Toyota 3RZ-FE

The Toyota 3RZ-FE is a 2.7 L (2,693 cc, 164.3 cu·in) straight-four 4-stroke natural aspirated gasoline engine from Toyota RZ-family. The 3RZ-FE engine was manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation from 1994 to 2004 on Kamigo Plant, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

The 3RZ-FE engine features a cast-iron cylinder block and aluminum cylinder head with two overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder (16 in total). The Toyota 3RZ-FE engine used electronically controlled Multipoint fuel injection system and Electronic Spark Advance (ESA) ignition system.

Compression ratio rating is 9:5:1. A 95.0 mm (3.74 in) cylinder bore and 95.0 mm (3.74 in) piston stroke give the 3RZ-FE engine a total of 2,693 cc (164.3 cu·in) of displacement. The 3RZ-FE engine produced 152 PS (112 kW; 150 HP) at 4,800 rpm of maximum horsepower and 240 N·m (24.5 kg·m, 176.9 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm of peak torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• 3 – 3-rd generation engine
• RZ – Engine family
• F – Economy narrow-angle DOHC
• E – Multi-Point Fuel Injection

General information

Cylinder block

The 3RZ-FE has a deep-skirt cast iron cylinder block with 95.0 mm (3.74 in) cylinder bore and 86.0 mm (3.39 in) piston stroke. Compression ratio rating is 9.5:1. This engine is equipped with twin counter-rotating balance shafts within the crankcase to cancel the secondary inertia forces.

The 3RZ-FE engine used a fully-balanced forged crankshaft with eight counterweights and 60.00 mm (2.36 in) of main journal diameter and 53.000 mm (2.08 in) of crankpin journal diameter. Plastic region tightening bolts are used for both the crankshaft main bearings and connecting rods.

The engine has connecting rods that are forged from carbon steel. For increased strength and durability, the connecting rods are shot-peened. The 3RZ-FE used aluminum alloy pistons with resin-coated skirts and two compression rings and a single oil ring. In each big-end bearing, an oil jet sprayed oil to cool the underside of the pistons.

Crankshaft bearing cap tightening procedure and torque specs:

• Step 1: 39 Nm; 3.9 kg·m; 29 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 90°

After securing bearing cap bolts, make sure crankshaft turns smoothly by hand.

Connecting rod bearing bolts

• Step 1: 45 Nm 4.6 kg·m; 33 ft·lb)
• Step 2: Turn bolts 90°

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. The engine has dual overhead camshaft design with four valves per cylinder. The 3RZ-FE engine used plastic region tightening bolts for the cylinder head.

The intake camshaft is driven by a timing chain which has a hydraulic chain tensioner and oil jet for lubrication. The exhaust camshaft is driven via a scissors gear from the intake camshaft.

The 3RZ-FE engine has four valves per cylinder: two intakes and two exhaust. The intake valves have a 37.5 mm (1.4764 in) diameter, exhaust valves have a 30.5 mm (1.2008 in) diameter. Intake duration is 230 degrees and exhaust duration is 224 degrees. This engine does not use hydraulic lifters, so you need to adjust the valves clearances every 30,000 km (20,000 miles) of mileage.

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

• Step 1: 39 Nm; 4.0 kg·m; 29 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 90°
• Step 3: Turn all bolts another 90°

Maintenance data

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of new adjusting valve shim so valve clearance comes within specified values.

R = Thickness of removed valve shim
N = Thickness of new valve shim
M = Measured valve clearance

Intake:
N = R + [M – 0.20 mm (0.008 in)]
Exhaust:
N = R + [M – 0.30 mm (0.012 in)]

Valve shims are available in 17 sizes to range from 2.500 mm (0.0984 in.) to 3.300 mm (0.1299 in.), in steps of 0.05 mm (0.0020 in).

Example (exhaust valve):
R = 2.650 mm
M = 0.500 mm
N = 2.650 + (0.50 – 0.30) = 2.800 mm.

Vehicle applications

Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.