Hi, I have a 2.6 lt tr magna (manual). Anyays I was told by a mechanic that the very large inline 4 will actually perform better than the 3 lt 6 cly in acceleration (not talking huge differences or anything), and are better for modding etc. Apparantly the 4 cyl "runs quite hard", whearas the 3 lt is slightly underpowered and sluggish, (if that makes any sense). I know the six cyl will be a lot smoother Anyway my question is, has anyone ever driven both (in good condition) so that they could give a good comparison?

(please dont be biased, because you have one or the other, I want a true comparison)?

Btw just out of intrest, if you could recommend one mod that would increase the cars performance the most, what would it be.

the 3 in an auto is a joke very sluggish you have to rev them to move but comparable to the 2.6 auto cept has more usable torque down low
manual manuals a little different

personally id go the 2.6 as mods are cheap and much easy to work on, heavy cam $170 (30mins to replace), removed balance shafts $30 advance timing and rear muffler and youll be beyond a 3 with ease
having taken my 2.6 on with a mates manual KS touring wagon i can say it doesnt take much for the 2.6 to thrash it mine how ever is alot more modded but the above mods is all that's needed

I havent driven both, but have been in both. That mechanic is a fool. Do not take your car there again.

I have one of each, a 2.6 manual sedan and a 3.0L V6 auto wagon. Both are TSs, manufactured about 6 months apart. The 4 cylinder has 220,000 km on it, the v6 has 240,000 km on it. The V6 goes hard, cruises well at 110 kph, and is a more relaxed car to drive. The v6 definitely has more torque and power than the 4. The 4 cruises well at 110 kph once it gets there, and both sit on about 2500 rpm. Fuel consumption I think is is favour of the 4, but not by much. The V6 had its heads off recently and there is little wear on the bores, with honing marks still visible, so I think the V6 may last longer. Other than wearing out a clutch, the 4 has been faultless, so was the V6 until it started to leak a lot of oil.

Smoothness? Not really much difference, as long as the engine mounts are good and the engine is running well, both vibrate a bit at idle but are dead smooth off idle.

Power mods: The auto saps a lot of power, being a manual you probably have the best performing combination available for the 4 cylinder. Best mod is to save up and buy a manual 3.5L 3rd gen. (honestly) but if you want to get your hands dirty and spend a lot of money, a turbo instal is the way to go. If that doesn't appeal, you could just make sure the engine is giving its best, with fresh oil and filters, and ignition timing spot on.

The engines are quite different, the 2.6 has torque down low but runs out of puff higher up, the V6 takes a while to build up steam, but really moves when the revs get up to 3,000 and beyond. In everyday driving the 2.6 might feel more powerful than the 3L, but its all in the way you drive them.

Thanks, there are still mixed answers haha, however I do know more now. I have not taken the car to him btw, I was just talking to him about it. any others?

Mods: You can always do the usual, CAI, mild cam, loud exhaust. big rims, etc. Or you could just save your money for the time the chains give out, or the alternator dies, or the clutch dies, or the paint starts to peel. Ahh, the joys of owning an old Magna! lol

Mods exhaust extractor, lower suppension, new rims, port and polish head :badgrin:, lumpy cam and a respray. While your modding the car she will fall apart and you will spending more money lol But I wouldn't trade the TR for anything else :)

But then again I'm mad :rofleek:

or it starts leaking oil everywhere :0

hahaha, well this has always been properly cared for and garaged. I hope it does not fall apart :( haha.

Old age is what getting to TRouble, she done over 314 thousand kms. So timing chain needs doing and some bushes, you can't stop time. But she still keeps going on :) I got my all my oil leaks fix :D

the 3 in an auto is a joke very sluggish you have to rev them to move but comparable to the 2.6 auto cept has more usable torque down low
manual manuals a little different

personally id go the 2.6 as mods are cheap and much easy to work on, heavy cam $170 (30mins to replace), removed balance shafts $30 advance timing and rear muffler and youll be beyond a 3 with ease
having taken my 2.6 on with a mates manual KS touring wagon i can say it doesnt take much for the 2.6 to thrash it mine how ever is alot more modded but the above mods is all that's needed

Lets say it properly.
4cyl auto vs 6cyl auto 6cyl auto wins
4cyl manual vs 6cyl manual - 6cyl manual wins.

