Anyone here have thoughts about the much-maligned 3.0L 3VZ-E engine? I had one in my 1993 XtraCab, and I thought it was OK. Not the best Toyota truck engine by a long shot, but not nearly so bad as its reputation would suggest ...
It's a decent motor but I think the extra weight and size vs. the 22re negate the benifits of the larger displacement. The 22re is so reliable and easy to work on while in the truck also the 22re has many more performance parts available.
from what i have heard and witnessed with other peoples rides with that motor (1 being a toyota parts dept manager) that that motor was probably 1 of toyotas worst designs the 22r was also in production for over 10 years
Some of my friends have 4 runners and 4wd yotas with the ole 3.0 and it seems to last about 200,000 or a little less then just dies in a disaster kind of way. Maybe toyota has problems with 3.0l V6 motors because the newer 3.0 in camry's, highlanders, sienna vans has too small of oil passages and causes the oil to gell up and the engine to seize . The only good 3.0 is the supra engine. If I had a 3VZ I would swap in a 22re lol.
I like this engine. It got a bad rep for eating head gaskets but, that was a head gasket material problem that caused all that. There is a company called DOA racing that makes high performance 3.0L V6 toyota engines. They do some very trick stuff. Toyota discontinued the 22RTE turbo engine to produce the V6 in 1988. The horsepower and torque equal a built 22RE engine. I live where emissions is a concern so having a 150HP stock V6 was the answer over building up a 22RE that would not have passed the sniffer. I do love my 22RE in my 1993 though but, if I had a 2WD V6 truck I would love it as well. I have swapped a 22RE truck to a 3.0 V6 the motor mounts, wiring, computer, fuel pump, radiator,and firewall of the cab is different but, it can be done either way.
I agree with LightBright, My 95' 4runner had the 3vz-e. At 130,000 or so I did a valve job and head gasket set. No biggie, It's run great ever since, and It's a mud truck. The 22re is a great engine, and the 3vze only has about 20hp more, but the extra torque more than makes up for it's drawbacks. And if you are worried about the head gasket, DOA Racing makes a stud kit that will solve that issue.
there was a recall on the 90-94 3.0's, take ur vin number to the dealers ship, and if the head gasket has not been changed out at a dealer, theyll do it, or replace the motor, its been done, ive seen it first hand...
