We've had one on order for like 3 months or so now, and we just got word that it would be here in about 2 weeks. They told us December, so this seems really early. I was actually skeptical until they gave us the VIN number. Supposedly it's on the ship coming over seas right about now.

I'll definitely get pics and post them the day it comes in.

I find it interesting more and more car companies are coming up with new tech ideas for their cars. Ford is using a CVT, continually variable transmission in two new cars the Ford five-hundred and the Ford Freestyle. Honda is coming out with VCM, variable cylinder management, basically not using half the cylinders when their not needed. I am skeptical when new tech ideas come. Now we are getting variable timing on a cast iron block that wasn't designed for it. I think this is the first Toyota engine that is a cast iron block and with variable valve timing. I hope Toyota, Ford and Honda know what they are doing.

I think the cyinder heads are aluminum on the V8 though arent they?

That is right, cast iron block and aluminum cylinder head on the V8. Typically variable timing is used on all aluminum engines that have higher revs. The aluminum is better for removing the heat.

that is awesome news!



please keep us all updated on any news you may hear about your delievery. I want an 05 SE V8 so bad...

Not true, BMW M3 uses an iron block and it has variable valve timing. Iron blocks are in general considered stronger and able to handle engine stresses better than al blocks. High revving engines place a lot higher stress on a block.

Most al. blocks require serious reinforcement for high performance engines.

Heat in the block is actually removed via the oil more than the block and then transfered to the water coolant mixture.

The biggest advantage of al. is the weight saving and has nothing to do with strengh.

That's why al. heads tend to warp when overheated while the iron block stays true.

So no worries with the new V8 or even the V6 for that matter the amount of stress on the engine is minimal compared to some of the screamer 4 bangers out there in cars.

And I'm sure Toyota has figured out how to make a reliable VVTi engine by now (oops forgot about the Celica screamers).

Post pics when you get it bro. Also pics of the engine bay would be good. It'd be nice to compare the regular v8 and the vvti visually to see if there are changes.

hopefully they do give you a v8. i don't want to cast any doubt in your mind, but i'd hate for them to deliver but instead it's a v6. like it's never happened before...

Would anybody be able to tell me if it's a V6 or V8 if I found out the VIN?

Sure...if it's anything like the 2003-2004 models, then it should have "T" as the 5th digit. The V6 has "U" as the 5th digit. Unless they changed it because of the new engine, this should still be correct.

Have any 2005 V6 owners listed their VINs here yet? Might be useful... that we we'd know if the 5th digit was something other than their 5th digit, then it's gotta be the V8.

I'm not sure how accurate this method is, but...


i've been looking to purchase an 04 or 05 lately and many of the dealer sites i visit list their inventory with each VIN number. Here's some 05 v6 vin numbers:

JTEBU14R550056546 - 2005 sr5 v6 4x4

JTEBU14R658029552 - 2005 sport v6 4x4

these two are take from a dealer in arizona

just to make sure, these are from a dealer in my hometown in california:

JTEBU14R650056006 - 2005 sport v6 4x4


so it looks like so far, the U and T designation still exists. hope this helps! and hope you're getting a v8 in two weeks, cause then so can i!

jason

Update: well turns out that my fiance never got the actual VIN, she was just told by the wholesaler guy that *he* had the VIN number. I'm hesitant to call him asking for the VIN as to come across as too much of a freak show. He's already doing us a favor by allowing us to order from his fleet discount program. (he's a friend of the family and normally only sells to businesses, and in larger quantity than just the two that we ordered for my fiance and her sister)

Will you need the VIN for your insurance? If so, you could justifiably ask for it now so you can start making arrangements.

wow sweet, i get mine in like 7 months :-( a month before i get my license, haha ya im still 15! but ya post some pics!!