2TR-FE Performance Thread

Once the Haltech is installed. Im just going to pull the cat o2 sensor and utilize that real estate for resonator or muffler. I still have some cab sound proofing to do as well.

agreed on the 5.29 gears. 2900rpm with a supercharger is brutally loud. 2500rpm with even a trailer and its still fine. Its the 2700-3100 that really gets ya under a load.

Im not sure if anyones done it yet but ive always been planning to swap the AX15 gear set into the R155f to delete that annoying gap between 1-2. That will make it almost a close ratio 1-4 with a slightly taller over drive which will help too. Im not super concerned about the slightly taller 1st gear due to the fact I have Nortwest Fab doubler and FJ manual case to go in. I can always use 2lo if its too nasty.

Anybody that wants to contribute to that knowledge base should hit me up in a PM. Maybe well start a thread if its viable. From everything ive read and looked up… even swapping the entire AX15 is a good call. They almost feel short throw right from factory.

That gearset would give us 2TR guys the equivalent of the supra tranny(but 4WD) without the price

 

heres some updates since the last stuff i posted years ago.

928 motorsports manual boost limiter. Very simplistic item to eliminate any boost creep or even cap the supercharger, which is what i used it for. Ran a higher boost pulley and limited(vented) everything above 9psi to keep these rods in the block unlike the other ones.

 

Mental note. The smaller valve by 928 motorsports would of been a better and easier valve to adjust. This one is wicked overkill and requires a massive wrench to adjust and lock down. But with this valve its pretty easy to get roots style boost and capping at 3-4psi if someone was looking for minimal forced intake.

https://928motorsports.com/product/compact-boost-limiter-valve/

 

I couldn't imagine going higher ratio in 1st

 

Hmmm,
My 05 Regular cab 5 lug is going to LCE next month so they can do a video of the installation for their Magnuson supercharger system.
Yes, I guess their system is finally ready⁉️
I told the GM that I didn’t want the system again because I didn’t know the maintenance history of this truck with 157k miles. I told him I needed some time to do ARP studs first. He said he would have his shop do ARP studs. I must say that when I changed the valve cover O-ring the varnish wasn’t bad whatsoever. Last year I did a lot of preventative maintenance i.e. changed every hose but some vacuum lines, new water pump, thermostat, Yada Yada Yada. It’s actually getting a complete paint job right now.
I’m going to try to get the suspension & ball joints installed, the new PS rack sitting in the garage installed w/ a small cooler & magnetic inline filter, etc… I’m going to see if LCE can lighten / machine the flywheel from the 07. I’m guessing the clutch is probably going to slip w/ the supercharger so I have a new factory clutch kit waiting.
So being I have one toy already I’m guessing the boost valve would be a good idea. Would need to drill an tap the aluminum intake manifold for the supercharger.

 

I hope it’s ready. I need some boost. I’ve been patiently waiting for this kit.

 

Thank you. I've been too busy with other projects to keep making them. I really need to make more.

 

The ax15 is a good idea.

I know this is a 2TR thread, but some talk on the transmissions should be allowed?

My r155f is old and tired, but still chugging. While id love to add some boost at some point, id need to build my spare block for that.

Has anyone used AX-15,r154, AR5, or the r155/56 parts to rebuild or beef up three transmissions?

@BassAckwards did you do any upgrades on your r156f? I haven't read through your whole thread yet, but it's bookmarked, as id like to use the FJ AWD case at some point.

How are both of those holding up? I'm not sure what you're making wheel hp/tq.

 

All 2TR performance talk is good with me. Ive never heard of the AX15 swap so I am interested to see what yall do. Really the R155/R155F/R156F are all great transmissions in stock form. The R155/R155F do have that 1-2 gap that was mentioned though. Oddly enough with the different ratios in the R156F, I’ve noticed that gap is now in the 2-3 shift

I did not do any upgrades to my R156F but its been great. I have stock 4.10s and 34” tires and the 4.31 1st gear is great for a truck.

The FJ cases are holding up great, neither of mine have had issues and I’ve towed my 4k lb trailer a lot over the past year with both trucks.

My v6 is probably making around 350 rwtq and the i4 feels like its in the 275-300 rwtq range if i had to guess. Ive never had either on the dyno though so I can’t say for sure.

 

NOW don’t you quote me but if you have a 2012 I “think” you’re SOL! If I was you I would call this company in the link and ask if they have been able to build a harness to mate the Heltech 1500 to the 2012 plus 2TR-FE Tacoma. Something about Toyota changed the their harness.
The supercharger not going to jack unless you can get it tuned. I personally don’t know any other tuning options available. Orange Virus Is total CRAP!! Because that’s what the overpriced tuner in Scottsdale used to try to tune the Magnuson…

https://www.boomslang.com/index.php

 

Why would they not include a Tune for a 2012?

 

I was talking to a guy who has the VT racing SC installed. He said that one comes with a piggyback. He claims he didnt have to get it tuned and has been running it for about 20k without any issues so far. Claims the kit is quality. He sent videos and pics. Seems legit. Just makes me a little nervous due to the country of origin being China. He said that they help but some stuff gets lost in translation. Wondering if i should go that route or wait for this to be sorted.

