Performance Chip or Headers? Worth It?

khopem5

khopem5

New member
It is still very hard to find anything for the 5th generation and coming from an fj where it was a couple years old I am wanting to get into more modding of my 4runner ASAP. I did some research on different kinds of performance chips but seem to find limited information. I was going to get the unichip for the fj but went with headers. Do you think Headers are the best way to go performance wise and are chips really a gimmick because its not a diesel engine? (I would love a diesel) Of course Like i said i get antsy and do see that i can get headers for my 4runner now. Can anyone who has them tell me if they sound good and which ones to get ? Short tube or long tube? Thanks !
 
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Chips do minimal to nothing on a naturally aspirated motor so save your money.
Headers on an NA motor aren't really the best bang for your buck since you might only see 10whp at best (coupled with an exhaust) and the power gain is usually high up in the rpm band where unless you're really getting on it you won't really notice the power gain.
 
^
+1.. besides, most of the performance chips that are out for most of Toyota brands are nothing more but resistors that disrupt setting, and make your car more powerful.. temporarily.. until ECU learns the new curve, that is..
 
khopem5 said:
It is still very hard to find anything for the 5th generation and coming from an fj where it was a couple years old I am wanting to get into more modding of my 4runner ASAP. I did some research on different kinds of performance chips but seem to find limited information. I was going to get the unichip for the fj but went with headers. Do you think Headers are the best way to go performance wise and are chips really a gimmick because its not a diesel engine? (I would love a diesel) Of course Like i said i get antsy and do see that i can get headers for my 4runner now. Can anyone who has them tell me if they sound good and which ones to get ? Short tube or long tube? Thanks !
Click to expand...

I have the Doug Thorley long tube headers and love em. I know it's not official like a Dyno but my onboard scan gauge that measures HP from the ECU claimed a 20+ HP gain on the top end.They eliminate the front cats and you'll see how restrictive they are down inside if you take them off. I have the Flowmaster super 44 muffler on which is about the same as your 40 series FM's.The 44's are too loud for "those I love" and my neighbors ,so I have a Magnaflow 12256 muffler sitting out in the garage that's about to go on instead.lol

There are a few downsides to the DT long tube headers.
They eliminate the front 2 cats which are on the factory exhaust manifolds they replace,so not sure what emissions check problems there will be. On my last M3 I played stupid but had to put the cats back on to pass. I'm a mechanic so not that big of deal for me. If you have to pay somebody else it will cost $$$.

I've thrown the 0430 O2 sensor Check Eng. Light twice now even with the O2 Sim installed. Once when I first put them on last summer and again a couple of weeks ago. I have the onboard scan gauge which can read and reset the fault code turning off the lights so no biggy to me but just so you know.

Just click on DT Headers link in my sig down below for more info on them.
I have not heard of any chips out for this new dual vvt-1 engine.
 
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I too have the Long Tubes on and agree with Harper, I love them.

As far as a chip goes I dont really like any on the ones that are out. I bought a URD MAF Calibrator. I have yet to install, hopefully can get to it soon. It replaces the entire fuel curve and basically does the same thing a chip is supposed to do. Gadget really likes them and has told me that I should see a big improvement once I get it all set up. I think a big reason for this though is because I have the headers and aftermarket muffler, along with a CAI.

I will post results when I get it installed.
 
Awesome thanks everyone for posting everyone...your builds are great...going with the headers. Plus I like the sound of them. I am going to get a scan guage also so i can reset any codes from them that pop up and i like the scan guage device anyways. will post sound clip and pictures when done!
 
BFLAN said:
I bought a URD MAF Calibrator. I have yet to install, hopefully can get to it soon. It replaces the entire fuel curve and basically does the same thing a chip is supposed to do. Gadget really likes them and has told me that I should see a big improvement once I get it all set up. I think a big reason for this though is because I have the headers and aftermarket muffler, along with a CAI.

I will post results when I get it installed.
Click to expand...

BLAN, did you ever get that MAF calibrator installed? If so, how did it work out for you?
 
Narkhelek said:
BLAN, did you ever get that MAF calibrator installed? If so, how did it work out for you?
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No :( Not yet. I really need to get on it, because I know that it will give me some improvements with all the mods I have done.

I am planning on getting it on here in the next couple weeks once I get my aFe CAI :)

Promise I will let you all know how I like it when it gets on.
 
BFLAN said:
No :( Not yet. I really need to get on it, because I know that it will give me some improvements with all the mods I have done.

I am planning on getting it on here in the next couple weeks once I get my aFe CAI :)

Promise I will let you all know how I like it when it gets on.
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You better because it's on the top of my list of things I want to try. ;)

Do you have a wide band AFR tool so you can get it dialed in?
 
Narkhelek said:
You better because it's on the top of my list of things I want to try. ;)

Do you have a wide band AFR tool so you can get it dialed in?
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:) I have a buddy that has one. He owns a Audi tuner shop. This is one reason that it has taken so long to get it installed. I am having to coordinate with him, when he has some extra time to help me out.
 
Hey guys what do the dough thorley headers sound like on the 5th gens?

And what is the process of calibrating the MAF after intake, headers / exhaust? Thx!
 
enkrypt3d said:
Hey guys what do the dough thorley headers sound like on the 5th gens?

And what is the process of calibrating the MAF after intake, headers / exhaust? Thx!
Click to expand...

I have heard it sounds like lots of coins leaving the penny bank.

I would start with the muffler
 
enkrypt3d said:
yea I'm looking for performance gains and muffler alone does nearly nothing except put a hole in my wallet :)
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a muffler is less than a couple hundred installed. short tube headers won't do much because you are still retaining the rear cats. long tube headers eliminate all four cats (this is where most of the performance gains come from), but you also have to mess around with signal simulators for the O2 sensors, and after talking a fair bit with [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] about this a few years ago, it sounds like installing headers on these things is a major PITA. to do a complete exhaust and headers you're looking at some major coin for not a lot of gains.


on the flip side, I hear those Sprintbooster things make lots of HP gains, and you could also put in some speed holes :hiding:
zll6M.gif
 
IMO - if you want more power and less mpg either re-gear or save a few more pennies and trade for one of these:
003-2014-lexus-gx460-qs-1.jpg
 
Jetboy said:
IMO - if you want more power and less mpg either re-gear or save a few more pennies and trade for one of these:
003-2014-lexus-gx460-qs-1.jpg
Click to expand...

I can't stand the RX's... I guess I could find an aftermarket supercharger.... but that's a sore subject around these parts ;P seeing as how there's no TRD option :(
 
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