1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Tacoma Performance Upgrades

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by mmmoore8, Jun 25, 2011.

  1. Jun 25, 2011 at 9:29 PM
    #1
    mmmoore8

    mmmoore8 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    Member:
    #58849
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    California
    Vehicle:
    09 Tacoma 4WD 4-Banger
    aFe Pro Dry Drop in Filter Bilstein 5100's set at 1.75"
    Hi. Just last week I bought a 2009 4wd Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 2.7 liter 4 cylinder truck with 35000 miles on it and am looking to make some performance upgrades to it. As of now its completely stock and since money is tight while I'm in college I was looking to start with an air intake and an exhaust system. I've heard a lot of good things about AFE and K & N intakes but not enough to make a decision. I have no idea for an exhaust system. Any little bit on this would be very helpful, especially if there is something I should do to my truck first. Thanks
     
  2. Jun 25, 2011 at 10:12 PM
    #2
    Scott K

    Scott K Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Member:
    #23391
    Messages:
    110
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Coquitlam, BC, Canada
    Amsoil Synthetic ASL 5w30 Oil, Amsoil ATL Fuel Efficient ATF, Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 in front/rear diffs & transfer case.
    The best single mod you could do is the LCE Headers. But that's not a very cheap mod either. But it'll make the biggest difference within some reasonable cost short of going to a supercharger or turbo charger which is much more $$$.

    I wouldn't bother touching the intake - all you'll gain is noise, although some may chime in on the charcol filter removal which may be worthwhile. As for the exhaust, I'd think headers would make a bigger difference than a catback if you had to pick either to spend your money on. The headers may be slightly more than if you bought an exhaust, but it'll be money better spent in my opinion. You could buy a catback later to compliment your headers free-er flowing exhaust.

    Also, consider switching your drive train/engine over to synthetic fluids. It won't make a signficant power gain, but it'll keep things running cooler, better, etc.
     
  3. Jun 25, 2011 at 10:14 PM
    #3
    TheMrGExperience

    TheMrGExperience Because Tacos are too mainstream...and Im poor.

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Member:
    #53690
    Messages:
    606
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Garrett
    Slidell, LA
    Vehicle:
    01 GMC Sierra z85 4x4 4.8L RCLB
    Debadged, 4x6 to 6x9 rear speaker conversion
    yea headers are the only thing that will give you a significant boost besides a turbo/supercharger. The stock intake is already cold air so a new intake wont do much.
     
  4. Jun 25, 2011 at 11:26 PM
    #4
    worthywads

    worthywads Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    Member:
    #58841
    Messages:
    5,345
    Gender:
    Male
    Peoples Republic of Boulder
    Vehicle:
    05 5-lug access I4 Stick, 70 Challenger Vert
    Seriously if money is tight just forget about any performance improvements. Even the headers aren't going to be significantly better. Sure I'm sounding like Dad but graduate, hope to get a good job then spend your money on toys, and cooler ones than an I4 tacoma. :eek:

    Then again money can't be too tight, your in college and have a 4 year newer truck than I do!
     
  5. Jun 27, 2011 at 11:05 AM
    #5
    luvmyI4toy

    luvmyI4toy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58923
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 Crew 2.7
    I'm in a different situation. Want some more horsepower, and have some money to burn. I want to keep my truck normally aspirated, but want to do a couple of HP upgrades, any suggestions on the most bang for my buck, I've seen the headers in this thread but is there anything else worth going after?
     
  6. Jun 27, 2011 at 12:43 PM
    #6
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Member:
    #43521
    Messages:
    1,747
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tony
    Scottsdale
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma XtraCab 2.7L 4x4
    NO
     
  7. Jun 27, 2011 at 12:44 PM
    #7
    rex99

    rex99 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2009
    Member:
    #27492
    Messages:
    6,950
    Gender:
    Male
    TArdCOMAWORLD
    Vehicle:
    Proton Cruiser
    Rocket Boosters, Flux Capacitor, Escape Pod, Throttle Body Spacer, Homeroshi, ATRAC disable
    buy a sports car
     
    yotafire likes this.
  8. Jun 27, 2011 at 12:59 PM
    #8
    wmdpowell

    wmdpowell Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2010
    Member:
    #46971
    Messages:
    1,059
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Essex county NY
    Vehicle:
    23 trd OR DCSB 4x4 silver
    a cross on my rearview Circle mirror Scotch guard seats
    I think the 2.7 Tacoma is cool!
     
