jakengle

I'm new to this forum, it looks like a good place to get an honest opinion about some of the upgrades I'm considering for my 4Runner. Truck is a 1997 SR5 2WD with the 3.4L. I have about 112,000 miles on it with no mechanical problems. It is bone-stock at this point.

I'm looking to upgrade for better performance and mileage. I'm considering headers from downey or edelbrock. Both companies only list headers only for the 4wd. Has anyone put these on a 2wd? I'm wondering if there is a real problem with fit or if they can be made to work easily.

I'm also curious to see what performance and mileage increases anyone can report with the headers or other bolt on mods with the 3.4L; the 'best bang for the buck' mod that is done to these engines.

Jason

mt_goat

That would be the TRD supercharger.

rimpainter.com

If I could go back in time, I would not have put Edelbrock headers on. Slightly better performance, mainly at midrange, but that's about it. The gaskets are prone to leak, the install sucks beyond no end (drivers side), and the cost ends up being insane compared to what you start out with.

To do it right, you really need to have them coated, and that tacks on another $200 or so (after shipping) in addition to the initial price, which is $375 at Summit.

Given the design flaws that I have dealt with, the lack of huge performance gains, and the near-misses that I have experienced (burnt soft clutch line, rubbing clutch T/O fork) I unfortunately do not recommend Edelbrock headers to anyone.

The absolute best bang for your buck would be the TRD SC'r kit with proper tuning mods. If you are patient, you can often score the SC'r kit for $1000 (used) and the right tuning mods for another $500 or so. Of course, you will have to run premium fuel, but the cost of that all depends on how much you drive.

mtxride

There's also the deckplate mod, if you don't mind cutting a hole in your air box and the "removing your intake silencer" mod. Power gain is small, but it only costs a few dollars.
I'd say that's good bang for your buck.

jakengle

Thanks for the responses. What additional mods are required with the SC and what is the deck plate mod? I see that many here list it in their tag lines.

rimpainter.com

Use the search function at the top of the forum. You can also look in the tech section for a write-up on how to do it. To put it simply, you are cutting circular hole in the front of your airbox and putting a marine deckplate in place. This allows you to open and close the opening at will.

As for the SC'r tuning mods, start here: www.gadgetonline.com

That will keep you busy!

midiwall

fwiw, I agree with Christian in that if I was to do it again, I wold NOT have put on headers before I put on the S/C. The cost/performance ratio is just too out of whack for it to make sense. Now once you get the S/C on, then there's a lot more reason to do it.


Ummm, "welcome to the forum, have you found the SEARCH button"?

There's a tech write-up section here, and the deckplate is discussed there:
https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech.../deckplate.htm

You'll also want to read about the "ISR" mod:
https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech...r/96runner.htm


S/C wise, there's a LOT of information on the forum, but the place to start reading is at the site of a guy we know as "Gadget":
http://www.gadgetonline.com/4Run.htm

He's the one we point everyone to for a S/C backgrounder on these engines.



edit: 'mornin' Christian!