Cam gears for V6. Add power AND mpg

The snap-on box wrench get better leverage but i guess doesnt really matter since a ratchet can go on it. All depends what u got in the tool box lol

 

The next question is.. would a craftsman or non-professional wrench work too? Snap on is $$$$ for me/most people (I would think)

 

sorry edited my response since i realized MB wrench lol. Carftsman can. Mine was tight as shit not sure if 200k on a 04 4runner made a difference for me lol

 

Im going to have to flag down a snap on guy to check the price of the single wrench.

I have 110k on my 2010 Tacoma

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Capri-T...ra-Long-Box-End-Wrench-CP11800-1719/312592531

 

I used the MB engine mount wrench on my big Kobalt torque wrench that tightens and loosens and had no issues. Leverage is the key.

 

I used a cresent wrench to hold the camshaft and a box end wrench for the bolt. Passenger side I needed to use the double wrench trick on the bolt and a short piece of pipe on the cresent. Drivers side I just used the wrenches and was able to break it free.

 

IMO yes, the extended boxed wrench is best because it has the best leverage but as stated by @iunek808 it's all what you have available in the tool box. I already owned the extended boxed wrench set, but I did order the 24mm open end wrench to hold the cam. It took me less that one minute to break both cam bolts loose.

On another note: I actually got some miles in with the cam gears and I can definitely feel a difference. I was so used to driving in 4 around city streets and going uphill, but now I can drive in D and it doesn't feel all sluggish. It feels like it did before on stock tires vs 33" KM3's lol.

 

I counted cam gear revolutions today. In order to get the smaller chains to line up "perfectly" it takes 18 revolutions of the cam gear per perfect line up. Getting all 3 chains to line up took me 108 cam gear revolutions. Could take even more as it wasn't perfect when I started counting. Just letting y'all know, if your gears aren't matching the chains, it might not be off timing from the factory (which happens) it could be you just didn't turn it over enough times. I'll eventually post a video showing perfect timing on page 1. Tried to do a through one for y'all today

 

But it isn’t necessary to turn it over that many times. These things don’t have to line up. Just following the URD instructions is sufficient

 

That's correct, put a new mark in the chain when it's lined up, pull it, reinstall.
It's a question I get frequently though so I figured I would go though the paces and have a definitive answer

 

That’s what I did. Left my spark plugs in so didn’t feel like fighting the compression all that much

 

It’s a little unnerving when your working by yourself and you have it all logically figured out in your head. Then you start second guessing yourself and start speed reading through the thread in a panic because you over thought it and think all the timing marks, stars and planets have to be perfectly aligned. When it’s stupid easy.

 

Anyone in the Raleigh area havent installed yet and want to team up? I'm a bit nervous doing it on my own. Willing to drive to Charlotte or Richmond so we could do multiple installs.

 

https://youtu.be/HEvgPpmnndc
Added to page one 1st post.
Should help confirm timing for y'all that are hesitant or second guessing if they messed up the timing

 

I installed these a little over a week ago and want to give my review. The install took about 5 hours by myself, me taking my time after a really long shift at work and ensuring not to break anything. I did the passenger side first and when I was done put it back together before removing the driver side stuff. My timing was almost lined up perfectly from the get-go. I only had to turn the crank a little to line the marks up, then I marked the chain with a grease pencil before removing. The cam bolt is just like everyone said, a bear to break initially then will spin the rest of the way out SUPER easy. I used a doubled up wrench setup and held the cam with a big open end, do what works here. I did make sure to keep tension on the chain when the gear was off the cam, to avoid it slipping a tooth anywhere else. I bought a crowsfoot kit to torque the cam bolt, but would have preferred a torque adapter (also known as dogbone) for the task. All of my gaskets were good and I only needed some good black RTV for the cam covers. The links and work that @mightytacoman put into this made it easy and if you read through them you can't mess it up.

Initially, on first start up I found the engine running a little rough but that smoothed out, I chalk it up to the ECU re-learning and I'm super-sensitive to vibrations. I actually messaged mightytacoman and he responded back immediately to help troubleshoot, but turns out I just needed to let the computer relearn. On the next day, I drove it to work and the engine now feels almost "car-like". No real way to describe it other than it's definitely smoother than before. I also feel power gains, but I feel it all over not just the midrange as others have described. I noticed not being in the gas pedal as much to get up to speed and the power delivery was smoother, similar to the vibration of the engine. I can't comment on the economy/MPG change yet. I wanted to wait to post this so I could, but ended up with right ankle surgery and the GF has been driving me around in my truck. Calculating the MPG at gas stops it's been the same as before the swap, but she drives with her foot planted in either the gas or the brake which is different than I do. I suspect a .5 to 1 mpg increase, but will comment back/edit this post when I am pushing the go pedal again and can be more definitive.

Overall, I'm very happy with this. It was an easy/cheap mod thanks to mightytacoman and makes me feel like I'm driving a newer vehicle again. More power, less vibration, and I suspect better economy...can't go wrong. Thanks to mightytacoman for doing this for us.

Edit: I’ve found a 1mpg increase in city driving and .5mpg highway, all with regular 87. YMMV...lol

 

Thanks for the review my friend. Hopefully that ankle heals up quickly.

 

Also for all those waiting for gb6 to fill up.. I'm calling it full Wednesday. Don't want y'all to have to wait much longer. If I get time, I'll pm everyone in it later tonight with how to proceed

EDIT: PM's sent to everyone in GB6. I'll keep the GB open till Wednesday night for anyone that wants to jump in last minute

 

These were a breeze to install, other than aligning the timing marks. This was the first time I removed anything (on the engine) other than my air box, whole job took around 4 hours. I'm currently running a fresh tank of fuel to check the mileage, but I'm not expecting great numbers due to freezing temps and A.M. warm up.

 

Morning y'all. Last day to jump in on gb6 guys