This Company Will Give Your Old Toyota 4×4 a Better-than Factory-Fresh Heart

If your old 3.4-liter Toyota V6 is feeling a bit tired, look no further than LC Engineering.

Silver Toyota 4Runner SUV parked on a dirt hill with mountains in the background.

Published October 9, 2025

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Updated October 9, 2025

If you own a classic Toyota truck or SUV from the 1990s or early 2000s and are looking to breathe some new life into it, then LC Engineering out of Arizona has just the solution for you.

The shop specializes in restoring and modifying engines from the Japanese automaker — among many other things related to older ‘Yotas. And it just revealed its “Stage 1” overhaul of Toyota’s iconic “5VZ” V6.

But rather than rebuilding your original engine, LC Engineering will sell you a complete long-block for your easy swapping needs.

Resuscitating an iconic workhorse

Toyota 3400 Four Cam 24-valve engine with visible intake manifold and battery. — The “5VZ-FE” is well-known as one of Toyota’s most robust and reliable engines.

The “5VZ” is essentially the fifth and final iteration of Toyota’s ubiquitous “VZ” V6 from the era. Its earliest version debuted in 1988 as the “1VZ,” with the “2VZ” and “3VZ” following, and production ending in 2004.

The VZ first began duty powering Japanese Domestic Market Camrys and all of the automaker’s trucks and SUVs at the time. Its initial number prefixes designated the engine’s variants depending on their application.

White Toyota pickup truck kicking up dust while driving on a sandy desert trail with Joshua trees in the background. — The 5VZ-FE powered the first-generation Tacoma.

Throughout its evolution, it went on to power several Lexus models and other Toyota models of the era. But the “5Z” version is the variant that truly rose to prominence upon its introduction.

Known for its duty in nearly all of Toyota’s trucks from about 1995 up through 2004, the “5VZ-FE” powered the beloved third-generation 4Runner, first-generation Tacoma, the Tundra’s T100 predecessor and even the Land Cruiser Prado.

Dark green Toyota Tacoma pickup truck parked on a dirt hill with a hazy mountain background. — The T100, the predecessor to the modern Tundra, also utilized the 5VZ-FE.

It’s one of the engines that cemented the automaker’s reputation for reliability, durability and dependability. Because of these attributes, it’s especially earned its status as a favorite workhorse among four-wheeling enthusiasts.

However, because of that, many of them have accumulated enough mileage equivalent to traveling to the moon…and maybe back. And while they may still work today with hundreds of thousands of miles on them, age and wear still take their toll. LC Engineering helps address that.

Providing a new heart for your old ‘Yota four-by-four

Red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck parked on rocky terrain with climbers on a large rock formation and snow-capped mountains in the background. — The first-gen Tacoma’s V6 is one of the many reasons fans love the truck.

While the “5VZ-FE” is known as one Toyota’s most prominent workhorses, it isn’t quite exactly known for tremendous power. Displacing 3.4-liters, it produced around 190 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque at best.

Toyota’s Racing Development North American team did offer a factory-backed bolt-on Roots-type supercharger kit. That bumped output to 254 hp and 270 lb-ft without the need for other significant modifications.

White Toyota Tacoma pickup truck parked on a rural road with green and dry grass in the background. — The Tacoma utilized the 5VZ-FE up until the second-generation model.

But one had to drop some serious coin for it.

To provide more than just a nut-and-bolt restoration, LC Engineering goes above and beyond. For instance, it upgrades the head and valvetrain.

The head itself benefits from a port and polish job to reduce inductive air friction and improve flow. The company also replaces the factory head bolts with a set of ARP upgrades for better durability.

Black and silver 5VZ-FE engine mounted on a red engine stand against a gray wall. — LC Engineering upgrades all of the 5VZ-FE’s shortcomings.

And as a part the head rebuild and reinforcement, its engineers add in new valve springs, valve seals, retainers and keepers.

That’s on top of LC Engineering replacing and testing internal moving parts. For instance, they machine and pressure test the block while equipping a new OEM crankshaft, connecting rods and oil pump.

Black and silver 5VZ-FE engine mounted on a red stand against a gray background. — Although the engine doesn’t have many weak points, LC Engineering found ways to improve on its original design.

The team then replaces the timing belt and water pump, and harmonic balancer. But it also upgrades other bits by adding in King main bearing caps and upgraded hypereutectic pistons.

While LC Engineering does sell the long-block, buyers still need an old 5VZ-FE to transplant some original parts over, if they’re in good shape. If you need help with the process, they’ll even refer you to an approved shop to help with the work.

Black and silver car engine with red and yellow accents against a gray background. — LC Engineering will assist with the swap process if one requests it.

But you’ll need to set aside a nice chunk of change as the Stage 1 5VZ-FE starts at $9,999.99.

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