2007 Toyota Tundra: Best Engine in a Full-Size Truck

I was stunned to listen to an ad by GM I think referring to the Toyota Tundra saying that it does not make sense to get the Tundra now due to the price of gas. So many years of playing the most powerful truck card are abandoned for pushing it as most economical. As if the extra 60 gallons of fuel per year ($250) of a 14mpg truck with a 15mpg truck for 12k miles would make a difference...

I've heard many great things about this engine but it seems a shame to see it stuck hauling around a large ugly truck.
 
Picture (if you will) this engine in an all new Supra. I'm thinking a rear drive coupe (Toyota has the platforms in the Lexus stable) weighing in under 3500 lbs, 6 speed manual and something cool for styling (that one might be tough for todays Toyota).
 
Now that would be a legend in the making.
 
It might even get decent mileage if it's light and aerodynamic.
 
Something to compete with Nissan.

"the Tundra’s 5.7-liter engine is a refined beast that has no equal in the segment"
 
Ed, have you ever sampled the Sierra Denali with the 6.2L V8?

I think a lot of engines have come a long way. I was driving an Expedition the other day. It may have the smoothest engine that I've ever driven. Caught me off guard.

I'm pretty sure the 6.2L and 6 speed as just as good as this powertrain. The 6.2L will be available in the Silverado as well for 2009.

The 5.7 V8 is a truck engine, it would be insane to put it in a RWD sports car. Toyota already has couple other engine choices for the rumored new Supra, one is the 5.0L V8 currently used for the IS F and another is to drop two turbos into the 2GR-FSE. Also, a performance version of the 3.5L hybrid based on the 2GR-FSE currently in the GS450h could be a feasbile option too.

"The 5.7 V8 is a truck engine, it would be insane to put it in a RWD sports car"
 
How is it a truck engine and why would it be insane?

"The 5.7 V8 is a truck engine, it would be insane to put it in a RWD sports car."
 
Pontiac G8 GT is powered by the Silverado's engine (aka Vortec Maxx).

Haven't driven these engines, but I think Ed was saying that this engine/transmission is the best in it's class (meaning currently available powertrain options in a full-size truck platform).
 
I'm impressed Toyota made a truly competitive (or even class-leading full-size truck powertrain so quickly in this segment, known for it's long standing stars the F-150 (which I think is gorgeous inside and out for a truck execution) and the Silverado (which I think can be gorgeous, but like the F-150 more).
 
Joe

"How is it a truck engine and why would it be insane?"
 
Normally truck engines are tuned for lots of torque at low RPM but not revvy at all (red line around 5k). A sports car engine ideally should be revvy, have high hp at higher RPM as well as high red line (at least around 7k, if not 8k and 9k).
 
"Pontiac G8 GT is powered by the Silverado's engine (aka Vortec Maxx)."
 
And the Viper has a truck engine too but that doesn't mean it's ideal. My point was since Toyota has so many other better choices they don't need the 5.7 V8 to power its next gen RWD sports coupe.

The 6.2 is showing up as an option on the Silverado and Sierra next year, but only on the tarted up LTZ / SLT crew cabs. Which run well over $40K sticker, duplicating the Denali they already have.
 
How many of Toyota's 200K sales last year were because of that awesome powertrain? And GM had every part they needed on the shelf to compete for those sales, but didn't. And it's the exact same story this year.. and looking to be the same one yet again next year.

""The 5.7 V8 is a truck engine, it would be insane to put it in a RWD sports car."
 
Wasn't the Ford GT powered by a truck engine?
 
On the lighter side; In Teen Wolf, I think Michael J Fox souped up his car with a bus engine. :) If not Teen Wolf, it was one of his movies from that era.

Swapping engines from trucks to sports cars isn't exactly a wise idea, generally speaking, but it can work. As noted above though, sports cars don't need to tow 10,000 pounds and therefore don't need tons of low end torque (though it's always good!)...but they do need some high end ability to get them down the pavement faster and to help ensure they don't die off everytime you shift near redline.
 
