Zander thanks for sharing all of this and great info! You should have put forged pistons with ductile iron rings in it with a slight more compression if you are thinging about boosting. I am in the process of building this now for my GX470. I am using the same rods in mine also. What did it cost you to bore the engine?
If I remember correctly cleaning up the entire block was around $1,400. It was a bit more then I planned for initially. I started with a block that had been sitting for a while outside, Unprotected from the elements. Had an overbore, head surface decking on block and heads, they ordered my pistons, balanced my rotating assembly, and finally had a couple holes re-drilled and helacoiled. I believe it was more expensive mostly because the machine shop I went to doesn’t exactly see a lot of Toyota V8’s. In fact, they stated they have never worked on a 2UZ, or any Toyota V8 ever. I was planning on getting some forged pistons when I started this project, but when I found out I could get OEM pistons for $65 a pop, it sounded a lot better then $2000 for 8 of them. Besides, I haven’t seen any major issues with the stock pistons. Even if I boost it down the road, it won’t be 30psi or anything, probably closer to 7-10. Sadly, I’m still working on putting the motor back in. Motor is fully assembled and has been for a while now. I just don’t have much room in my garage because we just emptied out my parents lake house. With it getting cold in Chicago, and not even getting home from school 30 minutes before the sun goes down, I haven’t had good time to get some work in. I swear the world is working against me. I will get this engine in! Even if it’s the last thing I do!