Thoughts on performance comparison to GX470

[GreenMachine]

We bought an 05 4Runner Sport V8 with about 125k on it a little over a year ago and it's been a great truck so far. A friend has a 04 GX470, which I understand has the same drive train as the 4Runner, and every time I drive his it seems to have more zip off the line and feels more responsive when accelerating while moving like merging onto the highway. His car has about 230k on it and ours about 150k.

In doing some research I've found that ours has the VVT-i version of the 2UZ-FE and his doesn't, not sure if that would account for the difference. My initial understanding is that the VVT-i should provide more power?

We did a compression check and all cylinders are between 179 and 185 PSI. Also installed new plugs and air filter, had the injectors pressure cleaned, changed the transmission fluid for good measure, all which helped a little but it's still not the same as his performance.

No problem if this is an apples to oranges comparison, but if not, any suggestions on what else to check would be appreciated as it would be great if we could get our performance equal to his.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

VVTi adjusts the power band a bit so you get a bit more power on the higher-end when cruising if I recall. It's a very minor thing really.

The compression check seems fine to me, perfectly within specs and on the upper end as well. It could just be a seat of the pants thing honestly, I imagine the transmissions are programmed somewhat similarly in this particular instance.

Also you didn't mention if you have done any modifications to your vehicle? Even 33's will make the V8 a smidge more sluggish off the line vs. a stock GX470. Another factor could be different final drive ratios in the rear ends, but I don't recall the GX470 having different gearing (I could be wrong on that though, I don't really pay much attention to the GX470).

 

[loarmistead]

I have an 05 GX and an 06 T4R V8. Haven't pulled out a stop watch but I can't discern much if any difference between the two in town and highway driving.


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[GreenMachine]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah every time I drive his I think wow, this car has much more "pep" than ours, which I'd describe as lumbering in comparison.

No mods, in fact it came with the same Michelin's that are on the GX. The PO did have the frame replaced right before we bought it, not sure if all that's involved with that could introduce a related problem or not?

Good point on the rear diff, did a quick check and it seems they're the same as the GX.

Forgot to mention we also cleaned the throttle body and MAF sensor. Am going to check and see if the PO had the timing belt replaced, maybe if it's off a tooth that might be the cause? It starts fine, idles smooth and seems to run well, just lacks the same zip of the GX so I think something's amiss.

 

[South-O 4RnR]

My brother and I have this same discussion, but he swears my 4Rnr is 'peppier' than his GX. Same engine, same gearing. I have slightly larger tires than him.

The only real difference we noticed is that the GX weighs a few hundred pounds more. possibly due to all of the extra sound dampening and what-not.

Maybe a 1/4 mile challenge is in order to find out?

 

[GreenMachine]

Good point about the weight difference with the GX being a little heavier. Seems to reinforce my suspicions.

The PO did have the timing belt replaced at about 95k. Any thoughts if improper installation could be the cause?

We may do the belt on the GX in the next month or so and will be able to see if it's fairly easy to get only the upper timing covers off to inspect the cam notches on the 4Runner.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

Good point about the weight difference with the GX being a little heavier. Seems to reinforce my suspicions.

The PO did have the timing belt replaced at about 95k. Any thoughts if improper installation could be the cause?

We may do the belt on the GX in the next month or so and will be able to see if it's fairly easy to get only the upper timing covers off to inspect the cam notches on the 4Runner.

The GX is a tiny bit slower to 60 than the V8 4Runner because of the extra weight from the sound insulation. Maybe get the tranny and diff oils changed? Or it could be that the accelerator pedal is programmed differently that makes it seem that the GX is faster off the line.

 

[GreenMachine]

Thanks for the reply. The PO had the diff oil changed and we flushed the ATF a couple of months ago.

As far as different programming, from the other feedback in this thread, it seems the two vehicles should be fairly equal so I suspect ours does have something going on. Just trying to figure out what to check next....

 

[Trumpet]

Good point about the weight difference with the GX being a little heavier. Seems to reinforce my suspicions.

The PO did have the timing belt replaced at about 95k. Any thoughts if improper installation could be the cause?

We may do the belt on the GX in the next month or so and will be able to see if it's fairly easy to get only the upper timing covers off to inspect the cam notches on the 4Runner.

I do not have a V8 4runner, BUT I can tell you replacing the timing belt and related gear on my old 2.5 Subaru made a huge difference in performance. Sounds kind of silly, but at 100K the car came back alive after being a bit doggy.

I imagine a V8 Toyota will do the same. (Removing wear and slack from the system.)

 

[TheTurboMRT]

Pandora's box

Does the GX owner use Premium fuel?

 

[loarmistead]

Does the GX owner use Premium fuel?

That's the kicker. Yes, the GX requires premium, which these days runs up to $1.00 more per gallon, for marginally improved power and next to zero real world improvement once the GX's increased weight is taken into account.

 

[Keros]

I do not have a V8 4runner, BUT I can tell you replacing the timing belt and related gear on my old 2.5 Subaru made a huge difference in performance. Sounds kind of silly, but at 100K the car came back alive after being a bit doggy.

I imagine a V8 Toyota will do the same. (Removing wear and slack from the system.)

If the timing belts are prone to stretching a bit, the valve timing is either advanced or retarded slightly, which may explain the performance problems as some vehicles get closer to the service interval.

When I did the timing belt on a 3rd gen at 90000mi, the old belt was not notably longer at all than the new belt... but not all timing belts are made the same.

 

[mizak82]

Premium gas in the GX?


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[GreenMachine]

Not sure, I'll have to ask him if he uses premium gas. Is it recommended for the 4Runner V8 too? Thought it was pretty much the same power train on both?

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

Not sure, I'll have to ask him if he uses premium gas. Is it recommended for the 4Runner V8 too? Thought it was pretty much the same power train on both?

my 04 v8 recommends 90octane or something like that, which is about midgrade for me in texas. i dont know if the vvt v8s were different or not, and you can run lower grade fuel, itll just retard the timing to prevent knock.