2.7 vs 3.5

I don't know what rev hang is and may have experienced it without being aware. How would you describe the experience of encountering rev hang? Does rev hang occur every time you shift or is it intermittent? Does it vary in intensity or duration or is it the same all the time?

 

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/rev-hang-explained-and-why-petrolheads-hate-it/

 

Around town the 4 cylinder is fine but when I'm at elevation going up long grades I wish for more power as I'm foot to the floor trying to maintain the speed limit.

 

Except for guy that sold the one I bought, fortunately. For me, it was more important to have an access cab manual 4x4 than to have either the 2.7 or 3.5. Couldn't have afforded a 3.5 w/manual anyway since those are significantly marked up over the SR with fancy frill trims. I like the basic nature of the SR.

3.5 is probably the better choice for most people w/ North American expectations IF the local inventory supports what you can afford + you need. Maybe the 3.5 costs more to maintain long term, not sure.

 

I've got a `21 2.7l DCSB. It's a heavy truck, and yeah, the 2.7 is sluggish, but it's not that much more sluggish than my `16 4cyl Camry. If I need to pass someone on the highway, I hit ECT power and step on the pedal, and especially in 3rd gear right around 3K RPM, it has a surprising amount of get up and go, all things considered. I've taken it on two long road trips over the Rockies, from Houston to California and back, and then Houston to Colorado and back, and it was fine.

 

they used about the same amount of engine oil, so basic maintenance should be the same
spark plugs on 2.7L last twice as long and also cost 2 plugs less each time. but that's like $200 dollars of difference over the life of the truck.

 

you definitely have to rev up the 4 cyl. to get to the power band but the 2.7L doesn't mind being redlined for extended periods of time. The 2.7L is also better on inclines. some people have destroyed their 3.5s when offroading on steep inclines.

 

I've wondered about that. Not sure if it's true. I don't think most engines are designed to operate on inclines for an extended duration. That said, maybe V engines are more vulnerable in that situation than inline engines? I don't know.

Some people think that needing to rev the engine to make horsepower is a design flaw. That's a deliberate element of the design. Toyota, I think, wanted to make an inexpensive reliable engine that gets ok useable torque relative to its modest displacement. Fast was never a consideration. Such a design makes more sense on a farm in Australia or on a dune in Sudan than on an American highway, but there you are.

 

New guy on the forums here.... I have a 2017 Tacoma with the 2.7 4 cyl. as well... I drive with the ECT power on all the time, anyone know if that's a bad thing to do? It's slow as F#$k when it's off.

 

All the ECT is doing is telling the transmission to shift later at a higher engine RPM. No different than the "power" setting on my Highlander.

 

it's like eating 2 more steak dinners per week, it won't have any harmful effect in the short run, but will slightly reduced the overall life expectancy.

and translate that to engine life, you might be able to get to 1 million miles, but now your engine block might be toasted at 900k miles

 

I have the Pedal Commander and drive with the ECT on and have zero complaints about acceleration and it takes the hills pretty good too

 

Thanks, I figured as much. If I remember correctly, my old 2004 Tacoma TRD had a button on the shifter that did something similar, I can't remember what it was called, but I would use it when I was passing people up on the highway.

These new 2.7s are thirsty as heck too, I had no idea these new tacomas were so shitty on gas mileage haha.

I swear my '89 Toyota pickup truck with the extra cab, 22RE and 5sp. manual got better gas mileage than my '17 Tacoma.

 

I noticed weight is a big factor as well, when I'm alone in the truck, ECT ON, she skoots real nice around town, but when the wife and 2 kids (and my dog) are in the truck I can feel it big time.

 

That’s great that you found one. There were a good number out there a few years ago but it’s been a while since I’ve seen one for sale.

 

Since weight seems to play a factor is there a weight difference between an access cab and a double cab? Or long bed vs short bed difference. I imagine there would be but I can't find anything on google

 

Idk, if thats all. If i push the ect on my sr5 v6 the engine tone is louder, and seems to make more power while needing to upshift really bad. The truck will suck gas in this mode nearly as bad as my old 4.7 tundra. After trying it once i have never used it again.

 

Just get an aftermarket ecu tune.

 

Don't need any of that crap. The latest factory tune works perfect. I like the transmission, and engine performance as well as my tundra had.