2TR Horsepower increase

new Tacoma owner, access cab, 4x4 automatic in mountainous area = I'm stupid.

But, now that I own it. Is it possible to add 25-30 horsepower keeping it naturally aspirated? intake, headers, exhaust, am I missing anything? 159 HP would be fine for this vehicle if I lived in the flat midwest states but going up hills it has to drop two gears to keep its heavy butt moving.....what a bummer.

 

I don't think you could keep the 2TR naturally aspirated and squeeze 25-30 hp hour of intake, headers, and exhaust...I could be wrong though. You may be able to get clost, but it'll sound like a ricer...

 

So drop two gears and "rev red" like the Hondas. The engine will take it. It's a robust inline-4.

 

Definitely do not want to sound like a ricer. am a older guy, do like the deep throaty american V8's of my era. have since read threads of LC headers & Magna flow exhaust and other owners say its louder but not ricey?
Are cold air intakes worth adding?

How about removing the belt driven fan and replacing with electric fans? do not know if stock alternator can spare additional amp load for fans though?

 

This, except just shovel out the extra 1K and get a URD supercharger, that will boost it up to 211 hp and the stock V6 is 236 hp so not much of a difference

 

Another bad choice you made was getting the automatic, with my 2.7 5 speed I can climb most any hill in 4th and maintain 60-65

 

Ya I agree that the engine can easily take it. I had a 4-cylinder 4Runner that I regularly dropped into 3rd on the mountain passes. It sounded like it might blow up (!!!) but I never had any problems at all.

 

Thank you for all the good comments
I have one last dumb question,

The URD supercharger mentioned is probably out of my reach financially but if added to the 2TR motor, what is the long term effect be on day to day reliability? Could one still expect to get well over 100,000 miles out of the engine under normal driving conditions?

 

what is this "secondary filter delete" about?

 

It's the removal of the charcoal filter in the intake. That and the deckplate mod seem to have produced decent results for 4 bangers.

Here's a good page to browse for ideas:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods.html

Here's the direct link to secondary air filter removal:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/performance-tuning/2012-diy-secondary-air-filter-removal.html

 

Headers and regearing will provide the most bang for the buck. The 2.7 loves to rev, and you won't hurt a thing. That damn auto trans is holding it back.

 

LCEngineering- start here, there are others but these guys do Toyota motors pretty well. With our 4 cyls there is not a lot we can do to improve HP unless you step up to a supercharger or turbocharger as mentioned...

 

5- speed manual paired with the 2trfe is ideal. Automatic is well known to be a dog. I would start by removing secondary air filter and adding an AFE Pro-dry s air filter. you won't gain a lot of Hp, but it does help a little bit.

 

The SC will decrease the life of your engine. This depends on how hard you drive it and how often you change your oil. Stick with full synthetic oil. Increases in HP will also decrease the life of other drivetrain components as well.
Also, some have reported head gasket issues with aftermarket SC's. If you go that route, I would upgrade the head gasket.

 

checked on prices for superchargers, ouch, reality check, think I can live with revving it on hills.
Local mechanic warned against LCE header, said it would void warranty, truck only has 2000 miles. TRD header on the other hand wont void warranty. Don't know about TRD, compare to LCE or DT header?

 

Just spoke with Toyota, they do not offer TRD header, only cat back system. said any header installed may or may not void warranty, just depends on issue. reading between the lines, to me that means it voids the warranty. Will probably proceed with one anyway.

 

I can think of two scenarios where warranty coverage would be denied:

1. Your truck fails an emissions test.
2. Some components around the header fail from heat, because of insufficient shielding.