Performance Upgrades for 5VZ-FE? Boosted Engine

Hi all,

I own a 4Runner haven't had much luck over on www.toyota4Runner.org, since most of the members are outdoor enthusiasts (not that I am not) and are a lot more knowledgeable about lifts, tires, etc. than performance. Most of my info on performance mods are from Taco forums or posts we've borrowed from here and Custom Tacos. Thought I might ask over here and get it straight from the source!

I live in the oh so great state of California, so that means I get a super strict visual inspection. Everything not CARB approved I have to be able to remove so I pass smog. Just had to do that a few months back so I have 2 years of unmolested performance happiness!

Wanted to know what you all think of the most cost effective performance upgrades and what you've tried. I'm open to all ideas. My budget is $400 or less, but could save up for big ticket items.

I should also list what I've done so far:

TRD Supercharger (duh) (CARB Approved)
2.1" undersized pulley (10 PSI)
Snow Performance Methanol Injection kit
Air Raid intake pipe (CARB Approved)
Deckplate mod
Borla Muffler (CARB Approved)
Switched and rewired the MAF to accomodate the smaller version

What do you guys and gals think?

 

one step colder plugs and upgraded fuel filter all i can think about,

 

I do have colder plugs, but what would be an upgraded fuel filter? I've replaced the stock one already.

 

Save up for headers

 

Are headers a hard install? I was told they are an absolute pain to do... but the power gains do look tempting.

 

edit: nevermind, misread the OP

 

He already has a supercharger.. it's in the post.

Don't have them on my 5VZ (I'm NA). I'm sure they're a pain though. Anything exhaust is

 

Oh, the list at the bottom is what I do have, I already have the supercharger and fuel mods.

How do you like the TRD headers?

 

oh my bad, I misread that as he was looking at them as an option. For $400 then I'd go with headers, definitely. Best way to wake up the supercharger other than an even smaller pulley setup

 

Doesn't Doug Thorley make CARB legal headers? Or maybe it was URD? One of them does I'm pretty sure.

TRD used to make them for our trucks/3.4l v6, I have them on mine and they're awesome. If you can find a used set somewhere it would be worth the $$$ as they are CARB certified.

 

I saw a used set on craiglist once but they were damaged... did you do the install yourself or have a shop do it? I normally do all the work but so many have said they are a complete pain to do.

 

They were already on my truck when I bought it earlier this year, along with the TRD supercharger. I have heard that headers are a royal pain in the ass to put on though, so you definitely want to get something CARB certified otherwise it would really suck to have to take them on/off come smog testing time.

I've seen them pop up in the for sale forum from time to time, over summer there were a couple brand new sets that someone found online. They went pretty quick though. Personally, I'd have a shop put them on but I'm not mechanically inclined enough to take on a project like that myself.

Here's a video clip of what the TRD headers + TRD exhaust sounds like, I really like the combo. It's deep and throaty without being obnoxious, though if I'm not careful in my neighborhood I can set off a couple car alarms driving by with the vibrations. "

 

^^ not sure how to get the video to appear directly from Facebook but if you click the link, it'll open it up.

 

From what I've read, headers are a real pain and probably gain very little.

If you save up some $$, a good piggyback? The water/meth setup probably makes the need for fuel mods irrelevant-- when you have water/meth in the tank, but when not, a piggy could be nice- would help you make safe power when not on the meth. A piggy that can advance timing and you could get a nice power bump for the water/meth already there, safe power when not on meth, and of course CEL free, no issue with CARB (I'm a cali S/C owner myself )

 

Headers gain very little when they're done alone, but on a supercharged motor you will see very real gains with headers.

More being forced in + added help of forcing it out (headers) = better performance.

But yeah, people that install headers alone on an N/A motor don't get much out of it other than a cool sound.

 

I did everything I could to get more power from the sc except headers and decided if I'm going to do them I'd rather put one's on that have a turbo attached. They aren't that bad but definitely get yourself a 12 pack because it's going to be a long day.

 

I have the TRD headers on my 3.4l Tacoma, they weren't nearly as bad to install as everyone talks about. Sure its tight in there, but with the three piece design of the cross over it is all very workable.

 

theres a few of us here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tws-active-4runner-builders-bs-thread.382470/

 

Could anyone post a link to the TRD headers. I’m interested now lol

 

For purchase? They have been discontinued for going on 15 years now I believe.