3.0l why the bad rap?
- Thread starter 541joseph
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85straight
New member
From my understanding the stock exhaust manifold cooks the gasket near the back corner. So most people remedy that by putting on some aftermarket headers and some heat wrap. And as far squeezing more power out of it,theres not much more to do other than headers that would be worth throwing money at it
Steven94
New member
The 3.0 is not a bad engine, but it is not a great one either. As said in the last post, there just isn't much room for improvement on the 3.0. It doesn't have much power and you can't get a lot of power out of it even with modifications. The 3.4 is a better engine in my opinion. The engine bay of a 3rd gen runner is the same size as the 2nd gen, yet the engine is more powerful and still has more room to work with than the 3.0.
Chuckles89
New member
BucknutBob
New member
Because 125hp and roughly the same amount of torque, peaking at over 4000 rpm, is not much for moving nearly two tons of truck. The poor engine has no hope but to be ridiculed when it's saddled with THAT burden. Then you throw in the head gasket issue, and it's a double whammy. Yes, the gaskets get cooked because of the bizarre exhaust crossover pipe that passes right next to the back of the heads. Headers serve a double plus by eliminating the hot spot on the heads and drastically improving the exhaust flow over that crazy factory design. As others mentioned, though, there just isn't much to do to this engine to make more power, which is why many just deep-six it in favor of an entirely different one...ANY one (LOL)!
MattToyoFreak28
New member
Gas mileage sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I'm in the minority but I own an 89 4Runner, 3.0 manual and 88 Pickup 22re manual. While I like both I prefer the V6.
Smoother, 20+mpg average and it's noticeably more powerful.
No it isn't overwhelmingly fast but I don't have to have a perfectly timed wide open throttle downshift to execute a pass as I do with the pickup.
I wouldn't personally invest any money into performance mods for this engine however. I don't think the return vs cost will be there.
Smoother, 20+mpg average and it's noticeably more powerful.
No it isn't overwhelmingly fast but I don't have to have a perfectly timed wide open throttle downshift to execute a pass as I do with the pickup.
I wouldn't personally invest any money into performance mods for this engine however. I don't think the return vs cost will be there.
ralatkins
Member
not to hijack the thread BUT since headers were mentioned, any favorite brands out there? all i find cost a ton
Scalded_Dawg
New member
There's only a couple options and they do cost a ton.
Hyde802
New member
I prefer the v6. I got 20mpg with a 5speed in my truck when it was a daily driver. Fixed the HGs my self and heat wrapped the crossover, never had a problem again. They also have bad cooling channels in teh block which can get clogged with rust and contribute to the HG, why it important to never let them over heat.
It does however, have great low end torque, and just runs so smooth. Love that exhaust note too.
Dont LOVE it though, if I have to put another motor in, it wont be either. Haha.
It does however, have great low end torque, and just runs so smooth. Love that exhaust note too.
Dont LOVE it though, if I have to put another motor in, it wont be either. Haha.
thatoneguy
New member
I used to wonder the same thing. Then I watched a bunch of 3.0's lamely blow the gasket, in typical 3.0 fashion. Nobody I know will allow someone to consider test driving a vehicle equipped with one. The hate runs deep.
