Why such little power for the 3.4L V6?

[ShooterMcGavin]

I am just kinda curious here... I recently bought a G35. It has a 3.5L making about 300 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque (4800 RPM). I don't expect a truck's engine to make anywhere near that HP, but I'd expect a torque spec of maybe 250 lb-ft. For the 2000 4Runner, it's putting out 183 HP and only 217 lb-ft of torque (3600 RPM). I included the RPM numbers, since that is kinda important to the conversation too.

What's the deal? Are these numbers underrated or is there an explanation?

 

[Coastal616]

I am just kinda curious here... I recently bought a G35. It has a 3.5L making about 300 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque (4800 RPM). I don't expect a truck's engine to make anywhere near that HP, but I'd expect a torque spec of maybe 250 lb-ft. For the 2000 4Runner, it's putting out 183 HP and only 217 lb-ft of torque (3600 RPM). I included the RPM numbers, since that is kinda important to the conversation too.

What's the deal? Are these numbers underrated or is there an explanation?

I'd bet the numbers are overstated and I'd bet a lot of it has to do with attempted fuel economy. I bet those are at the crank.

 

[5vzT4R]

And I bet that if you put it head to head against any SUV/Truck from its year, you will soon realize that's its not really "under powered". People don't understand, a more modern vehicle will almost ALWAYS be more powerful from the factory. That's part of the point of making a "new model". So your T4R really isn't under powered for its age. Its just under powered compared to modern and the new T4R's.

But I also bet that the 5vzfe is a more solid, reliable, dependable, easier to work on engine that has already built its reputation then any "modern" engine. :thumb:

 

[OTB]

You are comparing Apples to Oranges.

If you want to compare your G35, compare it to the newer model Nissan Trucks/SUVs with the same motor stroked out to a 4.0. Not as much HP but a lot more torque than the G35.

Mid size trucks didn't start getting more power til a few more years after 2k and for the record, neither did the Infinity G cars.

As far as the 3.4, I don't feel my '99 is under powered at all but it is a truck, not a race car.

 

[thebrandon]

My 14 year old (with the same motor as even older t4rs) SUV is slow?! This is news to me. I could have sworn this thing was a space ship.

 

[packweco]

There are tons of factors that go into a thing like that. If you look on the wikipedia page it says that the horsepower from the engine in your G35 (VQ35DE) makes anywhere from 228 to 300 HP. That probably depends on the vehicle it's in and what that vehicle is meant for. Just a different tune on the ECU could DRASTICALLY change how much horsepower a modern engine makes.

Changes in HP output can be as simple as lighter moving engine components to complex problems such as optimizing the air flow into and the exhaust flow out of the engine.

People with runners gain a couple horses just changing exhaust and intake alone so there are a lot of little things that go into it.

 

[OTB]

But I also bet that the 5vzfe is a more solid, reliable, dependable, easier to work on engine that has already built its reputation then any "modern" engine. :thumb:

The VQ35DE in the G35 along with all the other VQ motors are rock solid, bullet proof and have stood the test of time. It has been around since at least 1994.
So yeah, the 5vzfe is a solid platform but I wouldn't say more solid (not less either).

 

[5vzT4R]

The VQ35DE in the G35 along with all the other VQ motors are rock solid, bullet proof and have stood the test of time. It has been around since at least 1994.
So yeah, the 5vzfe is a solid platform but I wouldn't say more solid (not less either).

1994 isn't very modern.. lol.

Its not that I don't like new vehicles, I just believe that older vehicles in general (not just the engine) were built better with less cheap parts, plastic's ect.

 

[TheDurk]

As far as the 3.4, I don't feel my '99 is under powered at all but it is a truck, not a race car.

Plus 1. As the owner of both a 3.0 and a 3.4, the 3.4 seems much more powerful and it strikes me they got a lot of oomph out of that 400cc. Especially when you consider the 3.0 is Brazilian emissions standards (read none at all in '97) and the 3.4 is US.

 

[02SE]

The short explanation is that there are numerous factors to take into account, when building/designing an engine and determining it's power characteristics.

Here are a few: Engine displacement, material used for block, (cast iron, aluminum with nikasil bores, or sleeved) cast or forged block, wet or dry block, fuel the engine will use, bore and stroke, rod ratio, compression ratio, compression distance, combustion chamber design, combustion chamber volume, cylinder pressures expected, number and size of valves, type of valves, (SS, Ti, sodium filled, Inconel etc.) valve springs, camshaft lift and duration, in-block cam vs overhead cam, overhead cam vs dual overhead cams, fixed or variable valve timing for intake and/or exhaust, port vs direct injection, ignition system, cast vs forged crank, cast vs forged rods, type of material used for rods, (cast iron, steel, aluminum, titanium) cast vs forged pistons, piston design, type of headgasket used, intake design, exhaust design, design life expectancy, etc. etc.

