[ms018kmf]

Originally Posted by Downey

The original 1988, and possibly 1989 3.0's were a poor block design, barely enough meat in the casting to hold the crank in place. Most engine rebuilders would not attempt to rebuild one of those early blocks.
Yes, head gasket issues were (past tense) a bitch. One of mine had 3 head gasket jobs.
To me, the biggest issue is that Toyota gave those engines 150 h.p., put 100 of it where you get to use it every day, then put the other 50 up at 4500 r.p.m. Headers give an 11 h.p. gain, but leave the other 50 ponies upstairs. Headers with 2.5" exhaust gives a 14 h.p. gain, and brings the 50 h.p. down where you get to use it every day (i.e. feels like a 50 h.p. gain).
Other than the above, we offer 3.0 stuff for all of those who are lucky enough to have a trouble-free engine and want to squeeze out a couple more ponies!!!

Totally dude, factory power is way overrated on paper. The motor will never want to breathe upstairs. I've been looking at the headers for a while, I like how they clean things up in there.

Originally Posted by pappy

So I ask the 3VZE folks. How many timing belts has your V6 taken? You boys have balls to complain about the R-series chain. Give me a break.

Whoa there cowboy, I ain't been knockin your chain.

I think a PO did a belt in mine around 80k. I'm at 173k now and it's doing well. I don't see what's so tough about changing the timing belt when it's time. It's easy to get to and things won't pop if my timing is off. I come from a world of interference engines (they do pop) crammed sideways in tiny cars so I'm biased in respect to what's "difficult". I'm sure changing a chain is slick and fast on a 22 by comparison, I can't argue about having ample room to work quicker.

Now everybody needs to chill out, eat some groovy pills, and go out to the woods or something.