V6 and V8 Engine Noise

[SRunner5]

Just curious, but has anyone here logged a few hours behind the wheels of both the V6 and V8 (4th Gen)? I have a V6 and was just wondering if the V8 is as loud or quieter than the V6. I've read another thread explaining that it the fuel injectors making all that racket, so I'm guessing that would mean the V8 engine makes the same noise, right? I got the V6 to save a little on gas, but now I'm thinking I should've just gotten the V8.

Also, is there anyone that uses Dry Gas every fill up? I don't know if it was the Dry Gas that did it, but the one time I used it, it felt like the acceleration was smoother.

 

[mole177]

dry gas? never heard of that.


and for your v6/v8 thing... world of difference in engine noise b/w the two.

v8 is just naturally louder than a 6. regardless of how the engine is made. based on my experience.

 

[Bluto]

I use FP60 every fill up.

I thought the V8 was quiter due to the cast iron block?

 

[Falls]

I test drove the 6 & the 8 one right after the other and thought the 8 was much quieter and smooth.

 

[Solice]

Yeah, the V8 is a lot quieter then the V6. I haven't really heard any explanations why but it's true. I even took mine back to the dealer because I thought something was wrong so we went around and started 3 other V6's and they were all exactly he same. The V6 almost has a rackety sound to it sometimes, a little disturbing.

 

[>MR2turbo4evr<]

I've never driven a V6, but I highly doubt it can be quieter than the V8 since the same V8 is being used in the Lexus GX470 and LX470 and Lexus vehicles are famous for being extremly quiet.

 

[jharris2]

I drove both before buying. The V8 is quieter, but that's not to imply the V6 is noisy. Remember you're making a comparison between two very good engines.

As you can tell from my signature, I bought the V6 after driving both. Still very happy with the choice.

 

[Solice]

I drove both before buying. The V8 is quieter, but that's not to imply the V6 is noisy. Remember you're making a comparison between two very good engines.

As you can tell from my signature, I bought the V6 after driving both. Still very happy with the choice.

Ditto, I'm very happy with the V6 too. I think it's pretty noisy though when standing beside it. I was used to my Subaru WRX that I had before which was really quiet.

 

[EDGE]

The V8 is quite and smooth at idle, the V6 is like a fat kid trying to catch his breath, it just a heavy breather, just 1 of the loudest vehicles I ever heard, it always sounds like a cold engine on start up

 

[SRunner5]

dry gas? never heard of that.


and for your v6/v8 thing... world of difference in engine noise b/w the two.

v8 is just naturally louder than a 6. regardless of how the engine is made. based on my experience.

If I'm correct, Dry Gas is supposed to improve the quality of your gas by removing any water that might be in it. It's made by STP who also makes fuel injectors cleaners and fuel system cleaners. I'll have to try it again and see if I get the same effect as I did the first time.

 

[SRunner5]

I use FP60 every fill up.

I thought the V8 was quiter due to the cast iron block?

Bluto, where do you get that stuff? I've never seen that before at my local auto parts store. After reading the description, it sounds like it I would have to use a combination of STP's Fuel Injector Cleaner and Dry Gas to get the same effect as one bottle of FP60.

 

[SRunner5]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Yeah, I'm happy with the 4Runner overall, but I just wasn't sure what to make of all the engine noise coming from the V6. Well, now that I know it's normal, I feel a lot better. Does anybody know if a performance exhaust like Borla would help drown out the engine noise, but not sound too loud at the same time?

 

[Northof49]

The V8 is quieter overall, and the sounds that come from it are much more pleasing to the ear IMO.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Yeah, V6 makes more noise

But it's still quiter than a lot of other vehicles out there, unless you thrash it.
I think the real reason behind the noise difference is the build materials.

The V6 is Toyotas first all aluminum truck motor, and the V8 has an iron block. The iron block will definitely deaden noise better, and the aluminum motor will transmit noise better.

Also, the reason the Lexus vehicles that have the V8 are so quiet also has a lot to do with the sound dampening materials they use as well.

I bet if you went crazy with dynamat or some other sound dampening material wherever you could lay it, the V6 could be hushed up. I always thought I could hear a bit to much from the engine bay and the exhaust system, but it is fairly good when warmed up fully.

 

[jharris2]

The V8 is quite and smooth at idle, the V6 is like a fat kid trying to catch his breath, it just a heavy breather, just 1 of the loudest vehicles I ever heard, it always sounds like a cold engine on start up

Compared to the Hyundai Santa Fe V6 that I was provided as a rental yesterday, the 4Runner V6 is incredibly quiet.

 

[ovrrdrive]

A bunch of Toyotas make noise like this...

You should hear the injectors on my 95 truck. I took it back several times and they said it was normal.

The only thing I've ever found to quieten it down is Duralube fuel treatment. But even then it only lasts for about 2 or 3 tanks of gas.

Our '03 V8 is the smoothest Toyota engine I've ever heard or felt. There's just something so sexy about an import V8...
:arrow:

 

[Bluto]

Bluto, where do you get that stuff? I've never seen that before at my local auto parts store. After reading the description, it sounds like it I would have to use a combination of STP's Fuel Injector Cleaner and Dry Gas to get the same effect as one bottle of FP60.

I bought online, through them.

I got a gallon of FP60 and the measuring bottle.

 

[Bluto]

V6 - bore X stroke = 3. 70" X 3.74" (94 X 95 mm);

V8 - bore X stroke = 3.70" X 3.31" (94 X 84 mm)

V6 has a longer stroke. Wonder if it makes a difference?

The V6 was the only engine with variable intake (ACIS) until 05 when the V8 got it. My last car had a 2-stage variable intake. You could hear when it opened.

The same goes for VVT-i. VTEC was not quite either.

The V6 also has a timing chain, more noise than a belt.

The 05-06 V8 is probably a bit louder than the 03-04. VVT-i and ACIS. Also, the intake manifold went from aluminum to plastic.


If you think your truck is loud, got drive a stock Titan or Hemi.

 

[boston_kevin]

Also remember that the V6 is all aluminum and has a timing chain, 2 things known to add noise. V8 is a cast block (bettern dampening) and a timing belt (which is much quieter until it breaks )...

As far as the comment about the V6 sounding like a fat kid trying to catch his breath... Far from the truth... The V6 has a lot more "growl" than the V8 possibly due to the intake structure and the exhaust manifold. The V6 is never wheazy or out of breath, and most of my passenegers don't even notice the "noise," the passengers that do notice always tell me that it sounds tough.

 

[RL Lemke]

Dry Gas is an alcohol product. If you use gasohol, you are getting the same benefit, as alcohol absorbs any water which can accumulate in the gas tank. I would NOT add alcohol to my gas on a regular basis, as it is not needed. Alcohol has less BTUs to offer, compared to gas. Alcohol is though on seals. But, it absorbs water real well.

Diesel fuel benefits from the addition of alcohol products in winter, which helps eliminate fuel gelling.