 

[OTB]

1994 isn't very modern.. lol.

Its not that I don't like new vehicles, I just believe that older vehicles in general (not just the engine) were built better with less cheap parts, plastic's ect.

I wasn't saying '94 is modern.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I never seem to understand these threads. Each engine design has its merits and flaws. But I test drove my 4runner before I bought it, knowing that the 5vz was no speed demon because it was not designed to be such. Its home lies on the trail. My brother has a Trailblazer SS, which is built for speed, but had both upper ball joint fail one time when we took it off road. The TRD supercharger helps combat the slow response, and is coveted for such as evidenced by people spending up to $2500 for a used Supercharger on Fleabay. I am waiting for the day the Supercharger sells for more than the 4runner itself.

The VQ engines are nice but can be thirsty. I had a chance to buy a used G35 at the beginning of the Recession, passed on it, and have been kicking myself ever since.

 

[chimpy]

I am just kinda curious here... I recently bought a G35. It has a 3.5L making about 300 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque (4800 RPM). I don't expect a truck's engine to make anywhere near that HP, but I'd expect a torque spec of maybe 250 lb-ft. For the 2000 4Runner, it's putting out 183 HP and only 217 lb-ft of torque (3600 RPM). I included the RPM numbers, since that is kinda important to the conversation too.

What's the deal? Are these numbers underrated or is there an explanation?

Multiply the final (rear axle)drive ratio of 4.30:1 gear reduction and that 217 lb ft of engine torque along with trans and transfer case gearing, now that original 217 lb ft of engine torque grows exponentially. More factory torque would have been great; as you stated the 250 lb ft would have helped for certain but it all depends what you use the horsepower/torque for. Add an E-locker to that 2000 4runner and watch it climb/crawl !! Put the transfer case in 4 Lo and the trans in low and that 217 lb ft becomes a lot stronger. Horsepower is great on Sunday but torque and gear reduction do the work all week.

 

[thebrandon]

This 4runner went so fast it started to fly.

 

[mmml4]

There is no compairison between the two engines. When I worked at the Nissan engine plant several years ago I leased my wife a 350Z and the engine had dual intakes with 2 throttlebodies, forged steel crank with all bearing journals microfinished, aluminum block with cast iron sleeves and moly coated skirts on the pistons and VVT, so it was pretty much a hotrod right out of the box. The
5VZ is perfect for what it does IMHO.

 

[Ed_C]

I am just kinda curious here... I recently bought a G35. It has a 3.5L making about 300 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque (4800 RPM). I don't expect a truck's engine to make anywhere near that HP, but I'd expect a torque spec of maybe 250 lb-ft. For the 2000 4Runner, it's putting out 183 HP and only 217 lb-ft of torque (3600 RPM). I included the RPM numbers, since that is kinda important to the conversation too.

What's the deal? Are these numbers underrated or is there an explanation?

Your G35's VQ series engine is a generation ahead of the engine Toyota had their sights on when they built the VZ series engine found in your 4Runner.

Toyota built the VZ series to compete with Nissan's VG series (the VQ's predecessor). So the fair comparison would be against the VG33E in the mid 90's - early 2000's Pathfinder/Xterra,and they produced 170hp and 202 ft/lb torque. Winner: Toyota

I'm not saying the VQ series sucks,in fact it's an impressive engine...but that's for another discussion :

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I concede that I should have compared a 2006 G35 to a 2006 4Runner. I'm just looking at buying a 2000 4Runner with the 3.4L, so I used that one. Also, the 2006 has similar torque using a 4.0, rather than a 3.5L.

Yes, I am sure these are crank numbers. I also assume the numbers are using the recommended grade fuel, ideal conditions at sea-level, etc. I'm not trying to put the 4Runner down. I am looking into buying one Just curious about the numbers.

I know there are tons of factors to considered when designing an engine for a certain task. I'm just wondering why they didn't/couldn't build something with a little more torque. Maybe it's a moot point anyways... I haven't done any offroad driving with a 4Runner, so I'm not the most qualified judge

 

[BigBluePile]

How much does the g35 weigh compared to a 4runner....?

 

[WillK]

Don't let the numbers worry you. The truck is not fast,but it pulls well. It won't win many races, but it'll get you from A to B in one of the coolest vehicles (Gen 3) on the road. And it will always get you there- very reliable, very solid.

As for it's numbers, there right in line with the other small SUV's and trucks of early 2000's. I know the Nissan Frontier 3.3L had a whopping 170/200 unless you got it supercharged.

If you want quick, keep the G. You'll have the best of both worlds but again, don't let the numbers worry you...

Oh, and factory numbers are always crank numbers.

 

[02SE]

I'm just wondering why they didn't/couldn't build something with a little more torque.

They easily could have. But there is always fuel economy, emissions, reliability, cost, and what the competition is currently doing, to take into consideration.