RPW sell's reginds for the 6G72 SOHC 12v off the shelf (All the US guys use them and LOVE THEM) and they make a heap more power.
The asstron is a small diesel motor. Does not like to rev, and never will, well not without spending $20,000 making it do so properly.

of course if you compare a cammed 4cyl to a stock KS touring wagon (which weighed a bit mind you) that's not a fair comparison, so the same mods to the KS's V6 that you did to your 4cyl and...........bye bye 4cyl!

There is no question about it, the V6 wins hands down everytime. Smooth, driveable, bit of poke when needed (not a 10 sec car but more grunt then the 4cyl for sure)

i get excited everytime i hear a mention of a KS touring wagon MANUAL!!!

and yes I agree with paulie on this, the wagon is a hell of a heavy car for a 12v sohc 3L, although in manual trim shouldn't be too bad.. perhaps its just down to driver

It always come down to the driver and how well he knows the car :) I like four banger cheap rego for one.

;1287962']Lets say it properly.
4cyl auto vs 6cyl auto 6cyl auto wins
4cyl manual vs 6cyl manual - 6cyl manual wins.

RPW sell's reginds for the 6G72 SOHC 12v off the shelf (All the US guys use them and LOVE THEM) and they make a heap more power.
The asstron is a small diesel motor. Does not like to rev, and never will, well not without spending $20,000 making it do so properly.

of course if you compare a cammed 4cyl to a stock KS touring wagon (which weighed a bit mind you) that's not a fair comparison, so the same mods to the KS's V6 that you did to your 4cyl and...........bye bye 4cyl!

There is no question about it, the V6 wins hands down everytime. Smooth, driveable, bit of poke when needed (not a 10 sec car but more grunt then the 4cyl for sure)

Stock to stock yeh the v6 slightly better it was supposed to be :roll:
but referring to the op saying its better for modding - I would like to see a cam change over done on the 3 in half an hour, i would also like to see a pair of cams cheaper then what you can get a 2.6 done for. Modding wise the 2.6 is easier and cheaper to mod
lol ive spent nothing to that extent to see mine hitting the limiter either
and who said the ks was stock?

what mods had the KS done?

mild cams and exhaust

The asstron is a small diesel motor, (tufftr). uum sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it's petrol. Are you referring to it performing like the equivalent of a diesel?

The asstron is a small diesel motor, (tufftr). uum sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it's petrol. Are you referring to it performing like the equivalent of a diesel?

Referring to that's what it was based off IIRC
with headwork, some big cams, and a good tune, guys are seeing over 220HP at the treads in the SOHC V6. Not a bad feat if you ask me. And personally I couldnt care if the V6 took longer to change the cams over as in the end, theres way more gain.

Did you ever take your asstron down the 1/4? chances are it'd still still have no torque where it needs it up high to actually pull it anywhere.

The Astron engine has always been a gas(oline) engine, its original design dates back to a 1.85L engine which first appeared in the Sigma many years ago. Its just a high friction, long stroke design, with chains because cam belts had not been developed yet,


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2606264077_60c243fe77.jpg

Some people thought they needed hotting up. lol


http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2959/4861/32397430006_large.jpg

Gimme a 6G anyday

What he said . . . . . especially if it has 24 valves.

haha thanks guys.

confused yet? yeah v6 would proberly give you more gain but cost wise it isnt worth doing the dollars

neither are fast - like said a 3rd gen is probably the cheapest method of modding unless you have mechanical talent.

Meh you don't need lot of mechnical skill just need deep pockets :)

Funny mechanic. We have a 4cyl 2nd gen at home, and as great a car as it is for its age, it's got nothing on the V6 haha

The mechanic would be wrong but since putting the Weber on my TR I am not totally against the 4cyl anymore. It pulls 170km/h without extractors/cam and cruising at 100 if I put the pedal to the floor the car will violently lurch forward, this is an auto too.

The violent lurch maybe the corolla behind you when you slow down so the auto can change up a cog :P


I had a efi Astron so I couldn't cam it for the fear of it running like a pig and didn't have plenty of money and time for a piggyback. My V6 though would kill it. 125hp with nothing but 2.75" catback with a single berklee and a K&N pod.

my 2.6L is great, good on fuel, reliable, comfortable and quiet to drive (apart from exhaust) and is easy to work on.
she gets low 16s too ;) competes well with most 6's of its era