camo31_10.50

ok guys..since i'm going to be rebuilding my '92 3vz pretty soon (likely at the first of the year) i wanted to know of any modifications that i can do to help get the best gas mileage possible

im talking about modifications..not driving like a granny...or grandpa.

i mean i know that no matter what mods you do..you wont be able to get good mileage if your not easy on the truck lol

i'm running 4.56's with 33's for a while..not looking to regear (unless i find factory 4.88's) but if i regear otherwise it will be to 5.29's

not looking to run headers..unless i could find a used set from a guy doin a 3.4 swap or something....cuz $500+ is A LOT for just an exhaust

guess that leaves me to intake mods..and maybe cams???

like i said..just looking to try to get a few extra MPG's outta this beast lol

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

the best thing you can do for the 3vz is headers.

rdhill

This summer I drove nearly 7,000 miles and averaged 25 mpg on the highway with a full load of gear and tools in the back.

I have NWOR headers installed with a 2.25" exhaust including catalytic converter. Whether or not the headers helped with fuel economy - i doubt it. What i did notice is a change in the power band of the engine and a significant lowering of engine temp. Ultimately I guess this could lead to a fuel economy but definitely longevity.

I saw about a 2mpg gain when i added the Safari Snorkel probably due to cold rammed air. I saw another 2mpg gain when I put new tires under it. I'm not running real aggressive tires, just 31" BFG Rugged Trails with 4.56 gears. Switching to an electric fan really made a big difference in power being robbed from the engine which eventually translated to a minor increase in fuel economy of no more than ~1mpg.

Prior to the snorkel, a K&N hi-flow intake was installed. I had very poor fuel economy and performance.

Hope this helps.

Duane

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

good headers will elimate your restrictive and poor designed fatory crossover. Many believe that cross over is the biggest cause of hg failure and burnt valves. rdhill sounds like you've done the smart little things that will help longevity of the 3vz.

rdhill

I agree. You really don't under how restrictive the crossover is unto you remove it and see the "straw" that connects the right cylinder bank exhaust header to the rest of the exhaust system.

I hope these mods will help. My truck turned 165,000 miles last week.

camo31_10.50

hmm..how much were the NWOR headers?..if ya don't mind me asking?

i want a snorkel SOOOO BAD!!!..i like crossing some deepish water lol i would likely make it myself..but would like to know where i could get a Safari snorkel "head" or whatever it's called..the scoop part that goes on top of the tube lol. and is there any filter ran with the snorkel setup???? i havent done much researching lol..and could you post some pics of yours rdhill?? under the hood and on the outside of the truck..

im going to end up doing the Mercury villager fan swap

and i would like to be able to run a set of like 32's or a 33x10.50's for the highway and a set of 35's for offroad..LOL..but that'd be a BIG hassle changing tires every weekend..so i will just run a 33" M/T for a while until i can afford a set of 5.29's for the 35's..
and i can't run an A/T tire...they dont have the grip for the stuff i do...lmao

rdhill

With Downey gone and NWOR no longer making parts, i'm not sure where you can get headers for the 3VZ. I bought the last set of headers from the owner of NWOR, they were not cheap. You could probably make your own. If you do, i suggest making a very thick flange to mate with the cylinder heads. Anyone have any ideas?

ARB USA (www.arbusa.com) is the dealer for Safari Snorkel in NA. They can probably sell you the intake. Whether it will fit on a home made snorkel I don't know. I think the top the snorkel is square shaped. There is a lot more to do to your vehicle to make it reliably conduct water crossings. Make sure you can turn the electric fan off, otherwise the hydrodynamic forces will tear apart. Diff breathers are another requirement as are ensuring that your electrical connectors are properly protected from moisture.

Don't know what to tell you about the tires. I made my choice based upon the type of travel I do - overland/expedition type travel.

jskijoe

Doug Thorley makes smog legal headers for the 3vz. They look exactly like the Downey ones did, they're probably the same thing but I don't know for sure. I'd sell you mine but I've already got a buyer for them.

jpsstewart3

to get better mpg's for the 3vze, the key is keeping the engine cool, so electric fan would help big time along with not running (or taking off) your air conditioning.
obviously less weight helps so maybe get street and off road tires and dont add a bunch of armor if u dont need it..... or just make the bitch walk
get good efficient spark plugs like E3 or something thats not only a 1 prong.
it helps a tiiinny bit if you replace your bigger electrical lines with more efficient ones (you'll find them in stores)
as far as headers i left mine stock though i should changed em but i did put in a cold air intake and one of those Tornado things you drop in the intake tube and that helped alot.
ive also heard throttle body spacers can help
other than that make sure your tire pressure stays good, filters stay clean, and go easy on her

Matt16

Not much in the way of engine mods are going to increase mpg. The only real world mpg boosters I've found are:

loose weight
drive like you've got an raw egg on the gas pedal

those two things have helped, not much else has.

clydehatchet

i cut off the cat, got rid of the stock muffler and added a cherry bomb, got rid of all the intake resonators, took out the intake scoop between the air box and the coolant reservoir. before i was getting 13 mpg and then i was 16 mpg. i put on 33's now im back to 13 mpg. but im way over due for a tune up and i need to regear. 94 runner 3vze auto 4:88 with bj spacers, OME 901 coils and 33's.

camo31_10.50

lol..hmm..i'm gonna redo the crossover, throw the cat, add a cherrybomb vortex, ISR mod...should be looking at a little..then do the mercury villager fan swap

MaK92-4RnR

If you're going with headers... go with Doug thorley. i got them and love them to death. Im sure you're seen my videos camo. so I wont post them here and hi jack the thread.

camo31_10.50

lol..i want a set of headers sooooo baddd...but alas..i dont wanna drop THAT much money on a motor that will get swapped for a 3.4 in the next year or so LOL!!!

just wanna increase the mileage so i can save a little money for the 3.4

Dennis140

yea the fan will help you abit along with intake and exaust. i can't really ask for better fuel mileage well besides i need to regear

camo31_10.50

i'm also gonna do the BIG 3 upgrade, and get a higher output alt. to be able to handle my system, the lights, the electric fan, and the winch i'll be getting...one day LOL

anybody know where i can get a light-bar for this thing...like one that lamps on top?? i'm gonna need somethin LOL i would mount em on the luggage rack thing but that's too far back (i guess...i havent tried anything yet lol)

Dennis140

i've thought of building a roof rack out of steel tubing that would mount in the same places that the factory luggage rack does just haven't got to it yet lol but they sell them seen one by thule

camo31_10.50

i have decided to not do a light bar on top...im going to get a couple of A-pillar spot lights!!! LOL..miightt even HID em

sooo...other than doing the mods mentioned to get better gas mileage, i'm gonna be runnin a front bumper(hopefully a Badland Basher Tube..unless i catch a deal on something else lol) with a winch(XRC8 eventually..of course if i find a good deal then i'll take it lol) MC rear bumper (reinforced to withstand a little more towing capacity) a few lights on the bumper..some fog/driving lights, and some Kragen HID's in the center (likely the 4"...i dont think the 7" will fit LOL)

a long with a couple new tires if i can find em, i have the 2 good BFG muds and then i have the 2 that are almost bald, so i'm gonna try to find another couple 33x12.50r15 mud terrains of some sort

ohhh jeezz..i feel a flow of cash goin to the 4runner LOL