Horsepower dilemma

Currently have 2021 tacoma access cab long bed 2.7 engine with 4x4, advertised horsepower is about 159, the tacoma weights about 4000 pounds. My mother has a 2018 Subaru outback 2.5 liter horizontally opposed flat 4 boxer engine advertised horsepower about 180 and the vehicle weights about 3900 pounds. Question is.....WHY is the larger displacement engine the 2.7 inline 4 cylinder in my tacoma not making more horsepower than the smaller displacement engine 2.5 in the Subaru? Both vehicle weigh about the same and the outback has much better acceleration and power. I think the factory programming in the vehicles computer has allot to do with it but I could be wrong. Toyota programs the computer to be in economy mode for the best gas mileage but all in reality this 2.7 tacoma engine should be capable of producing closer to 200 hp with an aftermarket tune on the computer system. Might sacrifice gas mileage a little but I think that motor has allot more potential.

 

Head flow, bore/stroke, camshaft profiles, valve area, rpm range, and about a thousand other variables. Displacement is but one piece of a large puzzle, despite what outdated 60s muscle car guys think. Heck they all worship “fast” cars that are slower than a v6 altima

but to your final point, no, there’s no way a programming change is going to make 40 extra hp on that motor. Embrace the suck.

 

Cold air intake and aftermarket exhaust system with a computer tune from a performance shop should be a solid 20-30 horsepower gain in theory

 

The problem I see with my engine is where in the rpm band the power is located. You should not have to rev the crap out of a truck engine to make power. Oh wait this is a minivan engine.

 

What's the torque on the Subi engine?

 

Sustained power is different in a truck.

2.7 is decades old and has different engineering and requirements.

 

Toyota de tunes 2TR FE for longevity reasons. That’s why this engine literally lasts forever.

That’s the case with most smaller pick ups really. 4.0 in my ranger was rated at 207hp, same engine in the mustang is rated at like 235hp.

Also the 3.5 in the Tacoma is de tuned. Same engine in the Camry makes 308 hp and has a higher redline.

 

Simply put...your 2.7 is a dinosaur designed engine. Look at this way that engine will still be running when the subaru one is in the junk yard.

 

I hated my Subaru CVT. The difference in power is because the Tacoma is tuned for longevity. Also, I'm sure aerodynamics play a part and such... But comparing the two is kind of apples and oranges.

3rd gen has been the same production for a while. There will be improvements in the next gen. I'd take a well built engine over a boxer style one any day though.

 

Flat life bro!

 

The Subaru has CVT to keep the power plant in its powerband

 

“Cold air” intake and exhaust will do nothing in terms of power. You already have cold air stock.

Tune is definitely the way to go.

 

I know the 2.7 has 180 ft lbs of torque at a relatively low RPM. I highly doubt the Subi 2.5 has that much torque. And even if it did have as high a peak torque number I bet it's at a much higher RPM.

Put a 3000 pound trailer behind each one and report back to us.

 

Don't get me wrong here I'm happy with the Tacoma overall I think the 4 banger will less expensive to maintain in the long run but I feel that the truck should have just a tad bit more get up and go. Its not a performance vehicle by any stretch of the imagination however I think Toyota is doing a disservice to its customers base with the wimpy factory tune. The ECT button does help quite a bit and I'm glad about that

 

Same here w the V6

Tune it, helps tremendously

 

The towing capacity of both vehicles is actually about the same i believe

 

2.7 is a truck engine.

 

I think the 2.7 Taco is 3500#....but don't quote me on that. I would be surprised if a unibody 4 cylinder car is that much. It would also need some really big breaks. But I don't much about Subis

 

Nothing wrong with the 2.7, its the truck itself now thats gotten too portly. I test drove one, imo toyota should have offered this engine in a smaller model pickup.

 

I love Subarus, owned many, still have one. But this statement couldn’t be more true. The one I have is a EJ257 with 166k, I done all maintenance since 70k taking great care of it and even still I can not believe it’s still going!

OP has your moms needed head gaskets yet? It will eventually, if it doesn’t blow up first that is.