Aspade - "How many of Toyota's 200K sales last year were because of that awesome powertrain? And GM had every part they needed on the shelf to compete for those sales, but didn't. "
 
This is a great point and one of the problems of NOT part-sharing the important bits. Of the importance of building one very, very good thing and sharing it rather than building 2-3 pretty good things and using them in different applications.
 
Joe

Anyone have performance testing sources they deem to be accurate? Do we trust Edmunds... I checked C&D: 6.1 sec to 60 / MT 6.5...
  
...Anyway, anyone willing to submit a list of accepted (straight line) fast cars that would have a tough time beating the 5.7 Tundra to 60?
  
Yeah, I know, I could look it up - I just want the 'blog' interaction:>)
  
Also, any owners out there with a "drag" story or two??

"anyone willing to submit a list of accepted (straight line) fast cars that would have a tough time beating the 5.7 Tundra to 60? "
 
I'll take the first crack at this...
 
Acura TL (this one's gonna be close)
Audi A4 2.0T
BMW 328i
Caddy CTS non-DI
Honda Civic Si
Honda S2000 (maybe...)
Ford Mustang V6
All V6 family sedans

"The 5.7 V8 is a truck engine, it would be insane to put it in a RWD sports car. Toyota already has couple other engine choices for the rumored new Supra, one is the 5.0L V8 currently used for the IS F and another is to drop two turbos into the 2GR-FSE."
 
The current Lexus version of the 306hp 3.5 V6 (so Ive been told by my father) is in a VERY mild state of tune. He's told me on several occasions that this engine can and has EASILY put out 350+hp and a great amount of torque. Very ideal for a 350Z killer!
 
In case you didnt know the 5.0L V8 in the IS-F was never intended to go in the IS (this explains the odd front end proportions) as when the IS was being developed the "F" performance division hadnt even surfaced. It wasnt until after the IS was created that an engineer came up with the IS-F and then LITTERALLY had to stuff the 5.0L V8 in its nose.

Kinda' puts a grin on your face when you see a list, doesn't it...
 
... know the numbers for RX8... GTI??
 
It'd be close too, huh...

"LITTERALLY had to stuff the 5.0L V8 in its nose."
 
You are right, the IS F started out pretty much as a side project for a few engineers, they worked on their own hours and was not paid by Toyota/Lexus in the very beginning. It was after witnessed what they could do about he IS then Lexus decided to go full force with the F division. Luckily the IS was built on the GS frame so it has enough real estate in the nose to hold a V8.
 
By the way, the 5.0L V8 is pretty much a bigger and performance-oriented version of the 4.6L V8 in both the LS460 and GS460 tuned by Yamaha.

TEEN WOLF,
 
Here's what I remember:
1) "Gimme,a keg of beer..."
2) Scott surfing the "waves" (on the van)
3) The blonde chick (great chassis!!)
 
oh, and,
 
4) "shoot it, fat boy"

"I'll take the first crack at this...
  
Acura TL (this one's gonna be close)
Audi A4 2.0T
BMW 328i
Caddy CTS non-DI
Honda Civic Si
Honda S2000 (maybe...)
Ford Mustang V6
All V6 family sedans"
 
The Tundra runs 0 to 60 in 6.3 and the 1/4 in 14.8.
 
That should beat most of the cars on your list.
 
Also I don't consider to Supra to be a sports car (past, present or future). It's a GT and GT's should have lots of power right across the rev band. Thats' exactly what the 5.7 puts out.

"It's a GT and GT's should have lots of power right across the rev band. Thats' exactly what the 5.7 puts out."
 
Fine, call it whatever. Yes, it need lots of power across the rev band but unfortunately the 5.7 V8's redline is pretty low for such a car.
 
Can Toyota tune it differently? Sure. But why since there are so many better choices out there that offer equal if not better performance with definitely better FE.

...because 0-60 times are important in a truck? Yep, them is some priorities.
 
Several years ago, the US manufacturers played that game. They moved on.