Well probably is the fact that this engine has been completely rebuild with new oem components, even the crankshaft is new. Also the 105 series is a 5 speed and the engine has so much torque from low rpm's up to the 5500rpms when it limits the revs.
It might not be as fast as the 1GR found in the runners, tacomas and fjs but it deliveries the power so much better all the way up (the 1GR almost doesn't move below 3500 rpm) at least this is how it turns out in the dunes that we do here, very step dunes with soft sand that makes you run very low psi in the tires, below 12 in most of the 105 series and really low in the runners, tacomas and fjs like 8psi as an average.
I couldn't agree more with you. Those 5 speed manual, live front axle 105's are lovely. I believe somewhere down there in South America, there are some FZJ 70 series as well. I believe your final version of the 1fz-fe was a bit more powerful than the old 1fz-fe. I've always been curious what the differences are. Aside from the obvious changes: Intake, coil ignition, what are the other changes? Do they have different injectors? higher fuel pressure? more aggressive ignition profiles? higher compression, different camshaft profile?
The only way I've experienced a notable increase in naturally aspirated 1fz-fe power, was a shaved head, fresh valves, moderate polishing combined with a slight timing advance and a full header exhaust..
My next 1fz-fe will be stroked to 5 liter with a magnusson supercharger, I've already began collecting the parts. The head will be equipped with oversized valves. Not at all needed for overland travel, but I struggle to stop tinkering with the 1fz-fe.
