I put a reusable K&N filter in mine. I can’t really tell any difference, but I also haven’t dyno’ed it. Mostly I did it because i’m at high altitude (10,000’) and wanted to get as much air as I could. That, and I’m lazy and like the idea of not ever having to buy another air filter. Just rinse, spray, and replace.
Best performance mods for 4th gen V6?
- Thread starter othompson824
- Start date
I put a reusable K&N filter in mine. I can’t really tell any difference, but I also haven’t dyno’ed it. Mostly I did it because i’m at high altitude (10,000’) and wanted to get as much air as I could. That, and I’m lazy and like the idea of not ever having to buy another air filter. Just rinse, spray, and replace.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
I have a cleanable air filter as well, but for convenience and less cost, it doesn't affect performance. Just damn skippy be sure it's completely dry before you reinstall it. I put in the last standard air filter I bought when I clean the other one so I can leave it out for a couple of days.
Bogrun
New member
I've noticed a pretty significant change in my performance doing a full intake and exhaust with tune.
I did most of them pretty close together so I can't necessarily discern what made the biggest impact but I'll try to share what I have noticed.
aFe CAI Stage 2si
While the stock intake does pull in cold air from the fender, the aFe intake increases the flow significantly and reduces the restriction of the stock intake drastically. Plus it creates a nice sound.
URD Offroad Y-Pipe (Rear cat delete)
Gibson Performance SS Exhaust
I did these both at the same time so can't really comment on the effects separately but this made a huge difference in my specific application because my old exhaust had numerous leaks. The main difference is obviously the noise but with new O2 sensors and the leaks fixed, I can't imagine there aren't some performance gains. Even if they are just regains of lost power.
URD MAF Sensor Calibrator
URD programs these chips specifically to your CAI so you don't need to go with an aFe intake to use these but this piggybacks off the MAF sensor and middle spark plug on the passenger side's harness to recalibrate your system to account for the added airflow from your intake. The idea is that this will lean out your fuel ratio gaining you fuel efficiency and also giving you an increase in performance. I'm still testing the fuel efficiency aspects but I can definitely say there's a noticeable jump in higher RPM maneuvers. I wouldn't consider a CAI without this.
Sprint Booster
Big improvement in throttle response. Not any faster with it but it give a much better pedal feel to the 4Runner. You'll get used to it and it won't "wow" you like it did the first week with it but just turn it off and you'll think something is wrong with the car. I was amazed how much more I had to put into the pedal to make it move with it off after I had gotten used to it. If you think you'd like it, you will.
I did most of them pretty close together so I can't necessarily discern what made the biggest impact but I'll try to share what I have noticed.
aFe CAI Stage 2si
While the stock intake does pull in cold air from the fender, the aFe intake increases the flow significantly and reduces the restriction of the stock intake drastically. Plus it creates a nice sound.
URD Offroad Y-Pipe (Rear cat delete)
Gibson Performance SS Exhaust
I did these both at the same time so can't really comment on the effects separately but this made a huge difference in my specific application because my old exhaust had numerous leaks. The main difference is obviously the noise but with new O2 sensors and the leaks fixed, I can't imagine there aren't some performance gains. Even if they are just regains of lost power.
URD MAF Sensor Calibrator
URD programs these chips specifically to your CAI so you don't need to go with an aFe intake to use these but this piggybacks off the MAF sensor and middle spark plug on the passenger side's harness to recalibrate your system to account for the added airflow from your intake. The idea is that this will lean out your fuel ratio gaining you fuel efficiency and also giving you an increase in performance. I'm still testing the fuel efficiency aspects but I can definitely say there's a noticeable jump in higher RPM maneuvers. I wouldn't consider a CAI without this.
Sprint Booster
Big improvement in throttle response. Not any faster with it but it give a much better pedal feel to the 4Runner. You'll get used to it and it won't "wow" you like it did the first week with it but just turn it off and you'll think something is wrong with the car. I was amazed how much more I had to put into the pedal to make it move with it off after I had gotten used to it. If you think you'd like it, you will.
If you want better mpg and hp, go to a gas station that offers non-ethanol.
Oil changes consistently on time, check fluids regularly, and repack your bearing or get new ones, 4 gens are almost geriatric. But I love ‘em.
Or you could find an old v8 and put it in there. You can throw lots of money at the 1GR-FE, but it’ll give you little more than stock, if you keep it naturally aspirated, and sound like a pissed off wasp nest.
IMHO
Oil changes consistently on time, check fluids regularly, and repack your bearing or get new ones, 4 gens are almost geriatric. But I love ‘em.
