Thoughts about the (lack of) low-end power complaints

The 3.5 uses some slick variable valve timing to achieve a quasi-Atkinson cycle and the standard Otto cycle under different loads. From all the reading I've done it sounds like the ECU is forcing the Atkinson-cycle when accelerating normally. Atkinson-cycle engines are known for their lack of torque and available low end power. I'm wondering a couple things. Will Toyota tweak it in later model years learning from the customer-base? Can an aftermarket ECU flash/tune recover some lost power and flatten out the power curve?

 

Every year there will be some changes to the programming and mapping. Whether it be for more fuel efficiency or hp.

 

Sure at the expense of mpg's which already are pretty lackluster.

 

Yeah, I was really expecting 260hp 280+ft-lbs and/or 20/27 mpg. Hell, if 5000lb full-sizes can get 20/30 with 300hp V6s.....it makes you wonder...

 

I think people would have been a lot happier if these were the numbers and real world mpg figures. I suppose as long as it's reliable in Toyota fashion it will be a success.

 

I drove the v6. I drive slow all the time and it seemed ok when accelerating from a stop. I pushed the gas pedal down a few times on the freeway and it down shifted and made the power it needed to accelerate.

 

I do the same. I roll out of stops and coast to them. I rarely need to use the pedal more than 1/3. I have not needed to pass so I cannot speak to that. Merging has not been a problem.

As far as I am concerned for my driving style, the truck's power band exceeds my expectations thus far.

 

Most of the full size real world mpgs aren't near what the manufacturers quoted.

Toyota is conservative and precise with their vehicles more than your typical truck makers. Other competitors like to throw a lot of flash to get people. Toyota almost always goes after usability and holds onto what works.

 

Is this thread strictly related to the V6s? I passed someone on the way home tonight, and it was the first time I'd taken the 4-banger above 3.5k RPM. I gotta say, once I downshifted and put my foot to the firewall, it got up and went. I was kinda surprised, as I've been babying it during the break-in period. Seemed like there was a "V-TEC just kicked in, yo!" moment somewhere between 3k and 4k.

 

I have the 2nd Gen 2.7 and the power is Def at 4k, but Def doesn't feel like vtec. Even if it really is. Just seems like that's where the power band is

 

Your torque should peak a little before 3700

 

Maybe. Revs past 4k when I look down

 

Sounds like a a Honda civic forum

 

Hardly. Had the 2trfe for 10 years. Been a dog for 10years. But it's bulletproof

 

The torque doesn't go to zero after 3700rpm.

 

....lol this is true. Just pointing out where the peak is

 

Those full sizes you refer to also have those low down skirts in the front. It's all about aerodynamics and coefficient of drag. The Tacoma has more ground clearance and better approach & departure angles than the other trucks, but the penalty is fuel efficiency. When you make a full size truck like the Tacoma, you end up with a Tundra which gets 13/18 mpg.

 

I have felt the "VTEC moment" too, believe it is the VVT-i. And I am pretty sure it is tied to engine load rather than RPM. There is a fairly steep hill on my commute home that I take in 5th gear, and every day at almost the same place I can feel that little boost, and I am usually only doing ~2300 rpm or so. Maybe the V6 is more gradual in transition because I never hear those guys say anything about feeling it like the 4 cyl.

 

People that've never had the 2.7 and the 5-speed are basically universally surprised when you put it down. I swear it's a bad rep for all the morons that got the automatic and immediately started bitching about it (however rightly...what the fuck did you think you were getting? didn't you test drive it first?)

The I4 and a manual are snappy as hell and fun to drive to boot.

 

I Don't know about any lack of power with my V6 with manual tranny. I got pissed at some duche bag over the weekend and did a hole shot from the red light in first gear on up thru the power band then chirped in 2nd. My Taco went from tame to a beast in about .5 seconds and I was off and my wife nearly peed her panties. It's not subtle either VERY noticeable, same thing happens in 4WD-LO too. I have to seriously baby this truck to get decent gas mileage, short shift and run in 4th gear around town is the only way to get +17mpg in our truck. 1st 2nd 3rd gear I get some serious grunt/torque.

I'm old enough to know what V8 power is, I like the way this engine revs down low in the RPM range when putting down the hammer. Try it and hold on is all I have to say.