Ive got 4.88's with the automatic stock 31's and the wonderful 3.slow. However even though it is a 3.slow the gears are really low and they are only 31' tires. It feels like it is a chore getting on the highway and climbing hills on the highway or doing anything above 45 mph. Is it the automatic that kills the speed/power so much?
Also my firend has just bought a 2wd 1994 auto 3.0 runner and he said that he has a limiter at 85 mph is this true or factory Toyota?

 

When was the last time you replaced all your ignition components and cleaned out your throttle body and intake? These things will definately help with power.

 

Im not sure about the wires but the plugs have 6K on them and the rotor is clean. I keep a close check on the TB and the air filter/intake and they are always clean.

I know that the 3.0 is slow but i was just wondering why even with the gears it is nofaster than my friends 84' 22R 5 speed 2wd long bed pickup actually it is slower from a rolling start.

 

The factory 3.0 is slow, there's no doubt about that, it's even more slower when attached to a automatic transmission! You can't beat the 3.0 for the low end torque, but when it comes to hwy driving it's a struggle to get her up to speed! I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times about people complaining about the lack of power with the auto trans. Sorry to say that it comes with the payments! It's time for some mods: headers, 2 1/4" exhaust, air intake......! The 3.0 just can't breathe enough to produce the power it needs! That cross over is a mis-engineered mistake! It seems to me in all my wisdom and opinion that the 88 - 90 3.0's were actually faster than the ones produced after 1990!
Yes there is a limiter on them - Rev Limiter!

Good Luck!

 

Hmm. Rev limiter? Was that in all years? Mine doesn't seem to have one. I tell you what though, my 3,0 is a lot faster than my 22re was, I have no complaints at all, and it's bone stock and has 212k on it. Seems to me that the 4:88/31 combo should wind the motor out too quick - not taking advantage of the excellent torque and instead relying on hp (that it doesn't have) to rev it quick (it's not a quick revver,) coupled with the auto (ick, even though Yota autos are among the best) I bet it might be pretty slow. Just a bad combo for speed, but it should pull hills nicely. Imagine running through the gears in low range. Exaggerated example, but that's what I mean - quick revs but no speed. Not fast.

But even so, what you're describing seems just TOO slow. Sounds like a tuning problem to me too. Or you forgot to release the park brake...

 

I've had my '94 3.0 for a few months. I changed the air and fuel filters, as someone on here suggested, and couldn't believe the difference! It even sounds healthier through the exhaust and the intake. Any fuel pressure drop across a dirty fuel filter will give less fuel pressure at the injectors. Changed the shocks and steering stabilizer and was equally impressed.
BTW - Corvettlvr 73, here's my '76 Vette

 

Yeah Ive got a new fuel filter sitting on my desk calling my name.

Very Nice Vette. There is nothing like a corvette. Corvettes are my true love but for everyday driving and offroad there is nothing like toyota. Check out a couple of pics of my baby.

 

Your Runner seems so slow because your Vette isn't... BTW, Your Vette I am sure sucks real bad off road.

I am real glad got rid of my 3.0 and traded it for a 3.4... worlds of differience but, Still slow.

 

LOL Yeah the Corvette doenst do to well off road but i would like to have that positraction rear in the runner

 

I'm over-geared right now with a 5 sp, 4:88's and 31" tires. I can say that it is almost quick, and I have bumped the 105 speed limiter a few times. It wouldn't even come close with the 4:30's. I used to have to floor it frequently on the freeway, but not any more.

 

If after going through all the usual stuff mentioned previously and it's still slow try a new muffler and exhaust.
After reading numerous posts here, I had installed a Dynomax super turbo and 2.25 pipe from the cat back and it made an immediate difference.
It felt like I unhooked a boat I'd been pulling around for years.
It won't make it a race car, but the bang for the buck is well worth it.

Good luck!

 

Hey "golden" how does that super turbo sound behind the 3.0? At high RPMs and low. Ive got them on my Corvette and they are awesome not too loud at idle but you can wake them up. But that is with headers true duals 2.5" and no cats.

 

kwityerbitchin'
Just kidding, I say that because I'm a proud owner of the 2.7!!! AHHHHH hear it roar!
But yeah I think you need a serious tune up, it shouldn't struggle that much. I also agree it a mental thing too considering your previous ride.

 

It's a great balance for my tastes anyway. At idle, you can tell it's not stock because of the tone, but it's not any louder than stock.
Between 2000 & 2500 rpm, it wakes up and has nice low tone to it. Seems to quiet back down at highway speeds. On the highway with the radio off and windows up, never know it's there.

Won't sound as good as your Vette though, V8 through duals is a sweet sound!!

 

Golden, Thanks sounds like just what ive been looking for. Not too loud but enough to know that it is not stock. Im going to have to look into it.