What would you do to make your 2015 v6 4x4 perform better at highway speeds, towing and off road?

I’m trying to prioritize my mods before the 8700 mile cross country summer trip. What would you do 1st? I’m looking for more power off the line and gas savings at highway speeds 70-80 mph while towing a camper trailer but also need reliable low end power for off road trails and steep climbs at lower speeds.

Headers and exhaust system?
Snorkel?
ECU?
All three?

(I know that the supercharger would do the trick but I’m hoping that some of the other options combined can get me there without the 5-6K price tag!)

 

Snorkel is not a performance mod.

 

So FinnJ you’re saying there’s no noticeable or measurable improvement from a snorkel similar to some forced air induction or cold air type filtration? I’m inclined to believe that .....but I’m maybe reaching a bit to justify the mod. I’ve seen where there’s some argument made by manufacturers along the lines I’ve mentioned supporting some increased engine performance ....minimal, but some.

 

Snorkel is a long restrictive tube with a lot of turbulence. It can’t work as a ram air intake, too small intake area compared to the restriction the long tube causes.

Think rather this:
https://www.urdusa.com/urd-true-cold-air-intake-05-15-tacoma-4-0l-v6/
(results):
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/n-a-power-gains-dynos-w-mods.229882/page-9#post-17330185

or this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/volant-intake-with-ram-air-scoop.470215/

 

Honestly, I'd just keep it stock. If you're really worried about MPGs just drive a bit slower. For all the money you might – might – save in gas with some mods, you'll never make it back after all the costs. Plus you're monkeying with the stock reliability of the truck.

 

rock paper boost. boost wins 10/10

 

breath normal then try to breath through a straw. pretty much what a snorkel does for your engine.

 

Yes, I keep coming back to this too. Even what I’ve done with the suspension system so far is pretty disguised and unless you know what you’re looking at it looks factory, or like it could be factory at least. I’ve got just under 50K mileage too so less to fail or screw up the Waranty may be what stops me from getting into the engine now. I just really want a little more power between 50 and 70 so I can keep the rpm’s down....without sacrificing tourque off road. And better mileage too of course! Lol

 

Thanks. Lots to think about. I see what you’re saying about the snorkel.

 

Just save up for a supercharger, it's really the only bolt-on performance upgrade there is that offers true, undeniable HP/torque increase. Headers and exhaust don't do much on their own, but can really help wake up a boosted motor. Play the long-run game and save your pennies if performance is what you really want.

 

Or you could always

 

Lol. Now I’m hearing that noise you get at the bottom of a slurpie in my mind when I see a snorkel on a truck.

 

There is nothing you can do that will save enough fuel to pay for it's self unless you drove it about 1/2 million miles after the modification.

If you want more towing performance it'll be a lot cheaper to trade for a bigger truck.

I like F-150, but realistically almost any 1/2 ton set up right will pull more weight than you can legally put behind a Tacoma and you'll never know it's back there. And get better fuel mileage doing it.

You bought the truck you bought. Don't expect it to do what it isn't designed to do.

 

Snorkel won't change anything, as said above supercharger. Then catless pipes + smaller pulley to get more out of it

 

None of what you have listed will do noticeable diddly.

MPG and more power do not go together in your situation anyway.

If we forget MPG, that limits your choices to SC, re-gearing, or Tundra

So the real question becomes, do you actually know you need more power from previous difficulties? Or are you anticipating?

 

I get your point about competing interests regarding power vs mileage. My desire for better performance is really the result of three things I’ve been experiencing. First, when I’m towing I’ve got to manage the pocket like a meth head ...to time my passing with enough lead to build up speed to get around....or hover in the personal space zone and gun it into super high revs so it seems like the engine is running off just to get around something. So, more power tuned into the mid rpm range I think ...should compensate for the gearing and let me have some improvement with tourque without getting way down in the gears. Second, mileage. I should be able to get 14 -15 mpg on the flat road when towing 3200 pounds on a single axle trailer without major wind resistance due to the low height. I’m thinking again if I can stay in the lower rpm range that’s gotta help here too? Last with the 33’s (really 32” and change) I don’t want to re-gear or gear down and loose my highway speeds and make the above issues worse because I still want to have plenty of power for steep challenging off road trails. I’m planning to drive about 700 miles off-road over a 8750 mile cross country trip this summer so that’s why I’m looking for ideas, opinions and options. I’m thinking some slight gains in HP may solve these issues? I agree with the earlier posts that a supercharger would likely do the trick. I’m still spending money on a rear bumper and some other gear for the trip though so I’m hoping for some hp gains for a couple grand....instead of 6-7.

 

Marshall, I don’t think I’m expecting too much ....although I admit on the surface the gains I’m looking for do seem to be in conflict. I’m not expecting my mileage gains to fully pay for or even mostly offset the mods either ....and I’m sure you’re right that they would never add up to a significant amount, even over a lifetime.

I would really like to see a couple mpg improvement though, to reliability extend my range a bit.

I should have been more specific about this goal and not just called out the improved mileage as an end in itself.

Yes it would save some money but more importantly for me I would get more distance between fill ups and could carry less gas. For example, I’m restricted to two 5 gallon jerry cans for one ferry transit leg in CA.

Your point about the bigger trucks is well taken and I realize the Tacoma just can’t handle the loads a half ton or 3/4 ton can. (My last truck was a 2500HD quad cab long bed duramax.)

But less is more at this stage of my adventure and the bottom line is I can’t go to all the places I want to go with anything wider than my Taco! So, I’m hoping that I can pick up some inexpensive hp ....and make the Tacoma perfect for me.

 

This + a catback is how to up your performance.
With the TW discount I got the Stage 2 upgrade & part of my shipping for free.

 

They can haul more than most 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks if you equip them properly.
Slap a set of Dakars on it & you can haul over 3000lbs. I did & still had 1 1/2" to the bump stops.

 

Now that’s a performance upgrade!

I just got mine Re-geared to 4.56. I’m not sure how this will work out for towing yet but I’m working on my break in period for the gears as fast as possible to get to the tow break in part.

I put in a transmission cooler today. Not really a “performance mod” but it’s great for my tranny.