3.5L V6 vs 4.0L V6

This confuses me. The few dynos I have looked at between the 4.0 and the 3.5 They both generate the bulk of their torque at 2000 - 2500 RPM.

People keep referencing the low end torque of the 4.0 but I do not see a significant difference.

 

Agreed and the 3.5 is bagged on for lack of power and inadequate towing power against the 2nd Gen. In a "tow test" the 3rd Gen absoluty destroyed the 2nd Gen by 50 seconds up to a elevation of 11,000+ foot grade. The 3rd Gen didn't fare well on the down hill but it kicked butt going up hill contrary to all the folks who bad mouth the 3.5 it has great power and towing based on this test watch...https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DCkBmiZV09w&t=0h0m35s

 

That is because it was using its upper rpm range. Shorter stroke engine rev better an have tendency to run higher rpms easier. Test them 0-60 with same load an see what happens.

 

I'm driving a loaner from Toyota for a couple months and it has the 3.5. I'm not too satisfied with it.
There are flat spots all through the rpm range on acceleration. The combination of 6 speed auto, small displacement engine, and tall gears make this thing lug around town unless in 4th. Anything under 60mph and the rpms never get above 1500. Now, highway cruising @ 80 was nice...Only runs 2000rpm, which translates to saved fuel, but, any incline and the truck just loses too much speed.
The 3.5 produces more HP than the 4.0 but has to be spun up to 6000 to get it.
Anything under 2500-3000 and your out of the power band. It'll be awhile but I'll be happy when I get my 06 back. Think I'll wait till they revamp the 3 gens a little better before I spend 40g's on one.

 

Stop looking at dynos. I'm not saying the Gen3 is bad. Just different. The 1GR is definitely a better work motor and the 2GR is a better daily driver motor.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a stock 3.5 dyno graph. Just to see the curve and flat spots I feel in this one.

 

This is from the OV tune thread. Red=stock, green=tuned. This was their first crack at it.

 

Thank you. I was just digging thru threads looking for one.

 

What a joke... look at how the motor stays above 5k rpm and constantly shifting just trying to maintain 60mph. This is why I traded my Tacoma for a Tundra. Towing my 4500lb Boat was a nightmare. Heading down to the keys a for few times this year it was about a 3 hour drive doing 70mph, The truck got a bout 6 miles per gallon and was constantly shifting before 3rd and 4th. Staying around 4k to 5k rpm, do you know how loud that is for 3 hours? My 2002 Pathfinder with the 3.5 v6 5 speed towed the same boat 21 Edgewater CC with no problems.

Again I stand by saying this is the worst Tacoma ever built. Here in flat land of Florida i never saw above 18 mpg. My 2017 5.7 4x4 Tundra averaging around 15. I Never used the ECT on the tacoma except for towing which did nothing. Truck could never find the right gear just trying to get up to the speed limit around 45.

This truck was built for the millennial generation to drive to Home Depot and throw 2 or 3 bags of mulch in the bed and feel good about having a truck. and to ever one else that keeps telling me
"Well the turd gen Tacoma is a truck, it is supposed to drive like crap, It not supposed to be quiet, its not supposed to shift smooth, its not supposed to ride like a car." Well then why did they then put a car motor in a truck?

 

+1... example dyno graphs below...


- 2016 V6 manual, Dynapack dyno, measured at hubs


4.0 (blue lines are stock).

 

Wow, I guess my ass-o-meter wasn't lying. Look at those rolling hills. Even tuned it still does it.
Makes me wonder if it is de-regulated electronically somehow. Interesting...

 

I don't have my tune kit yet, but the reviews so far have indicated the power delivery is noticably more linear, especially mid range. The ECM programming is definitely a huge factor, as OV tune eludes to. They are far from done with this engine:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-toyota-tacoma-v6-ecu-tuning-alpha-release.495735/

 

I'm with ya everywhere but the end. This 2017 is much more 'Car' oriented to me than my 06 4.0.
It's soft riding, very quiet with the windows up, and steering is okay. This is a 2 wheel drive SR5 so there may be a big difference from the 4wd models.

 

I like this thread.

It's the first one I've seen to date where someone is comparing the 4.0 and the 3.5 and people aren't bashing the new motor and telling him if he buys the 3.5 he will be sorry.

People are giving actual facts, data and opinions without being assholes.

Change

 

Can't tell if serious. Read the one a few posts up. I guess millenials are just retards too.

 

I'm being serious.

There will be a few in every bunch, but for the most part these comparisons have always turned into shit shows from the first few post.

 

The 3.5 is not a bad engine. It's got the power. It'll get to 60 in a hurry, but, the configuration it's in stock is a bit depressing for me.
Now, some shorter gears, and a programmer to change out the shift points and it'd be great to me.
Fuel mileage is def better than 4.0.
I drive 150-200 miles/day and with my 4.0 it'll drink half a tank+. Yesterday the 3.5 only used MAYBE 1/3.
There's much to be done with these new trucks. I'm excited to see what comes out

 

That much is true.

The posts that I find most credible are those made by members who have personal experience with BOTH engines. Not just hyperbole, not just a test drive, not just what their buddy said. Guys who own/have owned both. Good or bad.

 

We had a DCSB TRD OR with the 3.5 with the auto trans. Although I wasn't a fan of the gear hunting the motor itself was great. Quick and had plenty of power. We used it a couple times to trailer parts to the powder coater and it did just fine.

I've driven the same truck, DCSB TRD OR with the 4.0 and it felt like it had more power but I think it was mostly the transmission, gearing and lower end torque.

Fuel economy between the two definitely went to the 3.5.

 

I think you're a prime candidate for the OV tune. Personally I'm in it for improved driveability, as the stock tune is just abysmal WRT throttle lag and power delivery weirdness. I have an M/T, so you can imagine how this stuff affects the driving experience.