Or you could find an old v8 and put it in there. You can throw lots of money at the 1GR-FE, but it’ll give you little more than stock, if you keep it naturally aspirated, and sound like a pissed off wasp nest.
IMHO
Lol!
For me, the 4Runner is more utility than sport as far as SUV goes. It’ll never be a race car. If you need more grunt for towing or something, trading out for a v8 or a Sequoia might be a better, more cost effective choice.
techno
New member
My Walker exhaust system rusted out and literally fell off the vehicle, so I replaced it with the AFE Y-Pipe (which deletes the two downstream cats) and the Magnaflow Overlander cat back system. Very noticeable improvement in power over what I had. It holds gears longer before downshifting on inclines and acceleration is way better. Yes, the Magnaflow is LOUD even with the mildest setup, but the performance gain I got makes it worth continuing with. The only intake mod I have is the HCF delete.
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othompson824
New member
I went onto the URD website and found multiple aFe CAI's, what made you choose the stage 2si over the other ones? And what mpg are you getting now with all those mods?
othompson824
New member
And did you get the plug-n-play sensor or the universal?
Bogrun
New member
So there's the stage 2si and the magnum. I really just didn't think I'd notice the difference between them and didn't want to spend the extra cash when I was already getting a 100%+ increase in flow from the stage 2si. That extra money went towards the y-pipe :wof:
I got the plug and play MAF chip. Install takes 5 minutes if that. I'm still testing my mpg (just finishing the first tank with it now, won't know for sure until 2-3) but I suspect I'm getting slightly better efficiency now just based on how long this tank has lasted me. Definitely not any worse. Also slightly difficult to gauge because I've been having a lot of fun putting my foot down and hearing the new exhaust scream!
othompson824
New member
Ok sweet. Oh so you like recently installed all this! Well lmk how it goes, and hey i dont blame you flooring it all the time, your car must sound awesome!
othompson824
New member
Im liking the idea of a Y-pipe, they seem to help a lot. But I live in California, do you know if it would pass emissions or not?
othompson824
New member
And do y-pipes affect clearance at all? I may be better off just going with the magnaflow overland exhaust on its own.
Bogrun
New member
I'm not familiar with California's laws but I know they're among the strictest in the country so I'd so some research before making the commitment. There aren't any inspections in Michigan so unfortunately I couldn't even give you my best guess if it would pass.
I can say there are no check engine lights with it as it only removes the rear catalytic converters so as far as the 4Runner is concerned, no issues there. And if you're curious, I got about $75 for the two rear cats.
The URD y-pipe doesn't affect clearance any. It does reroute the y-pipe to go under the transmission pan but it still fits under my RCI skid plates just fine. I also haven't noticed an increase in my transmission temperature since installing the y-pipe as measured with my scanguage.
I installed my exhaust and y-pipe at the same time so I can't say for certain what portion to the overall sound it's responsible for but it's very deep and throaty. It sounds more like a truck than any off-the-lot V8 you'd get from the big 3. Definitely not a wasp nest!
T4r.Chris
New member
Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet, but a simple drop in K&N filter definitely felt like it did something on the butt dyno. I have a “race pedal” throttle control (similar to a pedal commander) which just helped day to day driving and getting up to speed. Magnaflow dropped their Overlander exhaust system a while back for a lot of Toyota’s. Not sure of the power difference if any on that.
othompson824
New member
I have not, but I believe it reprograms the ECU to lean out the mixture, depending on if you have any mods or not, and what those mods are. I think they make a pretty significant improvement even on stock trucks. Pedal commander, however, doesn't affect performance at all and instead just changes the sensitivity of the pedal and makes it more or less responsive.
UrbanRunner651
New member
Sorry for the late reply, had to resize to be able to upload
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othompson824
New member
Any updates?
Bogrun
New member
Finishing the last tank of gas I had before the intake, exhaust, and tune was about 17.5mpg and the after the first tank of gas with them I was reading 18.6mpg.
Unfortunately I had to reset my computer last night removing my battery to install my new suspension so I won't be able to track how it increases from there but I'll be watching it closely again.
I noticed you really feel the power gains at higher speeds above 60mph or in the higher RPMs. If you just want to feel a big difference in your day-to-day driving around town I'd say the Sprint Booster is almost more noticeable if you're just trying to make the 4Runner feel more sporty and quick on it's feet.
It's also worth noting I'm riding on oversized all-terrains so your mileage may vary. I'll update again after I get some more miles after my lift
