VVT-i critical for V8?

[rooost]

Lexus GX V8 same motor as 4Runner.. epa rates the hp higher because they use premium gas. Instead of the 4Runner which is ran on regular gas.

Not to say it's accurately giving you approx 7 extra hp 8ft lbs of torque using premium but I believe that is how it's measured.


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It is quite possible the GX is also "tuned" for the premium gas, thus higher HP and MPG numbers, which is really nil considering the weight difference (I assume in the GX).\
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.any debate about gas mileage is quite irrelevant unless you have identical robots driving both cars. I sure as hell hope that anyone's MOM gets better gas mileage than me..regardless of vehicle!

 

[gloch]

So, would a 2 owner 03 with a V8 and 200k miles just be too much risk? It is less than half the price I have seen of others in my area. Assuming I had the TB/Water pump done myself, is there other major concerns at this usage?

 

[vandert]

I actually searched for the non-vvti as I hate interference engines and the 03-04 non-vvti is non- interference.

Power difference is negligible but there. I get 19.1 mpg with a mix of driving everyday to be honest most of it is in traffic and couldn't be happier. The 5 speed v8 is a Dream and I had a 5 speed v6 for a few years but definitely prefer the auto. Either will do but as someone else mentioned make sure they are good on maint.

It is funny though as when I did a 1Jz-GTE swap I would not have even considered a non-vvti but I had different goals for that Lexus SC300 when I did that swap. Both are great and you will be happy with either I promise

For me the non-vvti was my searched and researched choice, I found this one owner 110k for 8k and has aftermarket DVD and had gotten timing belt done at Toyota dealer at 98k, I was sold!

 

[vandert]

The EPA or Toyota (doesn't really matter which) rated the new 2005 (vvti) V8 at 270hp/330tq. 2006 and after V8 got re-rated at 260hp/306tq. Pretty sure it was just a rating thing. Doubt they actually changed anything between the 05's and 06-09's. The non-vvti V8's rated at 235hp/320tq.

Also, the V6 changed from 245hp/282tq in 03'-05' to 236hp/266tq afterwards. While we are on the subject.

This was due to the change in rating hp etc. it affected all vehicles but Toyota seemed to take the biggest hit on what they reported. It happened right along with the cafe' standards changing

 

[m85476585]

I actually searched for the non-vvti as I hate interference engines and the 03-04 non-vvti is non- interference.

See previous post:

They are interference regardless of VVTi or not.

 

[vandert]

See previous post:

Nope thought the same thing but they aren't

The vvti is interference as the cams adjust, that's what vvti does. The 03/04 does not ever make piston to valve contact in the event of a timing belt issue

For me that was the deciding factor, I'll do headers, tune, and exhaust that will more than make up for the difference

 

[nevada]

So, would a 2 owner 03 with a V8 and 200k miles just be too much risk? It is less than half the price I have seen of others in my area. Assuming I had the TB/Water pump done myself, is there other major concerns at this usage?

I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but make sure it shifts to low range, and that the center diff lock engages.

there is a HIGH probability that neither of those things will happen.

90% of the people using these rigs wont need either of those things, but its quite an expensive repair, so it can be used as a bargaining point.

but, the fact that most don't need/use them, is the same reason they stop working. lack of use. they can sometimes be brought back working, with some strategic hammering, and tinkering. but, plan to replace the actuator just in case.

 

[duffdog]

Nope thought the same thing but they aren't

The vvti is interference as the cams adjust, that's what vvti does. The 03/04 does not ever make piston to valve contact in the event of a timing belt issue

For me that was the deciding factor, I'll do headers, tune, and exhaust that will more than make up for the difference

The piston shape is different from non vvti to vvti, that is why it makes contact. I have both pistons next to me, the vvti also has different valve depressions for higher compression. If you think about a vvti motor losing the belt vs a non vvti losing the belt, the cam/crank relationship is irrelevant with no belt and the crank spinning.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Pretty sure the 2UZ-FE across the board is an interference motor regardless of VVTi, that just adjusts cam timing within a prescribed amount on a running engine. If the belt broke, it wouldn't matter because the valves are open when they shouldn't be as pointed out above.

Been hearing stories of when the belts break or a tech mis-aligns them bending valves for years even before the VVTi was a thing on these motors.

 

[duffdog]

Pretty sure the 2UZ-FE across the board is an interference motor regardless of VVTi, that just adjust cam timing within a prescribed amount on a running engine. If the belt broke, it wouldn't matter because the valves are open when they shouldn't be as pointed out above.

You are right about that. This document from the Gates belts website shows that the non-vvti engine is an interference motor.

 

[TOY2G]

I actually searched for the non-vvti as I hate interference engines and the 03-04 non-vvti is non- interference.

I'm pretty sure you still have an interference motor, vvti or not, the engines are still interference. I could be wrong however (it happened once to me when I was 11).

 

[m85476585]

Everything I've read says that all of them are interference. Someone emailed Toyota to ask, and they didn't answer the question, but they said it's important to change the timing belt at the recommended interval.

Even on a non-interference engine bad things can happen if the timing belt breaks. The belt can wrap itself around pulleys and damage things like oil seals. And usually the tolerances are very close so if something is out of tolerance it can become an interference engine.

 

[nevada]

I'm pretty sure you still have an interference motor, vvti or not, the engines are still interference. I could be wrong however (it happened once to me when I was 11).

I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Well realistically speaking most every modern engine is technically an interference engine. Between the very tight tolerances, combustion chambers and so on, if the chain/belt goes when the engine is reving high enough the piston could clip a valve edge. I have seen a picture from a friend who had an engine snap a chain or something and the intake valve crashed into the exhaust valve which then crashed into the piston; that was interesting.