looking for a little more power from my 3.4
 

ive been looking around the site and ive decided i want more power. i was wonderin if there are cheap and easy ways to get more power like changing injecters, plugs or plug wires. is there a way i can change my timing. i dont know too much about the 3.4. all ive done is a k&n air filter, i removed the intake elbow, and i opened the air box. just anything cheap and easy i can do in a few hours. my runner has 124K miles so if there is anything i should change let me know

you can pick up to two things on this list, but never more
1) inexpensive
2) easy
3) well-done

looking for a little more power from my 3.4


Arent we all :hillbill:

you cant advance timing....
the 3.4L is a distributorless ignition system so the ecu has the proper control over timing...thank god...

You dont want ot know how many cars i get into the hsop that have the timing way off and are complaining that its not runnign right...

power comes in the forms of
Forced inducxtion
Now...cams
maybe some tuning with a piggyback to advance timing but the 3.4L is already running in its top form from the factory as people like Mark and Dr.Z have tested.

headers and exhaust...but there costly...

Hey! One of those is me! :D


Injectors won't do anything for you unless you have a way to get A LOT more air into the engine. i.e., A supercharger or turbo - and that rules out "cheap".

Plugs and wires won't do anything for you...

Headers are expensive (figure $1000 installed) and will get you a tinge more power, but not enough to justify the cost.

Putting on a free-flow muffler and cat can get you about 15-20hp, not a bad investment and you'll need 'em if you do end up with a S/C some day.

The piggyback that Johnny's talking about above will let you advance the timing, but on a N/A engine, it's just not worth it.

You can try the ECT mod - that'll push a bit more fuel through the system and with the airbox opened up, you'll be able to get more air as well so you'll find maybe 5-7hp.

fwiw, opening the airbox got you a dyno proven 6hp.


Basically... Short of dropping the bucks on a turbo of S/C, you already have all that you can get.

Do I hear "ISR MOD"?

It won't give you more power, it increases throttle response - but yeah, that should be on the list too...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f130/intake-silencer-removal-mod-installation-96-97-3-4l-engines-74837/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f130/intake-silencer-removal-mod-3rd-gen-4runner-2000-a-75168/

im probably gonna do the deck plate mod soon and i wanna get rid of the air silencer. then im gonna save up money for an exhaust. the thing with the exhaust is i dont want a ricey sounding 4Runner.

There are plenty of exhaust options that sound great.

Magnaflow, Flowmaster, Jardine... They're all deep & throaty.

When you get ready, keep in mind that the longer the muffler is, the quieter the rig will be. So, an 18" Magnaflow will be louder than a 24".

Want more power go to URD

Dood... he said "cheap". :D

ooh that i did not know. is there a normal length muffler or is it just what you want

In general, an 18" muffler will be about as loud as the truck is now, 24" will be quieter. I think the smallest Maganaflow is 14" and it's loud.

The max size will be determined by the space available under your rig. If you have a CA truck, then you'll have two cats and not much space for a longer muffler. You may also have to search for a _good_ exhaust shop, one that doesn't mind doing a bit of thinking to get you want you want.

I first had my exhaust installed by "the local guy". Hey did "okay", but I had some hassles witih pipe size and getting him to do what I wanted - not what he thought was "better". (plumbing an exhaust for an off-road truck is NOT the same as doing it for a car). About 2 years later, I finally got sick of it and took it to a real 4x4 exhaust guy - MUCH better. MUCH MUCH better.

I've actually had people pull up next to me in traffic saying how good it sounds.


You also have to "watch out" for resonance in the cab from the muffler. This is where the "pitch" and "voice" of the exhaust note actually "excites" the interior and you'll get a VERY loud "howl" (the exhaust tone hits what's called the "resonant frequency" of the cab). It's pretty annoying, especially when it happens at your normal highway cruising speed.


Search the forum for exhaust discussions... there's a lot of 'em here.

No such thing as cheap power...........

With the release of turbo kits starting...who knows where things go...

The 2 race engines im building will be fun to play with in a taco...to much to handle tho :P

Don't waste your time with the ISR mod...unless you want to have your teeth rattled. I agree about the increased throttle response, but all the noise doesn't justify the mod. Plus, if you're always into the throttle, your mpg will suffer too.

The deckplate or elbow mods are good, and about the only things you can do that are cheap.

More on exhaust...

Here's a fresh install of a Jardine (new videos coming):
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/jardine-exhaust-installed-80687/

This is Corey's Exhaust Comparison page:
http://www.pnw4runners.com/exhaust/exhaust.htm

Check the links in the threads for sounds.


As for the ISR - the nice thing about it is that it's cheap (under $10) and it can be undone if you don't like the sound. I (still) suggest trying it out.