best mod for increased horsepower?

just starting to look into modifying my all stock 96 2wd standard cab. Was wondering if anyone can tell me what's the best/first mod I can do for the biggest noticeable horsepower gain, I got the 2.7l I4 189,000 miles, nothing mechanically wrong but being that old it's time to start pulling things apart and rebuilding. I want to start with simple bolt on parts but eventually get into hardcore projects like pistons, lift kits etc. Time constraints do make it difficult, so I'll probably pawn off the big projects to my mechanic, suspension shop, etc.

 

I would start with a Cold Air Intake and Throttle Body Spacer. That's one of your cheapest ways to get HP gains, and it's pure bolt on. Can't really realate to the 2.7 motor though, I've always went with the V-6. Check out the True Flow XDI Intake. I have it and it rocks. Check out my photos to see it, if you are not familiar with True Flow.

 

I would absolutely start with CAI you will be surprised at how much difference you can "feel" then i would move on to exhaust, headers and then after that its just little things that can give you more hp.
Brett TX

 

I picked up 22 hp just on exhaust mod on my V6. If you're rebuilding, you should give that engine everything these guys suggested-give it the tools to breathe. One thing I noticed is my mileage went down just with exhaust-but the tradeoff is cool with me.

 

while rebuilding have heads ported, huge hp and tq increase...cheap upgrades would be intake (drop in k&N with deckplate mod) or the more expensive cold air intake...exhaust either have a shop fab up a good 2.5" single system with good muffler or you could buy a kit but i like muffler shops job better really you can choose where you want it etc... electric fan I picked up 2.7 mpg with a electric fan and can feel more hp, header is good option before doing the full exhaust... tons of things you can do for these motors

 

Hey 350 I agree about the exhaust. That's exactly what I did. I didn't like how Toyota dumps the tailpipe behind the reartire under the leafsprings so I took it to the exhaust guy to have duals put on. He does it any way you want so I had the two pipes come all the way back behind the leafspring on the passenger side and exit up close to the body with two bologna cut chrome tips-can't do that with prefab! My own signature one-sided duals.

 

I'm upgrading in multiple steps (as I can afford it) to get more kick out of my 3.4L, starting with a cold air intake, then adding headers, then a cat-back. Will the factory cat restrict the performance between the headers and cat-back?

 

This is exactly what I was thinking. But I don't have an answer for your question. Welcome!

 

the deckplate mod will yield better results/power than a cold air intake...just so you know.

 

amen. the deck plate with a good drop in does give more hp than a CAI

 

Thanks for the advice; I just cut a 4" hole (I'll put in the plate later) and noticed a difference in power and sound instantly! The $ I saved can go toward a cat-back. I'm gonna drop in a K&N filter for $62 in a couple of days and see if that helps.

 

skip on the catbcak.....just pick the muffler you want and get a shop to cut the old one out/weld the new one in................way cheaper....and its essentially the same as a catback.

 

What's a good muffler for increased HP and deep sound for a 01 3.4L?

 

either magnaflow or dynomax super turbo. i have the dynomax on my 04, and it sounds great....not annoying at all, and its a good performance muffler....sounds great with the deckplate mod.

 

exactly what i was gonna say.

 

^^^^^ tb spacers are good for nothing more than paperweights..........and a lil whistle if thats what you want....other than that....they are junk.

 

I have an 01 3.4 with a flowmaster. not sure about increased HP but with the deck plate mine is really deep and clean.

 

WOW. That's good to know lol. wish i would have went a different way with that. however it sounds nice.