2.7L 4cyl VS 3.0 6cyl 4x4

[maximus8633]

So I read the reviews online and I hear nothing but ok things about 3.0. I own a 3.0 and it is ok but the gas mileage is bad with the power I am getting. I have driven the 2.7 in a truck but never met anyone with the 2.7 4runner. So give me your thoughts on the different engines and what one would you choose or would you find something else? I was thinking about getting the 2.7 to get the same power but better gas mileage. I hope you guys can help me make the right choice.

 

[Hepar]

If it's a choice between the 2.7 and the 3.0, go for the 2.7. The 3.0's are notorious for blowing their head gaskets.

 

[jwhipple]

3.0 is junk.... are you sure your not referring to the 3.4? there is no 3.0 in the 3rd gen.

 

[SCRunner12]

Go for the 2.7. I have never driven the 2.7, but I talked to a guy who owned one in a 99 t4r and he loved it. He said it had enough power to take him anywhere and great gas mileage. I would definitely upgrade to the 2.7. Plus the 4 cylinders are bulletproof.

 

[maximus8633]

Yeah

Well only the 3rd gen has the 2.7. So I figure that you would be the people to talk to about the 2.7. =]

 

[024RunnerSE]

2.7L 150 hp, torque 177 ft·lb

3.0L 150 hp, torque 180 ft·lb

In other words, there both slow, but my money is on the 4 banger in a drag race.

 

[kman55]

I have a 2.7 and love it, have 134k miles and haven't replaced a thing. It's bullet proof. It gets about 18 city and 20 highway. It has all the power I need. I bet I will still own this truck till 300k plus! It's a rock!

 

[toy-runner]

Wow, sombody please defend us guys who own the 3.4L....LOL.

 

[024RunnerSE]

I own two 5VZ 4Runners. Not rocket fast, but they'll spank both the 3.0 and 2.7 lol.

 

[brian2sun]

Spank is right. I had a '95 3.0 that was a real POS. Power of a 4, mpgs of an 8 and then it blew up. I did the HGs, then rebuilt the tranny, and then it threw a rod. I had about $19 grand into that thing (now this was in '99-01) and sold it with a junk motor for $3000 after having it for only 2 years. I've had my '97 3.4 for 9 years, put on 112 out of 202K and haven't done any major repairs and it still runs strong. What I'm getting at is, get a 3rd gen 3.4.

 

[024RunnerSE]

Yeah, the 5VZ is the best all around motor. The 1GR is powerful but an organomic mess. I had an FJ Cruiser and I wasn't pleased with the 1GR under the plastic cover. I did love the oil filter location though.

 

[Justin727]

When my 2.7 5spd was bone stock, no lift, no big tires and wheels, I easily walked a 3.0 with intake.

Now we're pretty much even since my additions. My motor is still bone stock.

 

[steezemcqueen]

Wow, sombody please defend us guys who own the 3.4L....LOL.

we're not talking about the 3.4

I own two 5VZ 4Runners. Not rocket fast, but they'll spank both the 3.0 and 2.7 lol.

yes the 3.4 is faster. but not by as much as everyone thinks. i owned a 2.7 and now i have the 3.4 and there isn't a huge difference. a 2.7 with a exhaust, deckplate, and ISR brings it about even to the 3.4. the 3.4 also weighs more

 

[Justin727]

we're not talking about the 3.4



yes the 3.4 is faster. but not by as much as everyone thinks. i owned a 2.7 and now i have the 3.4 and there isn't a huge difference. a 2.7 with a exhaust, deckplate, and ISR brings it about even to the 3.4. the 3.4 also weighs more

I agree sir. Stock for stock off the line I can feel the initial punch of the 3.4. But just cruising around and on the interstate it feels very similar to the 2.7 as far as accel goes.

 

[ralatkins]

2.7 liter......

mine is the 2.7 with 180k, still rolling great! i love this motor. i just drove from NC to NJ and back last weekend, it averaged 18.7 mpg at 75 mph on the trip including driving in NYC and sitting in DC traffic for an hour both ways. it has adequate power, those 5.0 mustangs and corvettes all look away at the stop lights............

 

[steve-]

mine is the 2.7 with 180k, still rolling great! i love this motor. i just drove from NC to NJ and back last weekend, it averaged 18.7 mpg at 75 mph on the trip including driving in NYC and sitting in DC traffic for an hour both ways. it has adequate power, those 5.0 mustangs and corvettes all look away at the stop lights............

LOL that is good ! I also have a 2.7 and even though it is not the fastest thing on the road it does pretty well and the better gas mileage is a plus.
I had a 91 truck with the 3.0 motor and man that was a dog even with a 5 speed,can't say enough bad things about that motor.

 

[brian2sun]

It's the mtn. passes that you really feel the difference between the 6 and 4. I wouldn't be able to handle a 4 banger climbing the roads I do everyday. I had a 22R, then a 3.0, then a 3.4 and the 3.4 can do 65 mph in spots where those other engines could only pull 45. I haven't owned a 2.7 though so I can't say how that would do.

 

[peter78]

So I read the reviews online and I hear nothing but ok things about 3.0. I own a 3.0 and it is ok but the gas mileage is bad with the power I am getting. I have driven the 2.7 in a truck but never met anyone with the 2.7 4runner. So give me your thoughts on the different engines and what one would you choose or would you find something else? I was thinking about getting the 2.7 to get the same power but better gas mileage. I hope you guys can help me make the right choice.

Well, good topic, but some other things to consider. The 2.7 is in the 3rd gen and it has a lot of neat stuff that the 2nd gen does not have. Air bags being the biggest difference and other safety features. The large trunk and overall quality and really not too many flaws. Both the 3.4 and 2.7 have great reputations. Buying used, a 3rd gen with a 2.7, lets say a 96 would probably be more exspensive than a 95 V6 3.0. So, I would think the initial cost would be important. You may find a great 2nd gen that might fit you bill. Also, if your looking for a 3rd gen, most of them are the v6 3.4 and you may find a better deal in a 3rd gen that has a V6.

If your strickly concerned about gas mileage the 3.0 V6 should get the worst and the V6 3.4 will be better and the 2.7 should be at the top, but really buying a old, i.e. over 12 years, to me the mileage would be at the bottom of my concerns. Not to complicate matters, but to me there are lots of things to consider in buying a used 4Runner.

 

[Kevin K]

we're not talking about the 3.4



yes the 3.4 is faster. but not by as much as everyone thinks. i owned a 2.7 and now i have the 3.4 and there isn't a huge difference. a 2.7 with a exhaust, deckplate, and ISR brings it about even to the 3.4. the 3.4 also weighs more

How do you do the deckplate mod on a 2.7 and what is ISR?

 

[NickF]

Lets put it this way
3.4l is a turtle, and a gas hog. I drive hard, so 210-220 miles on a tank is about average for me :uzi:
It has 183 hp, max horsepower, torque: 217 ft-lb
We're pushing maybe 150 hp to the wheels,and 180 ft-lb
This means the 3.0 is a slug, and the 2.7 ain't much better (its lighter and has about the same power)
For the 2.7, Output is 150 hp with 177 ft-lb
Thats pushing ,aybe 120 to the wheels and 150 ft-lb.

All in all don't waste your time on anything but the 3.4