Allow me to help you!

Where Gen 3 > Gen 4.5

The GEN-3 has nothing in terms of a CAM or CRANK Sensor, all is within the Distributor.

It either works or not. Very simple to figure out in all regards,

This is just one fact why my 1992 Camry XLE (Japan made) has reached 512,000+ original miles without any rebuilt history!

 

Additionally,

2. My GEN-3 does not have an Engine OIL COOLER, in the Heat and Humid conditions in Central Florida, I have not seen this to be an issue.
5. My GEN-3 does have a Thermostat housing made of solid Aluminum. I had thought GEN-4 also came with?
6. Less prone to sludge? (I use full synthetic oil. This is not an issue.) <--This is your post list and I just don't understand? In the past I just used the cheapest OIL I could get my hands on and changed every 3,500 miles. The last two times I have done the Valve Cover Gasket and PVC change-out, the Top Engine has exhibited ZERO sludge. Today, I use a Bend OIL from Castrol High Mileage and change it out every 4,000 miles. Never had any issues with Sludge.

 

5. My GEN-3 does have a Thermostat housing made of solid Aluminum. I had thought GEN-4 also came with?

I believe the difference is between the Japan JTD model and the American 4T1 Model.... I don't remember which came with what, but I remember seeing it.

 

op, it appears you're comparing only the gen3 i4's to gen4's...
if you get a chance, take a drive in a 94-96 v6 and you'll know what old school* luxury feels like.

*no traction control
no lane control
no collision warning
no downhill automatic braking
no drive by wire - period

they do have obd2 and distributorless/coil on plug ignitions btw

tony

 

You are right. I don't know anything about V6. Just focus on I4 to begin with.

 

Limiting the comparison to the I4 motor...

Gen3 & 3.5 got composite head gaskets. Gen4 & 4.5 got MLS head gaskets, which are better.

If you're *replacing* a HG, you can use either one in any of the Gen's. MLS requires better surface prep. Composite is more forgiving if the surface prep is lacking.

Can't say I've ever ridden/driven a Gen4, but people who have usually say the Gen3 feels more solid.

 

Thanks, will add this to the 1st list. Also found an old thread on this.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...n-1992-1996-1997-2001-1st-gen-solara-1999-2003/549298-98-camry-head-gasket.html

Gen 3 is more solid because it has more body braces, thicker roll bars?

 

I know V6 Gen 3 has two nice stainless steel exhaust tips. On Gen 4/4.5, there is only 1 exhaust tip and it is simply a thin stainless steel sheet metal covering the normal steel tip. But that is for V6.

 

yep, when i gave my keys to my new '93 v6 xle (in '93 of course) to the valet at hollywood walk, he (a guy i presume had driven lots of different cars by virtue of his job) gave me a compliment on my black beauty. something like, 'woe, xle' or words to that effect. i felt like i was driving a ls400 when i drove it on the l.a. freeways.
tony

 

Gen3='over-built' QUALITY. PERIOD.

Flipping cloth seats in mah 1995 Camry are like 1970's-era Sears department store boys corduroy jeans...
Flipping 'cloth' seats in a 2018 Camry are like Walmart-brand septic-safe 1-ply toilet paper...

'NUFF SAID!

 

I prefer the OBD1 systems myself. There just seems to be less that goes wrong.

The Gen 3 has the cabin air filter that has not been mentioned.

I find the ergonomics from the drivers position are hard to beat in a Gen 3.

 

Yes. This is a good one. I think Japan made 4 gen has that slot. US made is not that lucky. Every time I see the dirt on my dash, I wish I had an air filter there. Overall, I think Toyota is quite dumb to eliminate that filter. It saved a few bucks, but think about the missed revenue from selling parts and the associated labor. The dealers surely didn't like it b/c they charge 40-50 bucks to install that thing.

 

yep cressidaadr, gen3's had the compartment for the cabin filter like the lexus' and a lexus filter fit them just fine. just toyota forgot to tell us about it for some reason. as for obd1, yes, there were less inputs to go bad and those codes actually dealt with engine driveability as opposed to emissions related problems so it was more informational in that sense. it was just a pain to find out what the codes were is all.

blackness, you crack me up...walmart 1 ply...
tony

 

Couple more things occurred to me. Not related to which engine:

The Gen3's front struts have the pivot bearing at the bottom of the spring, and they're freaking huge compared to the the Gen3.5-onward, with the pivot bearing at the top. Although, I think the smaller bearings in the later gens are not an issue at all.

I recall the Gen4 headlights (bulbs?) are better in some way? ...Or do I have that backwards?

 

Do you have a picture for the bearing? Very hard to visualize.

For the headlight, Gen 4.5 is better. Not sure about Gen 4.

