4-cyl Acceleration

Hey everybody,

Let me preface this by saying that I live in central Florida. Everybody here drives like their life depends on beating google maps' trip meter time. With that being said, I've been having a problem, especially recently, with my acceleration in the city being pretty inadequate even in the right lane.

Here's my dilemma: Nowadays, even minivans are pushing 300hp, and most of the full size trucks are pushing 400hp like it's no big deal. Being as my Tacoma is 17 years old, and only puts out 142hp at the crank, I find myself more often than not having to floor it in order to avoid being run off the road. No, I'm not kidding. That, being paired with the manual transmission, slows me down even more, especially having over 108,000 miles on the original clutch.

I'm a pretty big stickler about gas mileage, as well as not beating the hell out of my engine for no reason. I don't like to push the gas hard just to get to the next red light, and this will seriously piss people off, even in the farthest right lane. Usually, when the light turns green, everybody puts the gas down to the floor and races up to the next red light (approaching speeds of upwards of 60mph in a 50mph zone). I don't see the need, but this still doesn't stop the recently divorced 40 year old in his Ram 3500 douchemobile from laying on the horn behind me because I'm not going fast enough for him...in the right lane.

I have good days and bad days. Sometimes I have no issues, and the flow of traffic is that of my car exactly. Other days, like today, I get run off the road by a Chevy Cruz.

So let me ask you guys this. Do you notice problems with your 4-cyl tacomas not being able to keep up with the flow of traffic? I've done everything I can, and only travel in the right lane because I know there's no way I can keep up with the left lane traffic even with the gas all the way on the floor. I don't want to have to deliberately find roads that don't have much traffic in order to go places, but I'm sick and tired of getting into it with people over a truck that can't keep up with everybody else. Suggestions?

and my apologies, this article isn't written very well. I'm pretty pissed about that Chevy Cruz incident -_-

 

They make a sticker for that

 

Damn man that shits crazy! My 4 banger is pretty slow too but has some getup when I rev it up.
My advise, get a dash cam/ reverse cam and try not to let it get to you. Someone runs you off the road and causes damage you’ve got ‘em on tape.

 

4 cyl is a potato but the upside is that it's seriously bulletproof (direct descendant of the mighty 22r and 22re)

but anyway, don't drive for others, drive for yourself. Just stay in the slow lane and if they find you too slow, they will simply pass you

 

We have the same problems up here, during the summer people want to go 20kph over the limit in the right lane, and I just want to chill out with some music and cruise control, but instead I get to read the brand of their sunglasses in my mirrors.

 

If you're trying to keep your truck, Realistic options will be Forced Induction or Regearing. Regearing will be the cheaper option and it'll make a hell of a difference on a budget. You'll just be taking a hit on your higher RPMS in chance for having a better torque curve to get you moving on the lower end.

I had freeway speed issues after my mods, but my gearing fixed it all.

 

Yeah, that's the way people drive around here and I recently went from a 2009 Silverado with 330 hp to my 2013 Tacoma with 159 hp. So I try not to pull out in tight traffic. But if someone thinks their speed limit is higher than the posted limit, I will let them run up behind me as I keep up the speed limit. I've had people pass on double yellow lines because they're more important than me! It gets worse when I'm towing the boat. The 2.7 needs another 40-50 hp to keep up with today's traffic.

 

Just get a truck with a bigger engine and and be done with it.

 

I don’t think it’s the op’s responsibility to speed up. I think it’s other the drivers responsibility to pass op when they can (preferably legally).
Like I said in my first post, I have a 4 cyl and just deal with it. I don’t mind taking the extra few minutes to get to my destinations. Especially when I’m getting 23-25 mpg while doing so. Other drivers just have to deal with my speed limit speeds.

 

Yeah, I agree. The power of the 2.7L is outdated. On the other hand, I'll bet that boosting its power requires a more complex and costlier engine, thereby eliminating the reason the 2.7L still exists -- it's relatively "cheap" and bulletproof. You didn't buy your Tacoma for speed, so don't expect it to go any faster. The 2.7L is Tacoma's "Turtle Edition."

 

I spent more $ getting 4cyl. I wanted the reliability and it’s a truck, I don’t need to speed. Time is the new luxury. As long as I’m not a rolling road block, doing 20kms/h below the speed limit on a two lane highway, people can pass me. I feel your pain,OP. People riding your bumper are an accident waiting to happen. It particularly bugs me when it’s 40+ year olds who should know better. Driving is so much more pleasurable when you’re not white knuckling it. In my experience it is even worse in the states.The irony is people complain about poor mileage and drive at 80mph and launch it from every stoplight. As I get older I appreciate slow,efficient and methodical.

 

Exactly what others have been saying. Drive reasonably and safely if that is your thing, and many people will thank you for it (although we rarely get the chance to do so).

I also do things that piss off other people but that doesn't mean I am doing anything wrong. I don't need to take on other people's issues. I try to keep up a reasonable pace, in the appropriate lane, but I don't bother trying to please everyone. If there's a red light ahead, I will not accelerate very quickly, or (if already moving) I will let off the gas... yes this pisses off some others but there's no way I will ever be the jackass who accelerates quickly toward a red light. Someone is in a hurry? That's their problem, not mine. They can go around, they can make gestures, I don't really care... but I will pull up next to them in a few moments and give them a smirk (or thumbs down). Public roads are not racetracks, and too many drivers are numb to the fact that driving is probably the most dangerous thing we do... on a daily basis.

 

Haha the more somebody’s up my ass the slower I go

 

Wait that came out wrong

 

Move to Wyoming. Or some other less populated state. You'll still have the problem on the interstate but not to much everywhere else.

 

I mean, the 2TR handles boost like a champ. I'm at 8psi of boost and not even remotely concerned about longevity. The whole bottom end is forged and good for 400hp over its lifetime (which is literally forever lol)

With that said, I still don't drive around like a douche. If I'm going too slow for someone, they can pass me or eat my ass. I'm not in a rush to get anywhere. Even before the turbo, I only ever complained when there was heavy traffic and I had to merge on the parkways here that have super short entrances.

I love my 2.7, and wouldn't ever consider trading it for a V6...especially now that it's quicker than one, too!

 

Pretty much every other car manufacturer has a 2.0 turbo engine, which is the ideal size for performance and to meet emissions (from my research). Toyota would do well to do the same. Similar mid size crossovers that weigh more are getting much better fuel economy and much more power. Yes aerodynamics play into it, but I'm usually at 55 mph or so, so drag isn't massive yet.

 

Kinda sorta thread jack

How much time and money does a setup like that cost? I’ve considered the supercharger but it’s outrageously expensive. How does it drive with the turbo? Normal? Weird? Also I have a 2tr-fe with an automatic.

 

Pretty much every other car manufacturer has a 2.0 turbo engine, which is the ideal size for performance and to meet emissions (from my research). Toyota would do well to do the same. Similar mid size crossovers that weigh more are getting much better fuel economy and much more power. Yes aerodynamics play into it, but I'm usually at 55 mph or so, so drag isn't massive yet.