This will be my first 4 cylinder automatic experience with larger than stock tires. The RZ motor is my choice out of the two hands down. The difference in power just does not justify the drawbacks of the V6.

I know a lot of people sing the praises of the 5vz, but I just don't see it, sure it's reliable, but doing even minor repairs is a nightmare since the dohc design makes it a snug fit into the bay, also not a fan of the front accessory drive, timing and oil pump setup. The later 2GR 4.0 is a much more refined design.

As far as power and drivability goes, I've had experience with both motors in lots of platforms, they drive very similarly, the 3RZ in my opinion gets a bad rep solely because of the highway gears they were paired with in most applications, most notably the standard cab 4x4 early Tacomas that got the 3.48 gears. Of course a v6 truck with 4.10s will outrun that.

I'd swap/R&R 5 RZ motors before I touched a 3.4, especially coupled to an auto. Fingers crossed my 270k mile bottom end holds up for at least a few more miles.

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