Best performance mods for 4th gen V6?

[othompson824]

Hey guys I got a 2006 4runner SR5 V6 and have been wondering what the best performance mods are? There was another thread like this one but it's 12 years old so i figured id start a fresh one. Im shooting for better mpg's but also more hp and tq. Stuff under $1k preferably. Thoughts on CAI's? Exhausts? Headers? i know Doug Thorley's make a big difference on the V8 but what about the V6? And short tube vs long tube? Please specify names and brands. Thanks!

 

[y=mx+b]

Hey guys I got a 2006 4runner SR5 V6 and have been wondering what the best performance mods are? There was another thread like this one but it's 12 years old so i figured id start a fresh one. Im shooting for better mpg's but also more hp and tq. Stuff under $1k preferably. Thoughts on CAI's? Exhausts? Headers? i know Doug Thorley's make a big difference on the V8 but what about the V6? And short tube vs long tube? Please specify names and brands. Thanks!

Stock intake is already pulling cold air in from the wheel well. Most aftermarket cold air intakes are either actually pulling in hot air from the engine, or just fancy Tupperware

I may be in the minority for this, but I think a lot of the benefits people are seeing for exhaust on these engines are just louder noises that sound fast.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I have an ‘07 V6 and haven’t seen a proven V6 performance mod in the 8+ years I’ve been on this board. Lots of people have done this and that but I don’t recall seeing anything more than anecdotal evidence that any of it does anything to significantly enhance performance. Imo, it’s a solid, reliable engine that pretty much is what it is.

 

[bob3dsf]

I have an ‘07 V6 and haven’t seen a proven V6 performance mod in the 8+ years I’ve been on this board. Lots of people have done this and that but I don’t recall seeing anything more than anecdotal evidence that any of it does anything to significantly enhance performance. Imo, it’s a solid, reliable engine that pretty much is what it is.

What he said...

 

[Inv4drZm]

I bet on Tacomaworld you could find some threads with actual dyno numbers on the V6 then decide if the cost of the mod is worth it.

Superchargers are obviously proven but are the most expensive and complicated performance mod.

For the V8 solid gains can be had with aftermarket headers.

 

[othompson824]

Stock intake is already pulling cold air in from the wheel well. Most aftermarket cold air intakes are either actually pulling in hot air from the engine, or just fancy Tupperware

I may be in the minority for this, but I think a lot of the benefits people are seeing for exhaust on these engines are just louder noises that sound fast.

Ok thats what some people have said of how it technically already is a cold air intake. What about maybe just a k&n air filter? And for the exhaust ive heard the stocks are super restrictive which is why some people go aftermarket

 

[othompson824]

I have an ‘07 V6 and haven’t seen a proven V6 performance mod in the 8+ years I’ve been on this board. Lots of people have done this and that but I don’t recall seeing anything more than anecdotal evidence that any of it does anything to significantly enhance performance. Imo, it’s a solid, reliable engine that pretty much is what it is.

Yea and that is true its a tough engine. The mpg's tho are so bad haha im getting 14-15 on average its not good. But i guess thats just how 4runners are.

 

[othompson824]

What he said...

This isnt regarding my post necessarily, but on your name it says exercise your 4wd monthly?

 

[othompson824]

Thanks guys for the feeback i appreciate it!

 

[bob3dsf]

This isnt regarding my post necessarily, but on your name it says exercise your 4wd monthly?

Yes. It's good practice (some might say "vital") to exercise the system regularly to avoid any operability problems. It helps ensure all the parts in there get lubricated, etc. The low range actuator can freeze up if not used. The 4runner 4wd system is both an "AWD" system and a traditional 4WD. On the v6, selecting 4 HI is really like AWD and you can drive on the road with it engaged because the center differential is open. If you lock the center diff, it then operated like a 4wd system found on pickup trucks and you need to be on a surface that allows slippage. With your center diff locked, you can drive on the street, but ONLY in a straight line. So, it's best to engage the center lock and only go a few hundred feet to exercise that actuator.

 

[bob3dsf]

Superchargers are obviously proven but are the most expensive and complicated performance mod.

.

Yep, but I understand it's really expensive. I'm not really a performance car person, but I've read that there are many other replacement parts that need to accompany a supercharger install. And then the need to run premium fuel... Eh.. I don't need it that bad.

 

[inscarguy]

When I had my V6 i did an AEM intake which was just a replacement filter and a free flowing tube in the stock locations and a TRD exhaust. Noticed a little better throttle response but that was about it.

 

[J.A.F.O.]

What he said...

I too agree with this statement.

 

[UrbanRunner651]

I have the high flow AEM filter, JBA shorties with a custom Y pipe and Borla turbo style exhaust. It definitely has a little more pep but really only could tell at WOT. So unless you drive it like a racecar it's negligible aside from noise in most cases.
To get the most out of any of those mods you would need to do a custom tune as well.

 

[daprotege5]

I have the high flow AEM filter, JBA shorties with a custom Y pipe and Borla turbo style exhaust. It definitely has a little more pep but really only could tell at WOT. So unless you drive it like a racecar it's negligible aside from noise in most cases.
To get the most out of any of those mods you would need to do a custom tune as well.

did that throw a cel for you or are you still running the cats??? need to replace my exhaust and was thinking the header route, but than don't want a CEL on constantly.

 

[phatcheeks]

Retarded cam gears and a plenum spacer are some good mods. You can read up about it on Tacomaworld forums. I have both and definitely got a bit more performance and better mpgs.

 

[UrbanRunner651]

did that throw a cel for you or are you still running the cats??? need to replace my exhaust and was thinking the header route, but than don't want a CEL on constantly.

No CEL. Shorties retain the main cats. I had them cutout the secondary ones which are not even really cats. The secondary sensors are upstream from those so no lights going on just over 4 years now.

 

[daprotege5]

No CEL. Shorties retain the main cats. I had them cutout the secondary ones which are not even really cats. The secondary sensors are upstream from those so no lights going on just over 4 years now.

Did you cut your old cats and weld them on or bought new aftermarket??
Have pictures of your setup by chance??

 

[04rnr]

" Im shooting for better mpg's but also more hp and tq" you shouldn't have bought a 4runner if you're looking for better mpg and tq LOL

 

[akhero]

Hey guys I got a 2006 4runner SR5 V6 and have been wondering what the best performance mods are? There was another thread like this one but it's 12 years old so i figured id start a fresh one. Im shooting for better mpg's but also more hp and tq. Stuff under $1k preferably. Thoughts on CAI's? Exhausts? Headers? i know Doug Thorley's make a big difference on the V8 but what about the V6? And short tube vs long tube? Please specify names and brands. Thanks!

I think you need a sports car, v6 has very good power in my opinion. I have an 05 v8 tundra too and im happy with both cars.