5vz 3.4L Swap Intake Plenums with Throttle - Hood Clearance Solution

Product Overview

A modified, low-profile intake plenum assembly explicitly designed for 5VZ-FE 3.4L engine swaps into 1988-1995 Toyota pickups and 4Runners, addressing hood clearance challenges. The 5VZ-FE's taller DOHC design creates hood interference in older chassis, traditionally requiring 1-2" body lifts, hood cutting with scoops, or hood bracing removal. This professional-grade conversion solution provides an additional 3/8" clearance by modifying the plenum itself—eliminating hood modifications while maintaining optimal intake performance. The vapor-blasted plenum and powder-coated throttle bracket deliver factory-quality appearance and reliable throttle cable routing for seamless 3.0L to 3.4L conversions.

 

Key Features & Benefits

• 3/8" Additional Clearance: Professional modification provides critical hood clearance for 3.4L swaps into 3.0L chassis
• Vapor Blasted Finish: Like-new appearance after modification ensures professional engine bay aesthetics
• Custom Throttle Bracket: Powder-coated black bracket routes 3.0L throttle cable around front of plenum
• Optimized Cable Adjustment: Designed to position the 3VZ-E throttle cable in the middle of the adjustment range
• No Core Exchange: Complete ready-to-install unit with no core return required

 

Technical Specifications

Part Type: Modified Intake Plenum Assembly with Throttle Bracket
Engine Compatibility: 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 DOHC
Clearance Gain: 3/8 inch (9.5mm) reduction in height
Surface Finish: Vapor blasted aluminum (like-new appearance)
Throttle Bracket Finish: Black powder coat
Throttle Cable Compatibility: 3VZ-E 3.0L V6 throttle cable (1988-1995)
Modification Type: Professional machine work, maintaining intake flow characteristics

Fitment

Recipient Vehicle Year	Recipient Vehicle Model	Donor Engine
1990-1995	4Runner (3.0L chassis)	5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 swap
1988-1995	Pickup/Truck (3.0L chassis)	5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 swap
1988-1989**	4Runner (early body style)	5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 swap
1988**	Pickup (early body style)	5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 swap

Important: **1988-1989 4Runners and 1988 Pickups will also require additional measures for hood clearance, typically a 3/8" body lift in addition to this low-profile plenum. All other 1990-1995 applications can use this plenum without hood modifications or body lifts. Designed specifically for 3.0L to 3.4L conversion applications.

Installation & Maintenance

Installation Difficulty: Intermediate
Tools Required: Basic hand tools, socket set, torque wrench, throttle cable adjustment tools
Professional Installation: Recommended for proper throttle cable routing and adjustment

Maintenance Tips:

• Verify hood clearance with the engine at operating temperature before final installation
• Adjust the 3.0L throttle cable to the middle of the adjustment range per the bracket design
• Use new intake plenum gaskets during installation to prevent vacuum leaks
• Inspect throttle cable routing for clearance from hot engine components

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much hood clearance does this low-profile plenum provide?
A: This modified plenum provides an additional 3/8" (9.5mm) of clearance compared to the stock 5VZ-FE intake plenum, which is typically sufficient for 1990-1995 chassis without hood modifications or body lifts.

Q: Do I need a body lift with this low-profile plenum?
A: For 1990-1995 pickups and 4Runners, the low-profile plenum typically eliminates the need for body lifts or hood modifications. However, 1988-1989 4Runners and 1988 pickups will still require a 3/8" body lift due to their lower hood design.

Q: Will the stock 5VZ throttle cable work with this setup?
A: No, this system is designed to use the 3.0L 3VZ-E throttle cable. The custom bracket routes the cable around the front of the plenum and positions it in the middle of its adjustment range for optimal operation.

Q: Does this modification affect intake performance?
A: The professional modification maintains the internal flow characteristics and volume of the intake plenum. Performance remains comparable to the stock 5VZ-FE plenum while providing critical hood clearance.

Q: Is a core exchange required?
A: No, this is a complete, ready-to-install unit with no core return required, making the process straightforward.

Related Toyota Parts You May Need

• 3VZ-E Throttle Cable (78180-89160) - Required for proper throttle operation with custom bracket
• Intake Plenum Gaskets - Replace during installation to prevent vacuum leaks
• 5VZ-FE Engine Swap Wiring Harness - Complete electrical integration for conversion
• 3/8" Body Lift Kit - Required for 1988-1989 4Runner and 1988 Pickup applications

 

Common Hood Clearance Issues in 5VZ Swaps

• Stock 5VZ-FE plenum contacts hood or hood bracing in 3.0L chassis
• Standard throttle cable routing interferes with hood clearance on driver's side
• 1-2" body lifts required with stock plenum, compromising vehicle aesthetics
• Hood cutting or scoops needed to accommodate stock 5VZ intake height
• Hood bracing removal reduces structural integrity and still may not provide clearance

Why Choose Low Profile Plenum Solution

The Hood Clearance Challenge: The 3.4L 5VZ-FE engine is physically taller than the 3.0L 3VZ-E it replaces, primarily due to the dual overhead camshaft design and taller intake plenum. When swapping the 5VZ-FE into 1988-1995 Toyota pickups and 4Runners, the intake plenum typically interferes with the hood or hood bracing, creating one of the most challenging aspects of the conversion.

Traditional solutions include 1-2" body lifts, hood cutting with cosmetic scoops, or removal of structural hood bracing. Each approach has significant drawbacks: body lifts alter vehicle aesthetics and require extensive modification, hood cutting compromises structural integrity and resale value, while removing bracing weakens hood support and may still provide insufficient clearance.

This professional low-profile plenum modification provides the ideal solution by addressing the root cause of the clearance issue. The precision machining reduces plenum height by 3/8" while maintaining the internal flow characteristics critical for proper engine performance. The vapor-blasted finish ensures the modified plenum looks factory-fresh in your engine bay.

The included custom throttle bracket solves another critical challenge in 3.4L swaps: throttle cable routing. The 5VZ-FE throttle body faces the opposite direction from the 3VZ-E, and standard cable routing often creates additional clearance problems. This powder-coated bracket routes the 3.0L throttle cable around the front of the plenum, maintaining proper cable geometry and positioning the cable in the middle of its adjustment range for optimal pedal feel and wide-open throttle operation.

For most 1990-1995 applications, this low-profile plenum eliminates the need for body lifts or hood modifications entirely, preserving your vehicle's factory appearance while enabling the performance benefits of the 3.4L swap. Even for 1988-1989 4Runners and 1988 pickups that still require a minimal 3/8" body lift, this solution significantly reduces the modification compared to the 1-2" lift required with a stock plenum.

Choose the professional low-profile plenum solution and complete your 5VZ-FE swap with factory aesthetics and optimal hood clearance.