Shameless 2tr-fe 4 cyl. speculation

We know the 2016 2.7l 2tr-fe engine in the 3rd generation tacoma has been changed. We know the compression ratio has been increased from 9.6 to 10.2 and the engine now has variable valve timing on the exhaust side giving it DUAL vvti status. Toyota leads us to belive that the new engine has (been detuned?) to the exact horsepower and torque as the outgoing engine. Sorry Toyota. Not buying it.

So, to find information on the new engine, I did some research on the 2tr-fe engine in the Toyota Hylux sold overseas. The 2016 Hilux also recieved the new 2tr-fe engine this year. The compression has been increase from 9.6 to 10.2 and is now DUAL vvti. Sound familiar? I have some information to share on this engine and will share in following posts. What do you think?

 

Show me where is says DUAL vvti for the 2TR-FE

 

On the window sticker at the dealer. This information is starting to find it's way into dealer ads also.

 

It's still single vvti. Sorry man

 

Dual VVT-i for the 2TR-FE is listed as one of the new features for 2016. I don't have pages 36-68 which are all about the 2TR. Someone else will have to dig that up on TIS.

 

Borrowing some one's pic.

 

From netcarshow.com about the 2016 Hilux 2.7l dual vvti: "The proven, 2,694cc litre petrol engine generates 122 kW at 5,200 rpm, maximum torque of 245 Nm at 4,000 rpm and a maximum speed of 170 kph."

This is 164 hp at 5200 rpm and 181 ft-lb torque at 4000. Up from 159 hp at 5200 and 180 ft-lb at 3800 rpm.

 

Continuing...."The unit benefits from a range of enhancements designed to save weight, enhance combustion efficiency and reduce friction, resulting in a higher power output combined with increased fuel economy..

The weight of the roller rocker arm, retainer and valve spring has been reduced. Combustion efficiency has been improved through the use of a newly shaped intake tumble port, a reshaped combustuon chamber designed for high compression, and the adoption of variable valve timing on the exhaust side.

 

More...."This now equips the 2.7 litre unit with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligen), with the valve timing of the both intake and exhaust sides optimised to inprove power delivery.

Measures to reduce mechanical friction losses include the optimisation of the cylinder inner wall surface treatment, the application of a Teflon coating to the connecting rod bearings, and the adoption of a low-friction timing chain and oil pump.

As a result of these technical enhancements, the 2.7 litre unit's fuel efficiency has improved by 10%, its average fuel consumption falling to 10.4l/100 km when mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and 10.7 l/100 km when matched to a 5-speed manual gearbox."

 

Interesting. If this is the case, then why would Toyota not say so? I understand they want people to buy the V6, but the Colorado and Canyon have a 200 hp 4 cylinder that this truck competes against. If someone wants a truck for $25k, they could lose some business to GM by not stating that this is a newer engine with more power.

 

Interesting because the Toyota website and the 2016 brochure reference only a single VVTI system

 

The engine is still technically vvti (variable valve timing- intelligent).

Addressing the other issue, I believe Toyota would like to phase out 4 cylinder engines in trucks. Toyota wants us to buy large expensive trucks. To get away from small trucks, they need to phase out the 4 cylinder. If you want a 4 cylinder Tacoma, you almost have to special order it seems. This may be a short term trend as some day they may have to bring back a truely small truck.

Toyota wants to increased the MPG of their product line. They couldn't release the new 4 cyl until the Akinson V-6 was out. Some people were already getting 24 MPG with 2TR-FE 4 cyl and 4x4. Improvements to the 4 cyl could bring the MPG to 25 or 26? It seems the MPG of the 4 cyl. had been understated somewhat and probably still is. Not intentially. It is just the real world conditions may favor the 4 cyl.

Some people love a Toyota iron block 4 cyl. I hope this is the best 4 cyl. truck engine yet. They could have made it more powerful with the addition of dual vvti, but it appears the chages were made mostly to make the engine more fuel effiecient. The addition of teflon coated connecting rod bearings will alleviate some of the concern about starting the engine with

$54 0W-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0W-20 oil. This engine sounds like a million engine to me.

 

Million mile engine.

 

I intend to special order a 4 cylinder - 2016 SR5 and agree that it is more likely to get 24 mpg than the V-6, under real world conditions. I am ordering the 4 cylinder because I do not tow or haul nor need extra power performance

 

Stop at V6. That's why... because Toyota's already the Sales leader by a good margin and they want to make money.. There is likely little profit in the 4 bangers and they want the improved fuel economy to meet epa goals, while keeping the public in the dark. Just my opinion.

 

Those are the reasons I bought mine, such a great little engine. Driving the truck home from Ohio on it's first tank of gas (hilly, frequently varying speed/accelerating) I got 24.0 mpg, it's only improved from there. There has to be some sort of break-in engine tune toyota's programmed in, it felt suzuki samurai slow the first few 100 miles, with zero increase in upper rpm power; now it's excellent. I might have to get it dynoed some weekend just out of curiosity.

Random opinion: an alloy block version of the 2tr-fe in a lotus 7 replica would be amazing for spirited sideroads driving/autocross...

 

Throughout Toyota pickup truck history the four-cylinder has always been the bulletproof one. since 1988 and the first v6 , it always seem they have some issues with head gaskets and so on . I had a 89,93,05 all had head gasket recalls. When I special ordered my 2017 with the 2.7 The Toyota dealer told me it would be a little longer of a wait because they just didn't make as many and are harder to get and also they sold out very quickly. Sure enough when 2017 production began they started building the V-6 first.

 

Your going to love the utility pack option. The vast majority of the front end is of course unpainted plastic, so no need to touch up paint chips etc. Without the rear seats, and considering the back/side window height, the rear cab area can hold a staggering amount of supplies... plus you saved $2,000 over the SR pack.

 

If toyota ever decides to do a ecu tune to say the 2018 2.7 and bump it to say 180hp, will the 16 and 17 be able to get the flash? I doubt this will happen, but dreamers can dream..

 

The engine output specs have been the same since 2005. It will never happen. Mines got 310k on it now.