(Modified) 22RE vs 3VZE...

[ozarkmud]

I've driven 22REs for a long time and know well of their slowness, even with stock tires. They are passable. Decent, even, in a 2WD truck. But in 4WD, they are a bit of a dog. A liveable dog, but a dog nonetheless.

I realize the 3VZE doesn't have as good of a reputation, but it's a considerably nicer, torque-ier motor. Driving it is completely different.

What can a 22RE do with modifications? Say $1-2k worth, at most. I haven't driven a modified 22RE. I am very skeptcal though, that it could maintain reliability and be close to the performance of a 3VZE. But I haven't modified a 22RE, so I cannot say for sure.

I'm more interested in a practical motor with more low end torque than moving the power band even higher than it already is on the 22RE.

The 22RE does feel a bit lackluster for torque at low revs. Is the torque curve more usable on say a 20R?

Despite the "3.slow" reputation, (stock) 22RE to 3VZE is night and day if any hills are involved.

Thank you!

 

[gnob]

Not really sure what you are asking here?
Would i intentionally purchase a 3vz truck for dd use? No.
Not worth swapping in either.
Imo the 3v was obsolete before the 5v ever arrived.
Go drive a 5v and then come tell us about the 3v again.
With the 3v, It's not IF the HGs go, it's WHEN.
The RE is a great motor as long as you understand its limitations. Has a proven track record to run even when they shouldn't.

 

[ozarkmud]

Not really sure what you are asking here?
Would i intentionally purchase a 3vz truck for dd use? No.
Not worth swapping in either.
Imo the 3v was obsolete before the 5v ever arrived.
Go drive a 5v and then come tell us about the 3v again.
With the 3v, It's not IF the HGs go, it's WHEN.
The RE is a great motor as long as you understand its limitations. Has a proven track record to run even when they shouldn't.

I like the 5vzfe. It's a great motor and I probably prefer it to the 3vze. I haven't driven a 5vzfe manual, though.

I've just heard these claims that the 22RE can perform like the 3vze, but they seem far-fetched. I was wondering if I was missing something, though. The driving experience, despite being slow, for me is drastically better on the 3vze than the 22RE.

As far as 3vzfe head gaskets go, it definitely seems like an issue. I imagine there may be some kind of fix for it (different head gasket, exhaust routing, etc), but it may always be a concern.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Dunno, you might have to go with a turbo (LCE Engineering) and that would exceed your max $2K budget. I had a downey header with big diameter exhaust on my '85 4Runner. Didn't really notice much of a power increase, it just got louder. Agreed that the 3VZE is much more pleasant to drive. Mine had the HG go out before I bought it and PO had Toyota fix. Still going 20 years later.