Is it me or all 3.0s extra weak? I have a 90 auto with the dreaded 3.slow. this thing is the biggset pos I have ever owned. It gets 9.3mpg in town and won't get out of its own way. I have double checked the cam timing, tuned it up and installed manual locking hubs up front all to no avail. It will not pull an empty 4x8 trailer on the highway. It will just barely do 70 on the highway and sometime will downshift to do that. I have tried 3 different tire sizes and all have had the same results. Any ideas short of a 4.3 swap?
Weak 90.
- Thread starter red90
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timothy9988
New member
I have a 1993 with the 3.0 and - while it's not the most powerful car I have ever driven - it does fine driving around town. I can cruise at 80 on the freeway, step on it and still have some power to pass someone. I have an 8x12 flat trailer that I load up and take stuff to the dump every now and then and, yes it knows it's there, but it handles it just fine. As for mileage - I average around 12-13 mpg - best I have seen is around 18 driving from delaware to the outter banks in NC (long flat straight drive).
Diverse4runner
New member
Ive had mine for about 2 weeks now 93 with the 3.0 honestly its not that bad Ive been in cars that are way worse. My uncle had a 4cyl S10 and I thought I was going to die everytime I drove it. I get about the same MPG about 14-15 max was 17
Bens4runner
New member
Id say theres something wrong with your runner red90, because what your stating is not the norm for a 2nd gen, they arent the most powerful by any means, but yours sounds to be in need of some help:shrug:
Gr@nt
New member
I know how you feel mate.
I got a 91 with the 3vze. Can only just get to 80kph in 3rd. 4th won't even hold that.
We've done:
Fuel pump, fuel filter, plugs, leads, distributer cap, injectors, timing belt, mass air flow sensor. Still no change. Last thing we'll try is ECU.
It's going into toyota to have them look over it. Fingers crossed.
I'll PM you if we find the problem mate.
I got a 91 with the 3vze. Can only just get to 80kph in 3rd. 4th won't even hold that.
We've done:
Fuel pump, fuel filter, plugs, leads, distributer cap, injectors, timing belt, mass air flow sensor. Still no change. Last thing we'll try is ECU.
It's going into toyota to have them look over it. Fingers crossed.
I'll PM you if we find the problem mate.
I opened up the exhaust today with a 2.5 inch system and it seems a little better. I've just come to the conclusion that at the original 126,000 miles the engine is worn out. I didn't put the miles on it so I dont know how it was treated. I know it needs mains so the rest is prolly worn out too. I've got 2 parts truck wit a 3.slow in them so i guess i need to start building one. Mine might get converted to a 5 speed since one of my parts truck has a manual in it.