At least the Titan's running the Baja ran Nissan Engines...

Clancy · 05-30-2008, 11:39 AM

This is just shameful.

http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/sto...-baja-500.html

&

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/30/t...a-in-baja-500/

Quote:

Power for the PreRunner comes from none other than GM's LS2 small-block.

...

For the record, Toyota does not sponsor team TForce or its hopped-up PreRunner, but you can imagine that choosing a GM engine over one by Toyota because of reliability isn't exactly what the folks in Aichi, Japan like hearing.

desertruner09 · 05-30-2008, 02:54 PM

And that is why I easily choose Nissan engines over Toyota engines any day of the week. Our 5.6L is way overbuilt for the stock power it puts out, which is great for reliability. I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota designs their engines to be able to handle not much more than the stock power output. I've heard this from quite a few people on these boards. I know, kinda bias but oh well. Our VK56 is quite an amazing engine for the physical space it takes up...

motorvisions · 05-30-2008, 03:05 PM

whats the difference between this and people throwing small block chevys in their jeeps or LT & LS1's into RX7's, or every form of streetrod out there? i dont see the big deal.

desertruner09 · 05-30-2008, 03:23 PM

Toyota is suppose to be known for their reliable, rock solid engines that are problem free. I know this truck isn't sponsored by Toyota nor is it stock, but the fact that they ditched the 5.7L in favor of another engine because of reliability issues is not a good image for Toyota's full size truck engine.

boya544 · 05-30-2008, 03:51 PM

If Toyota sponsored the truck Im sure they would have a Toyota built engine in it. Even if the 5.7 were not reliable being raced. Im sure they could of gotten their hands on one of the 358ci. pushrod motors from TRD. The ones that are powering the Camrys in NASCAR. Since it was not Toyota sponsored a GM engine is way cheaper to build and maintain

d0va · 05-30-2008, 03:51 PM

Maybe Toyota would be teaming up w/ GM in the future.... If it was not sponsor by Toyota why pick a tundra body and advertise Toyota on it?

Blue Thunder · 05-30-2008, 05:39 PM

That's just d*mn funny. They might could have gotten some sponsorship money from GM if they'd labelled the truck as a Silverado.

Clancy · 05-31-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorvisions

whats the difference between this and people throwing small block chevys in their jeeps or LT & LS1's into RX7's, or every form of streetrod out there? i dont see the big deal.

1. - It's not a streetrod.
2. - Have you seen a small block chebbie IN A BRAND NEW CAR/TRUCK that already came from the factory with a V8?
3. - If Toyota is really 'all that' - why is the new 5.7 that came with that truck witting on the floor of someone's garage?

motorvisions · 05-31-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clancy

1. - It's not a streetrod.
2. - Have you seen a small block chebbie IN A BRAND NEW CAR/TRUCK that already came from the factory with a V8?
3. - If Toyota is really 'all that' - why is the new 5.7 that came with that truck witting on the floor of someone's garage?

ok, the closest thing to BRAND NEW or FACTORY on that truck is probably the cab and emblem on the front. its a purpose built race truck with a toyota body draped over top. if it was in a stock class i could see the arguement. its just another form of hot rodding.

[SC]Titan · 05-31-2008, 04:54 PM

my guess it the gm engine is cheaper to mod and cheaper to fix if something goes wrong...plus those pushrod style V8s are easier to work on than a DOHC

hooligan · 05-31-2008, 05:30 PM

ridiculous! Carl Renezeder won a shatload of races in his CORR Titan and the #17 CORR Titan in Pro2 and Pro4 races was built with a stock VK56 block. granted it was race-prepped but other makes Ford and Chevy CORR trucks had custom race engines made and none had stock blocks in them. reliable? look at the number of wins Renezeder had in Pro2 and Pro4 the last 3 years with the VK56 race engine. domination!

i think T-Force may have to rethink their name and perhaps think of changing it to GM-Force.

jbaltimore · 06-01-2008, 01:15 AM

I am pretty sure this truck is not a "Factory" truck. Not like Ivan was atleast. The owner of the team owns the Toyota distribution on the east coast. I have also heard that it was running a bowtie engine.

hooligan · 06-01-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbaltimore

I am pretty sure this truck is not a "Factory" truck. Not like Ivan was atleast. The owner of the team owns the Toyota distribution on the east coast. I have also heard that it was running a bowtie engine.

no, not factory but they're heavily supported by toyota. all their shop trucks are toyota, all their clothing and the race truck have "toyota" slapped all over. i'm guessing the gm motor thing was a hush hush thing that got leaked out... LOL...

motorvisions · 06-01-2008, 02:08 PM

maybe they couldnt get a toyota race motor prepped in time?

hooligan · 06-01-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorvisions

maybe they couldnt get a toyota race motor prepped in time?

no, these guys have been prepping this truck for over a year now. the truck is tits! carbon fiber custom dash, everything is top-friggin' notch! there is some serious coinage into the truck alone. somewhere hovering near the million-dollar mark. nothing on the truck is toyota other than the grille and toyota stickers. gm race-prepped powerplants are easily and readily available for teams and can be prepped quickly in the event a new motor is needed for teams with deep pockets. but then again, many race teams, be it CORR, SCORE, BITD, etc. type racing have vehicles with one brand of body and outfitted with another brand motor. its not rare, not really a big deal, but i think someone with gm roots in the press caught wind of the info and took it to newer heights...