  9. Jun 27, 2011 at 1:03 PM
    #9
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Member:
    #43521
    Messages:
    1,747
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tony
    Scottsdale
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma XtraCab 2.7L 4x4
    Sure is! Getting 22-24mpg in a work truck is awesome!

    I just need some 4.10 gears and I will be happy camper...
     
  10. Jun 27, 2011 at 1:39 PM
    #10
    luvmyI4toy

    luvmyI4toy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58923
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 Crew 2.7
    I have an Audi R8, sports car is covered, I'm just tired of getting beat by 18 wheelers going up the canyon fishing.
    Just a little more HP would do the trick. Has anyone put these headers in that can weigh in here?
     
  11. Jun 27, 2011 at 1:43 PM
    #11
    PR45

    PR45 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    Member:
    #21661
    Messages:
    138
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    PreRunner SR5 4cyl
    Beware of any mod such as the charcoal filter removal--you won't pass smog without it. There are some nice headers that were on a thread here but they were NOT CARB approved--no pass 'em smog. Even 10 hp at 5500 rpm & WOT would sound good, but really, what good will it do you in daily driving? jmo, ymmv.

    I realize you don't have to pass smog for some time due to the age of the vehicle, but eventually you will have to...
     
  12. Jun 27, 2011 at 1:43 PM
    #12
    luvmyI4toy

    luvmyI4toy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58923
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 Crew 2.7
    Me too:)
     
  13. Jun 27, 2011 at 2:11 PM
    #13
    luvmyI4toy

    luvmyI4toy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58923
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 Crew 2.7
  14. Jun 27, 2011 at 2:13 PM
    #14
    luvmyI4toy

    luvmyI4toy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58923
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 Crew 2.7
    I did buy a 4 banger, I like saving on gas too! Anyway, has anyone done the header replacement? is it worth it?
     
  15. Jun 27, 2011 at 2:17 PM
    #15
    luvmyI4toy

    luvmyI4toy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58923
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 Crew 2.7
    are you talking about California? their website says it will pass emissions in 49 states.
     
  16. Jun 27, 2011 at 2:20 PM
    #16
    luvmyI4toy

    luvmyI4toy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58923
    Messages:
    8
    Gender:
    Male
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 Crew 2.7
    actually 2011 v10, I was just being quippy. No offense intended besides ribbing.
    There are some weird german things I don't like about it but overall the best sports car I've owned.
     
  17. Jun 27, 2011 at 2:22 PM
    #17
    worthywads

    worthywads Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    Member:
    #58841
    Messages:
    5,345
    Gender:
    Male
    Peoples Republic of Boulder
    Vehicle:
    05 5-lug access I4 Stick, 70 Challenger Vert
    So do I, I own one, but for me it's just a functional truck, but there are rides much cooler than a 2.7 with headers.
     
  18. Jun 27, 2011 at 5:48 PM
    #18
    TheMrGExperience

    TheMrGExperience Because Tacos are too mainstream...and Im poor.

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Member:
    #53690
    Messages:
    606
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Garrett
    Slidell, LA
    Vehicle:
    01 GMC Sierra z85 4x4 4.8L RCLB
    Debadged, 4x6 to 6x9 rear speaker conversion
    that would kill the wonderful 22-24mpg tho lol
     
  19. Jun 27, 2011 at 5:55 PM
    #19
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2010
    Member:
    #35468
    Messages:
    15,729
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 RC 2.7 4x4
    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    Yes. No.


    Steve
     
  20. Jul 7, 2011 at 8:53 PM
    #20
    mmmoore8

    mmmoore8 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    Member:
    #58849
    Messages:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    California
    Vehicle:
    09 Tacoma 4WD 4-Banger
    aFe Pro Dry Drop in Filter Bilstein 5100's set at 1.75"
    ok thanks guys. i guess i'll hold off on exhaust and intake for now. whats the cost of upgrading the headers? i might still look into that depending. thanks for your advice
     

Products Discussed in

To Top