Best Performance Mods

Hey, y'all.

After running through a lot of the standard functional upgrades and mods (roof rack, sound deadening/insulation, speaker upgrades, misc. MESO, etc.) I'm wanting to start looking into performance upgrades. Basically, what will help get better horsepower, mpg's, and so on.

I'm not looking for HUGE changes like a motor swap, new transmission, or turbo install... more interested in practical DIY projects that someone who is not a mechanic, but is competent enough can perform over a weekend and won't cause me to take out another mortgage.

So... what you got?

 

OVtune
light tires

 

Regarding the OVTune, have you done it? If so, what kind of performance boost did you get?

 

yes. I've been tuned for a little over 2 years. The truck has MUCH more power down low and drives much better overall.

 

I'll go peruse the forums for more info Re: OVTune. Thanks!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-toyota-tacoma-ovtune-1-05-tune-development-thread.495735/

 

Are there some lightweight tires that you or other members recommend?
Will consider them next time I'm shopping for tires.

 

Ones that are not load range E

I run falken wildpeak at3w SL load range

 

are you in a MT or AT truck?

if you have a MT you can get performance right away depending on your ECU version [and the availability of a OVTune file].

if you have the AT then it may be more work to get the performance to the tires due to the transmission gearing & general weirdness. but some say it's possible.

i prefer NA motors, and if you get the exhaust right on this motor it goes strong with the right OV file. it's not easy to get the exhaust right on this truck.

the big step coming via several vendors is FI and that's starting to happen now. check all the OV threads.

 

Mash the ect button and a heavy foot.

 

Thanks St. Germain. I'm rocking a 2017 TRD Pro with an AT. I'm not familiar with the "FI" abbreviation. What is that?

 

LOL! I've MASTERED that "mod."

 

Honestly then gears would give you the biggest gain in acceleration besides boost imho.

 

If you are talking about making your truck go faster on the street then I would just buy another sports car for the road. No point in making a pickup truck fast on the road.

If you are talking about making your truck faster off road then I would put all attention into suspension because that will bottom out real quick even at 1/4 power. You can make the front soak up decent stuff at speed, with a mid travel kit (upper arm and 2.5" resi coil over). I would put more attention into the rear suspension if you are trying to go faster. Minimum, something like a deaver leaf pack (spring under is prefered for this), and extended 2.5" shocks for the rear. hydro air bumps would help too. Then you can go faster...

 

Do you tow, haul with it? Any affect on that?

 

I’ve got about 10,000 miles of towing with my truck all across the country. It makes a significant difference. I had went back to stock temporarily when the TSB came out that updated the ecu to 04b13 and I couldn’t wait to get back to the tune. The power difference from idle to 3500 rpm is definitely noticeable

 

i can second having the tune for 2 months and the 91 octane tune for a few days. Drive ability is improved, acceleration/power is more linear.

 

How many miles u at now?

 

A few miles short of 99k. I haven’t put nearly as many miles on the truck this year as the 2 prior

 

Forced induction (turbos/supercharger)