Now I am REALLY wondering about my V8

[Staceman]

I have a 2007 4Runner Sport Edition 4x4 V8. Had it since brand new. Runs good, drives great. 145K miles now. This rig always seemed kinda sluggish. Not real bad, just not what I was expecting, since trading in my 2005 Tacoma 4.0 for it. The Tacoma ran Great.
The 4Runner just doesn't seem real peppy. Seems to be a lag if I punch it to pass a car, and doesn't seem powerful at all.
Granted, I now have 33" tires, RCI skids, Sliders, CBI Winch bumper, etc. But even after all of that, power is about the same since it was new.
4.7V8, 5Speed Auto, VVTi, Drive by Wire

Here's where it gets weird.
I recently purchased a 2002 Tundra V8 4x4.
4.7V8, 4Speed Auto, No VVTi, Old school throttle cable to throttle body.
This Tundra runs AWESOME.
Slams you in your seat for passing, launches like a mofo.
This thing is a blast to drive, although it's a much bigger truck than my 4Runner.

What's the deal?
OEM filters, OEM Iridium plugs, and this 4Runner is a slug.
With all the fancy engine mods by the factory between the 2, my 4Runner should run even better than that Tundra.

Thoughts, comments?
Thanks!

 

[wnelax04sr5]

could be a variety of things, but your 4runner has 3.73's and the tundra has 3.91's in the rear end. realistically its barely noticeable but could be a contributing factor

Tundra gear ratio?

 

[Staceman]

Ratios must be the difference between to 4Speed auto and the 5Speed auto perhaps.




.

 

[Staceman]

The 4Runner is AWD, the Tundra is not. But still, doesn't explain the drastic difference in "feel".



.

 

[nevada]

The 4Runner is AWD, the Tundra is not. But still, doesn't explain the drastic difference in "feel".



.

i haven't driven a v8 tundra recently, but my 06 v8 runner is very quick, and most definitely sets you back in the seat if you nail it.

was the timing belt ever changed? perhaps they got it a tooth off.

 

[Staceman]

was the timing belt ever changed? perhaps they got it a tooth off.

Yes, it was at 101K.
Exactly the same feel when I picked it up, as when I dropped it off. Plugs at the same time a little later. No difference again.
I need to test drive a V8 4Runner around my year, 2006 thru 2009, and compare.
Kinda wish I didn't drive that Tundra now....

 

[superman3043]

You've had it since new and it's always been a slug? Really odd.

I'm close to to 200k and mine absolutely flies. We have a 2UZ Tundra, and a Taco and FJC with 1 GR's in our family and I've driven a ton of 4th gens with V6's and non VVT-i V8's and mine pulls harder than all of them, bar non.

Yeah, maybe see if you can drive some similar trucks. Something may need to be looked at.

 

[inscarguy]

that's odd. my v8 is a rocket still @ 110,000 miles. about a year ago on the way to the inlaws we were screwing around with a '13 Jeep GC with a hemi. we actually beat him, slowly reeled him in but we still came ahead.

there must have been an issue with yours internally(piston and rod backwards, tolerances too tight, bad cat assy, something blocked somewhere.

good luck and keep us updated.

 

[Staceman]

that's odd. my v8 is a rocket still @ 110,000 miles. about a year ago on the way to the inlaws we were screwing around with a '13 Jeep GC with a hemi. we actually beat him, slowly reeled him in but we still came ahead.

You guys are bumming me out!
Everything functions as it should. Always has.
No CEL (ever). I have no idea how I would explain my situation to a service department. They'd probably look at me like I was crazy or something...

Or worse yet, tell me I need a cat-back and cold air intake or something.

I don't believe in trying to out engineer the Toyota engineers...

 

[nevada]

You guys are bumming me out!
Everything functions as it should. Always has.
No CEL (ever). I have no idea how I would explain my situation to a service department. They'd probably look at me like I was crazy or something...

Or worse yet, tell me I need a cat-back and cold air intake or something.

I don't believe in trying to out engineer the Toyota engineers...

see if they have another one on the lot. have them drive each, back to back and compare. explain that you feel it is down on power, and always has been.

because, as mention above, its a rocket. very fast.


perhaps there's an issue with the electronic throttle motor/servo. maybe its not opening the throttle far/fast enough.

 

[Staceman]

perhaps there's an issue with the electronic throttle motor/servo. maybe its not opening the throttle far/fast enough.

I like your thinking nevada.

If I slam the gas to the floor, say while doing 25 to 35 mph, it feels like an old carburetor. Kinda does nothing for 1/2 to 3/4 second, then starts going. It may kick down 1 gear, but that's it. Nothing like that damn Tundra....

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Perhaps you need to clean out the throttle body and relearn the idle/throttle position?

The one thing I love about my V8 4Runner is the consistency and power it has. Even with 33's, SW Front Bumper, RCI Skid Plates, ect. it hauls ass pretty good still. Most V6 units I have driven aren't slow, but once you start loading them up you notice they're starting to strain.

 

[strathcona]

My 03 V8 still has very quick pick up and will put you back into the seat with no lag. I have not driven the Tundra so can't compare the two.

 

[Billynath1988]

do a tune up.. my truck always ran decent.. since Ive done plugs and pro dry s filter. and a few other small tune up things.. Even with skids and sliders it absolutely has better throttle response and feels quicker and smoother. im at 112k 05 v8 vvti

 

[bergs]

Should out dig an Evo VIII to about the 1/8 mile or so

Should pull on V6 Camaros from 20 to 60 and pace VR6 golfs from 50-70-ish


2005 V8 223,xxx miles (at the time)

 

[t-man]

Stock gearing and 35's and mine still pulls like a dream! I can't believe the power in this motor! It takes a second to reach 2k rpms due to my tires, after that it lights up like a shell from a Howitzer!!!

 

[brendan1026]

I like your thinking nevada.

If I slam the gas to the floor, say while doing 25 to 35 mph, it feels like an old carburetor. Kinda does nothing for 1/2 to 3/4 second, then starts going. It may kick down 1 gear, but that's it. Nothing like that damn Tundra....

I have an 05 V8 with 145k on it. Mine does the same thing and it drives me crazy. Every time I get on the pedal hard it hesitates first for about a second, then goes. I'd really like to know the cause.

 

[Billynath1988]

New plugs airfilter and throttle body cleaning helped the most with throttle response. Zero hesitation.

 

[TORCH]

I like your thinking nevada.

If I slam the gas to the floor, say while doing 25 to 35 mph, it feels like an old carburetor. Kinda does nothing for 1/2 to 3/4 second, then starts going. It may kick down 1 gear, but that's it. Nothing like that damn Tundra....

I have noticed similar issues to what you have been describing. I've also had instances where the truck just feels different off the line and will pull harder than ever but later on feels somewhat sluggish. I definitely get a bogged down feeling frequently. I've changed plugs, filter, cleaned throttle body all within the last 6-8 months.

 

[tucktuck8]

I have noticed similar issues to what you have been describing. I've also had instances where the truck just feels different off the line and will pull harder than ever but later on feels somewhat sluggish. I definitely get a bogged down feeling frequently. I've changed plugs, filter, cleaned throttle body all within the last 6-8 months.

Just my 2 cents. My v8 is crazy powerful. I owned a stage 2 WRX for 5 years and this thing puts me back in my seat more than my WRX did. Get it checked out. Find a forum member that lives close by and go test his out!