I disagree 81red...

The #1 thing is the power/efficiency ratio. It's OK to get crappy mileage in a Bugatti Veyron or a Koenisegg because they're making huge power. And it's OK for a Civic to be a bit slow because you're getting 40 MPG.

The problem with the 3.0 is it gets Koenisegg mileage with Civic performance.

If you were to increase the performance, the gas mileage will of course get even worse.

 

Could just get a 22re, throw in a mild cam, upgrade the headers and exhaust and be fine..

 

What do you disagree with? Thats what I said.?..

 

No, you just said efficiency, thereby ruling out the Bugatti and Koenisegg and leaving yourself with the Civic ...

 

i have an 1990 4-runner with the v6. I live in canada so we have some huge @s* hills. When i bought the truck a year ago it had 242000 kms on it and i pulled a u-haul trailer weighing 2200lbs for 7500kms and no problem. engine did fine pulling the trailer up hills and only burned 3 quarters of a litre of oil. not to mention i sunk the whole truck in the middle of a river, towed it in gear to empty the engine of water, let it sit for 2 days then she started right up with an oil and fluid change. i think the v6 is an awesome engine and would recommend it to anyone!!!!

 

WOW this is alot of information to take in. Thanks for all your help and knowledge.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do yet. I like the 22RE motor and know plenty of people that have it in there trucks.

 

great idea... toyotas are great... just dont dog on the 22re simply cuz its a 4 cylinder. ive towed a couple cars for about 50 miles with mine, used to tow a 8 foot trailer with a couple quads a 3 wheeler and a dirtbike a lot from san diego to imperial county(glamis, plaster city, ocotillo, superstition, etc) about 120+ miles round trip. what im saying is dont judge a book by its cover. the 22RE with 5 spd is all the power you'd need for quads. welcome.

 

I always love these threads...

Either way, bothe motors are phenomenal in my eyes. The 22R has a reputation for being the most reliable, long lasting gas engine ever built. Fair enough. I've got 208,xxx miles on my 92 3.0 and it runs like a champ. Shows NO signs of slowing down anytime soon. I know there are plenty of people on this board who can beat me mileage-wise. They do have a HG problem. Ever heard of a 22R with a knock? Just as common. Both motors are good choices, so pick the one that best fits your needs. Are you a straight highway guy looking for gas mileage? 22RE. Looking to tow? 3VZE. Don't be swayed by the bias on this site. They're both built Toyota tough.





Either way, get a 5 speed

 

x2 on the 5 speed....

 

Hey, Aging Veteran here...

I have a 92 4Runner SR5 3.0... 268,000 miles, heads/valves done at 200,000 mi., head gaskets done again at 260,000 miles at the dealer (that was not cheap, but I was working then). I never overheated it by the way...

Anyway, It starts fine (first turn of the key), Idles fine, Seems to have improved acceleration (could be the 4 point plugs), but it balks when trying to maintain a speed... Seems to start this when fully warmed up, at high speeds it balks/jerks a little when I lift my foot from the gas to maintain a speed. In slow traffic, 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear it can be like riding a bull at times when I lift my foot slightly or light pressure on the gas (heavy pressure on the gas, no problem). When I questioned the service guy at the dealer he suggested that it may be the fuel pressure regulator.

Funny thing is that it does not seem to do this when in cruise control... Also my gas milage has gone from the usual 16.5 - 19 down to 10 - 13. I love my little truck I have pampered it and paid ungodly prices to fix it. Maybe someday I will change over to the 3.4 engine but for now I need to know how to fix it or at least know what is wrong with it. By the way, the clutch was just done at the dealer last year (ouch) and in perfect working order.