 

Ok go for it! This is the company who tried to tune the Magnuson with Orange Virus when it was in my 07 and it ran better than stock but there was a HUGE difference when it was properly tuned, Night & Day difference!
If the supercharger would have been properly tuned I would have never LS swapped. Does and or Did it run as good as the LS? HELL NO‼️ But I would have been satisfied. I could have built the bottom end and turned it up for a Hell of a lot less $$$$!!

https://www.dynocomp.com/
You will learn like most everyone else does.

 

If anyone needs more power out of their 2tr its you, seen your build and prob one of if not the heaviest 4 banger. I have been looking at the VT blowers as well, they are popular with the mazda community who road race their cars and seem to have positive results. I am like you hesitant on slapping on a no name china blower, havent seen one on a 2tr tacoma. Lets face it we buy this slow workhorse for the reliability, hate to slap some no name crap on and have issues. Excited to see what happens with the VT or magnson blower but a cheap 5.3 LS is tempting. I have had and built multiple LS engines/vehicles and the reliability, simplicity, footprint size, power, aftermarket support is hard to beat its no by mistake people throw them in everything.

 

Yea shes slow but its not as bad as youd think. I still can go 75 on hwy thanks to the 5.29 gears and other small mods like headers and intake. But yea reliability is everything to me which is main reason my truck is not boosted yet as i take it on long multi state trips. Its night and day when i get in my 23 Tundra with 400hp lol.

 

Its nice to see 4 banger builds since they are far and few. Gears are big i have a 3rd gen 5.29s, lce header, intake manifold spacer, tune and gears were the most noticeable mods. Tune as well since 3rd gens have horrible shift schedules. I cant imagine a heavier truck with 35's you must have a strong right leg lol. I know the feeling my daily work truck is a 3.5 ecoboost, heck my wifes 2gr-fe sienna feels like a rocket comparatively. Cant beat the simplicity of the 2tr though i may just do an e fan conversion and swap the rear cat for a quietflow muffler to pull every bit of free hp out of it. The roots blower is sure tempting especially the ease of installation, ive been waiting for someone else to jump on the bus first.

 

Manifold spacer will be next on my list if i dont put a blower on. If that VT goes back on sale for $4,500 i might pull the trigger. Dude ive been talking to it about on FB was very helpful and said hed help with any questions i has. He said hes put 20k hard miles on it so far and had no issues. He said he knew 3 others that had it and also had no issues. He said that support was ok but things get lost in translation. It is nice it comes with a 2 year warranty too,

 

Heres a pic guy sent. He sent several videos as well.

 

@BassAckwards @Levalexi I agree, I think a close ratio trans is definitely a performance upgrade, An LS with too big of gaps (NV5500 -chevy) and high rpm cams still sucks when towing. Peak Performance is all dialed in the details.

These are the ratios im coming up with for possible cross compatible trans combos.
Id assume the almost guaranteed option is the R156F retaining the main and counter shaft with AX15/155F 2nd, AX15 5th for the best combo and spread. AX15 1st if it can be made to swap without machining. But hey we all know a machinist.. And if were at it lets go RA60F froma 2016 3.5 2gr low rpm cruise with 5.29s and 35s... yes please. No know info on that though. Only that its an R-series and possibly and option for internals, however the lengths of all 3 RA60/155/156 appear to measure identical lengths indicating high internal compatibility

Gear R156F - RA60F - R154 - R155F - AX15 ------ R156F(Ax15 1st/2nd/5th)
1st 4.17 ------ 4.31 ---- 3.25 --- 4.31 ---- 3.83 ------- 3.83 (4.17- 155f)
2nd 2.19 ----- 2.33 ---- 1.95 --- 2.33 ---- 2.33 ------- 2.33
3rd 1.49 ----- 1.44 ---- 1.34 --- 1.44 ---- 1.44 ------- 1.49
4th 1.19 ----- 1.00 ---- 1.00 ---1.00 ---- 1.00 -------- 1.19
5th 1.00 ----- 0.83 ---- 0.75 --- 0.83 ---- 0.79 ------- 1.00
6th 0.84 ----- 0.69 ---- N/A ---- N/A ----- N/A ------- 0.79
Rvr 4.00 ----- 4.22 ---- 3.02 --- 4.22 ---- 4.22 ------- 4.00

 

https://sites.google.com/view/vortec4200wiki/manual-trans-overview/gm-ma5-aisin-ar5

The AR5 is the same transmission too. I'm not sure where the gear ratios come from in the 2nd picture. But the 1st picture is shows where they're from. This might be of some use to you.

There are a ton of people who run those in drift cars, and there's a bunch of forum information as well. They're supposedly pretty stout. Issues with 3rd gear synchros in a lot of reports. Some people have crossed parts from other transmissions and made them work.



Definitely a rabbit hole worth following possibly.