Performance Boost for a dummy

Hey fellas I'm brand new to this site. I'm enjoying looking at all the information on here, but I've noticed that with most discussions they go technical real fast.

I have a 2010 TRD Sport Double cab 4x4 that is stock all around except for a leveling kit and some new A/T tires. I'd like to know what are some basic things I can do to improve the performance of my truck. By performance I'm talking about speed and sound.

I've looked into CAI's, but all I've found out is that it's a giant debate. I've also read that some folks just replace the filter with a higher quality one. I really am trying to learn what I can do, but like I said it gets technical real quick and I get lost. So give me some examples of what I can do so that I can understand.

Thanks fellas.

 

For sound, I loved my Aero Turbine 2525xl. I even got compliments on it from sports car guys at work.

Performance-wise, Toyota did decent already. The factory air intake is a cold air intake- it draws from the wheelwell. This mitigates the biggest factor in creating a HP gain from a CAI. The only CAI offering something different is URD's True CAI, which draws from in front of the radiator. A drop in filter like AFE's Pro Dry S will pay for itself in about 30k miles just from being able to rinse and reuse it. You may see an extra mpg, but you won't feel any power from it. Aside from the filter, some people switch to a larger throttle body from a 4R or FJ. URD sells adapter kits for 2 sizes of larger throttle body. URD also makes and sells offroad Y-pipes, cat back exhausts, and Manifold-back exhaust set ups, and many, many other performance parts.

The ECU's on these trucks are hard to mess with. They constantly reset to a 14.7 AFR, so traditional programmers/chips are of no use. The URD MAF cal maximizes other performance mods at WOT (forget if open or closes loop mode) and is pretty affordable at $210. But again, it requires other mods for any substantial gain and you'll really only see any results at WOT. There are piggyback and replacement ECUs available, such as Unichip and UCON EMS. They are pretty pricey and probably not the first mod you want to do.

The best bang for your buck performance mod has got to be URD's Spec U headers. They are equal length headers, unlike Doug Thorley and the other brands, and don't lose low end power like the other long tubes. They dyno at a 18/22hp peak and max gain on a stock Taco v6. They remove the front 2 cats so they aren't 50-state friendly.

I run the Spec U headers with the O2 simulators to avoid a CEL, a URD MAF calibrator, the AT muffler, and an AFE intake that I bought because it was an open box item. My truck isn't crazy fast, but it has plenty of passing power and turns 33's pretty easy. If you want more than that, get a friggin supercharger. Hope this helps.

 

Yeah a CAI isn't really going to do anything, and if it did, it wouldn't be noticeable. Headers are better, but performance-wise they're benefit is best achieved by those with forced induction (super/turbo chargers). Speaking of which, if you can afford it, that's the best route to go for noticeable performance gains.

I'd be careful when it comes to 'performance chips' and tuners that you find online, like @Captain Stabbin said the ECU's on our trucks are hard to mess with and you really wouldn't want to screw with them...I'm not that savvy on things of that nature though so I'll let others speak to that.

 

Welcome to TW.

For serious performance with a 2010 you really have 1 option.

Former TRD supercharger: http://urdusa.com/store/Forced-Indu...harger,-2005-2015-Tacoma-V6/product_info.html

 

So what about all the lower priced mods that @Captain Stabbin mentioned in his post above? Things such as the URD True CAI and URD Spec U Headers? Unless I win the lottery, there is no way my wife would let me spend $6k on a supercharger haha. Some women have no problem spending money, but separating my wife from a dollar is like separating a fat kid from cake. Also thanks for the welcome and replies fellas.

 

unless you are gonna throw 4 grand or more at it, leave it stock

any cheap mods you do will just make it noisier and that is it. great for impressing those 10 year olds at the mall

 

What do you guys think of the URD spec U exhaust?

 

There are two URD MKII s/c kits, used, available right now. One is $2500 and the other is $3500.

Complete kits.

 

Here is one

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/urd-mkii-supercharger-05-08.430471/

The other is on XRU.

 

we'll just keep planting the supercharger seed in your head until you start to give in

For real though, if your wife is cool with dropping $1,000+ on an exhaust setup, just save those pennies for awhile and wait until you can drop it on one of those blowers linked above

To answer your question, the spec U exhaust is a great setup.

 

I'll start saving... With my truck being automatic, will there be problems with the supercharger?

 

I don't think the second gens had any trouble with the automatic tranny and supercharger, the first gens did.

If you go with a used TRD s/c, they were designed to basically just be a bolt on setup in that you don't 'need' to make any further upgrades. I'm not sure how well this holds true for the second gens, because I have a supercharged '04, and upgrading the fuel system was highly recommended as well. I haven't yet and everything's fine, but under full throttle/high boost, I get some pinging (spark knock or pre-detonation, I'm not entirely sure which) so I'm saving my pennies as well for the URD 7th injector kit.

If you live in CA, you'll need to go with a used TRD supercharger because they were the only ones to get it certified for CA smog. The Magnuson one, while essentially the exact same setup, isn't 50 state legal yet but I think they're working on it.

 

Oh and of course, be prepared to have to use premium only fuel. For me, prior to buying my truck (with the s/c already installed) I was very hesitant and afraid of the extra cost, but honestly it's only a few extra bucks per tank and I've found that if I drive normally the supercharger actually helps my MPG (I'm getting better numbers than the original EPA estimates).

Anyway, I love my s/c...once you get used to hearing that blower whine when you accelerate you'll look always look forward to getting behind the wheel. I find myself coming up with excuses to go out for a drive all the time lol.

 

there are zero cheap gains. just noise and maybe looks

actual power that makes a difference, the entry fee is typically gonna be 'around 4 grand'

and if you plan on using that new extra power a ton, may also need to consider other bits like clutch plates...
brakes...etc.

 

Zero problems.