durability, and a lightweight crankshaft pulley that should help a little with efficiency.
LC Engineering doesn’t say how much power these long block makes, but the stock motors made 183 horses in the 4Runner of the day and 190 hp in the Tacomas of similar vintage. However, the renowned tuning firm does say the motors are “perfect for owners seeking reliability and a slight performance boost.” It’s likely a safe bet that LC simply means these motors actually make around the factory output. 20-odd years later, and many don’t.
There aren’t many options on the company’s website. You can have some red valve cover gaskets, which appear not to affect the price, and select whether you’d like a core charge, though an amount isn’t given. However, the company does state the motor is “supercharger-ready” for those seeking a little more power. It’d be useful for those living well above sea level. Speaking from personal experience, you’d be better off pushing one of these old Toyotas up a high-altitude pass.
$10,000 is a hefty sum to lay out for cars that generally aren’t worth more than $30,000 in mint condition, but it’s a solid safety valve for those who need a new motor for their Tacoma or 4Runner.
About the author
Chase Bierenkoven
Senior Editor, Autoblog