Is the WT-I V8 Worth the Wait?

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briggs4811

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I was wondering if it was worth paying 05 prices for the 270 hp/330 lb ft. v8 or if i should go with the i-force v8 and save on 2004 clearance end of year sales.

I have heard that the 270/330 wouldnt make that much of a difference b/c of the high level of rpms required. is that true?
 
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briggs4811 said:
I was wondering if it was worth paying 05 prices for the 270 hp/330 lb ft. v8 or if i should go with the i-force v8 and save on 2004 clearance end of year sales.

I have heard that the 270/330 wouldnt make that much of a difference b/c of the high level of rpms required. is that true?
Click to expand...

How long are you planning on keeping your car?? How soon do you need the 4runner?? Are you looking for resale value?? etc.

Personally, i would wait for the new engine...because i always want the latest thing.:) If you plan on keeping it for a long time and don't mind having the slightly weaker engine, then get the '04. Otherwise, get the '05.
 
are you going to town any heavy things?
I have 2003 limited V6.
and I'm happy with the power it has
 
Driven some 05 Tundras with the 282hp (in Canada) VVT-i motors; I think it's worth the wait. Lit up the tires at 60Km on dry pavement in a single cab longbox with a plow on the front hehe Not that the 230hp variant is lacking, but more is always better and you'll have a year newer truck.

Drive the 2004 model tho, if it has enough power for you, then you'll save some $ going with that.
 
I never thought I would be saying this...but you all deserve an honest answer. I have the 4.7L in my 03' and now wish I would have bought the 4.0L. Performance wise there truly isnt much difference, and the 4.0L doesnt have the probs/shortcomings that the 4.7L does like the slightly weaker rods and pistons that will be corrected in the 05' 4.7L blocks. The 03 and 04 4.7L's are just fine and I have had absolutely no problem with mine, but from my perspective toyota nailed the 4.0L the first time, and it took a few times to get the 4.7L right...just my two cents though...:D...

Anthony
 
That's weird, I actually prefer even the old 3.4L to the 4.0L, I find the 4.0 to be a bit rough feeling/sounding motor overall. There's no way I have spent $50K on a 4Runner and not popped out a extra couple grand for a great AWD system, a smoother/torquier V8, and an extra gear in the tranny. Just how I wouldn't buy an 04 when the 05 has more motor for slighly more money.

But, different strokes I guess.
 
thanks guys. so, you all would agree that the new engine would perform better on/off road when compared to the old i-fore...despite the RPM question? thanks!
 
briggs4811 said:
thanks guys. so, you all would agree that the new engine would perform better on/off road when compared to the old i-fore...despite the RPM question? thanks!
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't it?? The new 4.7L engine is definitely not weaker than the old 4.7L.
 
i just got a bit worried/confused b/c a member said to go ahead and buy the 4runner b/c the new engine only puts out that hp/torque at a high rpm level. a level i wouldnt reach 98% of the time driving...
 
ok have to put my 2 cents in here, I drive an 04 with the i force v8, some minor mods but nothing earth shattering. I live in the outskirts of NYC. Even on the highway I find that I constantly have to take my foot out of it because she flies. I am sure the 05 is beautiful but if you can save a bundle on an 04 go for it. The truck is unbelievable stock.
 
I would get the 05. If you wait a few months the initial surge will be over and youll get good deals, not as good as the 04s but good still. Resale will be better and it will have a few refinements, and it will have some more power.

There is about 2k difference in trade in value between the 03 and 04 already, the difference in a few years between the 04 and 05 will be higher due to the update.


My 2c.
 
Motor wise with the VVTi all you are getting is highend HP and the tq difference of 320-330 big deal. You will only notice a difference if you drive with your foot to the floor all of the time with the engine pegged at redline, if then. VVTi is more effective in a high rev sports car and manual transmission where it can be used. That is the facts of VVTi, it also adds complexity for what I see as a very small gain. Also where did this statement come from?? "the 4.0L doesnt have the probs/shortcomings that the 4.7L does like the slightly weaker rods and pistons that will be corrected in the 05' 4.7L blocks" The Toyota 4.7 V8 is a world class engine and has never had a history of weak rods and pistons and there is no information out there that would indicate that Toyota was changing any rods or pistons for 2005 in the VVTi 4.7 V8, if there is please show us. When it comes to resale value of the 2004 vs the 2005 that is true but it is all about the numbers. What can you buy the 2004 for versus the 2005?
 
