ok guys.....
what is the best toyota engine, overall.
reliablity being first consideration.
power
ease to work on
part avalibity

give your input.

mine:22re

 

Assuming you mean Best Toyota Truck/SUV engine? Because they have some extremely reliable car engines too.

As far as ease to work on - I don't think it is fair to compare a V6 to a 4 cylinder in a compact truck/4runner. The reason I say this is because yeah the 4 cylinder is obviously going to be easier to work on. It's got less parts, less cylinders, valves, etc, and it's smaller so it is easier to get your hands in the cramped engine bay a little better. It's apples and oranges as far as comparisons go.

The Best Toyota engine according to power - well let's pull out the specs here. Which Toyota truck engine has the most horsepower and torque? I honestly think you should rephrase the question. Perhaps you mean the best performing Toyota truck/Suv engine? Because Toyota has some pretty powerful engines in their trucks now, like the 4.7 V8 in the Tundra or the 4.0 V6 in the Tacoma. What it comes down to though is performance. Performance is very strongly related to the hp/torque, and related curves of those variables, compared to the weight of the vehicle it is pulling. The result being better performance because there are less pounds per horsepower, etc.

Part availability? That is sort of an interesting question, because I can get any engine part for a Toyota engine at a dealership for any Toyota engine produced in the last 20 years in about 2 days to their parts counter. The 22RE, the 3.0 V6, the 3.4 V6, the 2.7 4, the 4.7 V8, the 4.0 V6, you name it. Perhaps you mean part availability as far as aftermarket parts and modifications go?

And reliability? Well this is subjective because again, everyone will have a different story. Is this the engine left stock and dealers serviced? Or is this reliability with engine modificiations? Do you want first hand reports or second hand reports? Considering the differences in parts, do you think it's fair to compare a 4 cylinder to a V6, to a V8? As you move up the cylinder scale you have more moving parts with more to go wrong.

I think it is a difficult question to answer given the vagueness of the details surrounding the criteria that makes up the question.

 

the 20R is in my eyes, the best engine toyota has ever built on terms of reliability. dual row timing chain with steel guides, forged rods and crank, deep skirted block, and a good head design. i've seen many with over 400,000 miles on the clock, most only stop running after the rig they're in rusts into the ground.

i would have picked the '81-82 22R but it didn't make any better power than the 20R, and the head design had much more to be desired.

 

NOT THE 22RE. Stupid engine, Stupid Truck, Im either dropping in a 305/350 this spring or ditching the 4Runner for a Jeep

 

Do you mean a GM 305 or 350? Is this a pretty common install? I have heard of this swap before.

Rob

 

Never mind 4Hummer - he has obviously been in a bad mood the last several days, and is polluting the board with emotional comments based on the heat of the moment! Have a drink Mike - it'll be OK!

I agree with the above - I had a 22R, and never had a problem with it. If you did, you could practically fix it with a flat screwdriver, a timing light, and a hammer. I had super tall gears (4 speed) with 31's and probably 1000 lbs worth of stereo, and it got along fine. TONS of aftermarket support since it was used in all kinds of vehicles - trucks, celicas, etc.

 

I am very pleased with the 3.4 V6. Compared to a 22R-E, it gets the same mileage, has nearly twice the power, makes half the noise and it is really simple to work on. It has proven itself exceptionally reliable too. I expect that the new 4.0 V6 is even better.

 

The 3B diesel hands down has got to be one of the best motors Toyota has ever made. Many go 500,000 miles or more before needing an overhaul. The 3B is also VERY easily turbo charged (flip the exhaust manifold upside down, bolt on a turbo)

For a gas motor, I'd say either the 22RE, or the 3RZ.

 

2JZGTTE, the twin turbo from 93-98 supras.

easily modifiable and yields close to 1000 hp by not so major mods.

 

oh man the choices... I don't even know the newer engines... but the older engines... Yes the supra's inline six is awesome and naturally balanced being an inline-6.... the 22re, I thought was a great engine... I'm not familiar with the 20's, or the diesels...

I would say the Supra's I-6 or the diesel... who wouldn't want a rugged toyota and small toyota diesel in it... with a SA...

we just need to imports some from Australia and call them kit cars and get them tagged...

I would definitely pick one of the Aussie yotas over any american yota

 

3.SLOW baby! nothing like gutlessness coupled with bad mileage! but honestly, chalk up another vote for the 2JZGTTE...

 

While it's not my favorite, the 3.0 3vz-e was the most reliable motor I have ever experienced. I put 155,000 miles on it over 8 years with only regular maintenance. It never ran any less than perfect.

My favorites are:
5VZ-FE
7M-GTE
1JZ-GTE
2JZ-GTE

 

make a poll for something like that....

 

Toyotas worst engine ( argueably the 3.0 ) is so far and above most other manufactors engines that It is kinda silly to pick the best.

My vote would be 15B-FT

 

Personally, I think the 3.0 is one of Toyota's smoothest engines ever produced (in a truck). Perfect? Nope. Powerhorse? Nope. Effecient? Nope. Easy to work on? Nope. Smooth as silk? Yup.

I'll argue until the cows come home that the 3.0 is a smoother engine than the 3.4. I've owned many of both, and the 3.4 vibrates just a tad more in the upper RPM ranges, and it also chokes for air earlier than the 3.0.

Favorites? Kyle has some great points about the 20r, though I didn't like mine. I love the 22RE for simplicity, power that seems greater than it's advertized 11x-hp, and effeciency. The 3.0.. ahhh the 3.0. I like the 3.4 a lot, but it's far from perfect especially under boost. I've driven a 3rz only once and can't comment. I miss the i-Force in my '03 Tundra, and would love to drive the VVTI version someday, but the electronics leave much to be desired (could no longer handle boost starting in '03, so TRD discontinued the charger).

For me, I'll be pursuing a S/C'd, Gagdgetized and engnbldr.com'd 3.4 for my next project truck... A strong 300+ HP out of a light v6.

 

I agree 100% Brian. Apparently the 3vz-Fe camshafts will work in the 5VZ and move the power up a bit to help with the high-rpm choke. The 5VZ is a great motor though and gets my vote for one of Toyota's best.

 

When are you swapping cams, Ken?

I agree that the 3.4 is a great motor... One of my favorites as well, but I think the 3.0 is superior in hwo smooth it runs. I know I'll get flamed for calling a 3.0 superior to anything, but I'm kinda like that.

 

Best engines?

4AGE
2JZGTE
5/6/7MGTE
1ZZFE (VVT)

Hino Diesels...?

 

my buddy's 93 SR5 pickup just rolled over 290,000 on the ticker. He doesn't like to be easy on it, and with 38's and 5.29's it does just fine. He hasn't even changed the timing belt since 126,000 ... but honestly i can't choose, i don't think theres a yota' motor than i could complain about. :bounce2:

 

i don't know, maybe if you're comparing to mitsubishi or something. the trucks i've driven with the 3VZ-E were definitely smooth, but they didn't have much more power than my 4 banger.