HELP! What engine am I looking for?

Anyway, maybe that's not the engine I want. I want something for my Toyota that will bolt directly to a later model NV4500, HP ranging from 230 - 300, torque around 300 LB-FT, with cast iron block + head. Size can be from 300 ci (however many 'liters' that is) to 375. I have a bias towards smaller displacement. Whatever beat me up for posting an x10000 duped thread but might as well just add to the pile of them. I have just a few months to source an engine trans combo and make my truck run. I promise if I get help now I'll put back into the thread when I'm a master

TLDR point me to a good knowledge base
I think the 99-2000 LQ4 6.0 Gas engines with 873 heads in the 2500 trucks where the only engines that had cast iron heads.
Regarding Toyota V8 engines, my 06 Tundra has the 4.7 liter ~,281 Cid V8. It runs smoothly, has acceptable power and horrible gas mileage. 15.5 mpg is typical in a perfectly maintained version. Highway, carefully driving I can occasionally get 19 mpg out of it. My ex- girlfriend had one that didn't get plugs and timing belt changes. Her Tundra got about 10 to 11 mpg. The newer bigger,5.7 I force, makes more power than the older smaller 4.7 but has same maintenance cost and even worse MPG.
Cost $850 to $1,250 - Every 90,000 milestone the timing belt, belt tensioners and water pump need to be replaced.
Cost $250 to $450 - Spark plugs every 30,000 miles with Toyota specific plugs.
I like the 4 valve Toyota V8's fairly well because they are smooth and refined but after owning one I know Toyota fails to live up to the hype. I would take the NA Toyota over a stock. NA 4.8 GM V8 when comparing small engine to small displacement engine. Likewise the GM 5.3 over the smaller Toyota. The bigger GM 6.0 over all of the others mentioned including the newer Toyota 5.7 Iforce.
The GM 5.3 LM7 (aluminum heads) or L33 (Aluminum block& heads, slightly better cam) are far more cost effective modification friendly and have a big aftermarket. Maintenance cost is far less too. MPG typically 16.5 in the ones I've driven.
I would favor the 6.0 GM V8 for your swap. It's 360 cubes and exactly the same physical size as the 5.3 or 4.8
Good luck with the project.






