2UZ Non-VVTI vs. VVTI Response/Performance?

[Sligex]

Hey guys,

Has anyone here driven both the Non-VVTI and VVTI variants of the cruisers/LX's? How's the performance difference between them? On paper it looks like the VVTI variant makes like 40 more HP than the non-VVTI variant, but I'm not sure how that would translate to the butt-dyno. As is, the Non-VVTI variant has a decent amount of kick at the low end for such a heavy truck, but once you get into the upper rev-range it really dies off. I'd imagine that the VVTI variant would change that, as the valve timing would change as you get into the upper rev ranges thus allowing more power to be made.

Thanks!

 

[TXLX100]

I've noticed the opposite as far as low range and high range response on non-vvti 4 speed. My truck feels very sluggish in low RPMs and makes plenty of power 2500-3500 RPMs. The VVTI engine trucks overall feel more peppy to me. We need to have someone race the two.

 

[RobRed]

I've ahhh compared them.

It's hard to argue with the 5 speed in the VVTi equipped crusiers - 1st is much shorter than the 4 speed. The motor difference is more apparent above 2500 in the VVTi, it definitely pulls harder. That said my header/exhaust equipped non-VVTi will pummel a stock VVTi cruiser at a roll... well it used to until I added a 1000 pounds to it.

 

[Hayes]

I've seen some chatter on the web that the non-VVTi is smoother. BS?

 

[Sligex]

For smoothness that would actually make sense - the VVTI literally increases power to the engine thus causing an "uneven" torque/power curve.

RobRed: You said headers+exhaust increase performance? The 100 is so capable but will get killed trying to get to 60...

 

[RobRed]

Full system of DT headers, High flow cats and exhaust against stock non-VVTi...plus 40 HP and TQ... these mods make the truck breath better so the power is a lot more available all over.

Exhaust differences on a DT equipped 100. I added the high flow cats after these tests.
http://tlcfaq.com/main/2013/04/cat-back-exhaust-dyno-testing-100-series/

If someone wants to bring me their 2006 Land Cruiser (SF Bay Area) I'll Dyno it - I'll eat the dyno time cost.

 

[TeCKis300]

I've driven both. And it's more significant than what it my look like on paper - especially so with how heavy the hundy is. I've driven other models with the same motor and in those applications it's not as big of a deal as they all are lighter and all feel quick by comparison.

Another reason it's a larger gap than documented is that 2006 models were subject to more stringent SAE standards of measuring hp and tq. So the non-vvti V8 was rated under the looser 2005 standards and the vvti motor under SAE standards. So you'll see that other models that got the vvti v8 in 2005 (4Runner, Tundra, GX470, etc.) suddenly lost power in 2006 due to these standard changes without a single parts difference. The hundy didn't recieve vvti until 2006.

VVTi doesn't only affect peak hp. It optimizes volumetric efficiency across the whole power band. So it's torque curve is much flatter and wider...think area under the curve. It's an incredibly buttery engine in either flavor.

When test driving the non-vvti, I immediately decided I couldn't live with the truck with how lumbering it was, even with all its other superlative traits. Though I will say, for perspective, I was coming from an '05 4Runner V8 vvti 4x4 (est 7.2 0-60) which is very quick for an SUV. A search on the web suggests that the non-vvti 5 speeds is ~9.8s 0-60 17.5 1/4 mile. 2006 LX470 is ~8.9 seconds and a quarter-mile of 16.6 seconds. Neither are sports cars obviously, but that's a significant difference. Especially so when it comes to lending enough confidence to pass on 2 lane highways and loaded down for vacations.

 

[SWUtah]

I don't think the added complexity and reported problems with the 2006-07 100 series vvti engines is worth 1 second quicker time to 60 mph? Slow is slow

 

[TeCKis300]

It's all relative. The land cruiser is still one of most reliable cars you can get, and vvti won't take away from that.

I still maintain that if you can afford it, the '06 and '07s are the ones to get. Adding 35's, armor, and towing will only exacerbate the lack of power. Potentially so much so that the vehicle now becomes a burden to drive because it can't get out of its own way.

I find my '06 to be pretty quick really for what it is, never feeling under powered even when towing. And this is coming from someone that owns a ballistic 4wd rocket of a sports car.

 

[Sligex]

Entirely understood. To be honest, I'm actually quite torn between the two. My current rig is a bone-stock LX470 which I intend on modifying to suit my off-road needs.

However, the thing is SLOW. Literally dangerously slow compared to some of the newer sedans out there these days (but it's a truck, what do you expect).

It's also the gray metallic color which I absolutely love, seems that I never find any others with the same color.

I'm trying to figure whether it's worth the extra 10k though... I originally wanted to mount a TRD S/C to it but as it is an '05, the work to get one of them bolted on to it and the reduced reliability would greatly outweigh the benefits.