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Any Lexus with a timing chain wins vs the belts. Probably the 5.7 LX or 5.0 GSF engine IMO
Is this true? I was rather surprised to learn the 3rd gen LS' had timing belts. Is there some underlying reason why it lasted into 2006 models? I had NEVER owned a car with a timing belt until the 2006 LS. And I have had cars where you have to mix the oil into the gas! (just joking)
Other than timing chains, I had 2 OHV cars. Never a belt. Can't see any advantage, other than sounds? With that being said, how about the 3UZ-FE anyway, for its long life.
The old 4.7L and 4.3L cast iron V8's were solid as heck despite a timing belt. The Lexus 3.5L and 3.5L DI V6's have also been venerable unlike the carbon build-up prone 2.5L V6.
Is this true? I was rather surprised to learn the 3rd gen LS' had timing belts. Is there some underlying reason why it lasted into 2006 models? I had NEVER owned a car with a timing belt until the 2006 LS. And I have had cars where you have to mix the oil into the gas! (just joking)
Other than timing chains, I had 2 OHV cars. Never a belt. Can't see any advantage, other than sounds? With that being said, how about the 3UZ-FE anyway, for its long life.
It is the hassle of having to change the belts on the older Toyota engines that I do not like. Our 4.7 and 4.5 in our SUVs need this. None of the modern cars have this requirement. Whether or not it is reliable, I don’t know. But a belt can snap easier than a chain IMO. And it seems all modern chain engines are far more powerful
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Apr 19, 2018 at 07:01 PM.
Although it was not particularly torquey (215 ft-lbs. for the non-turbo version) and guzzled 93-octane gas like a V8, my vote for best Lexus engine of all time goes to the Toyota/Lexus 3.0L in-line 6, which was used in the American-market IS300/GS300/SC300/Supra and the world-platform Toyota Altezza. Ran smooth as butter, durable as a tank, and almost never gave any real problems.
i feel like this pops up at least twice a year, and it's sort of a tough question to answer since the majority of "lexus" engines are just existing toyota engines. in terms of the US / north american market the only lexus exclusive engines i can think of are: the 1UZ-FE, which was originally developed just for the LS and gets my vote for the best one, the 1LR-GUE masterpiece of a V10 but even that was developed much by yamaha, and i guess the 2GR-FSE for the GS and IS. oh yea and the 2UR, pretty cool engine too.
Although it was not particularly torquey (215 ft-lbs. for the non-turbo version) and guzzled 93-octane gas like a V8, my vote for best Lexus engine of all time goes to the Toyota/Lexus 3.0L in-line 6, which was used in the American-market IS300/GS300/SC300/Supra and the world-platform Toyota Altezza. Ran smooth as butter, durable as a tank, and almost never gave any real problems.
This was going to be my Vote too. Next would be the 1uz V-8 IMO.
Many cannot relate today to how smooth an inline 6 is. It is simply physics, primary and secondary balance. I wish I could have owned a Toyota inline 6. I suppose none of those cars would have been in my price range. I recently saw a video of a MB tech saying which was better, the inline 6 or V6--the changeover was a lot earlier than I thought, maybe 1990? He went with V6, maybe it had to do with working on the motors and reliability. He never mentioned smoothness.
Also, in 2002, I argued with a coworker on whether a Lexus V8 has 4 cams or not. He insisted it had 2, yet agreed it was DOHC. Strange that he would not agree with me even seeing a cross section of the 3UZ motor. Would not pay me the $5 that we bet. So he said let's agree to disagree, and I'll teach you everything you need to know about fantasy football, since you are new to the league. I won that year so his teaching paid off!
The 2UR-GSE is the greatest Lexus engine ever made, the RCF GSF & LC all based on the ISF .
Certainly the best-sounding.
Well, next to the LFA anyway!
I do find it odd that the article says the 2GR-FSE is "surprisingly efficient" though. In 2018 - not really. Maybe back in the mid-2000s when it debuted. Then again, we all know Lexus's transmission game is partly to blame for the unimpressive MPGs on some of their current V-6 offerings. I mean it should improve if the 10-speed spreads. The LC 500, with a 5.0-liter V-8, has the same highway fuel economy estimate as my IS 300 AWD, with the 2GR.
Many cannot relate today to how smooth an inline 6 is. It is simply physics, primary and secondary balance. I wish I could have owned a Toyota inline 6.
I did own one....for almost five years, in a 1Gen IS300. Bought it brand-new. Like you say, the engine was like a sewing machine. Unfortunately, the 5AT transmission with it was not always as smooth as the engine...even with a ECU flash-update.
It is the hassle of having to change the belts on the older Toyota engines that I do not like. Our 4.7 and 4.5 in our SUVs need this. None of the modern cars have this requirement. Whether or not it is reliable, I don’t know. But a belt can snap easier than a chain IMO. And it seems all modern chain engines are far more powerful
Changing a timing belt is not a hassle Jill. Stop making these things up. How many Tbelts have you changed in your life lol? Why even make a post like that.
Best Lexus Built Engines to Date
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