4AGE engine tuning discussion

[Red]

Jamie, I don't say the Matrix in any version is much like the old Corolla, although technically the Matrix is registered in the US as a Corolla wagon, it is a Corolla on a stretched chassis. Our EPA highway mileage ratings for it are about 40, compared to 29-30 on the old GTS. That's a huge difference. And, having been in one, I can tell you it is a peppy car.

I have no idea if it has two drive wheels or one--its FWD anyway. And it woudl certainly roll over well before a GTS would.<G> And the whole fuss over some borrowed wheels and a special retro paint color, doesn't impress me any more than the chrome falsie around the exhaust pipe.

Still, the engine is rated 126hp /vs/ 112hp, 1/8th more hp and 1/8th more displacement...but lugging a much larger wind load around and still somehow getting significantly higher highway mileage. Can't just be the gearbox.<G> That VVT must be doing something.

Then again, compared to a number of other engines (Honda) Toyota hasn't been especially powerful for the displacement in the stock version. Of course if I wanted *power* I'd start with a real US muscle car engine--not a riceburner. No computers, no turbos, no fuss required.<G>