3VZE vs. 22RE
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Mar 15, 2005 | 09:53 PM
#15
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I'll take the 22re AND the 3vze!
I think the 3vze is one hell of a reliable engine. Significantly more reliable than other manufacturers of the era these engines were produced. The 22RE is also a reliable engine - more reliable than the 3vze? I don't think so.
The one hindering thing with the 3vze that lots of mostly non owner "theorists," seem to like to point out when debating the merits of the 3vze vs 22RE or other engines they think they know well is the headgasket problem. But I think something needs to be made very clear about the head gasket "problem." First, it is not a Problem. The headgasket put in these vehicles at the factory was the WRONG head gasket. Wrong in terms of design, or material, probably a bit of both. When Toyota put the Right head gasket in, either with the last year (95) of the 4runner/pickup with the 3vze, or through the recall, the 3vze is every bit as reliable as the 22re. If they were just replacing the head gasket during the recall with the same one they put in the factory when the truck was built, and the recalled head gasket wasn't holding up, then it would be a problem. But the redesigned proper headgasket holds up, so it is not a "problem." Calling it a problem would insinuate that it reptitively occurs in this truck. But it is clear that it does not. It may have happened once - with the original head gasket if the dealer didn't get to it first with the recall, but when it's taken care of, it's taken care of. People seem to forget that the 22re has a skeleton on the closet in the timing chain. This slight flaw can also be fixed by changing the timing chain more regularly (i.e. paying attention to its maintenance) or buying metal timing chain guides over the stock plastic ones. But when both of these flaws are addressed with the fixes available, these engines are simply flawless! (if that makes any sense).
Both of these engines are overhead cam engines. Both are lugging around a 3500 plus pound truck. Both of these engines are considered gutless by todays standards, but are not neccessarily gutless when you consider they were designed in the 80's!
I think the 3vze is one hell of a reliable engine. Significantly more reliable than other manufacturers of the era these engines were produced. The 22RE is also a reliable engine - more reliable than the 3vze? I don't think so.
The one hindering thing with the 3vze that lots of mostly non owner "theorists," seem to like to point out when debating the merits of the 3vze vs 22RE or other engines they think they know well is the headgasket problem. But I think something needs to be made very clear about the head gasket "problem." First, it is not a Problem. The headgasket put in these vehicles at the factory was the WRONG head gasket. Wrong in terms of design, or material, probably a bit of both. When Toyota put the Right head gasket in, either with the last year (95) of the 4runner/pickup with the 3vze, or through the recall, the 3vze is every bit as reliable as the 22re. If they were just replacing the head gasket during the recall with the same one they put in the factory when the truck was built, and the recalled head gasket wasn't holding up, then it would be a problem. But the redesigned proper headgasket holds up, so it is not a "problem." Calling it a problem would insinuate that it reptitively occurs in this truck. But it is clear that it does not. It may have happened once - with the original head gasket if the dealer didn't get to it first with the recall, but when it's taken care of, it's taken care of. People seem to forget that the 22re has a skeleton on the closet in the timing chain. This slight flaw can also be fixed by changing the timing chain more regularly (i.e. paying attention to its maintenance) or buying metal timing chain guides over the stock plastic ones. But when both of these flaws are addressed with the fixes available, these engines are simply flawless! (if that makes any sense).
Both of these engines are overhead cam engines. Both are lugging around a 3500 plus pound truck. Both of these engines are considered gutless by todays standards, but are not neccessarily gutless when you consider they were designed in the 80's!
Last edited by CoedNaked; Mar 15, 2005 at 09:56 PM.
3VZE. 15,000 on the new motor, 238,000 on the one it replaced
Mar 16, 2005 | 12:23 PM
#20
Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: The Lone Star State
Originally Posted by CoedNaked
But when both of these flaws are addressed with the fixes available, these engines are simply flawless! (if that makes any sense).
I like the 22re better for these reasons:
1. More reliable.
2. Better gas mileage.
3. Much easier to work on. If the HG goes (which does happen every once and while), you can easily fix it yourself.
4. More and cheaper aftermarket parts. You can easily and cheaply build a reliable 22re with the same amount of power as the 3vze. Intake, cam, header, and exhaust is all you need.
5. Relatively the same amount of power with the 5-speed when the 3.slow has the auto behind it (or so I'm told).
6. Much cheaper to replace.
I would much rather prefer to have the 22re and do some mods to it. It's just an overall better engine without the design flaws of the 3.slow. If my motor goes, it's getting a swap but probably not for a 22re. If I'm going to go through that trouble, I'm getting power.
:bounce2:
EDIT: Replacing the timing chain guides is very minor and inexpensive compared to a HG on the 3vze.
Last edited by AgRunner06; Mar 16, 2005 at 02:10 PM.