 

now I want to drive a gen3 v6, since I have a gen4 v6 and really like it. I feel it compares well to my mid/late 80s bmw 3 series cars (e30s) because they are well made I6 cars. the only thing about the gen4 is that it is like a full size vehicle so a gen3 v6 should be very much like driving an e30 since the power to weight would be very similar.


if only the camry was rwd, that would probably have messed up the numbers of bmws sold but lots of people don't like fwd, still

 

Gen3 strut is quite odd for sure, a very large bearing that sits on the bottom of the strut, covered by a hat that the coil sits on.

 

Here's another pic, from when I did the struts on my '92. The piece in my hand come up from the bottom to retain the assembly to a flange on the strut.

The second image shows the newer design, exploded fashion.

 

Sludge issues on the Gen4....not an issue if the proper oil chance internals were kept up.





Anyhow, driving position seems to be more driver centric in the Gen3. You can face all 3 vents and all the entertainment controls are facing the driver.

Older Toyota didn't allow the 'whole' seat to go up and down, but it did allow the front and rear cushion to be adjusted which can help with leg support. Gen4 lost this adjustment all the way to the modern camry. Only adjustment would be the front part adjustment OR the entire seat goes up and down.

The Gen4 went with a more modern and bland interior colors. Interior quality is a slight step behind the Gen3, but is a more modern design. Thankfully, still retain a majority of the goodness.



The one thing I miss with Toyota is the 'crouch' vent on the 80 and early 90 toyota. It actually works great....well not for the crouch, but it cools your legs unlike the 'foot' vent which just blows air on your shoe....

 

Yep, no such things as sludge. Mine always had Kendall blend of dino/synthetic in it every 3-5k. And this picture was at 214k.

 

yep, loved that crotch vent too...

 

I think there's also the strength of the chassis. Gen 4 supposedly uses less pinch welds. Also the bumper was downgraded to 2.5 mph vs the 5 mph.

 

Interesting. Any reliable source for these? Thanks.

 

Does not really matter to those in snow/salt belt states since many of both Gens have succumbed to rust.

 

Old thread but I note that it says Gen 3 has a cabin filter. I have a 1996 4cyl wagon since new. I don't think it has a cabin filter. Years ago I remember a thead saying it was "deep" under the ash, maybe in the driver's side of console? At that time I recall concluding my vehicle did not have such a filter. Anyone think I'm wrong and it does have such an air filter?.

 

Neither of mine do, '93 and '94 LEs.

 

no cabin filter on my 93 or 95 wagons!
One might have slowed down the 3 chipmunks who decided to hitch hike when we visited Yellowstone many years ago...

 

Thanks Cressidaadr.
Of course not surprisingly I ask - is there any DIY guidance available if I want to install one?

Thanks

 

Thanks Cressidaadr.
Of course not surprisingly I ask - is there any DIY guidance available if I want to install one?

Thanks

There is a thread about it in our DIY Gen 3 section:

gen3 Camry - Cabin Air Filter Upgrade, DIY

Hey guys, there was a thread with a link to the procedure to upgrade our gen3 Camrys to use a cabin air filter here: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/103-3rd-4th-generation-1992-1996-1997-2001/398152-diy-gen-3-4-camry-cabin-air-filter.html. Well, the pics have evaporated, so I thought I'd do a...

www.toyotanation.com

 

Thank you hhdx!

 

Here's why the Gen3 is better than the Gen4: the Gen3 was developed during the bubble economy in JPN, when they were riding high, and the Yen was still severely undervalued (so profits from the US were worth a whole lot more than they were by the time of the Gen4). There was no Avalon above the Camry in the lineup, and Lexus had only the ES in its (the LS came out just before the Gen3 was launched - note the great number of styling similarities they both share.

By the time the Gen4 was being developed, it was seriously time to take content out in order to remain competitive, price-wise. The Gen4 was de-contented all over the place to achieve this. Also, the Avalon had been launched, marking out a lot of things that the Camry had to get out of, for the separation, marketing-wise.

Also, the slot for the cabin air filter was eliminated.

 

"1. Gen 3 uses ODBI. Gen 4 uses ODB2."
Actually, I have a 96' V6 and OBD2 work on it. From what my friend told me they introduced OBD2 in 1996 so it's the only 3rd gen camry that has it also, does the 4th (or the 4.5) have a power antenna that raises and lowers with radio (on/off) ?

 

also, does the 4th (or the 4.5) have a power antenna that raises and lowers with radio (on/off) ?

A lot of 4th gens have the antenna built into the rear windshield.

Also, OBD2 became the required standard in Fall 1995 for the 1996 model year vehicles. Plenty of vehicles had OBD2 before model year 1996, including Camrys.

 

My '95 LE 4 cylinder wagon has a power antenna;

 

I have a 1995 Avalon, built in March of 1994 that has OBD2. Avalons and Camrys with the V-6 were the first to get OBD2. My 94 Camry LE and 95 Avalon both have the motorized antenna. In fact about a month ago I repaired both - $20 fix each and we’ll see how long they last!!