Lexus 3.5v6 vs Tacoma 3.5v6?

My GX was built in Japan by decedents of Hirohito. Just saying. Seriously though, I think most are still built in Japan. Not Mexico and Texas.

 

How is it worse? This is a bummer to hear. If the hybrid is setup right they should be able to solve the torque issues with the electric motor.

 

I'm just glad that Toyota sticks with a common platform (not sure why people think there is a difference between a car and a truck engine, auto makers have been using the same engines in both for years). Lots you can do to change characteristics with minor tweaks but keeping the same basic platform. The current 3.5 is an evolution of the 4.0 platform. This helps increase reliability and keep costs down. My truck drives fine in the city and great on forest trails. Seems like people expect every engine to act like the beloved small block V-8's we've had for so many years.

 

I wanted to have the Lexus intake horn on my Tacoma, so I researched and bought the inlet tube/horn “resonator” for the GS350.


From looking at the schematics and assembly instructions, the Lexus motors actually have a different intake manifold. The inlet into the header is adjacent to the firewall in the Lexus motor but it’s opposite the firewall in the Tacoma variant. I am not sure why because both variants are RWD.

The intake tube will fit The header and filter box of the Tacoma but it’s too long. That makes sense because in both the GS and Tacoma the filter box is in a similar area but the Tacoma header inlet is opposite of the firewall while the GS’s inlet is adjacent.

There are probably more small differences than just the ECU programming and default fuel rating, but I would imagine those two differences are the most significant.

 

I still have trouble understanding why people spend $30k+ on a vehicle then bash about how crap it is later. There are other options out there. And if anything, just wait for the next Gen.

I love my truck, its not a Camry or a Lexus, which is why I bought it.

 

The biggest annoyance is the gas motor kicking on almost constantly. The electric motor doesn’t aid the gas motor as far as torque goes, it operates independently below a certain RPM (relatively low RPM if I remember correctly) and then the gas motor kicks on and takes over. The transition is not smooth. Lots of power surges and lulls. The CVT is much worse than the 8-speed as well in my opinion. I drive the RXs almost solely commuting into Pittsburgh when I get them, so lots of stop and go on the highway, accelerating to keep up with traffic, etc. Normal highway driving might yield different results.

 

I sure could've asked for more power out of it (IS350 with OVTUNE PLEASE), but for what it was, I felt like it had great gear ratios and drove like a champ. The paddle shifters on the F-sport were also pretty decent.

 

That sounds horrible. If they blended the electric and gas the hybrid would be awesome. Switching between the two just sounds ugly.

Yah. I've driven a few cvts. They all feel terrible. It's funny. I rather enjoy the cvts in snowmobiles but in cars they are terrible.

 

I have a 2017 Lexus GSF. Y'all want to talk about lack of low end torque....

 

Not to call your statement false, but I had compelltly different experience. This engine couldn't pull 6K trailer while being in 2HI. We were on the tiny hill and I had to fully go into 4Lo after several attempts of getting momentum @Joe23 was next to me that day and it was disappointing from a "truck".

 

I had a 2014 highlander with the 2GRFE and it felt a lot peppier that my Tacoma does. I love my Tacoma, but the highlander would spin the tires into second gear... lol it was no slouch.

 

Also cuts down on Catalytic Converter theft.

 

Yeah its pretty obvious the 210 cubic inch engine is no stump puller.
It goes like a rocket from 3500-6000rpm... but from 1500-2500 where torque is needed...(and most daily driving is done) its a gutless pig.
Obviously its just a car engine put into a much heavier platform.

I think an OV tune is in my future... and maybe even a pair of turbos at some point too.

I otherwise love my truck. just wish it had more low end torque.

 

Yep, that’s what it is, need more low end torque! I often find myslef revving close to the red line just so I can have more fun on the road which I would usually do in something like GT86 or miata. But then I get close to 30mpgs on DD, so can’t complain on that

 

I have no problem spinning my rear tires on dry pavement with my stock '16 TOYOTA Tacoma 3.5L and, IDK why some here insist its low on torque. The truck has plenty.

 

I cannot recall the 4.0 being used in any car based vehicles.

 

Peak HP in Lexus is at 6300 RPM, most driver's will never get close to that RPM. Peak torque at 4700 is pretty much the same. Luxury interior, economy car performance. The marketing department is their most impressive asset!

 

Yahoo

Was this on the old or new factory tune? I had similar issues with inclines on my MT v6 not while towing, but going up hills or carrying maximum bed loads.

After I received the new tune via TSB, the issues have been reduced. They haven't gone completely away, but the engine feels closer to my Second gen.

My powertrain warranty will be up in a few months, I am definitely going to get the 91 octane tune from OVtune at that point. I was doubtful about ECU tunes until I got the new Toyota factory tune, and realize how much more improved the engine felt. Since the Lexus variants all run on a 91octane fuel rating, I don't think the OVtune will harm my engines longevity.

 

That was on a factory tune, after getting update truck feels better now I agree. Either way I will not be towing anything more than 3K now just because this truck engine was never meant for this kind of towing, which is fine, it’s never meant to replace full size.

 

No, they created the 3.5L off the same GR platform and used that in cars and vans and SUVs. Then they created the D4-S, and then funky valve timing (that simulated Atkinson thing), put them all together and dropped it back into the Tacoma. Great evolution of a solid platform.

The cars they put this in weigh about 500 pounds less than the Tacoma. Grab some friends and load the trunk with beer and then compare.