O.K., went with a JDM engine and they had to swap a lot of parts around so it ended up as a JDM block/ heads with US intake/ headers/ accessories/ bolt-ons. Runs like a champ and makes more power. Old engine could have been tired too (170,000 miles). All the emissions stuff bolted on O.K. There is a lot voodoo guessing online about the difference between JDM and US spec but I suspect there is a little more bump in the cam (sounds and pulls like it). He also relocated the damn knock sensor to the back of the block in the process so I can get at the thing.
$1000.00 engine
$2000.00 install
~$1000.0 new timing belt/ water pump/ distributer/ misc new parts.
So I'll beat on her for another 5 years and see if its time for model upgrade. By then, I'm hoping the Rivian/ Cyber truck will actually exist in the used truck market
.