3.3 vs 3.0

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Apr 9, 2005 | 09:57 AM

700t

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Driver School Candidate

Joined: May 2004

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From: Canada

3.3 vs 3.0

Comparing the 3.3 in the RX330 with the 3.0 in the RX300 it just seems to me that the 3.0 was smoother, quieter and more refined engine than the current 3.3.
Should't Toyota with all their money have improved NVH (noise-vibration-harshness) over the 1MZ-Fe (3.0)?

Apr 9, 2005 | 01:12 PM

NeverSatisfied

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Feb 2003

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From: 808

I think the NVH is fine after the 3.3 is warmed up. There is sort of a whiny sound (when you're in the garage), but it subsides. Personally, I like the deep note while accellerating from a stop.

Apr 9, 2005 | 02:36 PM

HarrierAWD

Lexus Champion

Joined: Jan 2003

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From: Colorado

I test drove the RX330 and didn't notice the engine sound louder than my RX300.

Apr 12, 2005 | 04:29 PM

steevr

Pole Position

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 347

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From: Illinois

Every time I get a RX330 loaner, I feel the engine is louder and not as smooth, especially at higher RPM's. Yes, the 3.3 is more powerful, but I like the smoothness of my 3.0 better.

Apr 14, 2005 | 05:30 AM

Lexmex

CL Community Team

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 17,321

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From: Miami, Florida

Last time I test drove and RX330 in the states, I could not feel any more power than in my RX300, even before I modded my truck to death.

Apr 14, 2005 | 08:35 AM

Lil4X

Out of Warranty

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 14,925

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From: Houston, Republic of Texas

330 Noise and the untamed transmission . . .

The engine note of the 3.3L is considerably different than the 3.0, probably due to changes in the exhaust. One of the early complaints on the 1RX was that it's exhaust was too mild-mannered for a "truck". Some macho types though their Lexus should sound more like an 18-wheeler climbing a steep grade, I guess. The result was a compromise that satisfied hardly anyone.

A second contributing factor was a slight change in valve timing required to move the torque curve down the rpm scale. Great for mid-range grunt, but less effective for noise control. Personally, I'm pretty happy with the trade-offs, but then my transmission was a "slow-learner", taking nearly 16K to figure out my driving style. After disconnecting the ECM a time or two, it finally adapted quite nicely and now seldom initiates an unwanted shift. As a result, it seems to be much quieter, keeping the engine spinning in the middle of the power band under all but the most dramatic circumstances. Plus according to the well known butt-dyno, it seems to be a good bit quicker.

Apr 14, 2005 | 12:38 PM

Lexmex

CL Community Team

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 17,321

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From: Miami, Florida

Lil4X,

I now have that truck with the macho sound. Used to be nobody paid attention to my truck. Now, they can hear me coming from a 1/4 mile away.

I usually like to pull the battery (negative cable) instead of just the ECM. Tried both, but the battery seems to give me a better response.