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best mod for increased horsepower?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by tacomaman96, Mar 15, 2008.

  1. Mar 15, 2008 at 1:39 AM
    #1
    tacomaman96

    tacomaman96 [OP] Member

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    1996 stock 2.7l reg cab
    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.
     
  2. Mar 15, 2008 at 3:42 AM
    #2
    dwb

    dwb Well-Known Member

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    Pine Mountain, GA
    Vehicle:
    05 Double Cab, TRD Sport/4X4, mostly stock with a few mods.
    Bilstein 5100's all around, 265/70/R17 BFG AT's, TRD seat covers, True Flow XDI Intake System. Fog light mod. More to come.
    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.
     
  3. Mar 15, 2008 at 6:54 AM
    #3
    BulletToothTony

    BulletToothTony You’ll have that on these big jobs.

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    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
     
  4. Mar 16, 2008 at 9:06 AM
    #4
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Well-Known Member

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    Frank
    Rocklin, Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2001 prerunner doublecab limited
    2001 with; cat-back side-swept twin exhaust, elbow mod, Westin bullbar with Hella 450 driving lights, Snugtop XTR camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.
    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.
     
  5. Mar 16, 2008 at 9:21 AM
    #5
    350TacoZilla

    350TacoZilla Well-Known Member

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    Hancock MD
    Vehicle:
    1997 3RZ 5spd 4x4 Reg Cab
    2.7L 3RZ,K&N filter, 4" deck plate mod,flowmaster 40 series,3" suspension lift, hybrid 52"chevy/toyota rear springs.
    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
     
  6. Mar 16, 2008 at 9:50 AM
    #6
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Well-Known Member

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    Rocklin, Ca.
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    2001 with; cat-back side-swept twin exhaust, elbow mod, Westin bullbar with Hella 450 driving lights, Snugtop XTR camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.
    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.
     
  7. May 4, 2009 at 6:11 PM
    #7
    Rob Lich

    Rob Lich Member

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    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?
     
  8. May 4, 2009 at 6:18 PM
    #8
    tacoholic

    tacoholic Well-Known Member

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    This is exactly what I was thinking. But I don't have an answer for your question. Welcome!
     
  9. May 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM
    #9
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    the deckplate mod will yield better results/power than a cold air intake...just so you know.
     
  10. May 5, 2009 at 11:11 AM
    #10
    bhtyler10

    bhtyler10 Well-Known Member

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    baytown, texas
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    3 in body lift, 3 in suspension , 35 pro comp xtreme m/t, deck plate mod, eagle wheels, dumped exhaust, grey wire mod, system with two 10's, Black/chrome westin bull bar. window tint
    amen. the deck plate with a good drop in does give more hp than a CAI
     
  11. May 6, 2009 at 6:33 PM
    #11
    Rob Lich

    Rob Lich Member

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    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.
     
  12. May 6, 2009 at 7:27 PM
    #12
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    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.
     
  13. May 6, 2009 at 7:51 PM
    #13
    Rob Lich

    Rob Lich Member

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    What's a good muffler for increased HP and deep sound for a 01 3.4L?
     
  14. May 6, 2009 at 7:53 PM
    #14
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    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.
     
  15. May 6, 2009 at 7:59 PM
    #15
    white+Peal

    white+Peal Well-Known Member

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    Kris
    Henderson, NV
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    08 prerunner
    Magaflow catback exhaust, AEM CAI, front bumper made by famous fabrication, JBA long tube headers, All pro back bumper, BPF raptor style grill, 3' toytech lift
    exactly what i was gonna say.
     
  16. May 6, 2009 at 8:01 PM
    #16
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    ^^^^^ tb spacers are good for nothing more than paperweights..........and a lil whistle if thats what you want....other than that....they are junk.
     
  17. May 6, 2009 at 8:41 PM
    #17
    bhtyler10

    bhtyler10 Well-Known Member

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    baytown, texas
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    2001 sr5 trd package 4x4
    3 in body lift, 3 in suspension , 35 pro comp xtreme m/t, deck plate mod, eagle wheels, dumped exhaust, grey wire mod, system with two 10's, Black/chrome westin bull bar. window tint
    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.
     
  18. May 6, 2009 at 8:57 PM
    #18
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
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    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    Fowmaster gives about 5 hp loss on the 3.4 engine.
     
  19. May 6, 2009 at 9:07 PM
    #19
    bhtyler10

    bhtyler10 Well-Known Member

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    3 in body lift, 3 in suspension , 35 pro comp xtreme m/t, deck plate mod, eagle wheels, dumped exhaust, grey wire mod, system with two 10's, Black/chrome westin bull bar. window tint
    WOW. That's good to know lol. wish i would have went a different way with that. however it sounds nice.
     
  20. May 6, 2009 at 9:16 PM
    #20
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    They sound great, they just dont improve performance. 5 hp. isnt much. Nothing to worry about.
     

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