I know there are posts all over about what doesn't work as far as performance goes on the 3.4, but I haven't really seen anything that I can do to boost the performance. I am looking at a 99 4runner Limited with 143162 miles on it, it has 33" tires and stock 410 gears, the thing can barely get out of it's own way. I really like it and I am trying to find some things that I can do to make it move a little faster before I try to buy it. I have read that chips/programmers don't work nor do K & N Cool Air Intakes, besides regearing to 488's which I'd do at some point when I can afford to fork out $1200, what else could I do since the other 2 options don't work? Any help would be much appreciated.
Performance options for the 3.4
- Thread starter Baker11
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boost or re-gear are your only options really. the gains you will get out of basic bolt ons will not make enough difference with those big tires in the end, better to save the cash from those bolt ons towards gears or a blower. if you really wanted i think snow makes a stage 1 methanol kit for n/a engines, but again i'd just save the money and do it right.
Pikeman
New member
Ok no one has said it yet..... It is an SUV not a sports car with oversized tires for off-roading or mall crawling. Compared to many other mid size SUV's in its class the 3.4 does very well and performs better than most, but sucks compared ot the Honda car or whatever car you came from. It is a bullet proof motor as is and can make HP improvements but not without lots of cost. Only good way to make substantial power increases, Boost(Supercharger or turbo), Heads(port/polish), Cams, headers/ exhaust with intake, ECM reprogram( once you have other mods done). Most of which will cost more than a Re-gear.
theizzardking
New member
remove the cat [sic] :lol:
T4R2014
Elite Member
I agree with Pikeman. A 3.4L 4Runner gets along pretty well for a truck. You can make a 4Runner accelerate quicker than stock but trying to go 100mph+ in one is crazy.
For the 3.4's displacement, I think it does really well considering it accelerates on par with or quicker than the majority of SUV's in its class during the 90's. A stock 3.4L 4Runner does 0-60 in about 9 seconds- not to shabby for a 4000lb truck IMO.
That being said, a re-gear would bring your truck back to factory specs to compensate for the lift+tires. If you want more power then the TRD supercharger is your most bulletproof and proven option. Otherwise headers, exhaust and intake are less expensive options.
For the 3.4's displacement, I think it does really well considering it accelerates on par with or quicker than the majority of SUV's in its class during the 90's. A stock 3.4L 4Runner does 0-60 in about 9 seconds- not to shabby for a 4000lb truck IMO.
That being said, a re-gear would bring your truck back to factory specs to compensate for the lift+tires. If you want more power then the TRD supercharger is your most bulletproof and proven option. Otherwise headers, exhaust and intake are less expensive options.
Stick Figure
New member
agree 100% with what others have said but I will add start with making sure the maintenance is up to date. Only other option would be to swap to a newer or larger engine that makes more power.
They are Wet Okole.
I appreciate it guys, I have decided to go ahead and get it re-geared as soon as I buy it to either 4.56's or 4.88's instead of some of the other things I had planned to do, which do you all think I should go with for some off roading and normal DD? I'm not looking to gain super power,it is just really sluggish with the 33's on it, it has a TRD (Borla) exhaust and K&N that is dirty and needs to be cleaned. The guy just changed the oil, which I will still probably change as soon as I get it and run full synthetic oil, I was planning to do the deck plate mod to gain a little horse power. I drive a 4 door wrangler with 32's right now (that I am praying is sold Saturday so I can go pick this up) so I know all about under powered.
The first thing I did to my runner ager I bought it was put a cold air intake (k&n) and it didn't do a chance thing. I pulled it off and stuck with a deckplate. About 8 months ago I put the supercharger on there and it was night and day. I also just put on an airraid jr intake tube (basically an expensive ISR). The intake on the n/a motor didn't really do much but having one with the s/c definitely gave me one hell of a bump. Long story short, I can't recommend he trd supercharger enough! The only downside is the premium gas but its negligible. I even got a slight bump in fuel economy!
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Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
Martinjmpr
New member
The way I see it, here are your options:
1. Sell the 33's on CL and put a set of 32s on there. I've been running 32s on my 4runner (265/75/16) and I ran them on my '04 Taco (235/85/16) and they were fine. I can't believe there's a huge difference in terms of off-road ability, but there is definitely a difference in how it performs on the highway.
2. Regear ($1200+)
3. Supercharger ($3,000+)
4. Sell the 3rd gen and buy a 4th gen.
If it was me, I'd do #1 as it is the least expensive and requires the least amount of modification.
1. Sell the 33's on CL and put a set of 32s on there. I've been running 32s on my 4runner (265/75/16) and I ran them on my '04 Taco (235/85/16) and they were fine. I can't believe there's a huge difference in terms of off-road ability, but there is definitely a difference in how it performs on the highway.
2. Regear ($1200+)
3. Supercharger ($3,000+)
4. Sell the 3rd gen and buy a 4th gen.
If it was me, I'd do #1 as it is the least expensive and requires the least amount of modification.
xcmountain80
New member
I'd recommend re-gearing 1st I've had both 4.56 and 4.88 I like the 4.88's better but my rig is heavy, bumper, armor, full side 33's, yada yada. The TRD Super Charger is a nice option and is best coupled with the URD Fuel management kit.
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chris360hawks
New member
Go through the maintaince on it first of all. Toyota Fuel filter, NGK/Denso plugs, NGK/Toyota wires, all fresh fluids, clean the MAF sensor. Deck plate mod next. Boost it. Can pick up a used blower for around a grand. Gear it if you feel like it, but boost it first. 4.56s is the most you will need with 33s and a blower. 4.88s would be overkill unless you are going up to 35s.
BrianSD_42
New member
Actually K&N CAI are dyno tested at 5.5 HP gain on the Toyota 3.4L Tacoma / 4Runner engine.
I added the K&N CAI and a high flow exhaust and saw immediate results. You would also notice a gain if you switched from 33s to 31.5 tires like I have.
If you go with a new blower, than yes, it will be close to a $3k investment not including labor. However, if you keep your eyes open, you can come across some amazing deals. I got mine with just over 50k miles on it but it had just been professionally rebuilt by PSE and has a lifetime warrantee on it. I paid $1600 shipped and did the install myself in about 4 hours.
It also negated any pick-up lost from larger tires
It also negated any pick-up lost from larger tires
BrianSD_42
New member
That sounds like a good deal to me but I still think SC are overrated. COB spent a lot of money on his SC and quite a few others on this site appear to have continuous issues with their SCs.