I don't know about other parts of the country , but here in AZ,
V8's are scarce, so you won't have much choice.

If you want a V8, you will probably have to wait whether you want
to or not. They have plenty of V6's and you could make a deal on one of those.

Toyota's competitors went to higher HP motors, so they had to follow,
that is why the change. In practice it will make little difference., but it
looks better on the sales literature.

Cliff s
 
Hi Everyone,

Newb here, I'm waiting for the 05 V8. There will be a very noticeable difference between the 04 & 05 V8s. Just adding 35hp will make a noticeable difference. As far as only feeling a difference at high RPM, I don't think so. By having the ability to change the valve timing at different RPMs allows a broader torque and hp range. This means, the engine will make more torque sooner and longer in the RPM range. Usually when an engine is tuned to make torque at lower in the rpm range the peak HP will suffer. That's why having a computer capable of adjusting the valve timing at different RPMs will create the maximum torque and HP at ALL RPMs.

As far as different pistons and rods in the new 4.7, it probably will. Not because the old ones were a problem or weak, but to make the extra 35hp, the compression was increased. This will probably be done by changing the piston profile. The additional compression may require stronger pistons and rods. The only drawback to these changes will probably be, having to use premium fuel. Unfortunately I don’t think there will not be a TRD blower for these high compression engines, unless they can lower the compression. I foresee the blower being a factory option.

Koz
 
Koz welcome, I am sure you will love your new 05. I guess what we need is the dyno results to compare the 04 to the 05. Toyota would not need to increase the compression on the 05 VVTi engine to increase the HP by 35. When you add VVTi you should get this 35 HP addition at the higher RPM's because of the change in cam profile that the VVTi provides. That is why it works so well with high revving applications. I agree it also flatens and extends the Torque curve so if we feel any performance increase it will be based on what it does to this torque curve, in the useable range. The key will be if it gives increased torque at the lower end where someone that drives a SUV would be using it. I just think Toyota added VVTi to make potential buyers feel they were competitive with the HP of the other brands. If Toyota wanted to make this 4.7 V8 perform it should not be a problem. Just look at what BMW gets out of their 4.4 V8.
 
Lets wait till the new V8s are out before we see what they really do. I agree that 95% of the time the driver will probably not feel the difference as they will not use the extra power, however when getting onto the freeway or passing on the freeway I do use all the power on tap. This is where I think there will be a substantial difference between the 2 engines. The current V8 is great, but I find it lazy when you go all out in it to pass on a steep incline. It still goes like the clappers, but as usaul everybody wants more power. My biggest bug with the current engine is the "laziness" above 4500 RPM. I think this will be resolved in the new V8. Yeah it will only be used a couple times a month at most, but when you do it will make a big difference.

I test drove the new Sequia, and it is slower than my 4R due to more weight, but the engine defintely felt far more peppy from 3000 rpm up. Especially above 4000. It actually went to 5500 before shifting, while mine shifts at around 4900 now. This will make a large difference in situations where you really tap into it.

Sure emough, most of the time mine puts round 2000 rpm.
 
"the 4.7 has problems with the rods and pistons" That is the craziest thing I have ever heard. I am in and out of alot of Toyota dealerships service depts all the time. I never have seen one 4.7 in there with an engine problem. That engine is as close to bullet proof as you can get.
 
Toyo, agreed! The V6's, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, has had massive problems, including the 4.0. I think Toyota needs to not build V6's, they have a mental block against them.

Now the V8, well the 4.7 that has been in Landcruisers, Lexus', the 4Runner and the Tundra has been rated the most reliable engine time and time again.

As for the more power, for towing etc it won’t be much better at all. Where my 4.7 seems to pull hard and the slow up a little on the top end the new one probably just keeps pulling. IMHO it is not worth it. However the day you buy an 04 it will be worth allot less than if you had bought an 05. It really comes down to person choice. Are you going to always be saying "I wish I had an 05" or, if you want more power and had an 04 would you just add a TRD blower down the road and be ahead of the game? I would look more at things like the new rear wing, is the insurance different etc. Good luck, you cannot go wrong with either V8.
 
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