not enough power?

[dustpan]

First off I'm not a mechanic by any means but I do have some one to do the work for me. Anyways here's the thing
I have a 93 4runner v6 176k miles with a replaced engine that the top half was rebuilt. The problem is that it doesn't seem to get up to speed to well when I'm
driving down the highway, it gets up to 35-40 just fine but kinda struggles past that. Does anyone have any ideas at to why that might be?

 

[4runnertank]

The 3.0. has some low end power, especially with a 5 speed. But it is not by any means good on the highway. I floor it goin 60 and it'll take minutes to get to 65.... Downhill. It's pretty normal to have trouble at high speeds like that. And on top of that, having a tired engine doesn't help at all.

 

[Bad_Vision]

3.slow rip it out and V8 or do the 2JZE swap

 

[Footofgod]

Mine gets up and goes nicely. Keep it maintained and it should go as well as your average 4cyl car. I cruise at 80mph no problem. The key is keeping the RPM around 3500 on the highway. Under that and I have no power to accelerate.

 

[BucknutBob]

Agreed with the others--when the 3.0 is below 3000 rpm, it has extremely limited power. Once you break that threshold, it will hold its own fairly well, but a stiff headwind or long hill will still get to it. I've seen threads on here about guys bumping up the advanced timing slightly with good results--I haven't checked mine, but it might be something to look into.

 

[Hyde802]

Check your timing. Maybe try advancing it a little.

There are lots of threads out there on how to squeeze power out of the 3vze.

 

[DC runner]

You don't need to mess with timing. If your performance is really that bad, advancing timing is just further messing with it. Something is up. Bad plugs or clogged injectors, something.

I am not a fan of this engine, but I did own it and I never had any problem getting up to speed on the freeway. It won't go 90 and it is slow on acceleration for sure, but I never had any issue cruising at 75 with my over-sized tires.

If your truck really can't get above 65, and this is unloaded; then something is stealing performance. Stock, with no timing tinkering, that engine has more than enough power to move that truck well enough on the freeway.

It is only a 150 hp v6, so try not to compare it to today's engines. But, if it is operating properly, it will get you going fast enough.

 

[RGraff]

I have similar "problems" with mine but it seems to be running smooth and mileage is in the upper teens. Worst thing I've experienced was pulling a decent grade on the freeway. Drop it in to 4th and don't expect much more than 45-50 mph. I was considering adding manual hubs with the hope that it might add a bit in terms of gas mileage and/or power. I know that any gains I might experience will be minimal but is it a worthwhile mod?

Sorry for the hijack but I thought it might be pertinent.

 

[DC runner]

No.. You do the manual hub conversion to save use of the cv joints. The stock angle on the 2nd gen 4runner is pretty harsh compared to today's, and it resulted in cracked boots more often. Throwing on the manual hub conversion will help save this and may have a minimal impact on MPG; but not much.


I did the conversion and I noticed no gain in mpg. You are still pushing the same weight and still pushing the same friction of the front disc brakes. What little resistance you "free" up by no longer turning the CV half shaft was not noticeable to me in my MPG calculations.


So. I did it to save wear and tear on my cv boots and I consider it a worthwhile mod but it isn't a magic bullet that makes the truck magically faster.

 

[RGraff]

Appreciate the info. Thanks DC

 

[Hyde802]

^ Im going to disagree with that. Being able to unlock the hubs does help some with MPGs. With my 3.0, I saw about a 2-3 drop in MPGs with the hubs locked (granted I dont have the ADD shaft to disconnect) , same with my 22re runner. Its not alot, but every little bit could help.

I also agree with it not being a "magic bullet", but it does help IMO

I think its defiantly a worth while swap if you can get hubs at a good price.

 

[priestsallore]

I have the '92 3.0 as well. Mine dogs as well going 40-45, etc. until you hit faster speeds, lower speeds up to it is fine. I have more than 314k on mine on a rebuilt engine though -100k. Some little things you can do, is get a cat back exhaust, from what I've heard, they help out a bit, as well as a CAI, new headers, better spark plugs/wires, & the sort. But also, what some others have said, at 4th gear for example in lower RPMS at 40-45 going less than 3k, it feels like it dogs.

Do those things, and MAYBE a performance comp chip if you want to go that route too, can all help the performance out a little more.