Hi folks,

My name is Scott Greene, I'm in the Davis, CA area. Just bought a '97 4runner (LTD, about 70K). It's horribly "stock" right now, so I found you guys to help me change all that!

Took it up to the mountains, had great time off road, but found it a wee tad wanting going up there. (same ole' story, I know.)

I'm trying to identify best ponies/cash mods to bump up the performance. It's offroad was great, so I'll hold off on those mod's for a little bit.

The deck plate mod looks like a no-brainer, so that at maybe the amsoil air filter will be first.

I've seen listings for throttle body spacers at performance products, any opinions about them? (PowerAid, Helix Power Tower) I haven't seen too many 4runners on the 'net claiming them; the few I've seen have been in the racing crowd. If their claims were at all reasonable, it looks like good ponies / $$, but the 'net can't be wrong...

The supercharger is gonna have to wait *sniff*, unfortunately.

This forum is great! Nicest treatment of newbies I've seen yet! And the information has been right on. Thanks!

 

hello and welcome.

I just bought a 97 as well (3.4L V6 w/ 5spd SR5 with all the goodies, including Manik brushguards front and rear).

I've read good and bad about those spacers in modern cars. However, lots of my muscle car buds have used similar devices. I'm tempted to try it, but after I do some other stuff first (deckplate, shocks, CB, etc).

Chris

 

Welcom to the forum Scott! I am also a newbie here. With just a few weeks on board, I have learned a lot already about mods..but my pocket will not cooperate

I live over at East Sac..maybe I'll see you on the road soon

 

Hey Scott...I have the Helix Power tower in my 4Runner. It was the best $100 I could have spent on performance. It was a little tricky to install, but not too bad. It greatly improved the low-end torque, as well as just lowering the 0-60. It is a great buy!

 

I have heard negative remarks on throttle body spacers when it come to 4Runners. A lot of people say that it is not worth the money and no significant gains will come from it.

A Guy named Gadget who is well respected in the forums had this to say about it:

"I really don't see how that spacer will work on the type of fuel and induction system that Toyota uses. That seems to be supported by the few dyno tests I have seen. The guys on Tundra Solutions call the thing the "Power Toilet".

I think it was here on this board where I was bashing the Power Toliet, and a guy claiming to be the owner popped in to try and convince me that it really worked. I offered to test it on the dyno like I do everything else and he was never heard from again. Why do you thing that was?"

I would save my money for other performance mods such as headers and the amsoil/deckplate mod. I have also heard some good feedback on the Venom Chip, but I don't know of anyone dyno testing it to show any proof so I will hold off recommending that as well. Just my .02 worth.

 

Hi there and welcome to the board!! I am not degrading anyone when I say this, however, I have heard nothing good about the throttle body spacers. The previous post is the first one that I have seen who displays a positive attitide about them. Go with the filter and deck plate mod for sure, as far as any other mods to increase ponies, well you could do the exhaust, headers, and of course the super charger....hmm maybe one day I will have one!!! Anyhow, best of luck and again, welcome!!

Mike

 

I understand that the concept of the throtle body spacer seems unefective, but it really did add a couple of Horse power. I also have the elbow taken out on my intake box. I think for $100, it gives what it promises. Dont be expecting a supper charger out of it.