Sass69

I hate it when I I have to type a message twice cause I lost my first one.....you know back button, foward button... lost...!!!

Anyway, I wanted to know if there are any other 4cyl 4runners in here that are frustrated by the lack of power? I am getting ready to put in a high flow Cat and then maybe a few other things but not sure which are the best upgrades for the least amount of time and $$$$.... Suggestions are welcomed....
I already changed plugs and wires.

I was thinking about an exhaust and then deckplate mod...after that I am not sure


If there are any other 4cyl from Ontario, please let me know so I can check yours out and see if its as sluggish as mine. I have to kick it down a gear on even small hills...is this normal???

jruz

Get new headers and a better exhaust. I dunno if the high-flow cat is really worth it (for all the emissions trouble it will cause).

If you really want great power, pop on a Supercharger.

Jim

X-AWDriver

I can't imagine what a 4Runner is like with a 4 banger,I think the 3.4 needs more power. Supercharging would be your best option since any of the intake and exhaust mods are only gonna net you maybe 10hp at the wheels.

flecker

Hey, I have a first gen w/ a four banger... it does pretty well. After a few mods I am pushing upwards of 140hp. New cam, header, exhaust, air flow mods. I would get on the exhaust first, a 2 1/4" pipe header back. Don't bother w/ the free flow cat (you need a certain amount of backpresssure). Then upgrade your valve train! New cam (LC Eng., DOA, Crane) will do wonders! Get more air into the combustion chamber along with the cam upgrade! If you plan on towing, toss the 2.4L and get a V6

X-AWDriver

I'm pretty sure there is a considerable weight diff between 1st and 3rd gens plus the 3rd gens 4 put out 150 horses but coupled with a vehicle that weighs over 4000lbs that spells a-n-e-m-i-c.

Nolan

It's bad but it could always be worse. The 2nd Gen V6 only puts out 150HP / 180 torque where the 3rd gen 4cyl does the same so I guess its all relative. As far as addons there is actually some exciting news about superchargers. Alpine is re-releasing the 2.7L supercharger I heard by the end of October. If anyone has noticed TRD stopped selling the 4cylinder supercharger because of pitiful performance. Casey on the board tried the S/C but ended up getting rid of it because it was really bad. I am pretty sure Alpine will make a very good unit unlike TRD's version. I heard the Alpine s/c will put out 210HP (assuming at the crank) which is 20 more than the stock 3rd Gen v6. If you had an exhaust, headers, and intake that should be a pretty decent power output. I just hope they make it C.A.R.B. legal. Also i really think in order to make a noticable and solid improvement you have to go with the S/C. The headers, intake, & exhaust will only do so much and they will be much more effective when coupled with the increased output of a s/c. Read this and it will tell you just about what you can expect from headers, exhaust and intake: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runne...ws/lce_header/

Nolan

X-AWDriver

210 in any 3rd gen 4Runner would be acceptable especially with the 2.7L but the current gen's 235hp is not too bad and the torque on the new V8 is a very nice increase but 4Runners IMO just need a bit more and I think we'll see another sizeable increase from both current 4Runner engines in the next few years.

260-280 would really be more on par with domestics and once the suspension mods are done I'd like to go SC myself since at our lofty altitude of 5200ft minimum in Denver our stock 183hp from the 3.4 translates into even less and even just a 50 horse increase would really help up here.

Sass69

I have checked into the SC option but it is alot of $$$$. I have to be honest, if I was going to spend the money on a SC then it wouldn't be on a 4cyl.... Seems like such a waste of money when I could just trade mine in for a 6cyl. Now that I've said it, I think I will start looking around for one.

I am towing my boat around also and I tell you, it doesn't like going up big hills! Boat/trailer is around 1800-2000lbs.

Thanks for all the replys and maybe I will have a new 6cyl soon. I don't really like the look of the new 4runner just yet so I will stick with the 3rd gen. (Waiting for WaskillyWabbit to sell his to me!)

jruz

Actually, Alpine was the manufacturer of TRD's S/C. The have had a supercharger out for the 2.7L for a long time now. The model they made for TRD was a bit more conservative than what they have been selling directly to customers. I believe the Alpine S/C would give about 10hp more than the "TRD".

It's no miracle cure...but from what I've heard it really does give the 2.7L more pep. Combine that with some new engine internals, better fuel delivery, and headers/exaust...then you'll probably be right around the HP/torque of a stock 3.4L-V6. (don't quote me on that)

If you have an auto-tranny with the 2.7L, get rid of it...ASAP. My $.02. But my manual with 2.7L has a good amount of power.

Jim

Nolan

Don't quote me on this, could be internet rumors, but from what I heard Alpine did a lot of the designing for the TRD S/C which is a M62 blower but TRD chose not use all the design stipulations that Alpine set forth , mainly fuel mods, which is why it ran HORRIBLE. The TRD kit came with NO fuel mods (chip or extra injector). If you look at the kit that Alpine sells overseas which is a M90 blower it came with both an extra injector, unichip, and 2 different pulley's for different boost also changed the compression on the engine which would explain why that one runs so much better. The killer is that it is not CARB legal so anyone in states that do smog cant have one.

here is a link to the alpine s/c install manual:
http://www.ttora-ne.com/CT/Alpine/Alpine_Docs.PDF

jruz

Yeah, that sounds about right to me. I think TRD changed the design a little because of the smog factor.

Jim

SpLiZaaT

why don't you just regear?

Vato Loco

Hey Sass69, we should meet up sometime and check out each other's 4Runner, I am not that far from Ancaster. PM me and let me know.

jruz

I can't speak for him...but the re-gear only helps so much. It all depends where he's at now...and where he wants to be.

Jim

Nolan

I was going to make the same comment about gearing. Possibly he bought his truck used and the previous owner changed the tire size from what it originally was. For instance if the truck originally had 28" tires and a 3.73 ratio and now has like 30" or 31" in tires it would hurt performance.

tv4184

I don't know if someone has recommended this or not but EL prototypes makes a turbo kit for the 4 cyl 4runner. Its not badly priced at around 3000 I believe and gives the 4 cyl 210 hp at the wheels I believe. Check it out at www.elprototypes.com

Sass69

Awesome info guys.....I never thought about the tires being an issue.... first SUV in awhile... and you are right, the tires were changed to a larger size. I think they are 30s.... I will be checking into the turbo option so any thoughts on this are always good.

What about a new cam? And how hard is it to regear? Everything is stock as of now so like I said I want to get the most for least $$. If it gets too high then I will trade in for a 6cyl. At this point, since I got a good deal, I will look into spending some$$ but I don't want to get carried away.


thanks again guys!