OK, the 3.5 should be a good engine

I'm the biggest critic of the 3.5 because of the 2GR FE type engines they are just weak.... But if the Tacoma has the 2GR FSE engine might be ok, So I decided to drive the next best thing the GMC Canyon..........

So what did I think?

1. The Canyon is very refined, very smooth, good power.
2. Low end below 3000 RPM is weak
3. but Chevy keeps the rpm above 3000 rpm
4. good power above 4000
5. downshifts very quick to keep the rpm up
6. direct injection holds speed great on the hwy
7. perfectly gear matched transmission

So the 3.5 does have much less low end torque than the 4.0 but Chevy compensates with great gearing to keep it revved up... I have to say I was impressed, I didn't think the engine would run that good.. the direct injection runs great at low rpm.... The constant down shifting, and revving just to pass could be annoying but it was very seamless no manual down shifting was needed... I think it will still tow good but you will need to rev it, it may not tow as well as the 4.0 but it should still tow good...

So it feels like a good upgrade in refinement and a trade off in power more top end less low end... In the end made me miss my Tacoma and part of the charm is that truck engine but it will be exciting to see what Toyota comes up with....

 

comparing apples to dog shit.

I could make a 3.5L motor make so much torque down low it would snap driveshafts without much effort.

Comparing the GM v6 to the yota one is simply pointless.... two different motors made by two different people.... wait till the god damn truck is released and drive it. Its going to be completely different than the GM offering.

 

Good thoughts, nice to hear the Cayon isn't too bad minus the shifting. Competition is good.

Can anyone remind me why we think the 2016 will be a 2GR variant and not a derivative/downzied 1GR?

Either way, I wonder what the specs would look like for a 2GR or downsized 1GR to 3.5L...both with D4-S and Dual VVT-i plus VVT-iE or VVT-iW (for the atkinson cycle switch) and a redline of 6100 RPM? In one of the interviews, I think it was the program manager who said it would be a "truck line" engine...so I would guess a GR. Prob not UR since it's a V8 of course. Random tidbit, the 2UR-GSE V8 has the atkinson cycle switch and that engine looks like a beast.

So, I wonder if what we will see is either a new engine that is a downsized 1GR (maybe a 6GR?) or a fully-loaded and updated tech-heavy 2GR? Interesting to speculate.

 

I think it will be a 2GR, maybe tweeked for a little better low-end. Remember...this same engine with direct injection puts out 300+ HP in the Lexus IS. Besides, the 1GR is a pig and kills Toyota's CAFE ratings.

 

..... you realize that 2GR is the 1GR with a reduced stroke right? its the same engine family...and thus already a "downsized" 1GR..... the new motor is likely to be a 2GR-XXX where XXX is the new designation for the new 2GR sized motor.

 

Heh, 2GR-FSXE...

 

thanks for taking the time for test this for us.

 

http://www.autonews.com/article/20140714/OEM01/307149926/toyotas-massive-engine-overhaul

Cool article, not excited about the loss of low end but if I can get over 20 mpg lifted with 33, that would be cool....

My goal is 20 mpg, I'm in the 18s with 32" AT tires......

 

X2

 

Just need to put 32" tires (or bigger) on the Prius. Problem solved.

 

I think a Prius could still get 30 MPG rolling on 32s.

 

I wouldn't doubt that one bit

 

It'll be interesting to see who will still buy the 4-cyl Taco. It will probably get worse gas milage than the new V6, but has a lower purchase price.

4-cyl 4x4 right now has worse power-to-weight ratio than the Prius...

 

The 4 cylinder engine will get better fuel economy with the 6 speed auto. Toyota could still boost its power output between now and the fall.

 

My buddy gives me shit for wanting good MPG ( he has a Tundra) but the technology is there to have good power and mpg when cruising on the hwy so why not. I would rather have a new 4.0 with a ton of torque but we are stuck with the 3.5... But in the IS 350 this motor is a beast, so if I can get 320-330 HP with a few mods and get over 20MPG I will be getting a new truck...

We plan on touring the country with my truck so good MPG would be nice when gas goes back up.....
The IS engine makes good power...and is fast....

http://www.dragtimes.com/2006-Lexus-IS350-Dyno-Results-Graphs-11211.html

 

Such a waste of bandwidth.

 

I couldn't live with a truck like that, it would drive me crazy. A Nissan Frontier rental 4-dr 4.0 did that, no shifts were possible below 3K, very mentally draining. I'm little concerned same fate for Tacoma's new 3.5... The beauty of the 1GR is great fat low end torque (I have an Intake manifold spacer, slight bump in torque) and yet VVTi keeps the high-end alive. ... It's a thirst issue, that's all

 

so true.

 

I love the 4.0 and rarely complain about the thirst issue because of it.

If the new engine is tuned right I believe they can make it perform similar and get better MPG.. But until I drive and test one, same as everyone else I fear the worst lol

 

The 3.5 should be a good engine. Anyone remember the 3.4 from the first generation? Toyota knows what they are doing. As much I would have loved the new dual vvti 4.0 from the 4Runner. I'll take the new 3.5 and give it a fair chance.